HB511 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Wes Long

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Fishing, additional licenses, new resident and nonresident state lake fishing license, new nonresident 3-day license, public fishing pier and annual saltwater fishing pier licenses, disabled 3-day fishing license, Sec. 9-11-56.3 am'd.

Summary

HB511 creates several new fishing licenses and pier licenses, sets new fees, and expands access for residents, nonresidents, and disabled anglers in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

The bill adds new license options for lake fishing (resident daily and nonresident state lake licenses), a nonresident family three-day license, and a disabled three-day event license. It also establishes a public fishing pier license and annual saltwater pier licenses with specific fees. It amends existing rules to allow residents to fish from licensed public piers without a separate license and sets license durations, revenue handling, and penalties.

Who It Affects

• Alabama residents who fish state public lakes may buy a resident daily state lake license for $5 as an alternative to the annual freshwater license.
• Nonresident anglers who fish state public lakes may buy a nonresident state lake license for $5 per day or $10 per year.
• Nonresident families may obtain a nonresident three-day family license allowing up to four immediate family members to fish for up to 72 hours.
• Disabled anglers (and their approved assistants) may obtain a disabled three-day trip fishing event license for $100, for events sanctioned by the Commissioner, with up to 20 disabled persons and up to 20 assistants allowed, and potential additional assistants at $5 each.
• Public fishing pier operators may purchase a public fishing pier license for $1,000 per year, enabling operation of licensed piers; revenues go to the Marine Resources Fund.
• Alabama residents fishing from licensed public piers in inside waters may do so without a separate fishing license; pier operators may charge use fees.
• Anglers aged 16-64 (both residents and nonresidents) must purchase an annual saltwater pier license (Residents pay $5; nonresidents $10) to fish from piers open to the public in Gulf or inside waters, with certain exemptions for under 16 or 65 and over.

Key Provisions

• Section 1: Creates resident daily state lake fishing license ($5) as an alternative to the annual freshwater license; provides entitlement to fish at state public lakes but no extra privileges.
• Section 2: Creates nonresident state lake license ($5 per day or $10 per license year) with similar scope and issuance fees as Section 1.
• Section 3: Creates nonresident three-day family fishing license allowing the holder and up to four immediate family members to fish in state waters for up to 72 hours; price matches nonresident seven-day trip license; licenses specify names and may be issued for designated periods.
• Section 4: Creates disabled three-day trip fishing event license for sanctioned events; allows up to 20 disabled persons and up to 20 assistants; license costs $100 and increases by $5 per additional person beyond the 20-person limit; may substitute for other applicable recreational licenses when needed.
• Section 5: Amends §9-11-56.3 to establish a public fishing pier license ($1,000/year); resident anglers may fish from licensed piers without a separate license; piers remain open to the public; operators may charge pier-use fees; saltwater pier licenses are described with specific age-based exemptions.
• Section 5 (continued): Details the saltwater pier license for 16-64-year-old anglers after purchasing an annual saltwater pier license ($5 for residents, $10 for nonresidents); certain individuals (under 16 or 65+) are exempt; licenses issued annually and expire August 31; revenues go to the Marine Resources Fund with penalties for violations.
• Section 6: The act becomes effective on September 1, 2013 (first day of the license year following passage).

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