AUGUSTA - Rep. Jay McCreight, D-Harpswell, reintroduced her bill providing for the safe disposal of expired marine flares at a public hearing before the Legislature's Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee on Wednesday.
LD 514 provides funding for the State Fire Marshals Office within the Department of Public Safety to acquire an incinerator, enabling the collection and disposal of expired marine flares. The bill also contains an educational component, which would assist with making the collection and disposal programs known to the public.
"Five years ago, a Harpswell lobsterman asked what I thought was a simple question, 'What am I supposed to do with my expired flares? He told me that he and other lobstermen have sheds, garages and basements full of these explosive and hazardous devices," said McCreight. "Now, working together with the State Fire Marshals Office and other interested parties, we have developed a long-term solution and a plan to make sure Mainers know what to do with expired flares."
Supporters of the bill testified that tens of thousands of flares on both commercial and recreational vessels expire each year and that the problem is accelerating as disposal options have disappeared. State laws and federal regulations require that vessels keep at least three flares on board at all times for safety. The flares expire after three years.
The bill drew supportive testimony from the Maine Harbor Masters Association, whose members across the Maine coast have repeatedly raised the issue and sought a statewide solution. No one testified in opposition to the bill.
McCreight submitted similar legislation in 2017 and 2019. In 2017, the Legislature failed to override a veto from then-Governor Paul LePage. In 2019, the bill received unanimous committee support but did not receive funding when the Legislature adjourned early due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The committee will hold a work session and potentially vote on McCreight's measure in the coming days.
McCreight, House chair of the Legislatures Marine Resources Committee and a member of the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee, is serving her fourth term in the Maine House and represents Harpswell, West Bath and northeastern Brunswick.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [McCreight], c. 812-1111