HB248 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Craig LipscombRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to natural resources; to prohibit a person from introducing or placing fish into the waters of the state without a permit issued by the Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; to provide exceptions; to require the commissioner to issue a permit for the introduction of black bass into the Coosa River in certain circumstances; to provide for penalties; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022.

Summary

HB248 would require a state permit to introduce any fish into Alabama waters and set specific conditions for releasing certain black bass into the Coosa River, with penalties for violations.

What This Bill Does

The bill makes it illegal to introduce or place any fish into Alabama waters without a permit from the Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. It creates a special permit path for releasing black bass into the Coosa River, available to municipalities or private entities involved in fishing or conservation, if the fish come from a state-approved hatchery, are limited to certain black bass subspecies or their first-generation offspring, and the entity covers all associated costs. The Commissioner may deny a permit for environmental, pathogenic, or public health reasons, but permits may be issued for other black bass subspecies into segments of the Coosa River when appropriate. The Department must adopt rules to implement these provisions, and the bill includes a note about local funding requirements and exceptions related to a constitutional provision.

Who It Affects

• Municipalities or private entities associated with fishing or conservation, who would be eligible to obtain a permit to release black bass into the Coosa River if they meet specified conditions and cover all related costs.
• Anyone else who might otherwise introduce fish into Alabama waters, who would be subject to the permit requirement and could face penalties for violations.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits introducing or placing any fish into state waters without a permit from the Commissioner.
• Allows issuing a permit to release black bass into the Coosa River only if: (a) the fish come from a state-approved in-state hatchery; (b) the fish are limited to Northern Largemouth Bass, Florida Bass, or first-generation offspring of those subspecies; (c) the applicant bears all costs of purchase, transport, and introduction.
• The Commissioner may deny a permit for environmental, pathogenic, or public health reasons.
• Permits may be issued for other black bass subspecies into Coosa River segments when appropriate.
• The Department will adopt rules to implement the section.
• Effective date is the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval, with a note about local funding requirements and constitutional exceptions.

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

Subjects

Natural resources, introduction of fish into state waters, to require permit, exception