Senate Bill 0386c2

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    Florida Senate - 2000                     CS for CS for SB 386

    By the Committees on Fiscal Resource and Natural Resources





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  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to licenses issued by the Fish

  3         and Wildlife Conservation Commission; amending

  4         s. 372.105, F.S.; providing that the proceeds

  5         from the sale of all lifetime licenses be

  6         deposited into the Lifetime Fish and Wildlife

  7         Trust Fund; amending s. 372.57, F.S.; providing

  8         for noncommercial saltwater fishing licenses;

  9         providing for exceptions; providing for a

10         combination license to hunt and take freshwater

11         and saltwater fish; providing for a combination

12         freshwater and saltwater fishing license;

13         coordinating the exemption requirements for

14         licenses for retired residents to the

15         retirement-age eligibility requirements of the

16         United States Social Security Administration;

17         authorizing the commission to issue temporary

18         saltwater fishing licenses for special events

19         in management areas for certain persons;

20         providing that no fee is charged for such

21         temporary licenses; providing for lifetime and

22         5-year saltwater fishing licenses; deleting

23         duplicate provision dealing with fishing

24         licenses for residents 64 years of age or

25         older; providing for a snook permit; providing

26         for a crawfish permit; providing for use of

27         such funds; creating s. 372.5701, F.S.;

28         providing for the deposit and allocation of

29         revenues received from the annual saltwater

30         license fees; amending s. 372.561, F.S.;

31         requiring the commission to issue licenses and

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  1         permits to take wild animal life or freshwater

  2         or saltwater aquatic life upon proof of the

  3         applicant that he or she is entitled to such a

  4         permit or license; providing that licenses and

  5         permits for hunting, saltwater fishing, and

  6         freshwater fishing must be issued, without fee,

  7         to certain disabled persons; specifying portion

  8         of license fees to be retained by tax

  9         collectors; amending s. 372.574, F.S.;

10         providing for a fee for electronic license

11         sales; providing for the replacement of a lost

12         or destroyed license or permit; providing a

13         fee; amending s. 372.66, F.S.; deleting the

14         nonresident fur dealer agent license, the

15         resident fur dealer agent license, and the

16         resident local fur dealer license; amending ss.

17         372.571, 372.5712, 372.5715, 372.573, 372.661,

18         F.S.; conforming cross-references; amending s.

19         372.83, F.S.; providing that it is unlawful to

20         make, forge, or counterfeit any hunting or

21         fishing license; providing penalties; providing

22         that it is a noncriminal infraction to violate

23         specified provisions relating to snook permits

24         or crawfish permits; providing penalties;

25         amending ss. 328.72, 328.76, F.S.; revising

26         provisions relating to the remission of service

27         fees to the Department of Highway Safety and

28         Motor Vehicles and relating to the distribution

29         and use of certain portions of the registration

30         certificate fees; amending s. 370.06, F.S.;

31         deleting obsolete provisions relating to gill

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  1         nets; repealing ss. 370.0605, 370.0615,

  2         370.0608, 370.062, 370.1111, and s. 370.14(10),

  3         (11), F.S., relating to saltwater fishing

  4         licenses; creating s. 372.5702, F.S.; providing

  5         a license program for tarpon; providing for

  6         fees; providing for deposit of such fees;

  7         providing an effective date.

  8

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

10

11         Section 1.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) and

12  paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section 372.105, Florida

13  Statutes, are amended to read:

14         372.105  Lifetime Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund.--

15         (2)  The principal of the fund shall be derived from

16  the following:

17         (b)  Proceeds from the sale of lifetime licenses issued

18  in accordance with s. 372.57 with the exception of the

19  saltwater portion of the lifetime sportsman's license.

20         (3)  The fund is declared to constitute a special trust

21  derived from a contractual relationship between the state and

22  the members of the public whose investments contribute to the

23  fund.  In recognition of such special trust, the following

24  limitations and restrictions are placed on expenditures from

25  the funds:

26         (b)  The interest income received and accruing from the

27  investments of the fund shall be spent in furtherance of the

28  commission's exercise of the regulatory and executive powers

29  of the state with respect to the management, protection, and

30  conservation of wild animal life and saltwater and freshwater

31  aquatic life as set forth in s. 9, Art. IV of the State

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  1  Constitution and this chapter and as otherwise authorized by

  2  the Legislature.

  3         Section 2.  Section 372.57, Florida Statutes, is

  4  amended to read:

  5         372.57  Licenses and permits; exemptions; fees.--No

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

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

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

  9  authorization and paid the fees hereinafter set forth, unless

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

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

12  either directly or indirectly for the purpose of taking,

13  attempting to take, or possessing any saltwater fish for

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

15  authorization or has obtained a license for each vessel for

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

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

18  authorization shall authorize the person to whom it is issued

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

20  animals in accordance with law and commission rules. Such

21  license, permit, or authorization is not transferable. Each

22  license or permit must bear on its face in indelible ink the

23  name of the person to whom it is issued and other information

24  requested by the commission, and, if the license is issued to

25  the owner, operator, or custodian of a vessel for which a fee

26  is paid either directly or indirectly for the purpose of

27  taking or attempting to take or possess saltwater fish for

28  noncommercial purposes, the vessel registration number or

29  federal documentation number must be included. Such license,

30  permit, or authorization issued by the commission or any agent

31  must be in the personal possession of the person to whom

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  1  issued while taking game, freshwater fish, saltwater fish, or

  2  fur-bearing animals. The failure of such person to exhibit

  3  such license, permit, or authorization to the commission or

  4  its wildlife officers, when such person is found taking game,

  5  freshwater fish, saltwater fish, or fur-bearing animals, is a

  6  violation of law.  A positive form of identification is

  7  required when using an authorization, a lifetime license, a

  8  5-year license, or when otherwise required by the license or

  9  permit.  The lifetime licenses and 5-year licenses provided

10  herein shall be embossed with the name, date of birth, the

11  date of issuance, and other pertinent information as deemed

12  necessary by the commission.  A certified copy of the

13  applicant's birth certificate shall accompany all applications

14  for a lifetime license for residents 12 years of age and

15  younger. Each applicant for a license, permit, or

16  authorization shall provide the applicant's social security

17  number on the application form. Disclosure of social security

18  numbers obtained through this requirement shall be limited to

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

20  enforcement program and use by the commission, and as

21  otherwise provided by law.

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

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

24  otherwise provided in this chapter.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  3  fishing line retrieval mechanism, and fishing for

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

  5  except on legally established fish management areas.  This

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

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

  8  Kershaw Cane Pole Tax Repeal Act of 1976."

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

10  less which is located entirely within the private property of

11  the fish pond owner.

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

13  licensed in accordance with s. 372.5705.

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

15  land or from a structure fixed to the land.

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

17  which is licensed under subsection (2).

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

19  license issued under s. 370.06(2).

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

21  client for developmental services by the Department of

22  Children and Family Services, which department shall furnish

23  such person proof thereof.

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

25  taking or attempting to take or possess saltwater fish for

26  noncommercial purposes licensed under this section.

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

28  attempting to take or possess saltwater fish for noncommercial

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

30

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

  2  fresh water and has a valid Florida freshwater fishing

  3  license.

  4         (n)  Any Florida resident fishing for a saltwater

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

  6  the land.

  7         (o)(h)  Any resident who meets the retirement age

  8  requirements, not including early-retirement age, of the

  9  United States Social Security Administration as specified in

10  42 U.S.C. s. 416, and who has in her or his possession proof

11  of compliance with the age, residency, and retirement-age

12  eligibility requirements. A free license may be obtained from

13  any tax collector's office upon proof of age, residency, and

14  retirement-age eligibility requirements. 65 years of age or

15  older who has in her or his possession proof of age and

16  residency.  A free license may be obtained from any tax

17  collector's office upon proof of age and residency.

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

19  fees for noncommercial freshwater and saltwater fishing and

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

21  authorized thereby, are as follows:

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

23  freshwater or saltwater fish in this state is $12 each.

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

25  freshwater or saltwater fish in this state for 7 consecutive

26  days is $15 each.

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

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

29  take saltwater fish in this state is $30 each.

30

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    Florida Senate - 2000                     CS for CS for SB 386
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  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.

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  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

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

  2  nonresident may not purchase a sportsman's license.

  3         (3)  The owner, operator, or custodian of a vessel the

  4  operator of which has been licensed under this section must

  5  maintain and report such statistical data as required by, and

  6  in a manner set forth in, the rules of the commission.

  7         (4)  The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission may

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

  9  any governmental or nonprofit organization that sponsors 1-day

10  special events in fishing management areas for individuals who

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

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

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

14  and must designate the date and the maximum number of

15  individuals that it applies to.

16         (5)(3)  A resident or nonresident taking fur-bearing

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

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

19  has purchased the license provided for hunting in this

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

21  license requirements of this chapter is not required to

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

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

24  the license provided in paragraph (2)(k) (2)(h).

25         (6)(4)  In addition to any license required by this

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

27  fishing, and recreational uses, and the activities authorized

28  thereby, are:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10  hunting or freshwater fishing, the provisions of this

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

12  commission, unless the commission has shall have obtained the

13  written consent of the owner or primary custodian of such

14  lands.

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

16  fresh water, or otherwise use for outdoor recreational

17  purposes, land leased by the commission from private

18  nongovernmental owners, except for those lands located

19  directly north of the Apalachicola National Forest, east of

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

21  forming Lake Talquin, and south of the closest federal

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

23  compensation desired by the landowner, game population levels,

24  desired hunter density, and administrative costs. The permit

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

26  property currently in the private landowner payment program,

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

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

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

30  16 years old or under, per permittee may hunt under the

31  supervision of the permittee and is exempt from the permit

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

  2  exempt from the permit fee when engaged in outdoor

  3  recreational activities other than hunting in the company of

  4  the permittee. Notwithstanding any other provision of this

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

  6  exemptions from this permit fee. The recreational user permit

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

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

  9  lease agreement for each area.

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

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

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

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

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

15  a firearm is not allowed is $5.

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

17  within this state is $5.

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

19  freshwater fishing, where such hunting or freshwater fishing

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

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

22  provision of this chapter, there are no exclusions,

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

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

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

26         (g)  A snook permit to take or possess any snook from

27  any waters of the state is $2. Moneys generated from these

28  permits shall be used exclusively for programs to benefit

29  snook population.

30         (h)  A crawfish permit to take or possess any crawfish

31  for recreational purposes from any water of the state is $2.

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  1  Moneys generated from these permits shall be used exclusively

  2  for programs to benefit crawfish populations.

  3         (g)  The fee for a permanent hunting and fishing

  4  license for a resident 64 years of age or older is $12.

  5         (7)(5)  The commission may is authorized to reduce the

  6  fees for licenses and permits under this section for residents

  7  of those states with which the commission has entered into

  8  reciprocal agreements with respect to such fees.

  9         (8)(6)  The commission may designate by rule no more

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

11  fishing days. Notwithstanding any other provision of this

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

13  for noncommercial purposes on a free fishing day without

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

15  prescribed in this section.  A person who takes freshwater

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

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

18  regulations governing holders of a fishing license and all

19  other conditions and limitations regulating the taking of

20  freshwater fish as are imposed by law or rule.

21         (9)(7)  A resident lifetime sportsman's license

22  authorizes the holder to engage in the following noncommercial

23  activities:

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

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

26  and federal regulations and rules of the commission in effect

27  at the time of taking.

28         (b)  All activities authorized by a management area

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

30  archery permit, a Florida waterfowl permit, a snook permit,

31  and a crawfish permit.

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  1         (10)(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         (11)(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         (12)(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         (13)(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         (14)(12)  The fee for a resident lifetime freshwater

30  fishing license shall be:

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

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

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

  3         (15)  A resident lifetime saltwater fishing license

  4  authorizes the holder to engage in the following noncommercial

  5  activities:

  6         (a)  To take or attempt to take or possess marine fish

  7  consistent with state and federal regulations and rules of the

  8  commission.

  9         (b)  All activities authorized by a snook permit and a

10  crawfish permit.

11         (16)  The fee for a resident lifetime saltwater fishing

12  license shall be:

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

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

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

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

17  5-year saltwater fishing licenses, fees collected pursuant to

18  s. 370.0605(6)(e) for replacement 5-year and lifetime

19  licenses, fees collected pursuant to s. 370.0615 for lifetime

20  saltwater fishing licenses, and 30 percent of the fee for the

21  lifetime sportsman's license shall be transferred within 30

22  days following the last day of the month in which the license

23  fees were received by the commission to the Marine Resources

24  Conservation Trust Fund.

25         (17)(14)  The following 5-year licenses are authorized:

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

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

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

29  to engage in noncommercial activities to take or attempt to

30  take or possess freshwater fish consistent with state and

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  1  federal regulations and rules of the commission in effect at

  2  the time of taking.

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

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

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

  6  in noncommercial activities to take or attempt to take or

  7  possess game consistent with state and federal regulations and

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

  9         (c)  A 5-year saltwater fishing license for a resident

10  to take or attempt to take or possess saltwater fish in this

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

12  to engage in noncommercial activities to take or attempt to

13  take or possess saltwater fish consistent with state and

14  federal regulations and rules of the commission in effect at

15  the time of taking.

16         (18)(15)  Proceeds from the sale of 5-year licenses as

17  provided in this chapter must shall be deposited into the

18  Dedicated License Trust Fund. One-fifth of the total proceeds

19  derived from the sale of 5-year licenses, replacement 5-year

20  licenses, and all interest derived therefrom shall be

21  available for appropriation annually.

22         Section 3.  Section 372.5701, Florida Statutes, is

23  created to read:

24         372.5701  Deposit of license fees; allocation of

25  federal funds.--

26         (1)  All annual saltwater license fees collected

27  pursuant to s. 372.57 shall be deposited into the Marine

28  Resources Conservation Trust Fund, to be used as follows:

29         (a)  Not more than 5 percent of the total fees

30  collected shall be used to carry out the responsibilities of

31  the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and to provide

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  1  for the award of funds to marine research institutions in this

  2  state for the purposes of enabling such institutions to

  3  conduct worthy marine research projects.

  4         (b)  Not less than 2.5 percent of the total fees

  5  collected shall be used for aquatic education purposes.

  6         (c)1.  The remainder of such fees shall be used by the

  7  department for the following program functions:

  8         a.  Not more than 5 percent of the total fees

  9  collected, for administration of the licensing program and for

10  information and education.

11         b.  Not more than 30 percent of the total fees

12  collected, for law enforcement.

13         c.  Not less than 27.5 percent of the total fees

14  collected, for marine research.

15         d.  Not less than 30 percent of the total fees

16  collected, for fishery enhancement, including, but not limited

17  to, fishery statistics development, artificial reefs, and fish

18  hatcheries.

19         2.  The Legislature shall annually appropriate to the

20  commission from the General Revenue Fund for the activities

21  and programs specified in subparagraph 1. at least the same

22  amount of money as was appropriated to the Department of

23  Environmental Protection from the General Revenue Fund for

24  such activities and programs for fiscal year 1988-1989, and

25  the amounts appropriated to the commission for such activities

26  and programs from the Marine Resources Conservation Trust Fund

27  shall be in addition to the amount appropriated to the

28  commission for such activities and programs from the General

29  Revenue Fund. The proceeds from recreational saltwater fishing

30  license fees paid by fishers shall be appropriated only to the

31  commission.

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  1         (2)  Funds available from the Wallop-Breaux Aquatic

  2  Resources Trust Fund shall be distributed by the commission

  3  between the Division of Freshwater Fisheries and the Division

  4  of Marine Fisheries in proportion to the numbers of resident

  5  fresh and saltwater anglers as determined by the most current

  6  data on license sales.  Unless otherwise provided by federal

  7  law, the commission, at a minimum, shall provide the

  8  following:

  9         (a)  Not less than 5 percent or more than 10 percent of

10  the funds allocated to the commission shall be expended for an

11  aquatic resources education program; and

12         (b)  Not less than 10 percent of the funds allocated to

13  the commission shall be expended for acquisition, development,

14  renovation, or improvement of boating facilities.

15         Section 4.  Section 372.561, Florida Statutes, is

16  amended to read:

17         372.561  Issuance of licenses to take wild animal life,

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

19  reporting.--

20         (1)  The provisions of This section applies shall apply

21  to such licenses or permits as are established in s. 372.57.

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

23  take wild animal life or freshwater or saltwater aquatic life

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

25  entitled to such license or permit.  The commission shall

26  establish the forms for such licenses and permits. Each

27  applicant for a license, permit, or authorization shall

28  provide the applicant's social security number on the

29  application form. Disclosure of social security numbers

30  obtained through this requirement shall be limited to the

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

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  1  support enforcement and use by the commission, and as

  2  otherwise provided by law.

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

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

  5  appointed subagent.

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

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

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

  9  source from which is subtracted, all administrative costs of

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

11  printing, distribution, and credit card fees.

12         (b)  Tax collectors may retain $1 for each freshwater

13  fishing and hunting license or management area permit sold,

14  and $1.50 for each saltwater license sold.

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

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

17  resident who is certified:

18         1.  To be totally and permanently disabled by the

19  United States Department of Veterans Affairs or its

20  predecessor or, by the United States Social Security

21  Administration, by any branch of the United States Armed

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

23  upon the criteria for permanent and total disability in

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

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

26  295.17, upon proof of the same.  Any license issued under this

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

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

29         2.  To be totally disabled A Disability Award Notice

30  issued by the United States Social Security Administration

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

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  1  provision after October 1, 1999, expires after 2 years and

  2  must be reissued, upon proof of certification as provided in

  3  this subsection, every 2 years thereafter is not sufficient

  4  certification for obtaining a permanent hunting and fishing

  5  license under this section unless said form certifies a

  6  resident is totally and permanently disabled.

  7         (b)  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this

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

  9  before July 1, 2000, a valid disability license issued under

10  this subsection, retains the rights vested thereunder until

11  the license has expired.

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

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

14  required documentation, to the commission within 7 days

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

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

17  maintain records of all such licenses and permits which are

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

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

20  licenses and permits sold and for the value of all licenses

21  and permits stamps reported as lost.  The tax collector shall

22  report stolen licenses and permits to the appropriate law

23  enforcement agency.  The tax collector shall submit a written

24  report and a copy of the law enforcement agency's report to

25  the commission within 5 days after discovering the theft.  The

26  value of a validation stamp is $5.

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

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

29  value of all licenses and permits stamps reported as lost.

30  The commission may adopt rules to implement this section.

31

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

  2  tax collector shall submit to the commission a written audit

  3  report, on forms prescribed or approved by the commission, as

  4  to the numbers of all unissued licenses and permits stamps for

  5  the previous year along with all unissued pictorial permits a

  6  written audit report, on forms prescribed or approved by the

  7  commission, of the numbers of the unissued stamps.

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

  9  audit report, each county tax collector shall provide the

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

11  voided licenses, permits, and stamps with a certified

12  reconciliation statement prepared by a certified public

13  accountant.  Concurrent with the submission of the

14  certification, the county tax collector shall remit to the

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

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

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

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

19  reported by him or her as lost.

20         Section 5.  Section 372.574, Florida Statutes, is

21  amended to read:

22         372.574  Appointment of subagents for the sale of

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

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

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

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

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

28  requirements for subagents:

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

30  county tax collector.

31

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

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

  3  may be appointed as a subagent.

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

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

  6  using an insurance company acceptable to the tax collector.

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

  8  bonds covering all or selected subagents or may allow a

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

10  collector.

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

12  determined by the tax collector at such specific locations

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

14  best serve the public interest and convenience in obtaining

15  licenses and permits. The commission may uniformly prohibit

16  subagents from selling certain licenses or permits.

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

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

19  he has been appointed as a subagent.

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

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

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

23  775.083.

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

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

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

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

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

29  sale of licenses and permits to the tax collector as

30  prescribed by the tax collector but no less frequently than

31  monthly.

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  1         (i)  Subagents shall submit an activity report for

  2  sales made during the reporting period on forms prescribed or

  3  approved by the commission. Periodic audits may be performed

  4  at the discretion of the commission.

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

  6  subagents, the commission may appoint subagents within that

  7  county.  Subagents shall serve at the pleasure of the

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

  9  for selection of subagents.  The following are requirements

10  for subagents so appointed:

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

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

13  insurance company acceptable to the commission.  In lieu of

14  the bond, the commission may purchase blanket bonds covering

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

16  other security as required by the commission.

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

18  authorized by the commission at specific locations within the

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

20  and convenience in obtaining licenses and permits. The

21  commission may prohibit subagents from selling certain

22  licenses or permits.

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

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

25  she has been appointed as a subagent.

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

27  provisions of this section commits a misdemeanor of the second

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  4  be established by competitive bid procedures which are

  5  overseen by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. A

  6  fee for electronic license sales may be established by

  7  competitive-bid procedures that are overseen by the Fish and

  8  Wildlife Conservation Commission.

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

10  sale of licenses and permits to the commission as prescribed

11  by the commission.

12         (g)  Subagents shall maintain records of all licenses

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

14  lost.  Subagents are responsible to the commission for the

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

16  all licenses and permits stamps reported as lost.  Subagents

17  must report all stolen licenses and permits validation stamps

18  to the appropriate law enforcement agency.  The subagent shall

19  submit a written report and a copy of the law enforcement

20  agency's report to the commission within 5 days after

21  discovering the theft. The value of a lost validation stamp is

22  $5.

23         (h)  Subagents shall submit an activity report for

24  sales made during the reporting period on forms prescribed or

25  approved by the commission. Periodic audits may be performed

26  at the discretion of the commission.

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

28  submit to the commission all unissued stamps for the previous

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

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

31  stamps.

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  1         (3)  The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or

  2  any other law enforcement agency may carry out any

  3  investigation necessary to secure information required to

  4  carry out and enforce this section.

  5         (4)(3)  All social security numbers that which are

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

  7  in records of any subagent appointed under pursuant to this

  8  section are confidential as provided in those sections.

  9         Section 6.  Section 372.66, Florida Statutes, is

10  amended to read:

11         372.66  License required for fur and hide dealers.--

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

22  by or buying for such licensed state dealer.

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

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

25  traveling buyers shall be deemed a resident local dealer and

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

27         (3)(4)  A nonresident dealer or buyer must shall be

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

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

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

31  agent for such nonresident buyer.

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

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

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

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

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

  6  the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on blanks

  7  furnished by it.

  8         (4)(6)  All dealers and buyers shall forward to the

  9  Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission each 2 weeks during

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

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

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

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

14  of such exemption.  A No common carrier may not shall

15  knowingly ship or transport or receive for transportation any

16  hides or furs unless such shipments have marked thereon name

17  of shipper and the number of her or his fur-animal license or

18  fur dealer's license.

19         Section 7.  Section 372.571, Florida Statutes, is

20  amended to read:

21         372.571  Expiration of licenses and permits.--Each

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

23  issued. Each license or permit issued under this chapter

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

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

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

27  individual to whom the license is issued unless otherwise

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

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

30  years from the date of purchase unless otherwise revoked in

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

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  1  372.57(2)(b) or (j) (g), which is valid for the period

  2  specified on the license or a license issued pursuant to s.

  3  372.57(6)(b)2., which expires on May 30.  A resident lifetime

  4  license or a resident 5-year license that has been purchased

  5  by a resident of this state and who subsequently resides in

  6  another state shall be honored for activities authorized by

  7  that license.

  8         Section 8.  Subsection (1) of section 372.5712, Florida

  9  Statutes, is amended to read:

10         372.5712  Florida waterfowl permit revenues.--

11         (1)  The commission shall expend the revenues generated

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

13  s. 372.57(6)(a) s. 372.57(4)(a) or that pro rata portion of

14  any license that includes waterfowl hunting privileges, as

15  provided in s. 372.57(2)(l) s. 372.57(2)(i) and (14)(b) as

16  follows:  A maximum of 5 percent of the gross revenues shall

17  be expended for administrative costs; a maximum of 25 percent

18  of the gross revenues shall be expended for waterfowl research

19  approved by the commission; and a maximum of 70 percent of the

20  gross revenues shall be expended for projects approved by the

21  commission, in consultation with the Waterfowl Advisory

22  Council, for the purpose of protecting and propagating

23  migratory waterfowl and for the development, restoration,

24  maintenance, and preservation of wetlands within the state.

25         Section 9.  Subsection (1) of section 372.5715, Florida

26  Statutes, is amended to read:

27         372.5715  Florida wild turkey permit revenues.--

28         (1)  The commission shall expend the revenues generated

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

30  372.57(6)(e) s. 372.57(4)(e) or that pro rata portion of any

31  license that includes turkey hunting privileges as provided

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

  2  research and management of wild turkeys.

  3         Section 10.  Section 372.573, Florida Statutes, is

  4  amended to read:

  5         372.573  Management area permit revenues.--The

  6  commission shall expend the revenue generated from the sale of

  7  the management area permit as provided for in s. 372.57(6)(b)

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

  9  includes management area privileges as provided for in s.

10  372.57(2)(l) s. 372.57(2)(i) and (14)(b) for the lease,

11  management, and protection of lands for public hunting,

12  fishing, and other outdoor recreation.

13         Section 11.  Section 372.661, Florida Statutes, is

14  amended to read:

15         372.661  Private hunting preserve, license;

16  exception.--

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

18  commercially or otherwise shall be required to pay a license

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

20  during the open season established for wild game of any

21  species, a private individual may take artificially propagated

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

23  particular species without being required to pay the license

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

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

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

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

28  regulations of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

29  relative to the operation of private hunting preserves.

30         (2)  A commercial hunting preserve license, which

31  exempts shall exempt patrons of licensed preserves from the

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  1  licensure requirements of s. 372.57(2), (d), (f), (h), (i),

  2  (j), and (l), s. 372.57(2)(e), (f), (g), and (i), (4)(a), (c),

  3  (d), and (e), (7), (9), and (14)(b) while hunting on the

  4  licensed preserve property, shall be $500. Such a commercial

  5  hunting preserve license is shall be available only to those

  6  private hunting preserves licensed under pursuant to this

  7  section which are operated exclusively for commercial

  8  purposes, which are open to the public, and for which a

  9  uniform fee is charged to patrons for hunting privileges.

10         Section 12.  Section 372.83, Florida Statutes, is

11  amended to read:

12         372.83  Noncriminal infractions; criminal penalties;

13  suspension and revocation of licenses and permits.--

14         (1)  A person is guilty of a noncriminal infraction,

15  punishable as provided in s. 372.711, if she or he violates

16  any of the following provisions:

17         (a)  Rules, regulations, or orders relating to the

18  filing of reports or other documents required of persons who

19  are licensed or who hold permits issued by the commission.

20         (b)  Rules, regulations, or orders relating to fish

21  management areas.

22         (c)  Rules, regulations, or orders relating to quota

23  hunt permits, daily use permits, hunting zone assignments,

24  camping restrictions, the use of alcoholic beverages, vehicle

25  use, and check station requirements within wildlife management

26  areas or other areas managed by the commission.

27         (d)  Rules, regulations, or orders requiring permits

28  free of charge to possess captive wildlife for personal use.

29         (e)  Rules, regulations, or orders establishing size or

30  slot limits for freshwater game fish.

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  1         (f)  Rules, regulations, or orders regulating vessel

  2  size or specifying motor restrictions on specified water

  3  bodies.

  4         (g)  Rules, regulations, or orders relating to the

  5  registration of off-road vehicles and airboats operated on

  6  state lands.

  7         (h)  Section 372.57, relating to hunting, fishing, and

  8  trapping licenses.

  9         (i)  Section 372.988, relating to required clothing for

10  persons hunting deer.

11         (j)  Section 372.57(6)(g), relating to snook permits,

12  or s. 372.57(6)(h), relating to crawfish permits.

13

14  A person who fails to pay the civil penalty specified in s.

15  372.711 within 30 days after being cited for a noncriminal

16  infraction or to appear before the court pursuant to that

17  section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree,

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

19         (2)  A person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second

20  degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, if

21  she or he violates any of the following rules, regulations, or

22  orders of the commission:

23         (a)  Rules, regulations, or orders that specify season

24  or time periods for the taking of freshwater fish or wildlife.

25         (b)  Rules, regulations, or orders that specify bag

26  limits or restrict methods of taking freshwater fish or

27  wildlife.

28         (c)  Rules, regulations, or orders that relate to the

29  sale, possession for sale, purchase, transfer, transportation,

30  or importation of freshwater fish or wildlife.

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  1         (d)  Rules, regulations, or orders that prohibit public

  2  access for specified periods to wildlife management areas or

  3  other areas managed by the commission.

  4         (e)  Rules, regulations, or orders that require a

  5  person to pay a fee to obtain a permit to possess captive

  6  wildlife or that require the maintenance of records relating

  7  to captive wildlife.

  8         (f)  All other rules, regulations, and orders of the

  9  commission, except those specified in subsection (1).

10         (3)  It is unlawful for any person to make, forge,

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

12  saltwater fishing license unless authorized by the commission.

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

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

15  license unless possession by the person has been fully

16  authorized by the commission. A person who violates this

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

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

19         (4)(3)  Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, a

20  person who violates any provision of this chapter is guilty,

21  for the first offense, of a misdemeanor of the second degree,

22  punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, and is

23  guilty, for the second offense or any subsequent offense, of a

24  misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s.

25  775.082 or s. 775.083.

26         (5)(4)  The court may order the suspension or

27  revocation of any license or permit issued to a person

28  pursuant to this chapter, if that person commits a criminal

29  offense specified in this chapter or a noncriminal infraction

30  specified in this section.

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    Florida Senate - 2000                     CS for CS for SB 386
    314-1847-00




  1         Section 13.  Subsections (7) and (15) of section

  2  328.72, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

  3         328.72  Classification; registration; fees and charges;

  4  surcharge; disposition of fees; fines; marine turtle

  5  stickers.--

  6         (7)  SERVICE FEE.--In addition to other registration

  7  fees, the vessel owner shall pay the tax collector a $2.25

  8  service fee for each registration issued, replaced, or

  9  renewed.  All fees collected by a tax collector, other than

10  the service charge and the county portion of the registration

11  certificate fee collected pursuant to subsection (1),

12  collected by a tax collector must be remitted to the

13  department not later than 7 working days following the last

14  day of the week in which the money was collected remitted.

15  Vessels may travel in salt water or fresh water.

16         (15)  DISTRIBUTION OF FEES.--The county portion of the

17  registration certificate fee collected Moneys deposited

18  pursuant to subsection (1) is to be used s. 328.76 to be

19  returned to the counties are for the sole purposes of

20  providing recreational channel marking and public launching

21  facilities and other boating-related activities, for removal

22  of vessels and floating structures deemed a hazard to public

23  safety and health for failure to comply with s. 327.53, and

24  for manatee and marine mammal protection and recovery. The

25  county portion of the vessel registration certificate fee

26  collected by the Fast Title Section of the Bureau of Titles

27  and Registrations of the Department of Highway Safety and

28  Motor Vehicles must be returned to the vessel owner's county

29  of residence. The department shall ascertain, as a guideline

30  in determining the amounts of distributions each county may

31  receive, the number of noncommercial vessels registered in the

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    Florida Senate - 2000                     CS for CS for SB 386
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  1  county during the preceding fiscal year according to the fee

  2  schedule provided in subsection (1) and shall promulgate rules

  3  to effectuate this.  Each fiscal year, prior to determination

  4  of distributions to the counties under this section, an amount

  5  equal to $1 for each vessel registered in this state shall be

  6  transferred to the Save the Manatee Trust Fund for manatee and

  7  marine mammal research, protection, and recovery.

  8         Section 14.  Subsection (1) of section 328.76, Florida

  9  Statutes, is amended to read:

10         328.76  Marine Resources Conservation Trust Fund;

11  vessel registration funds; appropriation and distribution.--

12         (1)  Except as otherwise specified in this chapter and

13  less any administrative costs, all funds collected from the

14  registration of vessels through the Department of Highway

15  Safety and Motor Vehicles and the tax collectors of the state

16  shall be deposited in the Marine Resources Conservation Trust

17  Fund for recreational channel marking; public launching

18  facilities; law enforcement and quality control programs;

19  aquatic weed control; manatee protection, recovery, rescue,

20  rehabilitation, and release; and marine mammal protection and

21  recovery. The funds collected pursuant to s. 328.72(1) shall

22  be transferred as follows:

23         (a)  In each fiscal year, an amount equal to $1 for

24  each vessel registered in this state shall be transferred to

25  the Save the Manatee Trust Fund for manatee and marine mammal

26  research, protection, and recovery in accordance with the

27  provisions of s. 370.12(4)(a).

28         (b)  In addition, in each fiscal year, an amount equal

29  to 50 cents for each vessel registered in this state shall be

30  transferred to the Save the Manatee Trust Fund in accordance

31  with the provisions of s. 370.12(4)(b) for use by those

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    Florida Senate - 2000                     CS for CS for SB 386
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  1  facilities approved to rescue, rehabilitate, and release

  2  manatees as authorized pursuant to the Fish and Wildlife

  3  Service of the United States Department of the Interior.

  4         (c)  Two dollars from each noncommercial vessel

  5  registration fee, except that for class A-1 vessels, shall be

  6  transferred to the Invasive Plant Control Trust Fund for

  7  aquatic weed research and control.

  8         (d)  Forty percent of the registration fees from

  9  commercial vessels shall be used for law enforcement and

10  quality control programs.

11         (e)  Forty percent of the registration fees from

12  commercial vessels shall be transferred to the Invasive Plant

13  Control Trust Fund for aquatic plant research and control.

14         Section 15.  Subsection (3) of section 370.06, Florida

15  Statutes, is amended to read:

16         370.06  Licenses.--

17         (3)  NET LICENSES.--Except for cast nets and bait

18  seines which are 100 feet in length or less and which have a

19  mesh that is  3/8  inch or less, all nets used to take

20  finfish, including, but not limited to, gill nets, trammel

21  nets, and beach seines, must be licensed or registered. Each

22  net used to take finfish for commercial purposes, or by a

23  nonresident, must be licensed under a saltwater products

24  license issued pursuant to subsection (2) and must bear the

25  number of such license.  A noncommercial resident net

26  registration must be issued to each net used to take finfish

27  for noncommercial purposes and may only be issued to residents

28  of the state. Each net so registered must bear the name of the

29  person in whose name the net is registered.

30         Section 16.  Section 372.5702, Florida Statutes, is

31  created to read:

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    Florida Senate - 2000                     CS for CS for SB 386
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  1         372.5702  Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

  2  license program for tarpon; fees; penalties.--

  3         (1)  The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

  4  shall establish a license program for the purpose of issuing

  5  tags to individuals desiring to harvest tarpon (megalops

  6  atlantica) from the waters of the State of Florida. The tags

  7  shall be nontransferable, except that the commission may allow

  8  for a limited number of tags to be purchased by professional

  9  fishing guides for transfer to individuals, and issued by the

10  commission in order of receipt of a properly completed

11  application for a nonrefundable fee of $50 per tag.  The

12  commission and any tax collector may sell the tags and collect

13  the fees therefor.  Tarpon tags are valid from July 1 through

14  June 30.  Before August 15 of each year, each tax collector

15  shall submit to the commission all unissued tags for the

16  previous calendar year along with a written audit report, on

17  forms prescribed or approved by the commission, as to the

18  numbers of the unissued tags.  To defray the cost of issuing

19  any tag, the issuing tax collector shall collect and retain as

20  his or her costs, in addition to the tag fee collected, the

21  amount allowed under s. 372.561(4) for the issuance of

22  licenses.

23         (2)  The number of tags to be issued shall be

24  determined by rule of the commission. The commission shall in

25  no way allow the issuance of tarpon tags to adversely affect

26  the tarpon population.

27         (3)  Proceeds from the sale of tarpon tags shall be

28  deposited in the Marine Resources Conservation Trust Fund and

29  shall be used to gather information directly applicable to

30  tarpon management.

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    Florida Senate - 2000                     CS for CS for SB 386
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  1         (4)  No individual shall take, kill, or possess any

  2  fish of the species megalops atlantica, commonly known as

  3  tarpon, unless such individual has purchased a tarpon tag and

  4  securely attached it through the lower jaw of the fish. Said

  5  individual shall within 5 days after the landing of the fish

  6  submit a form to the commission which indicates the length,

  7  weight, and physical condition of the tarpon when caught; the

  8  date and location of where the fish was caught; and any other

  9  pertinent information which may be required by the commission.

10  The commission may refuse to issue new tags to individuals or

11  guides who fail to provide the required information.

12         (5)  Any individual including a taxidermist who

13  possesses a tarpon which does not have a tag securely attached

14  as required by this section shall be subject to penalties as

15  prescribed in s. 370.021. Provided, however, a taxidermist may

16  remove the tag during the process of mounting a tarpon. The

17  removed tag shall remain with the fish during any subsequent

18  storage or shipment.

19         (6)  Purchase of a tarpon tag shall not accord the

20  purchaser any right to harvest or possess tarpon in

21  contravention of rules adopted by the commission. No

22  individual may sell, offer for sale, barter, exchange for

23  merchandise, transport for sale, either within or without the

24  state, offer to purchase, or purchase any species of fish

25  known as tarpon.

26         (7)  The commission shall prescribe and provide

27  suitable forms and tags necessary to carry out the provisions

28  of this section.

29         (8)  The provisions of this section shall not apply to

30  anyone who immediately returns a tarpon uninjured to the water

31  at the place where the fish was caught.

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    Florida Senate - 2000                     CS for CS for SB 386
    314-1847-00




  1         Section 17.  Sections 370.0605, 370.0615, 370.0608,

  2  370.062, and 370.1111, Florida Statutes, and subsection (10)

  3  and (11) of section 370.14, Florida Statutes, are repealed.

  4         Section 18.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2000.

  5

  6          STATEMENT OF SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES CONTAINED IN
                       COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR
  7                            CS/SB 386

  8

  9  CS/CS/SB 386 made the following substantive changes to CS/SB
    386:
10
    1)    Repeals s. 370.1111, F.S., relating to the $2 snook
11        permit and recreates it in ch. 372, F.S.

12  2)    Repeals s. 370.14(10)(11), F.S., relating to the $2
          crawfish permit and recreates it in ch. 372, F.S.
13
    3)    Repeals s. 370.062, F.S., relating to the tarpon
14        licensing program and recreates it in ch. 372, F.S.

15  4)    Clarifies that the county portion of the vessel
          registration fee collected at the DHSMV must be returned
16        to vessel owner's county of residence.

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