HB107 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chip BrownRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Oysters, recreational permit by Dept. of Public Health, requirement for contact for health notices, income tax credit

Summary

HB 107 would create a no-cost public health oyster recreational permit for personal-use harvesting near a residence and provide a per-year income tax credit for participants.

What This Bill Does

The bill requires the Department of Public Health to establish a no-cost permit for recreational growing and harvesting of oysters for personal use in state waters. Applicants must provide contact information to receive public health notices about oyster consumption, and the permit would be valid for one year and renewable annually. The permit is required to purchase seed oysters or spats, and the bill also offers an income tax credit for each year of participation (starting in 2020 at $125 per year) for permit holders, with additional eligibility for participants in oyster programs authorized by state agencies or local governments; rules to administer are provided to the relevant departments.

Who It Affects

• Individuals who grow and harvest oysters for personal use around their residence would receive a no-cost permit and be subject to health notice requirements.
• Taxpayers who participate in the oyster program (via permits or authorized programs) would be eligible for a per-year income tax credit.

Key Provisions

• The Department of Public Health shall establish a no-cost special permit for recreational oyster farming and harvesting for personal use in suitable salt/brackish waters, under the National Shellfish Sanitation Program.
• The permit requires the applicant to swear that they regularly engage in recreational oyster activities near their residence and that they purchase seed oysters or spats from a state-based grower or a state college/university or state agency; contact information (email/phone/mailing address) must be provided to receive public health notices.
• The permit is issued for one year and renewable annually with a new sworn statement; only one permit may be issued per location; the permit must be presented to purchase seed oysters or spats.
• Permit holders are entitled to an income tax credit for each year of participation in the program (initially specified as $125 per year starting 2020; other participants in authorized programs may also claim the credit with Sworn statements).
• The Department of Public Health and the Department of Revenue may adopt rules to administer the provisions.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor 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

Public Health Department