Senate Bill sb2024c1

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    Florida Senate - 2001                           CS for SB 2024

    By the Committee on Finance and Taxation; and Senator Pruitt





    314-1708-01

  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to the Fish and Wildlife

  3         Conservation Commission; amending s. 327.73,

  4         F.S.; providing a civil penalty for violation

  5         of certain established vessel speed limits;

  6         making provisions for dismissal of a boating

  7         violation; amending s. 328.72, F.S.; increasing

  8         registration fees for vessels; providing for

  9         the distribution of certain vessel fees;

10         amending s. 328.76, F.S.; providing for the use

11         of vessel and dealer registration fees

12         transferred into the Marine Resources

13         Conservation Trust Fund; providing funding for

14         manatee protection; amending s. 370.06, F.S.;

15         recognizing the Railroad Retirement Board for

16         making certain disability determinations;

17         amending s. 372.105, F.S.; revising provisions

18         relating to the Lifetime Fish and Wildlife

19         Trust Fund; amending s. 372.106, F.S.;

20         conforming cross-references; amending s.

21         372.16, F.S.; increasing the permit fee for a

22         private game preserve or farm; amending s.

23         372.561, F.S.; revising provisions relating

24         issuance of recreational licenses, permits, and

25         authorization numbers to take wild animal life,

26         freshwater aquatic life, and marine life, and

27         administrative costs and reporting related

28         thereto; creating s. 372.562, F.S.; providing

29         exemptions from recreational license and permit

30         fees; amending s. 372.57, F.S.; creating a gold

31         sportsman's license for residents; revising and

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  1         reorganizing provisions specifying fees and

  2         requirements for recreational licenses,

  3         permits, and authorization numbers, including

  4         hunting licenses, saltwater and freshwater

  5         fishing licenses, 5-year licenses, and lifetime

  6         licenses; increasing the fee for a nonresident

  7         Florida turkey permit; providing for pier

  8         licenses and recreational vessel licenses, and

  9         fees therefor; providing for snook permits and

10         crawfish permits, and uses thereof; creating s.

11         372.5701, F.S.; prescribing requirements for

12         the deposit of saltwater license fees and

13         allocation of federal funds; creating s.

14         372.5702, F.S.; prescribing requirements for

15         the expenditure of certain funds for marine

16         research; creating s. 372.5704, F.S.; providing

17         a license program to take tarpon; amending ss.

18         372.571, 372.5712, 372.5715, 372.573, F.S.;

19         conforming cross-references; amending s.

20         372.547, F.S.; prescribing requirements for

21         subagents for the sale of certain licenses and

22         permits; creating s. 372.579, F.S.; authorizing

23         the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

24         to prescribe a processing fee for certain

25         licenses and permits; amending s. 372.661,

26         F.S.; increasing fees for operating a private

27         hunting preserve; amending s. 372.711, F.S.;

28         providing for a fee for dismissing certain

29         violations of license and permit requirements;

30         amending s. 372.921, F.S.; increasing fees for

31         possession and exhibition of wildlife; amending

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  1         s. 372.922, F.S.; increasing certain fees for

  2         the personal possession of wildlife; amending

  3         s. 705.101, F.S., adding derelict vessels to

  4         the definition of abandoned property; repealing

  5         s. 370.0605, F.S., which provides for saltwater

  6         fishing licenses; repealing s. 370.0608, F.S.,

  7         which provides for deposit of saltwater license

  8         fees; repealing s. 370.0609, F.S., which

  9         provides for expenditure of funds for marine

10         research; repealing s. 370.0615, F.S., which

11         provides for lifetime saltwater fishing

12         licenses; repealing s. 370.062, F.S., which

13         provides for tarpon tags and fees; repealing s.

14         370.1111, F.S., which provides for snook

15         regulation; repealing s. 370.14(10) and (11),

16         F.S., which provides for crawfish regulation;

17         providing an effective date.

18

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

20

21         Section 1.  Subsections (1) and (4) of section 327.73,

22  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

23         327.73  Noncriminal infractions.--

24         (1)  Violations of the following provisions of the

25  vessel laws of this state are noncriminal infractions:

26         (a)  Section 328.46, relating to operation of

27  unregistered and unnumbered vessels.

28         (b)  Section 328.48(4), relating to display of number

29  and possession of registration certificate.

30         (c)  Section 328.48(5), relating to display of decal.

31         (d)  Section 328.52(2), relating to display of number.

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  1         (e)  Section 328.54, relating to spacing of digits and

  2  letters of identification number.

  3         (f)  Section 328.60, relating to military personnel and

  4  registration of vessels.

  5         (g)  Section 328.72(14), relating to operation with an

  6  expired registration.

  7         (h)  Section 327.33(2), relating to careless operation.

  8         (i)  Section 327.37, relating to water skiing,

  9  aquaplaning, parasailing, and similar activities.

10         (j)  Section 327.44, relating to interference with

11  navigation.

12         (k)  Violations relating to restricted areas and speed

13  limits:

14         1.  Established by the commission pursuant to s.

15  327.46.

16         2.  Established by local governmental authorities

17  pursuant to s. 327.22 or s. 327.60.

18         3.  Speed limits established pursuant to s. 370.12(2),

19  for which the civil penalty is $100.

20         (l)  Section 327.48, relating to regattas and races.

21         (m)  Section 327.50(1) and (2), relating to required

22  safety equipment, lights, and shapes.

23         (n)  Section 327.65, relating to muffling devices.

24         (o)  Section 327.33(3)(b), relating to navigation

25  rules.

26         (p)  Section 327.39(1), (2), (3), and (5), relating to

27  personal watercraft.

28         (q)  Section 327.53(1), (2), and (3), relating to

29  marine sanitation.

30         (r)  Section 327.53(4), (5), and (7), relating to

31  marine sanitation, for which the civil penalty is $250.

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  1         (s)  Section 327.395, relating to boater safety

  2  education.

  3         (t)  Section 327.52(3), relating to operation of

  4  overloaded or overpowered vessels.

  5

  6  Any person cited for a violation of any such provision shall

  7  be deemed to be charged with a noncriminal infraction, shall

  8  be cited for such an infraction, and shall be cited to appear

  9  before the county court. The civil penalty for any such

10  infraction is $50, except as otherwise provided in this

11  section. Any person who fails to appear or otherwise properly

12  respond to a uniform boating citation shall, in addition to

13  the charge relating to the violation of the boating laws of

14  this state, be charged with the offense of failing to respond

15  to such citation and, upon conviction, be guilty of a

16  misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s.

17  775.082 or s. 775.083. A written warning to this effect shall

18  be provided at the time such uniform boating citation is

19  issued.

20         (4)  Any person charged with a noncriminal infraction

21  under this section may:

22         (a)  Pay the civil penalty, either by mail or in

23  person, within 30 days of the date of receiving the citation;

24  or,

25         (b)  If he or she has posted bond, forfeit bond by not

26  appearing at the designated time and location.

27

28  If a person who is cited for a violation of s. 327.395 can

29  show proof of having a boating safety identification card

30  issued to him or her and valid at the time of the citation,

31  the clerk of the court shall dismiss the case and may assess a

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    Florida Senate - 2001                           CS for SB 2024
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  1  $5 dismissal fee. If the person cited follows either of the

  2  above procedures, he or she shall be deemed to have admitted

  3  the noncriminal infraction and to have waived the right to a

  4  hearing on the issue of commission of the infraction.  Such

  5  admission shall not be used as evidence in any other

  6  proceedings.

  7         Section 2.  Subsections (1) and (15) of section 328.72,

  8  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

  9         328.72  Classification; registration; fees and charges;

10  surcharge; disposition of fees; fines; marine turtle

11  stickers.--

12         (1)  VESSEL REGISTRATION FEE.--Vessels that are

13  required to be registered shall be classified for registration

14  purposes according to the following schedule, and the

15  registration certificate fee shall be in the following

16  amounts:

17         Class A-1--Less than 12 feet in length, and all canoes

18  to which propulsion motors have been attached, regardless of

19  length..............................................$8.50$3.50

20         Class A-2--12 feet or more and less than 16 feet in

21  length..............................................15.5010.50

22  (To county)...............................................2.85

23         Class 1--16 feet or more and less than 26 feet in

24  length..............................................28.5018.50

25  (To county)...............................................8.85

26         Class 2--26 feet or more and less than 40 feet in

27  length..............................................65.5050.50

28  (To county)..............................................32.85

29         Class 3--40 feet or more and less than 65 feet in

30  length..............................................97.5082.50

31  (To county)..............................................56.85

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  1         Class 4--65 feet or more and less than 110 feet in

  2  length.............................................113.5098.50

  3  (To county)..............................................68.85

  4         Class 5--110 feet or more in length........137.50122.50

  5  (To county)..............................................86.85

  6         Dealer registration certificate..............26.5016.50

  7

  8  The county portion of the vessel registration fee is derived

  9  from recreational vessels only.

10         (15)  DISTRIBUTION OF FEES.--Moneys designated for the

11  use of the counties, as specified in subsection (1), shall be

12  distributed by the tax collector to the board of county

13  commissioners for use as provided in this section.  Such

14  moneys to be returned to the counties are for the sole

15  purposes of providing recreational channel marking and public

16  launching facilities and other boating-related activities, for

17  removal of vessels and floating structures deemed a hazard to

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

19  and for manatee and marine mammal protection and recovery. The

20  county portion of the vessel registration certificate fee

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

22  and Registration of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor

23  Vehicles must be returned to the vessel owner's county of

24  Florida residence.

25         Section 3.  Paragraph (e) is added to subsection (1) of

26  section 328.76, Florida Statutes, to read:

27         328.76  Marine Resources Conservation Trust Fund;

28  vessel registration funds; appropriation and distribution.--

29         (1)  Except as otherwise specified and less any

30  administrative costs, all funds collected from the

31  registration of vessels through the Department of Highway

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  1  Safety and Motor Vehicles and the tax collectors of the state,

  2  except for those funds designated for the use of the counties

  3  pursuant to s. 328.72(1), shall be deposited in the Marine

  4  Resources Conservation Trust Fund for recreational channel

  5  marking; public launching facilities; law enforcement and

  6  quality control programs; aquatic weed control; manatee

  7  protection, recovery, rescue, rehabilitation, and release; and

  8  marine mammal protection and recovery. The funds collected

  9  pursuant to s. 328.72(1) shall be transferred as follows:

10         (e)1.  The following amounts shall be transferred to

11  the Marine Resources Conservation Trust Fund to fund

12  additional on-the-water law enforcement efforts of the Florida

13  Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission:

14         a.  $3 from each Class A-1 vessel registration fee.

15         b.  $3 from each Class A-2 vessel registration fee.

16         c.  $8 from each Class 1 vessel registration fee.

17         d.  $13 from each Class 2 vessel registration fee.

18         e.  $13 from each Class 3 vessel registration fee.

19         f.  $13 from each Class 4 vessel registration fee.

20         g.  $13 from each Class 5 vessel registration fee.

21         h.  $8 from each dealer registration certificate.

22         2.  One dollar from each vessel registered in this

23  state must be used to fund additional research and development

24  of manatee protection and technology with the primary focus

25  for manatee-avoidance technology for watercrafts, and $1 from

26  each vessel registered in this state shall be used for

27  additional funding for manatee population research and census

28  efforts, and manatee signs on waterways.

29         Section 4.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section

30  370.06, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

31         370.06  Licenses.--

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  1         (2)  SALTWATER PRODUCTS LICENSE.--

  2         (a)  Every person, firm, or corporation that sells,

  3  offers for sale, barters, or exchanges for merchandise any

  4  saltwater products, or which harvests saltwater products with

  5  certain gear or equipment as specified by law, must have a

  6  valid saltwater products license, except that the holder of an

  7  aquaculture certificate under s. 597.004 is not required to

  8  purchase and possess a saltwater products license in order to

  9  possess, transport, or sell marine aquaculture products.  Each

10  saltwater products license allows the holder to engage in any

11  of the activities for which the license is required. The

12  license must be in the possession of the licenseholder or

13  aboard the vessel and shall be subject to inspection at any

14  time that harvesting activities for which a license is

15  required are being conducted. A restricted species endorsement

16  on the saltwater products license is required to sell to a

17  licensed wholesale dealer those species which the state, by

18  law or rule, has designated as "restricted species." This

19  endorsement may be issued only to a person who is at least 16

20  years of age, or to a firm certifying that over 25 percent of

21  its income or $5,000 of its income, whichever is less, is

22  attributable to the sale of saltwater products pursuant to a

23  license issued under this paragraph or a similar license from

24  another state. This endorsement may also be issued to a

25  for-profit corporation if it certifies that at least $5,000 of

26  its income is attributable to the sale of saltwater products

27  pursuant to a license issued under this paragraph or a similar

28  license from another state. However, if at least 50 percent of

29  the annual income of a person, firm, or for-profit corporation

30  is derived from charter fishing, the person, firm, or

31  for-profit corporation must certify that at least $2,500 of

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  1  the income of the person, firm, or corporation is attributable

  2  to the sale of saltwater products pursuant to a license issued

  3  under this paragraph or a similar license from another state,

  4  in order to be issued the endorsement. Such income attribution

  5  must apply to at least 1 year out of the last 3 years. For the

  6  purpose of this section "income" means that income which is

  7  attributable to work, employment, entrepreneurship, pensions,

  8  retirement benefits, and social security benefits. To renew an

  9  existing restricted species endorsement, a marine aquaculture

10  producer possessing a valid saltwater products license with a

11  restricted species endorsement may apply income from the sale

12  of marine aquaculture products to licensed wholesale dealers.

13         1.  The commission is authorized to require

14  verification of such income. Acceptable proof of income earned

15  from the sale of saltwater products shall be:

16         a.  Copies of trip ticket records generated pursuant to

17  this subsection (marine fisheries information system),

18  documenting qualifying sale of saltwater products;

19         b.  Copies of sales records from locales other than

20  Florida documenting qualifying sale of saltwater products;

21         c.  A copy of the applicable federal income tax return,

22  including Form 1099 attachments, verifying income earned from

23  the sale of saltwater products;

24         d.  Crew share statements verifying income earned from

25  the sale of saltwater products; or

26         e.  A certified public accountant's notarized statement

27  attesting to qualifying source and amount of income.

28

29  Any provision of this section or any other section of the

30  Florida Statutes to the contrary notwithstanding, any person

31  who owns a retail seafood market or restaurant at a fixed

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  1  location for at least 3 years who has had an occupational

  2  license for 3 years prior to January 1, 1990, who harvests

  3  saltwater products to supply his or her retail store and has

  4  had a saltwater products license for 1 of the past 3 years

  5  prior to January 1, 1990, may provide proof of his or her

  6  verification of income and sales value at the person's retail

  7  seafood market or restaurant and in his or her saltwater

  8  products enterprise by affidavit and shall thereupon be issued

  9  a restricted species endorsement.

10         2.  Exceptions from income requirements shall be as

11  follows:

12         a.  A permanent restricted species endorsement shall be

13  available to those persons age 62 and older who have qualified

14  for such endorsement for at least 3 out of the last 5 years.

15         b.  Active military duty time shall be excluded from

16  consideration of time necessary to qualify and shall not be

17  counted against the applicant for purposes of qualifying.

18         c.  Upon the sale of a used commercial fishing vessel

19  owned by a person, firm, or corporation possessing or eligible

20  for a restricted species endorsement, the purchaser of such

21  vessel shall be exempted from the qualifying income

22  requirement for the purpose of obtaining a restricted species

23  endorsement for a period of 1 year after purchase of the

24  vessel.

25         d.  Upon the death or permanent disablement of a person

26  possessing a restricted species endorsement, an immediate

27  family member wishing to carry on the fishing operation shall

28  be exempted from the qualifying income requirement for the

29  purpose of obtaining a restricted species endorsement for a

30  period of 1 year after the death or disablement.

31

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  1         e.  A restricted species endorsement may be issued on

  2  an individual saltwater products license to a person age 62 or

  3  older who documents that at least $2,500 is attributable to

  4  the sale of saltwater products pursuant to the provisions of

  5  this paragraph.

  6         f.  A permanent restricted species endorsement may also

  7  be issued on an individual saltwater products license to a

  8  person age 70 or older who has held a saltwater products

  9  license for at least 3 of the last 5 license years.

10         g.(I)  Any resident who is certified to be totally and

11  permanently disabled by the Railroad Retirement Board, by the

12  United States Department of Veterans Affairs or its

13  predecessor, or by any branch of the United States Armed

14  Forces, or who holds a valid identification card issued by the

15  Department of Veterans' Affairs pursuant to s. 295.17, upon

16  proof of the same, or any resident certified to be totally

17  disabled by the United States Social Security Administration,

18  upon proof of the same, shall be exempted from the income

19  requirements if he or she also has held a saltwater products

20  license for at least 3 of the last 5 license years prior to

21  the date of the disability.

22         (II)  A Disability Award Notice issued by the United

23  States Social Security Administration is not sufficient

24  certification for a resident to obtain the income exemption

25  unless the notice certifies that the resident is totally

26  disabled.

27

28  At least one saltwater products license bearing a restricted

29  species endorsement shall be aboard any vessel harvesting

30  restricted species in excess of any bag limit or when fishing

31  under a commercial quota or in commercial quantities, and such

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  1  vessel shall have a commercial vessel registration. This

  2  subsection does not apply to any person, firm, or corporation

  3  licensed under s. 370.07(1)(a)1. or (b) for activities

  4  pursuant to such licenses. A saltwater products license may be

  5  issued in the name of an individual or a valid boat

  6  registration number. Such license is not transferable. A decal

  7  shall be issued with each saltwater products license issued to

  8  a valid boat registration number. The saltwater products

  9  license decal shall be the same color as the vessel

10  registration decal issued each year pursuant to s. 328.48(5)

11  and shall indicate the period of time such license is valid.

12  The saltwater products license decal shall be placed beside

13  the vessel registration decal and, in the case of an

14  undocumented vessel, shall be placed so that the vessel

15  registration decal lies between the vessel registration number

16  and the saltwater products license decal. Any saltwater

17  products license decal for a previous year shall be removed

18  from a vessel operating on the waters of the state. A resident

19  shall pay an annual license fee of $50 for a saltwater

20  products license issued in the name of an individual or $100

21  for a saltwater products license issued to a valid boat

22  registration number. A nonresident shall pay an annual license

23  fee of $200 for a saltwater products license issued in the

24  name of an individual or $400 for a saltwater products license

25  issued to a valid boat registration number. An alien shall pay

26  an annual license fee of $300 for a saltwater products license

27  issued in the name of an individual or $600 for a saltwater

28  products license issued to a valid boat registration number.

29  Any person who sells saltwater products pursuant to this

30  license may sell only to a licensed wholesale dealer. A

31  saltwater products license must be presented to the licensed

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  1  wholesale dealer each time saltwater products are sold, and an

  2  imprint made thereof. The wholesale dealer shall keep records

  3  of each transaction in such detail as may be required by rule

  4  of the commission not in conflict with s. 370.07(6), and shall

  5  provide the holder of the saltwater products license with a

  6  copy of the record. It is unlawful for any licensed wholesale

  7  dealer to buy saltwater products from any unlicensed person

  8  under the provisions of this section, except that a licensed

  9  wholesale dealer may buy from another licensed wholesale

10  dealer. It is unlawful for any licensed wholesale dealer to

11  buy saltwater products designated as "restricted species" from

12  any person, firm, or corporation not possessing a restricted

13  species endorsement on his or her saltwater products license

14  under the provisions of this section, except that a licensed

15  wholesale dealer may buy from another licensed wholesale

16  dealer. The commission shall be the licensing agency, may

17  contract with private persons or entities to implement aspects

18  of the licensing program, and shall establish by rule a marine

19  fisheries information system in conjunction with the licensing

20  program to gather fisheries data.

21         Section 5.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) and

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

23  Statutes, are amended to read:

24         372.105  Lifetime Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund.--

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

26  the following:

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

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

29  saltwater portion of the lifetime sportsman's license.

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

31  derived from a contractual relationship between the state and

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  1  the members of the public whose investments contribute to the

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

  3  limitations and restrictions are placed on expenditures from

  4  the funds:

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

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

  7  commission's exercise of the regulatory and executive powers

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

  9  conservation of wild animal life and saltwater and freshwater

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

11  Constitution and this chapter and as otherwise authorized by

12  the Legislature.

13         Section 6.  Section 372.106, Florida Statutes, is

14  amended to read:

15         372.106  Dedicated License Trust Fund.--

16         (1)  There is established within the Fish and Wildlife

17  Conservation Commission the Dedicated License Trust Fund. The

18  fund shall be credited with moneys collected pursuant to s.

19  ss. 370.0605 and 372.57 for 5-year licenses and replacement

20  5-year licenses.

21         (2)  The fund shall be exempt from the provisions of s.

22  215.20.

23         Section 7.  Subsection (4) of section 372.16, Florida

24  Statutes, is amended to read:

25         372.16  Private game preserves and farms; penalty.--

26         (4)  Any person violating the provisions of this

27  section shall for the first offense be guilty of a misdemeanor

28  of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or

29  s. 775.083, and for a second or subsequent offense shall be

30  guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as

31  provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.  Any person convicted of

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  1  violating the provisions of this section shall forfeit, to the

  2  Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, any license or

  3  permit issued under the provisions hereof; and no further

  4  license or permit shall be issued to such person for a period

  5  of 1 year following such conviction. Before any private game

  6  preserve or farm is established, the owner or operator shall

  7  secure a license from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation

  8  Commission, the fee for which shall be $25 $5 per year.

  9         Section 8.  Section 372.561, Florida Statutes, is

10  amended to read:

11         (Substantial rewording of section. See

12         s. 372.561, F.S., for present text.)

13         372.561  Recreational licenses, permits, and

14  authorization numbers to take wild animal life, freshwater

15  aquatic life, and marine life; issuance; costs; reporting.--

16         (1)  This section applies to all recreational licenses

17  and permits, and any authorization numbers issued by the

18  commission through the electronic sale of recreational

19  licenses or permits.

20         (2)  The commission shall establish forms for the

21  issuance of recreational licenses and permits.

22         (3)  The commission shall issue a license, permit, or

23  an authorization number to take wild animal life, freshwater

24  acquatic life, or marine life when an applicant provides proof

25  that she or he is entitled to such license, permit, or

26  authorization number.  Each applicant for a recreational

27  license, permit, or authorization number shall provide her or

28  his social security number on the application form.

29  Disclosure of social security numbers obtained through this

30  requirement shall be limited to the purposes of administration

31

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  1  of the Title IV-D program for child support enforcement, use

  2  by the commission, and as otherwise provided by law.

  3         (4)  The commission is authorized to establish the

  4  following using competitive bid procedures:

  5         (a)  A process and a vendor fee for the sale of

  6  licenses, permits, and authorizations over the telephone using

  7  a credit card.

  8         (b)  A process and a vendor fee for the electronic sale

  9  of licenses, permits, and authorizations.

10         (c)  The commission may select a vendor and establish a

11  fee for a statewide automated license system through

12  competitive bid procedures.

13         (5)  Licenses and permits to take wild animal life,

14  freshwater aquatic life, or marine life may be sold by the

15  commission, by any tax collector in the state, or by any

16  subagent authorized under s. 372.574.

17         (6)  In addition to any license or permit fee, the sum

18  of $1.50 shall be charged for each license or management area

19  permit to cover the cost of issuing such license or permit.

20         (7)(a)1.  For each sportsman's license, gold

21  sportsman's license, hunting license, or freshwater fishing

22  license sold, a tax collector may retain $1.

23         2.  For each management area permit sold, a tax

24  collector may retain $1.

25         3.  For each saltwater fishing tag or license sold,

26  including combination saltwater fishing and freshwater fishing

27  licenses, or combination saltwater fishing, freshwater

28  fishing, and hunting licenses, a tax collector may retain

29  $1.50.

30         (b)  Tax collectors shall remit license and permit

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

                                  17

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  1  required documentation, to the commission weekly.  Tax

  2  collectors shall maintain records of all licenses and permits

  3  that are sold, voided, stolen, or lost.

  4         1.  The tax collector is responsible to the commission

  5  for the fees for all licenses and permits sold, and for the

  6  value of all licenses and permits reported as lost.

  7         2.  The tax collector shall report stolen licenses and

  8  permits to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

  9         3.  The tax collector shall submit a written report and

10  a copy of the law enforcement agency's report to the

11  commission within 5 days after discovering a theft.

12         4.  The tax collector is responsible for the fees for

13  all licenses, permits, and authorizations sold or lost by a

14  subagent appointed pursuant to s. 372.574.

15         (8)  The commission is authorized to adopt rules

16  pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the

17  provisions of this section.

18         Section 9.  Section 372.562, Florida Statutes, is

19  created to read:

20         372.562  Recreational licenses and permits; exemptions

21  from fees and requirements.--

22         (1)  Hunting, freshwater fishing, and saltwater fishing

23  licenses and permits shall be issued without fee to any

24  resident who is certified:

25         (a)  To be totally and permanently disabled by the

26  Railroad Retirement Board, by the United States Department of

27  Veterans Affairs or its predecessor, or by any branch of the

28  United States Armed Forces, or who holds a valid

29  identification card issued under the provisions of s. 295.17,

30  upon proof of same.  Any license issued under this paragraph

31

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  1  after January 1, 1997, expires after 5 years and must be

  2  reissued, upon request, every 5 years thereafter.

  3         (b)  To be disabled by the United States Social

  4  Security Administration, upon proof of same.  Any license

  5  issued under this paragraph after October 1, 1999, expires

  6  after 2 years and must be reissued, upon proof of

  7  certification of disability, every 2 years thereafter.

  8         (2)  A hunting, freshwater fishing, or saltwater

  9  fishing license or permit is not required for:

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

11  otherwise provided in this chapter.

12         (b)  Any person hunting or fishing on her or his

13  homestead property, or on the homestead property of the

14  person's spouse or minor child; or any minor child hunting or

15  fishing on the homestead property of her or his parent.

16         (c)  Any resident who is a member of the United States

17  Armed Forces and not stationed in this state, when home on

18  leave for 30 days or less, upon submission of orders.

19         (d)  Any resident fishing for recreational purposes

20  only, within her or his county of residence with live or

21  natural bait, using poles or lines not equipped with a fishing

22  line retrieval mechanism, except on a legally established fish

23  management area.

24         (e)  Any person fishing in a fishpond of 20 acres or

25  less that is located entirely within the private property of

26  the fishpond owner.

27         (f)  Any person fishing in a fishpond that is licensed

28  in accordance with s. 372.5705.

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

30  client for developmental disabilities services by the

31

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  1  Department of Children and Family Services, provided the

  2  department furnishes proof thereof.

  3         (h)  Any resident fishing in saltwater from land or

  4  from a structure fixed to the land.

  5         (i)  Any person fishing from a vessel licensed pursuant

  6  to s. 372.57(7).

  7         (j)  Any person fishing from a vessel, the operator of

  8  which is licensed pursuant to s. 372.57(7).

  9         (k)  Any person who holds a valid saltwater products

10  license issued under s. 370.06(2).

11         (l)  Any person recreationally fishing from a pier

12  licensed under s. 372.57.

13         (m)  Any resident who is fishing for mullet in

14  freshwater and who has a valid Florida freshwater fishing

15  license.

16         (n)  Any resident fishing for a saltwater species in

17  freshwater from land or from a structure fixed to land.

18         (o)  Any resident 65 years of age or older who has in

19  her or his possession proof of age and residency.  A no-cost

20  license under this paragraph may be obtained from any tax

21  collector's office upon proof of age and residency, and must

22  be in the possession of the resident during hunting,

23  freshwater fishing, and saltwater fishing activities.

24         Section 10.  Section 372.57, Florida Statutes, is

25  amended to read:

26         (Substantial rewording of section. See

27         s. 372.57, F.S., for present text.)

28         372.57  Recreational licenses, permits, and

29  authorization numbers; fees established.--

30         (1)  LICENSE, PERMIT, OR AUTHORIZATION NUMBER

31  REQUIRED.--Except as provided in s. 372.562, no person shall

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  1  hunt, fish, or take fur-bearing animals within this state

  2  without having first obtained a license, permit, or

  3  authorization number and paying the fees set forth in this

  4  chapter.  Such license, permit, or authorization number shall

  5  authorize the person to whom it is issued to hunt, fish, take

  6  fur-bearing animals, and participate in outdoor recreational

  7  activities in accordance with the laws of the state and rules

  8  of the commission.

  9         (2)  NONTRANSFERABILITY; INFORMATION AND

10  DOCUMENTATION.--

11         (a)  Licenses, permits, and authorization numbers

12  issued under this chapter are not transferable.  Each license

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

14  the person to whom it is issued and other information as

15  deemed necessary by the commission.  Licenses issued to the

16  owner, operator, or custodian of a vessel must include the

17  vessel registration number or federal documentation number.

18  Annual licenses must be dated when issued, and remain valid

19  for 12 months after the date of issuance.

20         (b)  The lifetime licenses and 5-year licenses

21  authorized in this section shall be embossed with the name,

22  date of birth, date of issuance, and other pertinent

23  information as deemed necessary by the commission. A certified

24  copy of the applicant's birth certificate shall accompany each

25  application for a lifetime license for a resident 12 years of

26  age or younger.

27         (c)  A positive form of identification is required when

28  using a free license, a lifetime license, a five-year license,

29  or an authorization number issued under this chapter, or when

30  otherwise required by a license or permit.

31

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  1         (3)  PERSONAL POSSESSION REQUIRED.--Each license,

  2  permit, or authorization number must be in the personal

  3  possession of the person to whom it is issued while such

  4  person is hunting, fishing, or taking fur-bearing animals. Any

  5  person hunting, fishing, or taking fur-bearing animals who

  6  fails to produce a license, permit, or authorization number at

  7  the request of a commission law enforcement officer commits a

  8  violation of the law.

  9         (4)  RESIDENT HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES.--The

10  licenses and fees for residents participating in hunting and

11  fishing activities in this state are as follows:

12         (a)  Annual freshwater fishing license, $12.

13         (b)  Annual saltwater fishing license, $12.

14         (c)  Annual hunting license to take game, $11.

15         (d)  Annual combination freshwater fishing and hunting

16  license, $22.

17         (e)  Annual combination freshwater fishing and

18  saltwater fishing license, $24.

19         (f)  Annual combination hunting, freshwater fishing,

20  and saltwater fishing license, $34.

21         (g)  Annual license to take fur-bearing animals, $25.

22  However, a resident with a valid hunting license or a no-cost

23  license who is taking fur-bearing animals for noncommercial

24  purposes using guns or dogs only, and not traps or other

25  devices, is not required to purchase this license.  Also, a

26  resident 65 years of age or older is not required to purchase

27  this license.

28         (h)  Annual sportsman's license, $66.  A sportsman's

29  license authorizes the person to whom it is issued to take

30  freshwater fish and game, subject to the state and federal

31  laws, rules, and regulations, including rules of the

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  1  commission, in effect at the time of the taking.  Other

  2  authorized activities include activities authorized by a

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

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

  5  sportsman's license for a resident 64 years of age or older is

  6  $12.

  7         (i)  Annual gold sportsman's license, $82. The gold

  8  sportsman's license authorizes the person to whom it is issued

  9  to take freshwater fish, saltwater fish, and game, subject to

10  state and federal laws, rules, regulations, including rules of

11  the commission in effect at the time of taking. Other

12  authorized activities include activities authorized by a

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

14  permit, a Florida waterfowl permit, an archery permit, a snook

15  permit and a crawfish permit.

16         (5)  NONRESIDENT HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES.--The

17  licenses and fees for nonresidents participating in hunting

18  and fishing activities in the state are as follows:

19         (a)  Freshwater fishing license to take freshwater fish

20  for 7 consecutive days, $15.

21         (b)  Saltwater fishing license to take saltwater fish

22  for 1 day, $7.50.

23         (c)  Saltwater fishing license to take saltwater fish

24  for 7 consecutive days, $15.

25         (d)  Annual freshwater fishing license, $30.

26         (e)  Annual saltwater fishing license, $30.

27         (f)  Annual hunting license to take game, $150.

28         (g)  Hunting license to take game for 10 consecutive

29  days, $25.

30         (h)  Annual license to take fur-bearing animals, $25.

31  However, a nonresident with a valid Florida hunting license

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  1  who is taking fur-bearing animals for noncommercial purposes

  2  using guns or dogs only, and not traps or other devices, is

  3  not required to purchase this license.

  4         (6)  PIER LICENSE.--A pier license for any pier fixed

  5  to land for the purpose of taking or attempting to take

  6  saltwater fish is $500 per year.  The pier license may be

  7  purchased at the option of the owner, operator, or custodian

  8  of such pier and must be available for inspection at all

  9  times.

10         (7)  VESSEL LICENSES.--

11         (a)  No person may operate any vessel wherein a fee is

12  paid either directly or indirectly, for the purpose of taking,

13  attempting to take, or possessing any marine fish for

14  noncommercial purposes unless he or she has been issued an

15  authorization number or has obtained a license for each vessel

16  for that purpose, and has paid the license fee pursuant to

17  paragraphs (b) and (c) for such vessel.

18         (b)  For any person who operates any vessel licensed to

19  carry more than 10 customers wherein a fee is paid, either

20  directly or indirectly, for the purpose of taking or

21  attempting to take marine fish, $800 per year.  The license

22  must be kept aboard the vessel at all times.

23         (c)1.  For any person who operates any vessel licensed

24  to carry no more than 10 customers, or for any person licensed

25  to operate any vessel carrying 6 or fewer customers, wherein a

26  fee is paid either directly or indirectly for the purpose of

27  taking or attempting to take marine fish, $400 per year.

28         2.  For any person licensed to operate any vessel

29  carrying 6 or fewer customers, wherein a fee is paid either

30  directly or indirectly or the purpose of taking or attempting

31

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  1  to take marine fish, $200 per year. The license must be kep

  2  aboard the vessel at all times.

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

  4  licensed pursuant to subparagraph 1. or subparagraph 2. may

  5  obtain a license in his or her own name, and such license

  6  shall be transferable and apply to any vessel operated by the

  7  purchaser provided that the purchaser has paid the appropriate

  8  license fee.

  9         (d)  For a recreational vessel not for hire and for

10  which no fee is paid either directly or indirectly by guests

11  for the purpose of taking or attempting to take marine fish

12  noncommercially, $2,000 per year.  The license may be

13  purchased at the option of the vessel owner and must be kept

14  aboard the vessel at all times.  A log of species taken and

15  the date the species were taken shall be maintained and a copy

16  of the log filed with the commission at the time of renewal of

17  the license.

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

19  operator of which has been licensed pursuant to paragraph (a)

20  must maintain and report such statistical data as required by,

21  and in a manner set forth in, the rules of the commission.

22         (8)  SPECIFIED HUNTING, FISHING, AND RECREATIONAL

23  ACTIVITY PERMITS.--In addition to any license required under

24  this chapter, the following permits and fees for specified

25  hunting, fishing, and recreational uses and activities are

26  required:

27         (a)  An annual Florida waterfowl permit for a resident

28  or nonresident to take wild ducks or geese within the state or

29  its coastal waters is $3.

30         (b)  An annual Florida turkey permit for a resident to

31  take wild turkeys within the state is $5.

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  1         (c)  An annual Florida turkey permit for a nonresident

  2  to take wild turkeys within the state is $100.

  3         (d)  An annual snook permit for a resident or

  4  nonresident to take or possess any snook from any waters of

  5  the state is $2.  Revenue generated from the sale of snook

  6  permits shall be used exclusively for programs to benefit the

  7  snook population.

  8         (e)  An annual crawfish permit for a resident or

  9  nonresident to take or possess any crawfish for recreational

10  purposes from any waters of the state is $2.  Revenue

11  generated from the sale of crawfish permits shall be used

12  exclusively for programs to benefit the crawfish population.

13         (f)  An annual muzzle-loading gun permit for a resident

14  or nonresident to hunt within the state with a muzzle-loading

15  gun is $5.  Hunting with a muzzle-loading gun is limited to

16  game seasons in which hunting with a modern firearm is not

17  authorized by the commission.

18         (g)  An annual archery permit for a resident or

19  nonresident to hunt within the state with a bow and arrow is

20  $5.  Hunting with an archery permit is limited to those game

21  seasons in which hunting with a firearm is not authorized by

22  the commission.

23         (h)  A special use permit for a resident or nonresident

24  to participate in limited entry hunting or fishing activities

25  as authorized by commission rule shall not exceed $100 per day

26  or $250 per week.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this

27  chapter, there are no exclusions, exceptions, or exemptions

28  from this permit fee.  In addition to the permit fee, the

29  commission may charge each special use permit applicant a

30  nonrefundable application fee not to exceed $10.

31

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  1         (i)1.  A management area permit for a resident or

  2  nonresident to hunt on, fish on, or otherwise use for outdoor

  3  recreational purposes land owned, leased, or managed by the

  4  commission, or by the state for the use and benefit of the

  5  commission, shall not exceed $25 per year.

  6         2.  Permit fees for short-term use of land that is

  7  owned, leased, or managed by the commission may be established

  8  by rule of the commission for activities on such lands.  Such

  9  permits may be in lieu of, or in addition to, the annual

10  management area permit authorized in subparagraph 1.

11         3.  Other than for hunting or fishing, the provisions

12  of this paragraph shall not apply on any lands not owned by

13  the commission, unless the commission has obtained the written

14  consent of the owner or primary custodian of such lands.

15         (j)1.  A recreational user permit is required to hunt

16  on, fish on, 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 Ochlocknee River until the point the river meets the dam

21  forming Lake Talquin, and south of the closest federal

22  highway.  The fee for a recreational user permit shall be

23  based upon the economic compensation desired by the landowner,

24  game population levels, desired hunter density, and

25  administrative costs.  The permit fee shall be set by

26  commission rule on a per-acre basis. The recreational user

27  permit fee, less administrative costs of up to $25 per permit,

28  shall be remitted to the landowner as provided in the lease

29  agreement for each area.

30         2.  One minor dependent, 16 years of age or younger,

31  may hunt under the supervision of the permittee and is exempt

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  1  from the recreational user permit requirements.  The spouse

  2  and dependent children of a permittee are exempt from the

  3  recreational user permit requirements when engaged in outdoor

  4  recreational activities other than hunting and when

  5  accompanied by a permittee.  Notwithstanding any other

  6  provisions of this chapter, no other exclusions, exceptions,

  7  or exemptions from the recreational user permit fee are

  8  authorized.

  9         (9)(a)  RESIDENT 5-YEAR HUNTING AND FISHING

10  LICENSES.--Five-year licenses are available for residents

11  only, as follows:

12         1.  A 5-year freshwater fishing or saltwater fishing

13  license is $60 for each type of license and authorizes the

14  person to whom the license is issued to take or attempt to

15  take or possess freshwater fish or saltwater fish consistent

16  with the state and federal laws and regulations and rules of

17  the commission in effect at the time of taking.

18         2.  A 5-year hunting license is $55 and authorizes the

19  person to whom it is issued to take or attempt to take or

20  possess game consistent with the state and federal laws and

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

22  of taking.

23         (b)  Proceeds from the sale of all 5-year licenses

24  shall be deposited into the Dedicated License Trust Fund, to

25  be distributed in accordance with the provisions of s.

26  372.106.

27         (10)  RESIDENT LIFETIME FRESHWATER AND SALTWATER

28  FISHING LICENSES.--

29         (a)  Lifetime freshwater fishing licenses and saltwater

30  fishing licenses are available for residents only, as follows,

31  for:

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  1         1.  Persons 4 years of age or younger, for a fee of

  2  $125 for each type of license.

  3         2.  Persons 5 years of age or older, but under 13 years

  4  of age, for a fee of $225 for each type of license.

  5         3.  Persons 13 years of age or older, for a fee of $300

  6  for each type of license.

  7         (b)  The following activities are authorized by the

  8  purchase of a lifetime freshwater fishing license:

  9         1.  Taking or attempting to take or possess freshwater

10  fish consistent with the state and federal laws and

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

12  of the taking.

13         2.  All activities authorized by a management area

14  permit, excluding hunting.

15         (c)  The following activities are authorized by the

16  purchase of a lifetime saltwater fishing license:

17         1.  Taking or attempting to take or possess saltwater

18  fish consistent with the state and federal laws and

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

20  of the taking.

21         2.  All activities authorized by a snook permit and a

22  crawfish permit.

23         3.  All activities for which an additional license,

24  permit, or fee is required to take or attempt to take or

25  possess saltwater fish, which additional license, permit, or

26  fee was imposed subsequent to the date of the purchase of the

27  lifetime saltwater fishing license.

28         (11)  RESIDENT LIFETIME HUNTING LICENSES.--

29         (a)  Lifetime hunting licenses are available to

30  residents only, as follows, for:

31

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  1         1.  Persons 4 years of age or younger, for a fee of

  2  $200.

  3         2.  Persons 5 years of age or older, but under 13 years

  4  of age, for a fee of $350.

  5         3.  Persons 13 years of age or older, for a fee of

  6  $500.

  7         (b)  The following activities are authorized by the

  8  purchase of a lifetime hunting license:

  9         1.  Taking or attempting to take or possess game

10  consistent with the state and federal laws and regulations and

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

12         2.  All activities authorized by a muzzle-loading gun

13  permit, a turkey permit, an archery permit, a Florida

14  waterfowl permit, and a management area permit, excluding

15  fishing.

16         (12)  RESIDENT LIFETIME SPORTSMAN'S LICENSES.--

17         (a)  Lifetime sportsman's licenses are available, to

18  residents only, as follows, for:

19         1.  Persons 4 years of age or younger, for a fee of

20  $400.

21         2.  Persons 5 years of age or older, but under 13 years

22  of age, for a fee of $700.

23         3.  Persons 13 years of age or older, for a fee of

24  $1,000.

25         (b)  The following activities are authorized by the

26  purchase of a lifetime sportsman's license:

27         1.  Taking or attempting to take or possess freshwater

28  or saltwater fish, and game, consistent with the state and

29  federal laws and regulations and rules of the commission in

30  effect at the time of taking.

31

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  1         2.  All activities authorized by a management area

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

  3  archery permit, a Florida waterfowl permit, a snook permit,

  4  and a crawfish permit.

  5

  6  The proceeds from the sale of all lifetime licenses authorized

  7  in this section shall be deposited into the Lifetime Fish and

  8  Wildlife Trust Fund, to be distributed as provided in s.

  9  372.105.

10         (13)  RECIPROCAL FEE AGREEMENTS.--The commission is

11  authorized to reduce the fees for licenses and permits under

12  this section for residents of those states with which the

13  commission has entered into reciprocal agreements with respect

14  to such fees.

15         (14)  FREE FISHING DAYS.--The commission may designate

16  by rule no more than 2 consecutive or nonconsecutive days in

17  each year as free freshwater fishing days, and may designate

18  by rule no more than 2 consecutive or nonconsecutive days in

19  each year as free saltwater fishing days. Notwithstanding any

20  other provision of this chapter, any person may take

21  freshwater or saltwater fish for noncommercial purposes on a

22  free fishing day without obtaining or possessing a license, or

23  paying a license fee as prescribed in this section.  A person

24  who takes freshwater or saltwater fish on a free fishing day

25  without obtaining a license or paying a fee must comply with

26  all laws, rules, and regulations governing the holders of a

27  fishing license and all other conditions and limitations

28  regulating the taking of freshwater or saltwater fish as are

29  imposed by law or rule.

30         Section 11.  Section 372.5701, Florida Statutes, is

31  created to read:

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  1         372.5701  Deposit of saltwater license fees; allocation

  2  of federal funds.--

  3         (1)  All annual saltwater license fees collected

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

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

  6         (a)  Not less than 2.5 percent of the total fees

  7  collected shall be used for aquatic education purposes.

  8         (b)1.  The remainder of such fees shall be used by the

  9  department for the following program functions:

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

11  collected, for administration of the licensing program and for

12  information and education.

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

14  collected, for law enforcement.

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

16  collected, for marine research.

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

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

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

20  hatcheries.

21         2.  The Legislature shall annually appropriate to the

22  commission from the General Revenue Fund for the activities

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

24  amount of money as was appropriated to the Department of

25  Environmental Protection from the General Revenue Fund for

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

27  the amounts appropriated to the commission for such activities

28  and programs from the Marine Resources Conservation Trust Fund

29  shall be in addition to the amount appropriated to the

30  commission for such activities and programs from the General

31  Revenue Fund. The proceeds from recreational saltwater fishing

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

  2  commission.

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

  4  Resources Trust Fund shall be distributed by the commission

  5  between the Division of Freshwater Fisheries and the Division

  6  of Marine Fisheries in proportion to the numbers of resident

  7  fresh and saltwater anglers as determined by the most current

  8  data on license sales.  Unless otherwise provided by federal

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

10  following:

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

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

13  aquatic resources education program; and

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

15  the commission shall be expended for acquisition, development,

16  renovation, or improvement of boating facilities.

17         Section 12.  Section 372.5702, Florida Statutes, is

18  created to read:

19         372.5702  Expenditure of funds.--Any moneys available

20  pursuant to s. 372.5701(1)(b)1.c. may be expended by the Fish

21  and Wildlife Conservation Commission within Florida through

22  grants and contracts for research with research institutions

23  including but not limited to:  Florida Sea Grant; Florida

24  Marine Resources Council; Harbour Branch Oceanographic

25  Institute; Technological Research and Development Authority;

26  Mote Marine Laboratory; Marine Resources Development

27  Foundation; Florida Institute of Oceanography; Rosentiel

28  School of Marine and Atmospheric Science; and the Smithsonian

29  Marine Station at Ft. Pierce.

30         Section 13.  Section 372.5704, Florida Statutes, is

31  created to read:

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  1         372.5704  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 5 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.

31

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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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  1         Section 14.  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), (c), or (j) or (4)(b) or (f) or (g), which is

15  valid for the period specified on the license.  A resident

16  lifetime license or a resident 5-year license that has been

17  purchased by a resident of this state and who subsequently

18  resides in another state shall be honored for activities

19  authorized by that license.

20         Section 15.  Subsection (1) of section 372.5712,

21  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

22         372.5712  Florida waterfowl permit revenues.--

23         (1)  The commission shall expend the revenues generated

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

25  s. 372.57(4)(a) or that pro rata portion of any license that

26  includes waterfowl hunting privileges, as provided in s.

27  372.57(2)(l) and (m) s. 372.57(2)(i) and (14)(b) as follows:

28  A maximum of 5 percent of the gross revenues shall be expended

29  for administrative costs; a maximum of 25 percent of the gross

30  revenues shall be expended for waterfowl research approved by

31  the commission; and a maximum of 70 percent of the gross

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  1  revenues shall be expended for projects approved by the

  2  commission, in consultation with the Waterfowl Advisory

  3  Council, for the purpose of protecting and propagating

  4  migratory waterfowl and for the development, restoration,

  5  maintenance, and preservation of wetlands within the state.

  6         Section 16.  Subsection (1) of section 372.5715,

  7  Florida 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(4)(e) or that pro rata portion of any license that

12  includes turkey hunting privileges as provided for in s.

13  372.57(2)(l) and (m) s. 372.57(2)(i) and (14)(b) for research

14  and management of wild turkeys.

15         Section 17.  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(4)(b)

20  or that pro rata portion of any license that includes

21  management area privileges as provided for in s. 372.57(2)(l)

22  and (m) s. 372.57(2)(i) and (14)(b) for the lease, management,

23  and protection of lands for public hunting, fishing, and other

24  outdoor recreation.

25         Section 18.  Paragraph (h) of subsection (1) and

26  paragraph (i) of subsection (2) of section 372.574, Florida

27  Statutes, are amended to read:

28         372.574  Appointment of subagents for the sale of

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

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

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

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

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

  3  requirements for subagents:

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

  5  sale of licenses and permits to the tax collector weekly as

  6  prescribed by the tax collector but no less frequently than

  7  monthly.

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

  9  subagents, the commission may appoint subagents within that

10  county.  Subagents shall serve at the pleasure of the

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

12  for selection of subagents.  The following are requirements

13  for subagents so appointed:

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

15  submit to the commission all unissued stamps for the previous

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

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

18  stamps.

19         Section 19.  Section 372.579, Florida Statutes, is

20  created to read:

21         372.579  Processing applications for licenses and

22  permits.--The commission may by rule adopt a processing fee,

23  not to exceed $100, for each license or permit required by

24  Title 68 of the Florida Administrative Code. The commission

25  shall annually report actions taken under this section to the

26  President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of

27  Representatives.

28         Section 20.  Section 372.661, Florida Statutes, is

29  amended to read:

30         372.661  Private hunting preserve, license;

31  exception.--

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

  2  commercially or otherwise shall be required to pay a license

  3  fee of $50 $25 for each such preserve; provided, however, that

  4  during the open season established for wild game of any

  5  species a private individual may take artificially propagated

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

  7  particular species without being required to pay the license

  8  fee required by this section; provided further that if any

  9  such individual shall charge a fee for taking such game she or

10  he shall be required to pay the license fee required by this

11  section and to comply with the rules and regulations of the

12  Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission relative to the

13  operation of private hunting preserves.

14         (2)  A commercial hunting preserve license, which shall

15  exempt patrons of licensed preserves from the licensure

16  requirements of s. 372.57(2)(e), (f), (g), (h), and (i), (j),

17  (l) and (m), (4)(a), (c), (d), and (e), (7), (9), and (15)(b)

18  (14)(b) while hunting on the licensed preserve property, shall

19  be $500. Such commercial hunting preserve license shall be

20  available only to those private hunting preserves licensed

21  pursuant to this section which are operated exclusively for

22  commercial purposes, which are open to the public, and for

23  which a uniform fee is charged to patrons for hunting

24  privileges.

25         Section 21.  Subsection (8) is added to section

26  372.711, Florida Statutes, to read:

27         372.711  Noncriminal infractions.--

28         (8)  A person who is charged with a violation of the

29  license or permit requirements of s. 372.57 may not be

30  convicted if, prior to or at the time of his or her court or

31  hearing appearance, the person produces in court or to the

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  1  clerk of the court in which the charge is pending the required

  2  license or permit that was issued to him or her and valid at

  3  the time of his or her arrest. The clerk of the court is

  4  authorized to dismiss such case at any time before the

  5  defendant's appearance in court. The clerk of the court may

  6  assess a fee of $5 for dismissing the case under this

  7  subsection.

  8         Section 22.  Subsections (1), (2), and (4) of section

  9  372.921, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

10         372.921  Exhibition of wildlife.--

11         (1)  In order to provide humane treatment and sanitary

12  surroundings for wild animals kept in captivity, no person,

13  firm, corporation, or association shall have, or be in

14  possession of, in captivity for the purpose of public display

15  with or without charge or for public sale any wildlife,

16  specifically birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles, whether

17  indigenous to Florida or not, without having first secured a

18  permit from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

19  authorizing such person, firm, or corporation to have in its

20  possession in captivity the species and number of wildlife

21  specified within such permit; however, this section does not

22  apply to any wildlife not protected by law and the regulations

23  of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

24         (2)  The fees to be paid for the issuance of permits

25  required by subsection (1) shall be as follows:

26         (a)  For not more than 25 Class I or Class II 10

27  individual specimens in the aggregate of all species, the sum

28  of $100 $5 per annum.

29         (b)  For over 25 Class I or Class II 10 individual

30  specimens in the aggregate of all species, the sum of $250 $25

31  per annum.

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  1         (c)  For any number of Class III individual specimens

  2  in the aggregate of all species, the sum of $25 per annum.

  3

  4  The fees prescribed by this section shall be submitted to the

  5  Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission with the application

  6  for permit required by subsection (1) and shall be deposited

  7  in the State Game Fund.

  8         (4)  Permits issued pursuant to this section and places

  9  where wildlife is kept or held in captivity shall be subject

10  to inspection by officers of the Fish and Wildlife

11  Conservation Commission at all times.  The commission shall

12  have the power to release or confiscate any specimens of any

13  wildlife, specifically birds, mammals, amphibians, or

14  reptiles, whether indigenous to the state or not, when it is

15  found that conditions under which they are being confined are

16  unsanitary, or unsafe to the public in any manner, or that the

17  species of wildlife are being maltreated, mistreated, or

18  neglected or kept in any manner contrary to the provisions of

19  chapter 828, any such permit to the contrary notwithstanding.

20  Before any such wildlife is confiscated or released under the

21  authority of this section, the owner thereof shall have been

22  advised in writing of the existence of such unsatisfactory

23  conditions; the owner shall have been given 30 days in which

24  to correct such conditions; the owner shall have failed to

25  correct such conditions; the owner shall have had an

26  opportunity for a proceeding pursuant to chapter 120; and the

27  commission shall have ordered such confiscation or release

28  after careful consideration of all evidence in the particular

29  case in question.  The final order of the commission shall

30  constitute final agency action.

31

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  1         Section 23.  Subsections (2) and (3) of section

  2  372.922, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

  3         372.922  Personal possession of wildlife.--

  4         (2)  The classifications of types of wildlife and fees

  5  to be paid for the issuance of permits shall be as follows:

  6         (a)  Class I--Wildlife which, because of its nature,

  7  habits, or status, shall not be possessed as a personal pet.

  8         (b)  Class II--Wildlife considered to present a real or

  9  potential threat to human safety, the sum of $100 per annum.

10         (c)  Class III--Wildlife as specified by rule of the

11  commission, the sum of $25 per annum.

12         (3)  The commission shall promulgate regulations

13  defining Class I, Class II, and Class III and II types of

14  wildlife.  The commission shall also establish regulations and

15  requirements necessary to ensure that permits are granted only

16  to persons qualified to possess and care properly for wildlife

17  and that permitted wildlife possessed as personal pets will be

18  maintained in sanitary surroundings and appropriate

19  neighborhoods.

20         Section 24.  Subsection (3) of section 705.101, Florida

21  Statutes, is amended to read:

22         705.101  Definitions.--As used in this chapter:

23         (3)  "Abandoned property" means all tangible personal

24  property that does not have an identifiable owner and that has

25  been disposed on public property in a wrecked, inoperative, or

26  partially dismantled condition or has no apparent intrinsic

27  value to the rightful owner. However, Vessels determined to be

28  derelict by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or a

29  county or municipality in accordance with the provisions of s.

30  823.11 are not included within this definition.

31

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  1         Section 25.  Sections 370.0605, 370.0608, 370.0609,

  2  370.0615, 370.062, and 370.1111, Florida Statutes, and

  3  subsections (10) and (11) of s. 370.14, Florida Statutes, are

  4  repealed.

  5         Section 26.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2001.

  6

  7          STATEMENT OF SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES CONTAINED IN
                       COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR
  8                             SB 2024

  9

10  1.    Creates an annual resident, gold sportsman's license for
          a fee of $82. The gold sportsman's license authorizes
11        the person to whom it is issued to take freshwater fish,
          saltwater fish, and game.  It also includes activities
12        authorized by a management area permit, a muzzle-loading
          gun permit, a turkey permit, a Florida water fowl
13        permit, an archery permit, a snook permit and a crawfish
          permit.
14
    2.    Provides that if a person who is cited for a violation
15        of s. 327.395, F.S., can show proof of having a boating
          safety identification card issued to him or her and
16        valid at the time of the citation, the clerk of the
          court shall dismiss the case and may assess a $5
17        dismissal fee.

18  3.    Under current law, $1 from each vessel registered in
          this state must be used to fund additional research and
19        development of manatee avoidance technology for
          watercrafts, and $1 from each vessel registered in this
20        state shall be used for additional funding for manatee
          census efforts and manatee signs on waterways. The
21        committee substitutes expands the usage of these funds
          for manatee protection and technology and for population
22        research.

23  1.    Includes in the definition of "abandoned property",
          vessels determined to be derelict by the Fish and
24        Wildlife Conservation Commission or a county or
          municipality.
25

26

27

28

29

30

31

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