An Act relative to a marine special activity license program
This bill creates a "marine special activity license" program to regulate scientific research involving marine organisms. It directly affects researchers at universities, marine institutes, government agencies, and aquaculture facilities who study, collect, or restore sea life (like oysters or corals) for scientific or educational purposes. The license requires applicants to demonstrate compliance with species protection standards, submit detailed activity reports (including species, locations, and how organisms were handled), and provide data for replication or monitoring. Licenses are denied if proposed activities risk harming species or exceed established catch limits, with reviews considering biological status, gear impact, and location.
Bill status
passed
3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2025
Last action Feb 26, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
4
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Feb 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to the committee on Environment and Natural Resources
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Patrick Kearney
DDemocratic
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