Senate Bill 0386

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.



    Florida Senate - 2000                                   SB 386

    By the Committee on Natural Resources





    312-351-00

  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to licenses issued by the Fish

  3         and Wildlife Conservation Commission; amending

  4         s. 372.57, F.S.; providing for noncommercial

  5         saltwater fishing licenses; providing for

  6         exceptions; providing for a combination license

  7         to hunt and take freshwater and saltwater fish;

  8         providing for a combination freshwater and

  9         saltwater fishing license; authorizing the

10         commission to issue temporary saltwater fishing

11         licenses for special events in management areas

12         for certain persons; providing that no fee is

13         charged for such temporary licenses; amending

14         s. 372.561, F.S.; requiring the commission to

15         issue licenses and permits to take wild animal

16         life or freshwater or saltwater aquatic life

17         upon proof of the applicant that he or she is

18         entitled to such a permit or license; providing

19         that licenses and permits for hunting,

20         saltwater fishing, and freshwater fishing must

21         be issued, without fee, to certain disabled

22         persons; amending s. 372.574, F.S.; providing

23         for the replacement of a lost or destroyed

24         license or permit; providing a fee; providing

25         that the license or permit is nontransferable;

26         specifying unlawful acts; providing penalties;

27         amending s. 372.66, F.S.; deleting the

28         nonresident fur dealer agent license, the

29         resident fur dealer agent license, and the

30         resident local fur dealer license; amending ss.

31         372.571, 372.5712, 372.5715, 372.573, 372.661,

                                  1

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                   SB 386
    312-351-00




  1         F.S.; conforming cross-references; repealing s.

  2         370.0605, F.S., relating to saltwater fishing

  3         licenses; providing an effective date.

  4

  5  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

  6

  7         Section 1.  Section 372.57, Florida Statutes, is

  8  amended to read:

  9         372.57  Licenses and permits; exemptions; fees.--No

10  person, except as provided herein, shall take or possess game,

11  freshwater fish, saltwater fish, or fur-bearing animals within

12  this state without having first obtained a license, permit, or

13  authorization and paid the fees hereinafter set forth, unless

14  such license is issued without fee as provided in s. 372.561.

15  A person may not operate any vessel for which a fee is paid

16  either directly or indirectly for the purpose of taking,

17  attempting to take, or possessing any saltwater fish for

18  noncommercial purposes, unless he or she has been issued an

19  authorization or has obtained a license for each vessel for

20  that purpose and has paid the license fee imposed under this

21  section for such a vessel. Such license, permit, or

22  authorization shall authorize the person to whom it is issued

23  to take game, freshwater fish, saltwater fish, or fur-bearing

24  animals in accordance with law and commission rules. Such

25  license, permit, or authorization is not transferable.

26  One-year licenses must be dated when issued and remain valid

27  for 12 months after the date of issuance. Each license or

28  permit must bear on its face in indelible ink the name of the

29  person to whom it is issued and other information requested by

30  the commission, and, if the license is issued to the owner,

31  operator, or custodian of a vessel for which a fee is paid

                                  2

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                   SB 386
    312-351-00




  1  either directly or indirectly for the purpose of taking or

  2  attempting to take or possess saltwater fish for noncommercial

  3  purposes, the vessel registration number or federal

  4  documentation number must be included. Such license, permit,

  5  or authorization issued by the commission or any agent must be

  6  in the personal possession of the person to whom issued while

  7  taking game, freshwater fish, saltwater fish, or fur-bearing

  8  animals. The failure of such person to exhibit such license,

  9  permit, or authorization to the commission or its wildlife

10  officers, when such person is found taking game, freshwater

11  fish, saltwater fish, or fur-bearing animals, is a violation

12  of law.  A positive form of identification is required when

13  using an authorization, a lifetime license, a 5-year license,

14  or when otherwise required by the license or permit.  The

15  lifetime licenses and 5-year licenses provided herein shall be

16  embossed with the name, date of birth, the date of issuance,

17  and other pertinent information as deemed necessary by the

18  commission.  A certified copy of the applicant's birth

19  certificate shall accompany all applications for a lifetime

20  license for residents 12 years of age and younger. Each

21  applicant for a license, permit, or authorization shall

22  provide the applicant's social security number on the

23  application form. Disclosure of social security numbers

24  obtained through this requirement shall be limited to the

25  purpose of administration of the Title IV-D child support

26  enforcement program and use by the commission, and as

27  otherwise provided by law.

28         (1)  A license or permit is not required for:

29         (a)  Any child under 16 years of age except as

30  otherwise provided in this chapter.

31

                                  3

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                   SB 386
    312-351-00




  1         (b)  Any person hunting or fishing in the person's

  2  county of residence on the person's homestead or the homestead

  3  of the person's spouse or minor child, or any minor child

  4  hunting or fishing on the homestead of her or his parent.

  5         (c)  Any resident who is a member of the Armed Forces

  6  of the United States, who is not stationed in this state, when

  7  home on leave for 30 days or less, upon submission of orders.

  8         (d)  Any resident when fishing with live or natural

  9  bait, using poles or lines which are not equipped with a

10  fishing line retrieval mechanism, and fishing for

11  noncommercial purposes in the county of her or his residence,

12  except on legally established fish management areas.  This

13  paragraph, as amended by chapter 76-156, Laws of Florida, may

14  be cited as the "Dempsey J. Barron, W. D. Childers, and Joe

15  Kershaw Cane Pole Tax Repeal Act of 1976."

16         (e)  Any person fishing in a fish pond of 20 acres or

17  less which is located entirely within the private property of

18  the fish pond owner.

19         (f)  Any person fishing in a fish pond which is

20  licensed in accordance with s. 372.5705.

21         (g)  Any Florida resident fishing in salt water from

22  land or from a structure fixed to the land.

23         (h)  Any person fishing from a vessel the operator of

24  which is licensed under subsection (1).

25         (i)  Any person who holds a valid saltwater products

26  license issued under s. 370.06(2).

27         (j)(g)  Any person fishing who has been accepted as a

28  client for developmental services by the Department of

29  Children and Family Services, which department shall furnish

30  such person proof thereof.

31

                                  4

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                   SB 386
    312-351-00




  1         (k)  Any person fishing from a pier for the purpose of

  2  taking or attempting to take or possess saltwater fish for

  3  noncommercial purposes licensed under this section.

  4         (l)  Any person fishing for the purpose of taking or

  5  attempting to take or possess saltwater fish for noncommercial

  6  purposes from a vessel that is licensed under this section.

  7         (m)  Any Florida resident who is fishing for mullet in

  8  fresh water and has a valid Florida freshwater fishing

  9  license.

10         (n)  Any Florida resident fishing for a saltwater

11  species in fresh water from land or from a structure fixed to

12  the land.

13         (o)(h)  Any resident 65 years of age or older who has

14  in her or his possession proof of age and residency.  A free

15  license may be obtained from any tax collector's office upon

16  proof of age and residency.

17         (2)  For residents and nonresidents, the license and

18  fees for noncommercial freshwater and saltwater fishing and

19  for hunting and trapping in this state, and the activity

20  authorized thereby, are as follows:

21         (a)  A fishing license for a resident to take

22  freshwater or saltwater fish in this state is $12 each for a

23  1-year license. For a resident, a freshwater license or a

24  saltwater license that is valid for 5 consecutive years from

25  the date of purchase is $60.

26         (b)  A fishing license for a nonresident to take

27  freshwater or saltwater fish in this state for 7 consecutive

28  days is $15.

29         (c)  For a nonresident, an annual A fishing license for

30  a nonresident to take freshwater fish or an annual license to

31  take saltwater fish in this state is $30.

                                  5

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                   SB 386
    312-351-00




  1         (d)  A combination fishing and hunting license for a

  2  resident to take freshwater fish and game in this state is

  3  $22.

  4         (e)  A combination fishing license for a resident to

  5  take freshwater and saltwater fish is $24.

  6         (f)  A combination license to hunt and take freshwater

  7  and saltwater fish is $34.

  8         (g)1.  For a person who operates a vessel that is

  9  licensed to carry more than 10 customers and for which a fee

10  is paid, either directly or indirectly, for the purpose of

11  taking or attempting to take saltwater fish, the license is

12  $800 per year. The license must be kept aboard the vessel at

13  all times.

14         2.  For a person who operates a vessel that is licensed

15  to carry no more than 10 customers, or for a person who is

16  licensed to operate a vessel carrying 6 or fewer customers,

17  for which a fee is paid, either directly or indirectly, for

18  the purpose of taking or attempting to take saltwater fish,

19  the license is $400 per year; however, for a person who is

20  licensed to operate a vessel carrying 6 or fewer customers but

21  who operates a vessel carrying 4 or fewer customers, for which

22  a fee is paid, either directly or indirectly, for such

23  purposes, the license is $200 per year. The license must be

24  kept aboard the vessel at all times.

25         3.  A person who operates a vessel required to be

26  licensed under subparagraph 1. or subparagraph 2. may obtain a

27  license in his or her own name, and the license is

28  transferable and applicable to any vessel operated by the

29  purchaser if the purchaser has paid the appropriate license

30  fee.

31

                                  6

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                   SB 386
    312-351-00




  1         4.  For any pier fixed to the land for the purpose of

  2  taking or attempting to take saltwater fish therefrom, a

  3  fishing license is $500 per year. The owner, operator, or

  4  custodian of such a pier may buy the annual $500 license.  The

  5  purchaser of such a license must have the license available

  6  for inspection at all times.

  7         5.  For a recreational vessel not for hire and for

  8  which no fee is paid either directly or indirectly by guests,

  9  for the purpose of taking or attempting to take saltwater fish

10  noncommercially, a fishing license is $2,000 per year. The

11  license may be purchased at the option of the vessel owner and

12  must be kept aboard the vessel at all times. The licensee

13  shall maintain a log of species taken and the date the species

14  were taken and shall file a copy of the log with the Fish and

15  Wildlife Conservation Commission at the time of renewal of the

16  license.

17         (h)(e)  A hunting license for a resident to take game

18  in this state is $11.

19         (i)(f)  A hunting license for a nonresident to take

20  game in this state is $150.

21         (j)(g)  A hunting license for a nonresident to take

22  game in this state for 10 consecutive days is $25.

23         (k)(h)  A license for a resident and nonresident to

24  take fur-bearing animals in this state is $25.

25         (l)(i)  A sportsman's license for a resident is $66.

26  The sportsman's license authorizes the holder to take

27  freshwater fish and game, subject to state and federal

28  regulations and rules of the commission in effect at the time

29  of taking, and authorizes the same activities authorized by a

30  management area permit, a muzzle-loading gun permit, a turkey

31

                                  7

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                   SB 386
    312-351-00




  1  permit, a Florida waterfowl permit, and an archery permit.  A

  2  nonresident may not purchase a sportsman's license.

  3         (m)  License fees paid under this subsection are

  4  nonrefundable and may not be used as credit toward any other

  5  license fee required by this chapter. No other license fee

  6  paid pursuant to this chapter may be used as credit towards

  7  the license fees required by this subsection. The owner,

  8  operator, or custodian of a vessel the operator of which has

  9  been licensed under this section must maintain and report such

10  statistical data as required by, and in a manner set forth in,

11  the rules of the commission.

12         (3)  The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission may

13  issue a temporary saltwater fishing license, upon request, to

14  any governmental or nonprofit organization that sponsors 1-day

15  special events in fishing management areas for individuals who

16  have physical, mental, or emotional disabilities or for the

17  economically disadvantaged. A fee may not be charged for such

18  a temporary license. The temporary license is valid for 1 day

19  and must designate the date and the maximum number of

20  individuals that it applies to.

21         (4)(3)  A resident or nonresident taking fur-bearing

22  animals by the use of guns or dogs only and not by the use of

23  traps or other devices, and not for commercial purposes, who

24  has purchased the license provided for hunting in this

25  section, received a no-cost license, or is exempt from the

26  license requirements of this chapter is not required to

27  purchase a the license provided in paragraph (2)(h).  A

28  resident who is age 65 or older is not required to purchase

29  the license provided in paragraph (2)(h).

30         (5)(4)  In addition to any license required by this

31  chapter, the following permits and fees for certain hunting,

                                  8

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                   SB 386
    312-351-00




  1  fishing, and recreational uses, and the activities authorized

  2  thereby, are:

  3         (a)  A Florida waterfowl permit to take wild ducks or

  4  geese within this state or its coastal waters is $3.

  5         (b)1.  Management area permits to hunt, freshwater

  6  fish, or otherwise use for outdoor recreational purposes, land

  7  owned, leased, or managed by the commission or the State of

  8  Florida for the use and benefit of the commission, up to $25

  9  annually.  Permits, and fees thereof, for short-term use of

10  land which is owned, leased, or managed by the commission may

11  be established by rule of the commission for any activity on

12  such lands.  Such permits and fees may be in lieu of or in

13  addition to the annual management area permit. Other than for

14  hunting or freshwater fishing, the provisions of this

15  paragraph does shall not apply on any lands not owned by the

16  commission, unless the commission has shall have obtained the

17  written consent of the owner or primary custodian of such

18  lands.

19         2.  A recreational user permit fee to hunt, fish in

20  fresh water, or otherwise use for outdoor recreational

21  purposes, land leased by the commission from private

22  nongovernmental owners, except for those lands located

23  directly north of the Apalachicola National Forest, east of

24  the Ochlockonee River until the point the river meets the dam

25  forming Lake Talquin, and south of the closest federal

26  highway.  The fee for this permit shall be based upon economic

27  compensation desired by the landowner, game population levels,

28  desired hunter density, and administrative costs. The permit

29  fee shall be set by commission rule on a per-acre basis. On

30  property currently in the private landowner payment program,

31  the prior year's landowner payment shall be used to augment

                                  9

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                   SB 386
    312-351-00




  1  the recreational user permit fee so as to decrease the permit

  2  fee for the users of that property. One minor dependent child,

  3  16 years old or under, per permittee may hunt under the

  4  supervision of the permittee and is exempt from the permit

  5  fee. The spouse and dependent children of a permittee are

  6  exempt from the permit fee when engaged in outdoor

  7  recreational activities other than hunting in the company of

  8  the permittee. Notwithstanding any other provision of this

  9  chapter, there are no other exclusions, exceptions, or

10  exemptions from this permit fee. The recreational user permit

11  fee, less an administrative permit fee of up to $25 per

12  permit, shall be remitted to the landowner as provided in the

13  lease agreement for each area.

14         (c)  A muzzle-loading gun permit to hunt within this

15  state with a muzzle-loading gun during those game seasons in

16  which hunting with a modern firearm is not allowed is $5.

17         (d)  An archery permit to hunt within this state with a

18  bow and arrow during those game seasons in which hunting with

19  a firearm is not allowed is $5.

20         (e)  A Florida turkey permit to take wild turkeys

21  within this state is $5.

22         (f)  A special use permit for limited entry hunting or

23  freshwater fishing, where such hunting or freshwater fishing

24  is authorized by commission rule, shall be up to $100 per day

25  but shall not exceed $250 per week. Notwithstanding any other

26  provision of this chapter, there are no exclusions,

27  exceptions, or exemptions from this fee. In addition to the

28  fee, the commission may charge each applicant for a special

29  use permit a nonrefundable application fee of up to $10.

30

31

                                  10

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                   SB 386
    312-351-00




  1         (g)  The fee for a permanent hunting and freshwater

  2  fishing license for a resident 64 years of age or older is

  3  $12.

  4         (6)(5)  The commission may is authorized to reduce the

  5  fees for licenses and permits under this section for residents

  6  of those states with which the commission has entered into

  7  reciprocal agreements with respect to such fees.

  8         (7)(6)  The commission may designate by rule no more

  9  than 2 consecutive or nonconsecutive days in each year as free

10  fishing days. Notwithstanding any other provision of this

11  chapter, any person may take freshwater fish or saltwater fish

12  for noncommercial purposes on a free fishing day without

13  obtaining or possessing a license or paying a license fee as

14  prescribed in this section.  A person who takes freshwater

15  fish or saltwater fish on a free fishing day without obtaining

16  a license or paying a fee must comply with all laws and

17  regulations governing holders of a fishing license and all

18  other conditions and limitations regulating the taking of

19  freshwater fish as are imposed by law or rule.

20         (8)(7)  A resident lifetime sportsman's license

21  authorizes the holder to engage in the following noncommercial

22  activities:

23         (a)  To take or attempt to take or possess freshwater

24  fish, saltwater marine fish, and game, consistent with state

25  and federal regulations and rules of the commission in effect

26  at the time of taking.

27         (b)  All activities authorized by a management area

28  permit, a muzzle-loading gun permit, a turkey permit, an

29  archery permit, a Florida waterfowl permit, a snook permit,

30  and a crawfish permit.

31

                                  11

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                   SB 386
    312-351-00




  1         (9)(8)  The fee for a resident lifetime sportsman's

  2  license is:

  3         (a)  4 years of age or younger.....................$400

  4         (b)  5-12 years of age.............................$700

  5         (c)  13 years of age or older....................$1,000

  6         (10)(9)  A resident lifetime hunting license authorizes

  7  the holder to engage in the following noncommercial

  8  activities:

  9         (a)  To take or attempt to take or possess game

10  consistent with state and federal regulations and rules of the

11  commission in effect at the time of taking.

12         (b)  All activities authorized by a management area

13  permit, excluding fishing, a muzzle-loading gun permit, a

14  turkey permit, an archery permit, and a Florida waterfowl

15  permit.

16         (11)(10)  The fee for a resident lifetime hunting

17  license shall be:

18         (a)  4 years of age or younger.....................$200

19         (b)  5-12 years of age.............................$350

20         (c)  13 years of age or older......................$500

21         (12)(11)  A resident lifetime freshwater fishing

22  license authorizes the holder to engage in the following

23  noncommercial activities:

24         (a)  To take or attempt to take or possess freshwater

25  fish consistent with state and federal regulations and rules

26  of the commission in effect at the time of taking.

27         (b)  All activities authorized by a management area

28  permit, excluding hunting.

29         (13)(12)  The fee for a resident lifetime freshwater

30  fishing license shall be:

31         (a)  4 years of age or younger.....................$125

                                  12

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                   SB 386
    312-351-00




  1         (b)  5-12 years of age.............................$225

  2         (c)  13 years of age or older......................$300

  3         (14)(13)  Fees collected pursuant to s. 370.0605(2) for

  4  annual saltwater fishing licenses and an amount equal to the

  5  cost of annual saltwater fishing licenses when sold as a

  6  combination license, 5-year saltwater fishing licenses, fees

  7  collected pursuant to s. 370.0605(6)(e) for replacement

  8  annual, 5-year, and lifetime licenses, fees collected pursuant

  9  to s. 370.0615 for lifetime saltwater fishing licenses, and 30

10  percent of the fee for the lifetime sportsman's license shall

11  be transferred within 30 days following the last day of the

12  month in which the license fees were received by the

13  commission to the Marine Resources Conservation Trust Fund.

14         (15)(14)  The following 5-year licenses are authorized:

15         (a)  A 5-year freshwater fishing license for a resident

16  to take or attempt to take or possess freshwater fish in this

17  state for 5 consecutive years is $60 and authorizes the holder

18  to engage in noncommercial activities to take or attempt to

19  take or possess freshwater fish consistent with state and

20  federal regulations and rules of the commission in effect at

21  the time of taking.

22         (b)  A 5-year hunting license for a resident to take or

23  attempt to take or possess game in this state for 5

24  consecutive years is $55 and authorizes the holder to engage

25  in noncommercial activities to take or attempt to take or

26  possess game consistent with state and federal regulations and

27  rules of the commission in effect at the time of taking.

28         (c)1.  The 5-year licenses provided for in this section

29  must be embossed with the applicant's name, date of birth, and

30  such other pertinent information as the commission considers

31  necessary.

                                  13

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                   SB 386
    312-351-00




  1         2.  A 5-year license that was purchased by a resident

  2  of this state who subsequently resides in another state will

  3  be honored for activities authorized by the license.

  4         3.  A positive form of identification is required when

  5  using a 5-year license.

  6         (16)(15)  Proceeds from the sale of 5-year licenses as

  7  provided in this chapter, unless otherwise specified, must

  8  shall be deposited into the Dedicated License Trust Fund.

  9  One-fifth of the total proceeds derived from the sale of

10  5-year licenses, replacement 5-year licenses, and all interest

11  derived therefrom shall be available for appropriation

12  annually.

13         Section 2.  Section 372.561, Florida Statutes, is

14  amended to read:

15         372.561  Issuance of licenses to take wild animal life,

16  saltwater aquatic life, or freshwater aquatic life; costs;

17  reporting.--

18         (1)  The provisions of this section shall apply to such

19  licenses or permits as are established in s. 372.57.

20         (2)  The commission shall issue licenses and permits to

21  take wild animal life or freshwater or saltwater aquatic life

22  upon proof by the applicant for licensure that she or he is

23  entitled to such license or permit.  The commission shall

24  establish the forms for such licenses and permits. Each

25  applicant for a license, permit, or authorization shall

26  provide the applicant's social security number on the

27  application form. Disclosure of social security numbers

28  obtained through this requirement shall be limited to the

29  purpose of administration of the Title IV-D program for child

30  support enforcement and use by the commission, and as

31  otherwise provided by law.

                                  14

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                   SB 386
    312-351-00




  1         (3)  Licenses and permits for the state may be sold by

  2  the commission, by any tax collector in this state, or by any

  3  appointed subagent.

  4         (4)(a)  In addition to any license or permit fee, the

  5  sum of $1.50 shall be charged for each license or management

  6  area permit sold.  Such charge is for the purpose of, and the

  7  source from which is subtracted, all administrative costs of

  8  issuing a license or permit, including, but not limited to,

  9  printing, distribution, and credit card fees.

10         (b)  Tax collectors may retain $1 for each license or

11  management area permit sold.

12         (5)(a)  Hunting and saltwater and freshwater fishing

13  licenses and permits shall be issued, without fee, to any

14  resident who is certified:

15         1.  To be totally and permanently disabled by the

16  United States Department of Veterans Affairs or its

17  predecessor or , by the United States Social Security

18  Administration, by any branch of the United States Armed

19  Forces, or by the verified written statement which is based

20  upon the criteria for permanent and total disability in

21  chapter 440 of a physician licensed in this state or who holds

22  a valid identification card issued under the provisions of s.

23  295.17, upon proof of the same.  Any license issued under this

24  provision after January 1, 1997, expires after 5 years and

25  must be reissued, upon request, every 5 years thereafter.

26         2.  To be totally disabled A Disability Award Notice

27  issued by the United States Social Security Administration

28  upon proof of the same. Any license issued under this

29  provision after October 1, 1999, expires after 1 year and must

30  be reissued, upon proof of certification as provided in this

31  subsection, every 2 years thereafter is not sufficient

                                  15

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                   SB 386
    312-351-00




  1  certification for obtaining a permanent hunting and fishing

  2  license under this section unless said form certifies a

  3  resident is totally and permanently disabled.

  4         (b)  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this

  5  section, any person who has received after July 1, 1997, and

  6  before July 1, 1999, a valid disability license issued under

  7  this subsection, retains the rights vested thereunder until

  8  the license has expired.

  9         (6)(a)  Tax collectors shall remit license and permit

10  moneys, along with a report of funds collected and other

11  required documentation, to the commission within 7 days

12  following the last business day of the week in which the fees

13  were received by the tax collector.  The tax collector shall

14  maintain records of all such licenses and permits which are

15  sold, and all stamps issued voided, stolen, or lost.  The tax

16  collector is responsible to the commission for the fee for all

17  licenses and permits sold and for the value of all stamps

18  reported as lost.  The tax collector shall report stolen

19  permits to the appropriate law enforcement agency.  The tax

20  collector shall submit a written report and a copy of the law

21  enforcement agency's report to the commission within 5 days

22  after discovering the theft.  The value of a validation stamp

23  is $5.

24         (b)  Tax collectors are also responsible for fees for

25  all licenses and permits sold by their subagents and for the

26  value of all stamps reported as lost.  The commission may

27  adopt rules to implement this section.

28         (c)  Not later than August 15 of each year, each county

29  tax collector shall submit to the commission all unissued

30  stamps for the previous year along with a written audit

31

                                  16

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                   SB 386
    312-351-00




  1  report, on forms prescribed or approved by the commission, of

  2  the numbers of the unissued stamps.

  3         (7)  Within 30 days after the submission of the annual

  4  audit report, each county tax collector shall provide the

  5  commission with a written audit report on unissued, sold, and

  6  voided licenses, permits, and stamps with a certified

  7  reconciliation statement prepared by a certified public

  8  accountant.  Concurrent with the submission of the

  9  certification, the county tax collector shall remit to the

10  commission the monetary value of all licenses, permits, and

11  stamps that are unaccounted for.  Each tax collector is also

12  responsible for fees for all licenses, permits, and stamps

13  distributed by him or her to subagents, sold by him or her, or

14  reported by him or her as lost.

15         Section 3.  Section 372.574, Florida Statutes, is

16  amended to read:

17         372.574  Appointment of subagents for the sale of

18  hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses and permits.--

19         (1)  A county tax collector who elects to sell licenses

20  and permits may appoint any person as a subagent for the sale

21  of fishing, hunting, and trapping licenses and permits that

22  the tax collector is allowed to sell. The following are

23  requirements for subagents:

24         (a)  Each subagent must serve at the pleasure of the

25  county tax collector.

26         (b)  Neither an employee of the county tax collector

27  nor her or his relative or next of kin, by blood or otherwise,

28  may be appointed as a subagent.

29         (c)  The tax collector may require each subagent to

30  post an appropriate bond as determined by the tax collector,

31  using an insurance company acceptable to the tax collector.

                                  17

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                   SB 386
    312-351-00




  1  In lieu of such bond, the tax collector may purchase blanket

  2  bonds covering all or selected subagents or may allow a

  3  subagent to post such other security as is required by the tax

  4  collector.

  5         (d)  A subagent may sell licenses and permits as are

  6  determined by the tax collector at such specific locations

  7  within the county and in states contiguous to Florida as will

  8  best serve the public interest and convenience in obtaining

  9  licenses and permits. The commission may uniformly prohibit

10  subagents from selling certain licenses or permits.

11         (e)  It is unlawful for any person to handle licenses

12  or permits for a fee or compensation of any kind unless she or

13  he has been appointed as a subagent.

14         (f)  Any person who willfully violates any of the

15  provisions of this law is guilty of a misdemeanor of the

16  second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s.

17  775.083.

18         (g)  A subagent may charge and receive as her or his

19  compensation 50 cents for each license or permit sold.  This

20  charge is in addition to the sum required by law to be

21  collected for the sale and issuance of each license or permit.

22         (h)  A subagent shall submit payment for and report the

23  sale of licenses and permits to the tax collector as

24  prescribed by the tax collector but no less frequently than

25  monthly.

26         (i)  Subagents shall submit an activity report for

27  sales made during the reporting period on forms prescribed or

28  approved by the commission. Periodic audits may be performed

29  at the discretion of the commission.

30         (2)  If a tax collector elects not to appoint

31  subagents, the commission may appoint subagents within that

                                  18

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                   SB 386
    312-351-00




  1  county.  Subagents shall serve at the pleasure of the

  2  commission.  The commission may establish, by rule, procedures

  3  for selection of subagents.  The following are requirements

  4  for subagents so appointed:

  5         (a)  The commission may require each subagent to post

  6  an appropriate bond as determined by the commission, using an

  7  insurance company acceptable to the commission.  In lieu of

  8  the bond, the commission may purchase blanket bonds covering

  9  all or selected subagents or may allow a subagent to post

10  other security as required by the commission.

11         (b)  A subagent may sell licenses and permits as

12  authorized by the commission at specific locations within the

13  county and in states as will best serve the public interest

14  and convenience in obtaining licenses and permits. The

15  commission may prohibit subagents from selling certain

16  licenses or permits.

17         (c)  It is unlawful for any person to handle licenses

18  or permits for a fee or compensation of any kind unless he or

19  she has been appointed as a subagent.

20         (d)  Any person who willfully violates any of the

21  provisions of this section commits a misdemeanor of the second

22  degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

23         (e)  A subagent may charge and receive as his or her

24  compensation 50 cents for each license or permit sold.  This

25  charge is in addition to the sum required by law to be

26  collected for the sale and issuance of each license or permit.

27  In addition, no later than July 1, 1997, a subagent fee for

28  the sale of licenses over the telephone by credit card shall

29  be established by competitive bid procedures which are

30  overseen by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

31

                                  19

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                   SB 386
    312-351-00




  1         (f)  A subagent shall submit payment for and report the

  2  sale of licenses and permits to the commission as prescribed

  3  by the commission.

  4         (g)  Subagents shall maintain records of all licenses

  5  and permits sold and all stamps issued, voided, stolen, or

  6  lost.  Subagents are responsible to the commission for the

  7  fees for all licenses and permits sold and for the value of

  8  all stamps reported as lost.  Subagents must report all stolen

  9  validation stamps to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

10  The subagent shall submit a written report and a copy of the

11  law enforcement agency's report to the commission within 5

12  days after discovering the theft. The value of a lost

13  validation stamp is $5.

14         (h)  Subagents shall submit an activity report for

15  sales made during the reporting period on forms prescribed or

16  approved by the commission. Periodic audits may be performed

17  at the discretion of the commission.

18         (i)  By July 15 of each year, each subagent shall

19  submit to the commission all unissued stamps for the previous

20  year along with a written audit report, on forms prescribed or

21  approved by the commission, on the numbers of the unissued

22  stamps.

23         (j)  A replacement for a lost or destroyed license or

24  permit may be obtained by submitting an application for

25  replacement.  The fee is $10 for each application for

26  replacement of a lifetime license and $2 for each application

27  for replacement for any other license or permit.  The proceeds

28  of such fees must be used to pay for all administrative costs

29  of issuing the license or permit, including, but not limited

30  to, printing, distribution, and credit card fees.  The tax

31

                                  20

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                   SB 386
    312-351-00




  1  collector may retain $1 for each application for a replacement

  2  license or permit which the tax collector has processed.

  3         (3)  A person may not alter or change in any manner, or

  4  loan or transfer to another, any license issued under this

  5  section, nor may any person other than the person to whom it

  6  is issued use the license.

  7         (4)  It is unlawful for any person to knowingly and

  8  willfully enter false information on, or allow or cause false

  9  information to be entered on or shown upon, any license issued

10  under this section in order to avoid prosecution or to assist

11  another to avoid prosecution or for any other wrongful

12  purpose.

13         (5)  The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or

14  any other law enforcement agency may carry out any

15  investigation necessary to secure information required to

16  carry out and enforce this section.

17         (6)  It is unlawful for any person to make, forge,

18  counterfeit, or reproduce a freshwater fishing, hunting, or

19  saltwater fishing license unless authorized by the commission.

20  It is unlawful for any person to knowingly have in his or her

21  possession a forgery, counterfeit, or imitation of such a

22  license, unless possession by the person has been fully

23  authorized by the commission.  A person who violates this

24  subsection commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as

25  provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

26         (7)(a)  Any person cited for a violation of the license

27  requirements of subsection (1) or the permit requirements of

28  s. 370.1111(1)(a) or s. 370.14(10)(a) is guilty of a

29  noncriminal infraction, shall be cited for such an infraction,

30  and shall be cited to appear before the county court.  The

31  civil penalty for any such infraction is $50, in addition to

                                  21

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                   SB 386
    312-351-00




  1  the cost of the amount of the annual license fee or stamp

  2  involved in the infraction, except as otherwise provided in

  3  this section.  The amount of the civil penalty for any other

  4  noncriminal infraction is $50, except as otherwise provided in

  5  this section.

  6         (b)  A person who is cited for an infraction under this

  7  section may:

  8         1.  Post a bond in an amount equal to the applicable

  9  civil penalty; or

10         2.  Sign and accept a citation indicating a promise to

11  appear before the county court.

12

13  The officer may indicate on the citation the time and location

14  of the scheduled hearing and must indicate the applicable

15  civil penalty.

16         (c)  Any person who willfully refuses to post a bond or

17  accept and sign a citation commits a misdemeanor of the second

18  degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

19         (d)  Any person charged with a noncriminal infraction

20  under this section may:

21         1.  Pay the civil penalty, either by mail or in person,

22  within 30 days after the date of receiving the citation; or

23         2.  If the person has posted bond, forfeit bond by not

24  appearing at the designated time and location.

25

26  If the person cited follows either procedure prescribed in

27  this paragraph, he or she has admitted the infraction and

28  waives his or her right to a hearing on the issue of

29  commission of the infraction. Such an admission may not be

30  used as evidence in any other proceedings.

31

                                  22

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                   SB 386
    312-351-00




  1         (e)  Any person who elects to appear before the county

  2  court or who is required to appear waives the limitations of

  3  the civil penalty specified in paragraph (a).  The court,

  4  after a hearing, shall make a determination as to whether an

  5  infraction has been committed.  If the commission of an

  6  infraction is proved, the court may impose a civil penalty not

  7  to exceed $500.

  8         (f)  At a hearing under this subsection, the commission

  9  of a charged infraction must be proved beyond a reasonable

10  doubt.

11         (g)  If a person is found by the hearing official to

12  have committed an infraction, he or she may appeal that

13  finding to the circuit court.

14         (h)  A person who fails to pay the civil penalty

15  specified in paragraph (a) within 30 days or who fails to

16  appear before the court commits a misdemeanor of the second

17  degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

18         (8)(3)  All social security numbers that which are

19  provided pursuant to ss. 372.561 and 372.57 and are contained

20  in records of any subagent appointed under pursuant to this

21  section are confidential as provided in those sections.

22         Section 4.  Section 372.66, Florida Statutes, is

23  amended to read:

24         372.66  License required for fur and hide dealers.--

25         (1)  It is unlawful for any person to engage in the

26  business of a dealer or buyer in alligator skins or green or

27  dried furs in the state or purchase such skins within the

28  state until such person has been licensed as herein provided.

29         (2)  Any resident dealer or buyer who solicits business

30  through the mails, or by advertising, or who travels to buy or

31  employs or has other agents or buyers, shall be deemed a

                                  23

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                   SB 386
    312-351-00




  1  resident state dealer and must shall be required to pay a

  2  license fee of $100 per annum and shall pay an agent's license

  3  fee of $5 per annum for each agent or traveling buyer employed

  4  by or buying for such licensed state dealer.

  5         (3)  Any resident dealer or buyer who does not solicit

  6  by mail, advertise, travel to buy or employ or have agents or

  7  traveling buyers shall be deemed a resident local dealer and

  8  shall be required to pay a license fee of $10 per annum.

  9         (3)(4)  A nonresident dealer or buyer must shall be

10  required to pay a license fee of $500 per annum and shall pay

11  a license fee of $100 per annum for each agent, resident buyer

12  or traveling buyer employed by or buying for or acting as

13  agent for such nonresident buyer.

14         (5)  All agents' licenses shall be applied for by, and

15  issued to, a resident state dealer or nonresident dealer and

16  shall show name and residence of such agent and shall be in

17  possession of such agent at all times when engaged in buying

18  furs or hides. Application for such licenses shall be made to

19  the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on blanks

20  furnished by it.

21         (4)(6)  All dealers and buyers shall forward to the

22  Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission each 2 weeks during

23  open season a report showing number and kind of hides bought

24  and name of trapper from whom bought and the trapper's license

25  number, or if trapper is exempt from license under any of the

26  provisions of this chapter, such report shall show the nature

27  of such exemption.  No common carrier shall knowingly ship or

28  transport or receive for transportation any hides or furs

29  unless such shipments have marked thereon name of shipper and

30  the number of her or his fur-animal license or fur dealer's

31  license.

                                  24

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                   SB 386
    312-351-00




  1         Section 5.  Section 372.571, Florida Statutes, is

  2  amended to read:

  3         372.571  Expiration of licenses and permits.--Each

  4  license or permit issued under this chapter must be dated when

  5  issued. Each license or permit issued under this chapter

  6  remains valid for 12 months after the date of issuance, except

  7  for a lifetime license issued pursuant to s. 372.57 which is

  8  valid from the date of issuance until the death of the

  9  individual to whom the license is issued unless otherwise

10  revoked in accordance with s. 372.99, or a 5-year license

11  issued pursuant to s. 372.57 which is valid for 5 consecutive

12  years from the date of purchase unless otherwise revoked in

13  accordance with s. 372.99 or a license issued pursuant to s.

14  372.57(2)(b) or (j) (g), which is valid for the period

15  specified on the license.  A resident lifetime license or a

16  resident 5-year license that has been purchased by a resident

17  of this state and who subsequently resides in another state

18  shall be honored for activities authorized by that license.

19         Section 6.  Subsection (1) of section 372.5712, Florida

20  Statutes, is amended to read:

21         372.5712  Florida waterfowl permit revenues.--

22         (1)  The commission shall expend the revenues generated

23  from the sale of the Florida waterfowl permit as provided in

24  s. 372.57(5)(a) s. 372.57(4)(a) or that pro rata portion of

25  any license that includes waterfowl hunting privileges, as

26  provided in s. 372.57(2)(l) s. 372.57(2)(i) and (15)(b)

27  (14)(b) as follows:  A maximum of 5 percent of the gross

28  revenues shall be expended for administrative costs; a maximum

29  of 25 percent of the gross revenues shall be expended for

30  waterfowl research approved by the commission; and a maximum

31  of 70 percent of the gross revenues shall be expended for

                                  25

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                   SB 386
    312-351-00




  1  projects approved by the commission, in consultation with the

  2  Waterfowl Advisory Council, for the purpose of protecting and

  3  propagating migratory waterfowl and for the development,

  4  restoration, maintenance, and preservation of wetlands within

  5  the state.

  6         Section 7.  Subsection (1) of section 372.5715, Florida

  7  Statutes, is amended to read:

  8         372.5715  Florida wild turkey permit revenues.--

  9         (1)  The commission shall expend the revenues generated

10  from the sale of the turkey permit as provided for in s.

11  372.57(5)(e) s. 372.57(4)(e) or that pro rata portion of any

12  license that includes turkey hunting privileges as provided

13  for in s. 372.57(2)(l) s. 372.57(2)(i) and (15)(b) (14)(b) for

14  research and management of wild turkeys.

15         Section 8.  Section 372.573, Florida Statutes, is

16  amended to read:

17         372.573  Management area permit revenues.--The

18  commission shall expend the revenue generated from the sale of

19  the management area permit as provided for in s. 372.57(5)(b)

20  s. 372.57(4)(b) or that pro rata portion of any license that

21  includes management area privileges as provided for in s.

22  372.57(2)(l) s. 372.57(2)(i) and (15)(b) (14)(b) for the

23  lease, management, and protection of lands for public hunting,

24  fishing, and other outdoor recreation.

25         Section 9.  Section 372.661, Florida Statutes, is

26  amended to read:

27         372.661  Private hunting preserve, license;

28  exception.--

29         (1)  Any person who operates a private hunting preserve

30  commercially or otherwise shall be required to pay a license

31  fee of $25 for each such preserve; provided, however, that

                                  26

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                   SB 386
    312-351-00




  1  during the open season established for wild game of any

  2  species, a private individual may take artificially propagated

  3  game of such species up to the bag limit prescribed for the

  4  particular species without being required to pay the license

  5  fee required by this section, but; provided further that if

  6  any such individual charges shall charge a fee for taking such

  7  game, she or he must shall be required to pay the license fee

  8  required by this section and must to comply with the rules and

  9  regulations of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

10  relative to the operation of private hunting preserves.

11         (2)  A commercial hunting preserve license, which

12  exempts shall exempt patrons of licensed preserves from the

13  licensure requirements of s. 372.57(2)(h),(i),(j), and (l),

14  (5)(a),(c),(d), and (e), (8), (10), and (15)(b) s.

15  372.57(2)(e), (f), (g), and (i), (4)(a), (c), (d), and (e),

16  (7), (9), and (14)(b) while hunting on the licensed preserve

17  property, shall be $500. Such a commercial hunting preserve

18  license is shall be available only to those private hunting

19  preserves licensed under pursuant to this section which are

20  operated exclusively for commercial purposes, which are open

21  to the public, and for which a uniform fee is charged to

22  patrons for hunting privileges.

23         Section 10.  Section 370.0605, Florida Statutes, is

24  repealed.

25         Section 11.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2000.

26

27

28

29

30

31

                                  27

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 2000                                   SB 386
    312-351-00




  1            *****************************************

  2                          SENATE SUMMARY

  3    Relates to licenses issued by the Fish and Wildlife
      Conservation Commission. Provides for noncommercial
  4    saltwater fishing licenses and for exceptions to such
      licensure requirements. Provides for a combination
  5    license to hunt and take freshwater and saltwater fish.
      Provides for a combination freshwater and saltwater
  6    fishing license. Authorizes the commission to issue
      temporary saltwater fishing licenses for special events
  7    in management areas for certain persons. Provides that a
      fee is not to be charged for such temporary licenses.
  8    Requires the commission to issue licenses and permits for
      taking wild animal life or freshwater or saltwater
  9    aquatic life upon proof that the applicant for such a
      license or permit is entitled to the license or permit.
10    Provides that licenses and permits for hunting, saltwater
      fishing, and freshwater fishing must be issued without
11    fee to certain disabled persons. Provides for the
      replacement of a lost or destroyed license or permit.
12    Provides a fee. Provides that the license or permit is
      nontransferable. Specifies unlawful acts and provides
13    penalties therefor. Deletes the nonresident fur dealer
      agent license, the resident fur dealer agent license, and
14    the resident local fur dealer license. Repeals s.
      370.0605, F.S., relating to saltwater fishing licenses.
15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

                                  28