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FISCAL NOTE
House Bill 297
Committee: Ports, Waterways and Intermodal
Transit
Sponsor: Representative Craig Lipscomb
Analyst: Jennifer Farish Date: 04/17/2023
House Bill 297 as introduced would codify the existing practices of the State Health Officer, the
Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) and the Alabama Department of Environmental
Management (ADEM) regarding statewide fish consumption advisories and fish tissue
monitoring. This bill would further require ADEM to post signage at public boat ramps and
fishing areas adjacent to state waters when there is an active fish consumption advisory, which
would increase the obligations of ADEM by (1) an estimated $115,000 to replace signage, and
(2) an additional undetermined amount to hire personnel to place and monitor signage to ensure
compliance of National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit holders with the
provisions of this bill.
In addition, this bill would also increase the administrative obligations of the Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources to notify fishing licensees that purchase their licenses
electronically about active fish consumption advisories.