ACT TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF MAINE RESOURCES TO CONDUCT BIOTOXIN TESTING OF CULTURED SCALLOPS
About the Bill
Goal: Bipartisan bill to support Maine’s heritage industries
Sponsor: Rep. Holly Eaton, House District 15
Amount: $50,000 per year in FY2025-26 to pilot sustainable biotoxin testing for food safety/quality to grow Maine’s emerging scallop fishery
This Bill: Proposes 2-year pilot to establish biotoxin testing protocols for high-risk aquaculture species and species in high-risk areas, beginning with farmed scallops. Farmed scallops represent an emerging fishery that contributes to economic diversification strategies for Maine fishermen and coastal communities.
How to Support the Bill
LD 1279 is scheduled for a Public Hearing in the Marine Resources Committee at 11:30 AM on Thursday, May 1, 2025. See below for instructions on how to submit testimony.
Testify In Person
The Public Hearing will take place in Room 202 of the Cross Building and online (see below). Bring 20 copies of your written testimony.
Submit Written Testimony
Written testimony can be submitted at any time up until the work session where they will vote on the bill.
- Click on Online Testimony Submission
- Choose: Public Hearing
- Choose a committee (from dropdown list): Marine Resources.
- Choose a date: MAY 1, 2025, 11:30AM
- Select the bill you want to testify/submit testimony for: LD 1279, An Act to Require the Department of Marine Resources to Conduct Biotoxin Testing of Cultured Scallops
- Click on Upload File, to upload your Testimony.
- Complete your information: Name, Town or Organization.
- Click Submit/Register
You may also email written testimony to the Committee Clerk HERE: AFA@legislature.maine.gov
If you have any problems call either the:
Legislative Information Office – (207) 287-1692
Committee Clerk – (207) 287-1330