HB334 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tommy Hanes

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Commercial fishing, paddlefish season, license from Conservation and Natural Resources Dept., regulation, fines

Summary

HB334 would create a controlled paddlefish fishing program on three Alabama rivers, with limited licenses, a defined season, gear and roe handling rules, and penalties.

What This Bill Does

It sets an open paddlefish season from December 1 to April 30 and caps licenses at 40. It outlines license costs (residents pay $1,500 per season; nonresidents pay a rate equal to what residents of their state would pay for an Alabama license, with prior rights for those in paddlefish management), and directs license proceeds to restocking paddlefish populations. It imposes net and roe handling rules, tagging requirements for female paddlefish, and penalties for violations.

Who It Affects

• Paddlefish license applicants and commercial fishers who would operate under these licenses, who face a cap of 40 licenses, specific pricing, and distribution rules.
• The paddlefish population and restocking program, plus the conservation department, which would manage funds, tagging, restocking uses, and enforcement for the fishery.

Key Provisions

• Open paddlefish season from December 1 to April 30 on the Tennessee, Alabama, and Tombigbee Rivers.
• No more than 40 paddlefish licenses may be issued; resident license price is $1,500 per season; nonresidents may receive a license only if their state would allow an Alabama resident to buy a paddlefish license, and at the same price as that state's resident would pay; priority license rights go to those in the paddlefish management program; remaining licenses issued on a first-come, first-served basis; license proceeds go to a special account for restocking.
• Licensees may fish with gill nets of at least 6 inches mesh, with up to 100 yards of nets, and rules about nets being tied/hobbled or not; nets must be checked at least every 24 hours; no more than 10 nets at a time; one unlicensed helper allowed on the boat.
• Each licensee receives 100 tags to attach to female paddlefish with roe; licensees may take up to 100 female paddlefish with roe; roe must be removed on the boat within 50 yards of the dock and placed in separate containers; fish remain on the boat during processing and transport; up to 10 fish without roe may be kept.
• Penalties include a misdemeanor with a fine up to $500; licensees who take more than 100 female paddlefish with roe or more roe than their tags allow may be barred from applying for a paddlefish license for five years.
• The act may become effective immediately upon the Governor's approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Game and Fish