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Committee discusses 12‑mile sovereignty bill and votes against senior/retiree lobster license concept
Summary
Lawmakers debated LD 553, a push to assert state sovereignty over waters to 12 nautical miles, and directed staff to draft a letter to the congressional delegation and Department of Commerce seeking legal and feasibility analysis; the committee also voted 'ought not to pass' on LD 851 (senior/retiree lobster license) citing zone council concerns and potential gear increases.
Committee members spent substantial time on LD 553, which would assert state ownership and jurisdiction over waters seaward to 12 nautical miles and require the Attorney General to pursue actions and report back. Analysts and DMR warned that the federal Submerged Lands Act generally grants coastal states title out to three nautical miles and that extending state criminal jurisdiction or management to 12 miles raises preemption and resource issues.
Senator Martin, sponsor of LD 553, said he wants the Attorney General to ‘‘look into it’’ and was open to amending the timing for a report. Committee members expressed concern about enforcement costs and whether the state currently has the resources and legal standing to assert a 12‑mile boundary; several members proposed sending a letter to the congressional delegation (Sen. Susan Collins, Sen. Angus King, Rep. Jared Golden) and to Commerce/NOAA to request feasibility analysis. The committee agreed to draft and send such a letter with a copy to the Attorney General.
On LD 851 (senior/retiree lobster license), the committee heard competing views: proponents described a modest license for people age 65+ seeking limited supplemental income (100‑trap seasonal license), while DMR and fishing organizations warned that new entry and additional gear could complicate management and undermine the apprenticeship/waiting‑list system and zone council authority. Following debate the committee voted 'ought not to pass' on the senior/retiree license proposal and directed staff to prepare the appropriate report language.
The committee also completed a preliminary language review of LD 214 (for‑hire charter boat operator license and recreational halibut registry) and scheduled further language work with DMR.
