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Indicates Matter Stricken
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COMMITTEE REPORT
April 22, 2021
H. 3957
S. Printed 4/22/21--S.
Read the first time March 17, 2021.
To whom was referred a Bill (H. 3957) to amend Sections 50-5-1705 and 50-5-1710, both as amended, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, relating to catch and size, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:
/SECTION 1. Section 50-5-1705(G) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"(G) It is unlawful for a person to take or possess more than ten five flounder (Paralichthys species) taken by means of gig, spear, hook and line, or similar device in any one day, not to exceed twenty ten flounder in any one day on any boat."
SECTION 2. Section 50-5-1710(B)(2) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"(2) flounder (Paralichthys) of less than fifteen sixteen inches total length;"
SECTION 3. Section 50-9-540(A) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 50-9-540. (A) For the privilege of recreational statewide fishing in saltwater:
(1) a resident must purchase:
(a) a fourteen day temporary saltwater fishing license for five ten dollars, one dollar of which the issuing sales vendor may retain;
(b) an annual saltwater fishing license for ten fifteen dollars, one dollar of which the issuing sales vendor may retain;
(c) a three year saltwater fishing license for thirty forty-five dollars, one dollar of which the issuing sales vendor may retain;
(d) a lifetime statewide saltwater fishing license for three hundred dollars at designated licensing locations; or
(e) any other license which grants saltwater fishing privileges;
(2) a nonresident must purchase:
(a) a fourteen day temporary saltwater fishing license for eleven twenty-five dollars, one dollar of which the issuing sales vendor may retain;
(b) an annual saltwater fishing license for thirty-five fifty dollars, one dollar of which the issuing sales vendor may retain;
(c) a three year saltwater fishing license for one hundred five one hundred fifty dollars, three dollars of which the issuing sales vendor may retain; or
(d) any other license which grants saltwater fishing privileges."
SECTION 4. Section 50-9-920(C) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"(C) Revenue generated from the sale of recreational and commercial marine licenses, permits, and tags shall be deposited to the Marine Resources Fund. Revenue generated from the sale of recreational licenses, permits, and tags must be distributed in accordance with the provisions of Sections 50-9-960 and 50-9-965, provided that a minimum of five dollars from the sale of each recreational saltwater fishing license must be used for the development and implementation of a flounder stocking program."
SECTION 5. SECTION 1 of this act is repealed on June 30, 2024, and the text amended by that SECTION shall revert back to the language contained in the South Carolina Code of Laws as of January 1, 2020.
SECTION 6. The Department of Natural Resources shall furnish a written report to the General Assembly on South Carolina's stock of flounder by December 31, 2023. The report must provide future projections.
SECTION 7. This act takes effect on July 1, 2021. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
GEORGE E. CAMPSEN III for Committee.
TO AMEND SECTIONS 50-5-1705 AND 50-5-1710, BOTH AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO CATCH AND SIZE LIMITS FOR THE TAKING, POSSESSING, LANDING, SELLING, OR PURCHASING OF CERTAIN FISH FROM THE STATE'S WATERS, SO AS TO DECREASE THE CATCH LIMIT AND INCREASE THE SIZE LIMIT FOR FLOUNDER.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 50-5-1705(G) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"(G) It is unlawful for a person to take or possess more than ten five flounder (Paralichthys species) taken by means of gig, spear, hook and line, or similar device in any one day, not to exceed twenty ten flounder in any one day on any boat."
SECTION 2. Section 50-5-1710(B)(2) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"(2) flounder (Paralichthys) of less than fifteen sixteen inches total length, or more than twenty inches in total length, provided that one flounder (Paralichthys) taken or possessed may be greater than twenty inches, not to exceed two per boat;"
SECTION 3. The amendments contained in SECTIONS 1 and 2 of this act are repealed on June 30, 2025 and the text amended by these SECTIONS therefore shall revert back to the language as contained in the South Carolina Code of Laws as of January 1, 2020.
SECTION 4. The Department of Natural Resources shall furnish a written report to the General Assembly on South Carolina's stock of flounder by January 30, 2025. The report must provide future projections.
SECTION 5. This act takes effect on July 1, 2021.
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