Industry groups push to add commercial boatyards to Maine's working‑waterfront current‑use tax program

Representatives of the aquaculture industry and other waterfront advocates urged the Taxation Committee to approve LD 1168, which would explicitly include commercial boatyards in Maine’s working‑waterfront current‑use tax classification.

Rep. Billy Bob Fockingham’s bill seeks to ensure that land used for commercial boatyards — facilities that store, berth, maintain and service commercial fishing and aquaculture vessels — can qualify for the reduced current‑use valuation afforded to other working‑waterfront properties. Sebastian Bell of the Maine Aquaculture Association, a member of the Working Waterfront Coalition, said commercial boatyards ‘‘are essential’’ and that their small numbers and valuable waterfront locations make them at unusually high risk of conversion to noncommercial uses.

Supporters argued the change would protect maritime infrastructure that underpins fishing, aquaculture and associated processing, maintenance and distribution activities. ‘‘Without these facilities, commercial fishermen would have fewer opportunities to dock, store, and maintain their boats,’’ a public testimony said.

Municipal officials and the Maine Municipal Association cautioned the committee about carving additional exemptions from the property tax base. Amanda Campbell testified that municipalities oppose continued carve‑outs that erode the local tax base and noted that recent statute changes removed structures from the working‑waterfront program after constitutional concerns. Maine Revenue Services and the administration flagged potential legal questions and said current statute already allows certain boat berthing and storage on waterfront parcels to qualify; they suggested careful drafting to avoid constitutional problems identified during earlier litigation.

Why it matters: Working‑waterfront protections affect the affordability and permanence of maritime infrastructure that supports commercial fishing and aquaculture. Explicitly including commercial boatyards would lower tax costs for those facilities but could reduce municipal property tax revenues if not offset.

Next steps: Committee members asked for drafting adjustments and legal review; DECD and municipal witnesses expected to participate in work‑session refinements.

Sources: Testimony from Rep. Rudnicki presenting for sponsor; Sebastian Bell (Maine Aquaculture Association); Amanda Campbell (Maine Municipal Association); Maine Revenue Services.