Committee endorses amended ferry pilotage bill, shifts administration to economic development agency

The Transportation Committee on Feb. 5 voted to move LD 1477, an exemption from pilotage requirements for passenger ferry service between Bar Harbor, Maine, and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, as amended and with administration moved to the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD).

Sponsor and industry representatives said the amended draft was developed with input from the pilotage commission, the Attorney General’s office, the pilots, DOT and Bay Ferries. Dan Walker and Freddie Flaherty of Bay Ferries told the committee the revised, strike-and-replace draft reflects those consultations and that Nova Scotia has committed significant funding to sustain the maritime link.

Representative Lydia Crafts and others supported moving administration to DECD “because this is a very specific instance of making a financial investment” tied to economic development, Fuhrman summarized. Bay Ferries’ presentation noted the broader economic footprint: roughly 30 Mainers employed on the ferry, about 15 working at the Bar Harbor terminal, and services that support border operations; the company said Nova Scotia’s participation in the project amounted to more than $20 million in discussions presented to the committee.

Appropriations pathway: Staff noted that because the proposal includes an appropriation it would also require consideration by the Appropriations Committee. Committee members also discussed alternatives for where any funds could be routed, and DOT staff said DOT could review draft language if the proposal were kept there.

Outcome: Representative Kraft moved that LD 1477 “ought to pass as amended” with DECD administration; the motion was seconded and recorded as passed by the committee at the work session.

What’s next: The committee report will be transmitted with the amended administration language; any appropriation will be reviewed on the table by Appropriations.