HB320 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Victor Gaston

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Chad FincherJamie Ison

Session

Regular Session 2011

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

HB320 creates a voluntary buyback program to retire saltwater gill net permits, funded by a new license surcharge and managed through a dedicated Marine Resources Restoration Fund.

What This Bill Does

The bill establishes a Department-run voluntary permit buyback to retire commercial gill net permits. It authorizes a surcharge on saltwater fishing licenses (resident and nonresident) to fund the program, with possible private funds also allowed; proceeds go to the Marine Resources Restoration Fund. Eligible fishermen who surrender their gill net licenses would receive payments based on past income and may also receive two years of free public college tuition, but they would be ineligible to buy a new gill net license afterward. It also restricts nonresidents from obtaining new gill net permits after June 1, 2008 and requires license holders to be present when using gill nets; the fund supports buyback, research, enforcement, and reef development.

Who It Affects

• Eligible saltwater commercial fishermen who hold a gill net permit (residents with a valid permit on June 1, 2008 or certain long-time nonresidents) and choose to surrender their permit in exchange for payments and tuition benefits.
• Saltwater fishing license holders (residents and nonresidents) who would pay the new surcharge to fund the buyback program; disabled license holders are exempt from the surcharge.

Key Provisions

• Establishes a voluntary gill net permit buyback program to acquire and retire commercial gill net permits.
• Authorizes a surcharge on saltwater fishing licenses to fund the program, with proceeds deposited into the Marine Resources Restoration Fund; may also receive private funds; surcharge exempt for disabled persons.
• Eligibility and payment rules for license surrender: residents with a valid permit as of 6/1/2008 or long-time nonresidents; surrender by 3/1/2009; payments tiered by prior income with defined amounts; includes two years of free tuition.
• Surrendered licensees cannot purchase a commercial gill net license thereafter; no replacement license issued; after 6/1/2008 nonresidents cannot be issued new permits; license holders must be present when using gill nets.
• Marine Resources Restoration Fund receives surcharge proceeds and other funds; used to implement the buyback and for related research, enforcement, and reef development; funds are continuously appropriated and not for administrative expenses.
• Effective date: act takes effect on the first day of the third month after passage and 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