SB209 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jimmy Holley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Saltwater fishing licenses, military veterans appreciation saltwater fishing license, authorized, 3-day saltwater fishing event licenses for disabled persons, authorized, Sec. 9-11-56.5 added; Sec. 9-11-53.1 am'd.

Summary

SB 209 adds veteran and disabled-person saltwater licenses, creates a new 3-day disabled-event license, updates license fees and residency rules, and directs related revenue to marine resource programs.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes a military veterans appreciation saltwater fishing license for qualified 20%+ disabled veterans at a reduced, nominal fee. It creates a disabled three-day saltwater fishing event license ($100) for up to 72 hours, allowing up to 20 disabled residents/nonresidents and up to 20 assistants to fish under the same rules as the annual license, with additional participants charged $5 each. It revises the standard saltwater licensing framework (including a $20 annual resident license with a $1 issuance fee, and a 64-year-old resident lifetime license option) and establishes a 20%+ disabled veteran license linked to the freshwater disabled veteran license, plus residency and age-related exemptions and proof requirements. Revenue from these licenses goes to the Marine Resources Fund and, for the lifetime option, to the Alabama Marine Resources Endowment Fund; there are penalties for false information and an optional $1 donation for fisheries research; the act becomes effective a few months after passage.

Who It Affects

• Military veterans who are 20% or more disabled can obtain a discounted saltwater license for veterans' benefits; active-duty military members stationed in Alabama and their families may be treated as residents for license purposes.
• Disabled individuals and their assistants who want a short, event-only license can participate in a 3-day fishing event under the new license, paying $100 plus possible extras; other residents may be affected by changes to standard license requirements and exemptions.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes military veterans appreciation saltwater fishing license for qualifying 20%+ disabled veterans at a license fee and issuance fee equivalent to the freshwater veteran license.
• Adds Section 9-11-56.5 to authorize a three-day disabled saltwater fishing event license, effective Sept 1, 2019, for sanctioned events.
• The 3-day license may be issued to up to 20 disabled residents/nonresidents and up to 20 assistants, for up to 72 hours of fishing, at a $100 price; additional disabled persons beyond the 20-person limit may be charged $5 each (plus potential extra assistants) with Dept. approval.
• Amends 9-11-53.1 to require a $20 annual resident saltwater license plus a $1 issuance fee, subject to adjustments, and to provide an alternative discount license for 20%+ disabled veterans; requires proof of residency and driver’s license where applicable.
• Allows active-duty U.S. military members stationed in Alabama (and their spouses/dependents) to be treated as Alabama residents for license purposes.
• Provides exemptions from the saltwater license for permanent Alabama residents under 16 or 65 and older, with fishing-related proof requirements for those 65 and older.
• Establishes a lifetime saltwater license for residents aged 64 upon purchase, with fees credited to the Marine Resources Endowment Fund; allows a similar lifetime treatment for certain residency cases.
• Requires license revenue to go to the Marine Resources Fund (and the Endowment Fund for lifetime licenses) to support research, management, and development of saltwater fisheries; includes an optional $1 donation for fisheries research.
• Penalties: violations of license provisions are misdemeanors, with fines ranging from $50 to $250 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