HB15INTRODUCED
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HB15
C5KAWJW-1
By Representative Lipscomb
RFD: State Government
First Read: 05-Feb-24
2024 Regular Session
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6 ZAK 11/07/2023 C5KAWJW-1 (L) 2023-3416 tgw
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2024 Regular Session
SYNOPSIS:
Under existing law, the Commissioner of the
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources may
introduce desirable species of game fish into the
waters of this state.
This bill would require the commissioner to
issue a permit to municipalities and private entities
to release black bass into the Coosa River provided
certain requirements are satisfied.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to natural resources; to require the
Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources to issue a permit for the introduction of black bass
into the Coosa River when certain requirements are satisfied.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. (a) The Commissioner of the Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources shall issue a permit to a
municipality or private entity associated with fishing or
conservation that allows the introduction and placement of
black bass into the Coosa River if all of the following are
satisfied:
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satisfied:
(1) The municipality or private entity obtains the
black bass from a fish hatchery located in this state which is
approved by the department.
(2) The only black bass that will be introduced or
placed into the Coosa River are the Northern Largemouth Bass
(Micropterus salmoides salmoides) subspecies, the Florida Bass
(Micropterus salmoides floridanus) subspecies, or a first
generation offspring of these two subspecies.
(3) The municipality or private entity bears all costs
associated with the purchase, transport, and introduction of
the black bass.
(b) The commissioner, under his or her authority
granted in Sections 9-2-2 and 9-2-7, Code of Alabama 1975, may
deny a permit as provided for in this section due to
environmental, pathogenic, or biological factors or for the
protection of public health and welfare.
(c) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the
commissioner from issuing permits for the introduction and
placement of other subspecies of black bass into segments of
the Coosa River when the commissioner determines that the
introduction and placement of those subspecies is appropriate
for the fishery.
(d) The Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources shall adopt rules as necessary to implement this
section.
Section 2. This act shall become effective on June 1, 2024.
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