HB344 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Low Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Chad Fincher
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2012
Title: Trapping of fur-bearing animals, licensing, use of plastic tags on traps and the requirement that the license number of the owner of a trap be contained on any tag, deleted, Sec. 9-11-59 am'd.
Summary: HB344 would remove plastic tags from traps and drop the requirement that the trap owner's license number be on any tag.
What This Bill Does
It eliminates the use of plastic tags on traps and removes the rule that a trap tag must display the owner's license number. Trapping licenses would still exist with set fees and seasonal validity. Beaver traps would still be identified, but the tag would show only the owner's name and address. Violations remain misdemeanors with fines, and traps can be confiscated by authorities.

Who It Affects
Resident trappers who trap fur-bearing animals: must hold a trapping license (fee $7.65) but will no longer deal with plastic tags showing license numbers on traps.
Nonresident trappers who trap fur-bearing animals: must hold a trapping license (fee $500.15) but tag requirements would change to no longer require license numbers on tags.
Beaver trap users: traps must be identified, but tags would bear only the owner's name and address rather than license numbers.
Law enforcement and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: enforcement of tagging rules would change; existing penalties and possible trap confiscation for violations would continue.

Key Provisions
Delete the use of plastic tags on traps and delete the requirement that a trap owner's license number be contained on any tag.
Maintain license-based trapping program with specified fees: resident trapping license $7.65; nonresident trapping license $500.15; beaver-only license exemption for residents or nonresidents.
Beaver traps must be identified in a like manner, but the tag shall bear only the name and address of the owner.
Violations remain a misdemeanor with fines ranging from $250 to $2,000 per offense, and unlawfully set traps may be confiscated by authorities.
The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after its passage and gubernatorial 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