Researcher: JKL Page 1 4/20/21
OLR Bill Analysis
SB 929
AN ACT CONCERNING PENALTIES FOR THE TAKING OF
STRIPED BASS.
SUMMARY
State law authorizes the energy and environmental protection
commissioner to adopt regulations on, among other things, the legal
methods of sportfishing and the legal limits on possessing various
species, including striped bass. The commissioner has done this (see,
e.g., Conn. Agencies Regs. § 26-159a-2).
This bill eliminates the enhanced penalties in current law for
violating the striped bass sportfishing regulations. By doing so, it
makes a violation of the striped bass regulations an infraction (see
BACKGROUND), which is the same penalty that applies to other
marine district sportfishing regulation violations. Currently, most
marine district sportfishing infractions are subject to a base fine of $35,
but certain additional fees and surcharges apply, which brings the total
amount due to $75.
Under current law, a person who violates the striped bass
sportfishing regulations is subject to the following penalties:
1. $100 fine for each fish taken or possessed in violation for the
first violation;
2. $200 fine for each fish taken or possessed in violation for a
second violation; and
3. $500 fine for each fish taken or possessed in violation,
imprisonment of up to 30 days, or both, for a subsequent
violation.
By law, the commissioner also may suspend a person’s fishing 2021SB-00929-R000534-BA.DOCX
Researcher: JKL Page 2 4/20/21
license for violating the fishing regulations (CGS § 26-61).
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
BACKGROUND
Infractions
Infractions are punishable by fines, usually set by Superior Court
judges, of between $35 and $90, plus a $20 or $35 surcharge and an
additional fee based on the amount of the fine. (There may be other
added charges depending upon the type of infraction. For example,
certain motor vehicle infractions trigger a surcharge of 50% of the fine.)
An infraction is not a crime, and violators can pay the fine by mail
without making a court appearance.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Environment Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 32 Nay 0 (03/31/2021)