Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §6421, sub-§5-B is enacted to read:

5-B.__Noncommercial lobster and crab fishing license eligibility.__Beginning with license year 2003, a noncommercial lobster and crab fishing license may be issued only to a person who has successfully completed a lobster and crab fishing education course and written examination, as provided in section 6423.__Once a person successfully completes the course and examination, that person need not repeat the course and examination to renew the license.

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §6423 is enacted to read:

§6423.__Lobster and crab fishing education program

The commissioner shall establish an education program in accordance with this section for training applicants for noncommercial lobster and crab fishing licenses.

1.__Curriculum.__The program must include, at a minimum, a review of:

A.__Existing laws and rules governing lobster and crab fishing;

B.__Penalties for violations of laws and rules governing lobster and crab fishing;

C.__Basic lobster and crab management structure; and

D.__Traditional lobster and crab fishing practices.

2.__Written examination.__The program must conclude with a written examination.

3.__Surcharge; credit to Lobster Management Fund.__The commissioner shall set a surcharge, not to exceed $15, sufficient to recover the costs incurred by the department in providing the program.__The commissioner may provide copies of the education materials developed under this section to an applicant for another lobster and crab fishing license upon receipt of the surcharge.__Surcharges collected under this subsection must be credited to the Lobster Management Fund established in section 6431-C.

Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §6431-C, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2001, c. 93, §2, is further amended to read: