HB427 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Randy Davis

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Chad FincherJamie IsonJim Barton

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Conservation and Natural Resources Department, gill net permits, voluntary buyback program, established, surcharge on saltwater fishing licenses, authorized, Secs. 9-12-232, 9-12-233, 9-12-234 am'd.

Summary

The bill creates a voluntary buyback program to retire saltwater gill net permits, funded by a new license surcharge and administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a voluntary permit buyback program to acquire and retire commercial gill net permits carried by saltwater fishermen. It authorizes a five-year surcharge on all saltwater fishing licenses (up to a maximum set by the Commissioner, up to $8) to fund the program, with proceeds deposited into the Marine Resources Restoration Fund. It sets eligibility and payment rules for surrendering permits, offers tuition benefits for participants, and restricts replacement or transfer of surrendered licenses; it also imposes certain license use and nonresident restrictions and outlines how the fund will be used and managed.

Who It Affects

• Eligible saltwater gill net permit holders (residents with a valid Alabama permit as of June 1, 2008, and long-time nonresidents with 25+ years of holding such permits and no violations) who may surrender their license to participate in the buyback and receive payments and tuition benefits, while losing the license permanently.
• All saltwater fishing license holders (residents and nonresidents) who would pay the new license surcharge to fund the program; the surcharge does not apply to licenses issued to disabled persons, and proceeds go to the Marine Resources Restoration Fund.

Key Provisions

• Creates a voluntary gill net permit buyback program to acquire and retire commercial gill net permits.
• Allows a five-year surcharge on all saltwater fishing licenses to fund the program, with the maximum set by the Commissioner and proceeds deposited into the Marine Resources Restoration Fund; the surcharge does not apply to licenses issued to disabled persons.
• Eligibility for surrender includes Alabama residents with a valid permit as of June 1, 2008 and certain long-time nonresidents (25+ years, no violations); payments are made upon surrender by March 1, 2009 and are determined by income level (6,000 for low income; 200% or 125% of the highest income 2005–2007 for higher incomes).
• Two years of free tuition at public institutions operated by the Department of Postsecondary Education are provided to surrendering fishermen who meet registration requirements within five years of June 1, 2008.
• Surrendered licenses cannot be replaced or transferred; surrendering fishermen lose the right to purchase a commercial gill net license thereafter; after June 1, 2008 participants must be present when using gill nets; some near-shore licenses may be renewed for life under certain conditions.
• Nonresident licenses issued after June 1, 2008 are not allowed; the fund is used to implement the program and may be used for research and reef development if funds remain after program needs are met; obligations are limited to available funds in the Marine Resources Restoration Fund.
• Effective date specified as the first day of the third month after passage; conflicting laws are repealed.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Conservation and Natural Resources Department