ME LD1353

Creates a special exception allowing the Commissioner of Marine Resources to issue 2026 commercial menhaden fishing licenses to individuals who reported landings of 20,000 pounds or more in at least one year from 2019-2022

Requires applicants to have held a commercial menhaden fishing license in at least 2 of the 4 years between 2019 and 2022

Documentation proving the landing requirement must be submitted to the Department of Marine Resources by January 1, 2026

Amends existing law that currently limits license eligibility only to those who held a license in the previous calendar year, creating a pathway for previously licensed fishers to re-enter the fishery