SB285 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim Preuitt

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

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

Summary

SB285 creates the Commercial Fishermen's Rights and Privileges Act to protect commercial fishermen from interference while legally fishing and to set civil penalties for violators.

What This Bill Does

It establishes the Commercial Fishermen's Rights and Privileges Act, governing the taking, catching, possessing, or handling of seafood. It prohibits any person or entity from interfering with a commercial fisherman who is legally fishing. It allows the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Commissioner to levy civil penalties up to $500 per violation. It requires conservation measures to be fair and non-discriminatory among fisher groups and grounded in clear scientific evidence when affecting fishing. The act becomes effective immediately after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Commercial fishermen and others legally fishing: protected from interference and can carry out seafood activities without obstruction.
• Individuals, firms, associations, corporations, or municipalities that might interfere: could face civil penalties for violating the act.
• Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (and its Commissioner): authorized to assess and enforce penalties under the act.
• General fishing community and other seafood users: conservation measures must be fair and not discriminatory among user groups.

Key Provisions

• The act is titled the Commercial Fishermen's Rights and Privileges Act.
• No person or entity shall interfere with or obstruct someone legally taking, catching, possessing, or handling seafood as defined by the law.
• Conservation measures must be fair and equitable to all fishermen and cannot unduly restrict one group without scientific justification.
• The Commissioner may assess civil penalties up to $500 for each violation of the act.
• The act takes effect immediately after passage and governor approval.

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