HB395 Alabama 2019 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Rodney Sullivan
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2019
Title: Conservation and Natural Resources Dept., sensitive personally identifying information, removed from fishing equipment and trapping equipment, Secs. 9-11-22, 9-11-59 am'd.
Summary: HB 395 updates tagging rules for commercial fishing gear and fur-trapping equipment to protect owners' sensitive personal information by using a unique ID or license number instead of SSNs or home addresses.
What This Bill Does
The bill changes the identification requirements for commercial fishing gear so tags must use a unique ID or license number rather than printing a Social Security number or home address. It also requires trapping devices to be tagged with owner information and directs the Conservation Department to adopt rules that use a unique ID instead of sensitive personal data. Violations carry penalties for both fishing tag and trapping tag rules, and trapping remains subject to license requirements and potential confiscation of noncompliant traps; the penalties include misdemeanor charges and fines.

Who It Affects
Commercial freshwater fishermen who own fishing equipment, as they must tag gear with a non-SSN owner ID and comply with new tagging rules or face penalties.
Commercial fur trappers (both residents and nonresidents) who trap fur-bearing animals, as they must hold trapping licenses and tag traps with owner identification using a non-sensitive ID, with enforcement and potential fines for noncompliance.

Key Provisions
Section 9-11-22(a): Commercial fishing equipment must have a tag identifying the owner, using a unique identification number or license number instead of requiring the owner's Social Security number, home address, or other sensitive information; the Conservation Department must adopt rules for this identification system.
Section 9-11-22(b): Violating the fishing gear tagging requirement is a Class B misdemeanor.
Section 9-11-59(a): It is unlawful to trap fur-bearing animals without a license, with licensing handled similarly to hunting and fishing licenses.
Section 9-11-59(b)-(d): Residents can obtain a trapping license for $20; nonresidents must pay at least 10 times the resident fee; licenses are valid during the fur-bearing season and fees may be adjusted; traps must be identified with a tag containing owner information, and law enforcement can confiscate noncompliant traps.
Section 9-11-59(b)(2) and (d)(1)-(3): The Department must adopt rules requiring a unique identification number or license number to identify the trap owner without disclosing Social Security numbers or other sensitive information; violations are misdemeanors with fines of $250-$2,000 per offense.

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