George
Lapointe - Commissioner
Maine Sea Urchin Zone Council
Bylaws
As Adopted March 12, 1998
Article I
The purpose of the Sea Urchin Zone Council is as specified in Title 12, MRSA § 6749-X, sub-section 3:
The Council shall make recommendations to the Commissioner concerning:
A. The designation of open days for the harvesting of sea urchins by handfishing, dragging, hand-raking and trapping pursuant to § 6749-W;
B. Research projects and grants funded by the Sea Urchin Research Fund under § 6749-R; and
C. Other matters of interest to the Sea Urchin Fishery.
The Sea Urchin Zone Council may propose rules to be presented to the Commissioner of Marine Resources pursuant to any further authority granted to the council by future legislative action.
Article II
Meetings of Members
Sec. 1. Regular Meetings. The council shall meet at least once each year.
Sec. 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of all the members of the Council may be called, when necessary, by the Chairman or the Chairman’s designee or by the Commissioner or the Commissioner’s designee and the special meeting shall be held at a time and place to be announced by the Chairman of the Council.
Sec. 3. Notice of Meetings. Notice of a meeting shall be sent to all Council members at least a week prior to the meeting and shall set forth date, time and the place that the meeting is to be held.
Sec. 4 Voting. The right to vote on any matter or matters at any meeting is restricted to the members of the Council as defined in the Provisions of Title 12, MRSA § 6749-T. Each member shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at any meeting of the council. When a quorum is not present, and an issue must be voted on prior to the next scheduled meeting, voting by telephone will be allowed if all members present agree to a telephone vote.
Sec. 5. Quorum. A quorum shall consist of one-half of the Council members. A majority of the votes entitled to be cast on a matter to be voted on by the members present shall be necessary for the adoption of any motion. The members present at a duly called meeting at which a quorum is not present may continue to discuss business at the meeting but no vote may be taken except as specified in Sec. 4.
Sec. 6. No Action By Council Members Without A Meeting. No action may be taken by Council members without a meeting being held thereon.
Article III
Members of the Council
Sec. 1. Number of Council Members. The number of Council members shall be determined by 12 MRSA § 6749-X and shall be appointed by the Commissioner of Marine Resources.
Sec. 2. Term of Council Members. Council members shall serve for two years and shall continue serving until a successor is duly appointed.
Sec. 3. Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in the Council shall be promptly filled by the Commissioner.
Sec. 4. Removal of Council Members. A Council member who misses three consecutive meetings without notifying an officer of his intended absence from the meeting, shall be automatically removed from the Council and notified by the Council Chairman. The Chairman shall notify the Commissioner of the vacant position.
A Council member who has been placed on the Council because of his possession of a Maine State Sea Urchin Harvesting or tending license and who has that license suspended, revoked, or who fails to renew his Maine State Sea Urchin Harvesting or Tending license shall be automatically removed from the Council.
Article IV
Officers
Sec. 1. Officers. The Council members shall elect by a majority vote of a quorum, members to act as Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Secretary to the Council. Such officers shall have the authority to perform the duties prescribed from time to time by the Council.
Sec. 2. Election and Term Of Office. The Officers of the Council shall be elected annually by a majority of a quorum. The election shall be held at a June meeting or as soon thereafter as it is convenient. New offices may be filled at any meeting that has a quorum. Each Officer shall hold his office for one year and shall remain in office until a successor has been elected and qualified. No person shall hold more than one office at the same time.
Sec. 3. Removal. Any Officer elected by the Council may be removed by a majority vote of the Council at any meeting at which three-quarters of the Council members are present and voting. Such a removal can be carried out whenever, by the best judgment of the Council members, the best interest of the Council will be served thereby.
Sec. 4. Vacancies. A vacancy is any office of the Council may be filled immediately by a majority vote of a quorum. A person elected to fill a vacant office shall serve out the unexpired portion of the term of that office.
Sec. 5. Powers and Duties.
A. Chairman. Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Council and shall conduct the meetings in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order.
B. Vice-Chairman. Vice-Chairman shall carry out all the duties of the Chairman when the Chairman is unable to carry out his duties.
C. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep the records of all the meetings.
Article V
Committees
The Chairman may appoint one or more committees, each of which shall consist of at least two members. The Chairman may also designate additional non-council persons to any such committees. A committee shall be established to perform certain tasks as designated by the Chairman, such tasks shall not be inconsistent with the purposes of the Council. The committee shall report its findings to the Council. Such committees shall not have the authority of the council.
Article VI
Amendment To The Bylaws
The bylaws of the Council may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the Council. A proposal to amend the bylaws may be presented by any Council member at any meeting of the Council, but may not be acted upon until the following meeting.