HB243 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Spencer Collier

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Commercial Fishermen's Rights and Privileges Act, interference with commercial fishermen, prohibited, civil penalties

Summary

HB243 creates the Commercial Fishermen's Rights and Privileges Act to protect commercial fishermen from interference while legally fishing and to impose civil penalties for violations.

What This Bill Does

Establishes a new legal framework called the Commercial Fishermen's Rights and Privileges Act to govern the taking, catching, possessing, or handling of seafood. Prohibits any person, firm, association, corporation, or municipality from interfering with a commercial fisherman who is legally fishing and allows civil penalties for violations (up to $500 per violation). Includes fairness provisions requiring conservation and management measures to be fair to all fishermen and not reduce anyone's ability to fish unless there is clear scientific evidence of negative effects.

Who It Affects

• Commercial fishermen who are legally fishing, who would be protected from interference and allowed to take, catch, possess, or handle seafood without obstruction.
• Any person, firm, association, corporation, or municipality that interferes with a legally fishing commercial fisherman, who could be prohibited from interfering and may face civil penalties up to $500 per violation; enforcement is by the Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Key Provisions

• Declares the act as the Commercial Fishermen's Rights and Privileges Act.
• Prohibits interference with the legal taking, catching, possessing, or handling of seafood as defined in Section 9-2-80, Code of Alabama 1975.
• Requires conservation and management measures to be fair to all user groups and not reduce anyone's ability to fish without clear scientific evidence of negative effects.
• Authorizes the Commissioner to assess civil penalties up to $500 for each violation.
• Effective date: immediately after passage and governor's approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Conservation and Natural Resources Department