HB419 Alabama 2023 Session

Updated Feb 22, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: David Cole
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2023
Title: Relating to consumption of fishes; to require the State Health Officer to issue advisories concerning fish consumption and to establish a panel to advise on and discuss this issue; to require the Department of Environmental Management to test fishes for pollutants and post signage at water bodies notifying of an active fish consumption advisory; to require the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to notify fish license purchasers of all active advisories; and to require holders of National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permits to post signage identifying outfalls.
Summary: HB419 would establish a state fish consumption advisory program with testing, public advisories, and required signage to help people know when it is safe to eat fish from Alabama waters.
What This Bill Does
The bill would require the State Health Officer to issue fish consumption advisories and form an advisory panel to guide them. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management would regularly test fish for pollutants and post signage at water access points when advisories are active, plus publish an annual report detailing methods and rationale. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources would notify fishing license purchasers of all active advisories. It would also require holders of National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permits to post signage identifying discharge outfalls.

Who It Affects
General public who fish or eat fish from Alabama waters; they would receive advisories, access online information, and see on-site signage with safe consumption guidance and warnings for pregnant or nursing women.
State agencies, fishing license vendors, and permit holders; they would implement advisories, post required signage at water access points and discharge outfalls, and notify license buyers of advisories.

Key Provisions
State Health Officer to issue fish consumption advisories when appropriate and to establish an advisory panel with reps from Public Health, Environmental Management, Conservation and Natural Resources, and other entities.
Alabama Department of Environmental Management to conduct regular fish tissue monitoring for pollutants and to publish an annual, publicly accessible report explaining the methods and reasoning.
Signage required at public boat ramps or fishing areas adjacent to state waters when an advisory is active; signage must include fish species, consumption guidance, warnings for pregnant/nursing women, and contact information.
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to notify fishing license purchasers of current advisories via online access to all active advisories.
NPDES permit holders must post signage identifying discharge points and pollutants, with permit details and information access; compliance timelines include immediate for new permits and within 90 days for existing permits; signage must be visible and affirmative defense if not maintained.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Fish consumption, to provide for fish consumption advisory program