AUGUSTA — Maine’s saltwater fishing license issue, thought to have been settled during the last legislative session, is back.

A legislative committee today heard testimony on bills to ease a process adopted last year that requires those fishing in saltwater to register on a state recreational fishing registry. It includes some exceptions.

The law was prompted by a federal mandate to establish a registry of saltwater anglers in each state, or have the government impose one.

A bill before the Marine Resources Committee does away with fees that have to be paid by those who fish in saltwater but don’t have a freshwater fishing license. It also does away with fees for nonresidents, and adds more exemptions for registering.