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Senate approves $10 reef/migratory fish endorsement for recreational licenses
Summary
The Senate unanimously passed SB 420 to create an annual reef/migratory fish endorsement for Georgia recreational anglers ($10 for residents, $20 for nonresidents) to improve data and management of species such as red snapper and king mackerel, funding DNR catch-estimate work, the sponsor said.
The Georgia Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 420 on Wednesday to add an annual reef/migratory fish endorsement to the state's recreational fishing license and to authorize associated regulatory and data activities by the Department of Natural Resources.
What the bill does
Sponsor remarks on the floor described SB 420 as a narrowly targeted user-fee measure for recreational anglers. The endorsement would be priced at $10 for residents and $20 for nonresidents; funding generated by the endorsement and an endorsement-holder database would be used to produce more accurate catch estimates for popular species such as red snapper and king mackerel, the sponsor said.
Sponsor rationale and floor exchange
The sponsor said the measure was brought at the request of Georgia's saltwater fishing industry and with DNR support. "It's $10. If you wanna, catch red snapper, it's a simple $10," the sponsor said, describing the fee as a user contribution to better resource management and data accuracy. A brief series of clarifying questions followed about the statute language and terminology; the chair and sponsor answered those questions on the floor.
Vote and status
On the passage of SB 420 the yeas were 52 and the nays were 0; the chair announced the bill had received the requisite constitutional majority and had passed the Senate. The bill will proceed to the next steps in the legislative process toward possible enactment.
What to watch next
Look for committee or House action and for details from the Department of Natural Resources on how the endorsement database and catch-estimate work will be implemented and funded.
