CS/HB 7173

1
A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation
3Commission; amending s. 20.331, F.S.; clarifying the
4commission's constitutional authority over marine life;
5requiring the commission to adopt and publish a rule
6establishing due process procedures; revising the
7commission's statutory duties and responsibilities;
8amending s. 320.08056, F.S.; increasing the fee for Sea
9Turtle license plates; amending s. 320.08058, F.S.;
10specifying a percentage of annual use fees collected from
11the sale of manatee license plates that may be used to
12promote and market the license plate; authorizing the
13commission to use proceeds of the annual use fee for  
14fiscal year 2007-2008 to buy back certain plates;
15providing for future repeal; specifying a percentage of
16annual use fees collected from the sale of Florida panther
17and Largemouth Bass license plates that may be used to
18promote and market the license plates; amending s.
19370.025, F.S.; deleting provisions relating to the extent
20of the commission's authority over marine life; amending
21s. 370.0603, F.S.; providing for the deposit of certain
22proceeds into the Marine Resources Conservation Trust
23Fund; authorizing the use of such funds; amending s.
24370.1105, F.S.; clarifying terminology relating to the
25spiny lobster; amending s. 370.12, F.S.; specifying a
26percentage of annual use fees collected from the sale of
27manatee license plates that may be used to promote and
28market the license plate; authorizing the commission to
29use proceeds of the annual use fee for fiscal year 2007-
302008 to buy back certain plates; amending s. 370.13, F.S.;
31revising provisions for replacing lost or damaged tags for
32stone crab traps; authorizing the commission to defer or
33waive replacement tag fees under certain circumstances;
34deleting obsolete provisions for the applicability of
35certain fee and surcharge amounts relating to trap
36certificates; providing for legislative approval of the
37commission rule establishing an amount of equitable rent;
38revising certain administrative penalties; amending s.
39370.135, F.S., relating to blue crab regulation; requiring
40commercial harvesters to hold restricted species
41endorsements; requiring endorsement numbers to be affixed
42to traps and buoys; providing criteria for buoy markings;
43providing for transfer of an endorsement when a vessel is
44replaced; establishing certain endorsement fees for the
45taking of blue crabs; establishing an annual trap tag fee;
46authorizing the commission to defer or waive replacement
47tag fees under certain circumstances; authorizing the
48commission to establish an amount of equitable rent by
49rule; providing for legislative approval of the rule;
50requiring the deposit of certain proceeds into the Marine
51Resources Conservation Trust Fund; specifying the use of
52such proceeds; requiring the commission to adopt certain
53rules; providing administrative penalties for certain
54violations; prohibiting the unauthorized possession of
55blue crab trap gear or removal of blue crab trap contents
56and providing penalties therefor; providing penalties for
57certain other prohibited activities relating to blue crab
58traps, lines, buoys, and trap tags; providing penalties
59for fraudulent reports related to endorsement transfers;
60prohibiting certain activities during endorsement
61suspension and revocation; preserving state jurisdiction
62for certain convictions; providing requirements for
63certain license renewal; providing for the expiration of
64certain provisions unless reenacted by the Legislature
65during the 2009 Regular Session; amending s. 370.14, F.S.;
66clarifying provisions regulating spiny lobsters; amending
67s. 370.1405, F.S.; clarifying terminology relating to the
68spiny lobster; amending s. 370.142, F.S., relating to the
69spiny lobster trap certificate program; removing certain
70obsolete provisions; clarifying provisions for
71transferable trap certificates; providing for legislative
72approval of the commission rule establishing an amount of
73equitable rent; deleting obsolete provisions relating to
74the leasing of spiny lobster trap tags and certificates;
75authorizing the commission to defer or waive replacement
76tag fees under certain circumstances; providing
77administrative penalties for certain violations of the
78spiny lobster trap certificate program; revising certain
79administrative penalties; amending s. 370.143, F.S.;
80revising provisions for certain trap retrieval programs
81and fees; requiring the commission to waive trap retrieval
82fees under certain circumstances; amending s. 372.09,
83F.S.; providing that annual use fees collected from the
84sale of Largemouth Bass license plates may be used to
85promote and market the license plates; amending s.
86372.561, F.S.; authorizing the commission, tax collectors,
87and certain subagents to request and collect donations
88during the sale of certain licenses and permits; requiring
89collected donations to be deposited in the State Game
90Trust Fund; requiring funds to be used for a specified
91purpose; requiring the commission to provide an annual
92report to the Governor and Legislature; providing report
93requirements; amending s. 372.562, F.S.; specifying
94certain fishing as exempt from fees and requirements;
95amending s. 372.57, F.S.; increasing the fees for certain
96resident and nonresident hunting and fishing licenses;
97creating a 3-day freshwater fishing license for
98nonresidents; clarifying terminology relating to the spiny
99lobster; amending s. 372.672, F.S.; authorizing the use of
100funds from the Florida Panther Research and Management
101Trust Fund to promote and market the Florida panther
102license plate; amending s. 861.021, F.S.; clarifying
103terminology relating to the spiny lobster; amending ss.
104372.571, 372.661, and 372.83, F.S.; conforming cross-
105references; reenacting s. 372.573, F.S., relating to
106revenues from management area permits, to incorporate the
107amendment to s. 372.57, F.S., in references thereto;
108reenacting s. 380.511(1)(c), F.S., relating to the deposit
109of proceeds from the sale of certain specialty license
110plates, to incorporate the amendment to s. 320.08058,
111F.S., in a reference thereto; providing an appropriation
112to the commission for costs related to the implementation
113of the blue crab effort management program and the
114administration of the Blue Crab Advisory Board; providing
115effective dates.
116
117Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
118
119     Section 1.  Subsection (8) of section 20.331, Florida
120Statutes, is amended and renumbered as subsection (9), present
121subsections (9), (10), and (11) are renumbered as (10), (11),
122and (12), respectively, and a new subsection (8) is added to
123that section, to read:
124     20.331  Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.--
125     (8)  LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY.--The constitutional power
126granted to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission does
127not include any authority over marine life retained by the
128Legislature or vested in any agency other than the Marine
129Fisheries Commission on March 1, 1998, or any authority over
130marine aquaculture retained by the Legislature and vested in any
131other agency as of July 1, 1999.
132     (9)(8)  ADEQUATE DUE PROCESS PROCEDURES.--
133     (a)  The commission shall adopt a rule establishing
134implement a system of adequate due process procedures to be
135accorded to any party, as defined in s. 120.52, whose
136substantial interests are will be affected by any action of the
137commission in the performance of its constitutional duties or
138responsibilities, and the adequate due process procedures
139adopted by rule shall be published in the Florida Administrative
140Code.
141     (b)  The Legislature encourages the commission to
142incorporate into its process the provisions of s. 120.54(3)(c)
143when adopting rules in the performance of its constitutional
144duties or responsibilities.
145     (c)  The commission shall follow the provisions of chapter
146120 when adopting rules in the performance of its statutory
147duties or responsibilities. For purposes of this subsection, The
148commission's statutory duties or responsibilities include, but
149are not limited to:
150     1.  Research and management responsibilities for marine
151species listed as endangered or threatened, including manatees
152and marine turtles.;
153     2.  Establishment and enforcement of boating safety
154regulations.;
155     3.  Land acquisition.;
156     4.  Enforcement and collection of fees for all commercial
157and recreational hunting or fishing licenses or permits.;
158     5.  Aquatic plant removal using fish as a biological
159control agent.;
160     6.  Enforcement of penalties for violations of commission
161rules and state laws, including, but not limited to, the seizure
162and forfeiture of vessels and other equipment used to commit
163those violations.;
164     7.  Establishment of free fishing days.;
165     8.  Regulation of off-road vehicles on state lands.;
166     9.  Establishment and coordination of a statewide hunter
167safety course.;
168     10.  Establishment of programs and activities to develop
169and distribute public education materials.;
170     11.  Police powers of sworn law enforcement officers.;
171     12.  Establishment of citizen support organizations to
172provide assistance, funding, and promotional support for
173programs of the commission.;
174     13.  Creation of the voluntary authorized hunter
175identification program.; and
176     14.  Regulation of required clothing of persons hunting
177deer.
178     Section 2.  Paragraph (s) of subsection (4) of section
179320.08056, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
180     320.08056  Specialty license plates.--
181     (4)  The following license plate annual use fees shall be
182collected for the appropriate specialty license plates:
183     (s)  Sea Turtle license plate, $23 $17.50.
184     Section 3.  Paragraphs (c) and (d) are added to subsection
185(1) of section 320.08058, Florida Statutes, and paragraph (b) of
186subsection (5) and paragraph (b) of subsection (18) of that
187section are amended, to read:
188     320.08058  Specialty license plates.--
189     (1)  MANATEE LICENSE PLATES.--
190     (c)  Notwithstanding paragraph (b), up to 10 percent of the
191annual use fee deposited in the Save the Manatee Trust Fund from
192the sale of the manatee license plate may be used to promote and
193market the license plate issued by the Department of Highway
194Safety and Motor Vehicles after June 30, 2007.
195     (d)  Notwithstanding paragraph (b), during the 2007-2008
196fiscal year, the annual use fee deposited into the Save the
197Manatee Trust Fund from the sale of the manatee license plate
198may be used by the commission to buy back any manatee license
199plates not issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor
200Vehicles. This paragraph expires July 1, 2008.
201     (5)  FLORIDA PANTHER LICENSE PLATES.--
202     (b)  The department shall distribute the Florida panther
203license plate annual use fee in the following manner:
204     1.  Eighty-five percent must be deposited in the Florida
205Panther Research and Management Trust Fund in the Fish and
206Wildlife Conservation Commission to be used for education and
207programs to protect the endangered Florida panther, and up to 10
208percent of such deposit may be used to promote and market the
209license plate.
210     2.  Fifteen percent, but no less than $300,000, must be
211deposited in the Florida Communities Trust Fund to be used
212pursuant to the Florida Communities Trust Act.
213     (18)  LARGEMOUTH BASS LICENSE PLATES.--
214     (b)  The annual use fees shall be distributed to the State
215Game Trust Fund and used by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation
216Commission to fund current conservation programs that maintain
217current levels of protection and management of this state's fish
218and wildlife resources, including providing hunting, fishing,
219and nonconsumptive wildlife opportunities. Up to 10 percent of
220the annual use fees deposited into the trust fund may be used to
221promote and market the license plate.
222     Section 4.  Subsection (4) of section 370.025, Florida
223Statutes, is amended to read:
224     370.025  Marine fisheries; policy and standards.--
225     (4)  Pursuant to s. 9, Art. IV of the State Constitution,
226the commission has full constitutional rulemaking authority over
227marine life, and listed species as defined in s. 372.072(3),
228except for:
229     (a)  Endangered or threatened marine species for which
230rulemaking shall be done pursuant to chapter 120; and
231     (b)  The authority to regulate fishing gear in residential,
232manmade saltwater canals which is retained by the Legislature
233and specifically not delegated to the commission.
234     (c)  Marine aquaculture products produced by an individual
235certified under s. 597.004. This exception does not apply to
236snook, prohibited and restricted marine species identified by
237rule of the commission, and rulemaking authority granted
238pursuant to s. 370.027.
239     Section 5.  Paragraph (j) is added to subsection (1) of
240section 370.0603, Florida Statutes, and paragraphs (c) and (d)
241of subsection (2) of that section are amended, to read:
242     370.0603  Marine Resources Conservation Trust Fund;
243purposes.--
244     (1)  The Marine Resources Conservation Trust Fund within
245the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shall serve as a
246broad-based depository for funds from various marine-related and
247boating-related activities and shall be administered by the
248commission for the purposes of:
249     (j)  Funding for the stone crab trap reduction program
250under s. 370.13, the blue crab effort management program under
251s. 370.135, the spiny lobster trap certificate program under s.
252370.142, and the trap retrieval program under s. 370.143.
253     (2)  The Marine Resources Conservation Trust Fund shall
254receive the proceeds from:
255     (c)  All fees collected under pursuant to ss. 370.063,
256370.13, 370.135, 370.142, 370.143, and 372.5704.
257     (d)  All fines and penalties under ss. pursuant to s.
258370.021, 370.13, 370.135, and 370.142.
259     Section 6.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section
260370.1105, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
261     370.1105  Saltwater finfish; fishing traps regulated.--
262     (1)  It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to
263set, lay, place, or otherwise attempt to fish for saltwater
264finfish with any trap other than:
265     (a)  A crab, spiny lobster crawfish, or shrimp trap
266specifically permitted under s. 370.13, s. 370.135, s. 370.14,
267or s. 370.15;
268     Section 7.  Paragraphs (d) and (e) are added to subsection
269(4) of section 370.12, Florida Statutes, to read:
270     370.12  Marine animals; regulation.--
271     (4)  ANNUAL FUNDING OF PROGRAMS FOR MARINE ANIMALS.--
272     (d)  Up to 10 percent of the annual use fee deposited in
273the Save the Manatee Trust Fund from the sale of the manatee
274license plate authorized in s. 320.08058 may be used to promote
275and market the license plate issued by the Department of Highway
276Safety and Motor Vehicles after June 30, 2007.
277     (e)  During the 2007-2008 fiscal year, the annual use fee
278deposited into the Save the Manatee Trust Fund from the sale of
279the manatee license plate authorized in s. 320.08058 may be used
280by the commission to buy back any manatee license plates not
281issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
282This paragraph expires July 1, 2008.
283     Section 8.  Paragraphs (b), (d), and (e) of subsection (1)
284and paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section 370.13, Florida
285Statutes, are amended to read:
286     370.13  Stone crab; regulation.--
287     (1)  FEES AND EQUITABLE RENT.--
288     (b)  Certificate fees.--
289     1.  For each trap certificate issued by the commission
290under the requirements of the stone crab trap limitation program
291established by commission rule, there is an annual fee of 50
292cents per certificate. Replacement tags for lost or damaged tags
293cost 50 cents each plus the cost of shipping. In the event of a
294major natural disaster, such as a hurricane or major storm, that
295causes massive trap losses within an area declared by the
296Governor to be a disaster emergency area, the commission may
297temporarily defer or waive replacement tag fees, except that
298tags lost in the event of a major natural disaster declared as
299an emergency disaster by the Governor shall be replaced for the
300cost of the tag as incurred by the commission.
301     2.  The fee for transferring trap certificates is $1 per
302certificate transferred, except that the fee for eligible crew
303members is 50 cents per certificate transferred. Eligible crew
304members shall be determined according to criteria established by
305rule of the commission. Payment must be made by money order or
306cashier's check, submitted with the certificate transfer form
307developed by the commission.
308     3.  In addition to the transfer fee, a surcharge of $1 per
309certificate transferred, or 25 percent of the actual value of
310the transferred certificate, whichever is greater, will be
311assessed the first time a certificate is transferred outside the
312original holder's immediate family.
313     4.  Transfer fees and surcharges only apply to the actual
314number of certificates received by the purchaser. A transfer of
315a certificate is not effective until the commission receives a
316notarized copy of the bill of sale as proof of the actual value
317of the transferred certificate or certificates, which must also
318be submitted with the transfer form and payment.
319     5.  A transfer fee will not be assessed or required when
320the transfer is within a family as a result of the death or
321disability of the certificate owner. A surcharge will not be
322assessed for any transfer within an individual's immediate
323family.
324     6.  The fees and surcharge amounts in this paragraph apply
325in the 2005-2006 license year and subsequent years.
326     (d)  Equitable rent.--The commission may establish by rule
327an amount of equitable rent per trap certificate that may be
328recovered as partial compensation to the state for the enhanced
329access to its natural resources. In determining whether to
330establish such a rent and the amount thereof, the commission may
331consider the amount of revenues annually generated by
332endorsement fees, trap certificate fees, transfer fees,
333surcharges, replacement trap tag fees, trap retrieval fees,
334incidental take endorsement fees, and the continued economic
335viability of the commercial stone crab industry. A rule
336establishing an amount of equitable rent shall become effective
337only after approval by the Legislature Final approval of such a
338rule shall be by the Governor and Cabinet sitting as the Board
339of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund.
340     (e)  Disposition of fees, surcharges, civil penalties and
341fines, and equitable rent.--Endorsement fees, trap certificate
342fees, transfer fees, civil penalties and fines, surcharges,
343replacement trap tag fees, trap retrieval fees, incidental take
344endorsement fees, and equitable rent, if any, must be deposited
345in the Marine Resources Conservation Trust Fund. Up to Not more
346than 50 percent of the revenues generated under this section may
347be used for operation and administration of the stone crab trap
348limitation program. All The remaining revenues so generated must
349under this program are to be used for trap retrieval, management
350of the stone crab fishery, public education activities,
351evaluation of the impact of trap reductions on the stone crab
352fishery, and enforcement activities in support of the stone crab
353trap limitation program.
354     (2)  PENALTIES.--For purposes of this subsection,
355conviction is any disposition other than acquittal or dismissal,
356regardless of whether the violation was adjudicated under any
357state or federal law.
358     (a)  It is unlawful to violate commission rules regulating
359stone crab trap certificates and trap tags. No person may use an
360expired tag or a stone crab trap tag not issued by the
361commission or possess or use a stone crab trap in or on state
362waters or adjacent federal waters without having a trap tag
363required by the commission firmly attached thereto.
364     1.  In addition to any other penalties provided in s.
365370.021, for any commercial harvester who violates this
366paragraph, the following administrative penalties apply.
367     a.  For a first violation, the commission shall assess an
368administrative penalty of up to $1,000 and the stone crab
369endorsement under which the violation was committed may be
370suspended for the remainder of the current license year.
371     b.  For a second violation that occurs within 24 months of
372any previous such violation, the commission shall assess an
373administrative penalty of up to $2,000 and the stone crab
374endorsement under which the violation was committed may be
375suspended for 12 calendar months.
376     c.  For a third violation that occurs within 36 months of
377any previous two such violations, the commission shall assess an
378administrative penalty of up to $5,000 and the stone crab
379endorsement under which the violation was committed may be
380suspended for 24 calendar months.
381     d.  A fourth violation that occurs within 48 months of any
382three previous such violations, shall result in permanent
383revocation of all of the violator's saltwater fishing
384privileges, including having the commission proceed against the
385endorsement holder's saltwater products license in accordance
386with s. 370.021.
387     2.  Any other person who violates the provisions of this
388paragraph commits a Level Two violation under s. 372.83.
389
390Any commercial harvester assessed an administrative penalty
391under this paragraph shall, within 30 calendar days after
392notification, pay the administrative penalty to the commission,
393or request an administrative hearing under ss. 120.569 and
394120.57. The proceeds of all administrative penalties collected
395under this paragraph shall be deposited in the Marine Resources
396Conservation Trust Fund.
397     Section 9.  Section 370.135, Florida Statutes, is amended
398to read:
399     370.135  Blue crab; regulation.--
400     (1)(a)  No commercial harvester shall transport on the
401water, fish with or cause to be fished with, set, or place any
402trap designed for taking blue crabs unless such commercial
403harvester holds is the holder of a valid saltwater products
404license and restricted species endorsement issued under pursuant
405to s. 370.06 and a blue crab endorsement issued under this
406section. Each trap shall have the harvester's blue crab
407endorsement number permanently affixed to it. Each buoy attached
408to such a trap shall also have the harvester's blue crab
409endorsement the trap has a current state number permanently
410attached to the buoy. The blue crab endorsement trap number
411shall be affixed in legible figures at least 2 inches 1 inch
412high on each buoy used. The saltwater products license must be
413on board the boat, and both the license and the crabs shall be
414subject to inspection at all times. Only one trap number may be
415issued for each boat by the commission upon receipt of an
416application on forms prescribed by it. This subsection shall not
417apply to an individual fishing with no more than five traps.
418     (b)  It is unlawful for any person willfully to molest any
419blue crab traps, lines, or buoys, as defined herein, belonging
420to another without the express written consent of the trap
421owner.
422     1.  A commercial harvester who violates this paragraph
423commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in
424s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
425     2.  Any other person who violates this paragraph commits a
426Level Four violation under s. 372.83.
427
428Any commercial harvester receiving a judicial disposition other
429than dismissal or acquittal on a charge of willful molestation
430of a trap, in addition to the penalties specified in s. 370.021,
431shall lose all saltwater fishing privileges for a period of 24
432calendar months.
433     (c)1.  It is unlawful for any person to remove the contents
434of or take possession of another harvester's blue crab trap
435without the express written consent of the trap owner available
436for immediate inspection. Unauthorized possession of another's
437trap gear or removal of trap contents constitutes theft.
438     a.  Any commercial harvester receiving a judicial
439disposition other than dismissal or acquittal on a charge of
440theft of or from a trap pursuant to this section or s. 370.1107
441shall, in addition to the penalties specified in s. 370.021 and
442the provisions of this section, permanently lose all saltwater
443fishing privileges, including any saltwater products license and
444blue crab endorsement. In such cases endorsements are
445nontransferable.
446     b.  In addition, any commercial harvester receiving a
447judicial disposition other than dismissal or acquittal for
448violating this subsection or s. 370.1107 shall also be assessed
449an administrative penalty of up to $5,000. Immediately upon
450receiving a citation for a violation involving theft of or from
451a trap and until adjudicated for such a violation, or receiving
452a judicial disposition other than dismissal or acquittal for
453such a violation, the commercial harvester committing the
454violation is prohibited from transferring any blue crab
455endorsements.
456     2.  A commercial harvester who violates this paragraph
457shall be punished under s. 370.021. Any other person who
458violates this paragraph commits a Level Two violation under s.
459372.83.
460     (2)  No person shall harvest blue crabs with more than five
461traps, harvest blue crabs in commercial quantities, or sell blue
462crabs unless such person holds a valid saltwater products
463license with a restricted species endorsement issued under s.
464370.06 and a blue crab endorsement (trap number) issued under
465pursuant to this section subsection.
466     (a)  Effective June 1, 1998, and until July 1, 2002, no
467blue crab endorsement (trap number), except those endorsements
468that are active during the 1997-1998 fiscal year, shall be
469renewed or replaced.
470     (b)  Effective January 1, 1999, and until July 1, 2002, a
471trap number holder, or members of his or her immediate family,
472must request renewal of the endorsement prior to September 30 of
473each year.
474     (c)  If a person holding an active blue crab endorsement,
475or a member of that person's immediate family, does not request
476renewal of the endorsement before the applicable dates as
477specified in this subsection, the commission shall deactivate
478that endorsement.
479     (a)(d)  In the event of the death or disability of a person
480holding an active blue crab endorsement, the endorsement may be
481transferred by the person to a member of his or her immediate
482family or may be renewed by any person so designated by the
483executor of the person's estate.
484     (b)  A commercial harvester who holds a saltwater products
485license and a blue crab endorsement that is issued to the
486commercial harvester's vessel registration number and who
487replaces an existing vessel with a new vessel may transfer the
488existing blue crab endorsement to the saltwater products license
489of the new vessel.
490     (e)  Persons who hold saltwater products licenses with blue
491crab endorsements issued to their boat registration numbers and
492who subsequently replace their existing vessels with new vessels
493shall be permitted to transfer the existing licenses to the new
494boat registration numbers.
495     (3)(a)  Endorsement fees.--
496     1.  The fee for a hard-shell blue crab endorsement for the
497taking of hard-shell blue crabs, as authorized by rule of the
498commission, is $125, $25 of which must be used solely for the
499trap retrieval program authorized under s. 370.143 and in
500commission rules.
501     2.  The fee for a soft-shell blue crab endorsement for the
502taking of soft-shell blue crabs, as authorized by rule of the
503commission, is $250, $25 of which must be used solely for the
504trap retrieval program authorized under s. 370.143 and in
505commission rules.
506     3.  The fee for a nontransferable hard-shell blue crab
507endorsement for the taking of hard-shell blue crabs, as
508authorized by rule of the commission, is $125, $25 of which must
509be used solely for the trap retrieval program authorized under
510s. 370.143 and in commission rules.
511     4.  The fee for an incidental take blue crab endorsement
512for the taking of blue crabs as bycatch in shrimp trawls and
513stone crab traps is $25, as authorized in commission rules.
514     (b)  Trap tag fees.--The annual fee for each trap tag
515issued by the commission under the requirements of the blue crab
516effort management program established by rule of the commission
517is 50 cents per tag. The fee for replacement tags for lost or
518damaged tags is 50 cents per tag plus the cost of shipping. In
519the event of a major natural disaster, such as a hurricane or
520major storm, that causes massive trap losses within an area
521declared by the Governor to be a disaster emergency area, the
522commission may temporarily defer or waive replacement tag fees.
523     (c)  Equitable rent.--The commission may establish by rule
524an amount of equitable rent that may be recovered as partial
525compensation to the state for the enhanced access to its natural
526resources. In determining whether to establish such a rent and
527the amount thereof, the commission may consider the amount of
528revenues annually generated by endorsement fees, trap tag fees,
529replacement trap tag fees, trap retrieval fees, and the
530continued economic viability of the commercial blue crab
531industry. A rule establishing an amount of equitable rent shall
532become effective only upon approval by act of the Legislature.
533     (d)  Disposition of moneys generated from fees and
534administrative penalties.--Moneys generated from the sale of
535blue crab endorsements, trap tags, and replacement trap tags or
536from the assessment of administrative penalties by the
537commission under this section shall be deposited into the Marine
538Resources Conservation Trust Fund. Up to 50 percent of the
539moneys generated from the sale of endorsements and trap tags and
540the assessment of administrative penalties may be used for the
541operation and administration of the blue crab effort management
542program. The remaining moneys generated from the sale of
543endorsements and trap tags and the assessment of administrative
544penalties may be used for trap retrieval; management of the blue
545crab fishery; and public education activities, research, and
546enforcement activities in support of the blue crab effort
547management program.
548     (e)  Waiver of fees.--For the 2007-2008 license year, the
549commission shall waive all fees under this subsection for all
550persons who qualify by September 30, 2007, to participate in the
551blue crab effort management program established by commission
552rule.
553     (4)(a)  Untagged trap penalties.--By July 1, 2008, the
554commission shall adopt by rule the administrative penalties
555authorized by this subsection. In addition to any other
556penalties provided in s. 370.021 for any blue crab endorsement
557holder who violates commission rules requiring the placement of
558trap tags for traps used for the directed harvest of blue crabs,
559the following administrative penalties apply:
560     1.  For a first violation, the commission shall assess an
561administrative penalty of up to $1,000.
562     2.  For a second violation that occurs within 24 months
563after any previous such violation, the commission shall assess
564an administrative penalty of up to $2,000, and the blue crab
565endorsement holder's blue crab fishing privileges may be
566suspended for 12 calendar months.
567     3.  For a third violation that occurs within 36 months
568after any two previous such violations, the commission shall
569assess an administrative penalty of up to $5,000, and the blue
570crab endorsement holder's blue crab fishing privileges may be
571suspended for 24 calendar months.
572     4.  A fourth violation that occurs within 48 months after
573any three previous such violations shall result in permanent
574revocation of all of the violator's saltwater fishing
575privileges, including having the commission proceed against the
576endorsement holder's saltwater products license in accordance
577with s. 370.021.
578
579Any blue crab endorsement holder assessed an administrative
580penalty under this paragraph shall, within 30 calendar days
581after notification, pay the administrative penalty to the
582commission or request an administrative hearing under ss.
583120.569 and 120.57.
584     (b)  Trap theft; prohibitions and penalties.--It is
585unlawful for any person to remove or take possession of the
586contents of another harvester's blue crab trap without the
587express written consent of the trap owner, which must be
588available for immediate inspection. Unauthorized possession of
589another harvester's blue crab trap gear or removal of trap
590contents constitutes theft.
591     1.  Any commercial harvester receiving a judicial
592disposition other than dismissal or acquittal on a charge of
593theft of or from a trap as prohibited by this paragraph shall,
594in addition to the penalties specified in s. 370.021 and this
595section, permanently lose all saltwater fishing privileges,
596including any saltwater products licenses, blue crab
597endorsements, and blue crab trap tags allotted to him or her by
598the commission. In such cases, endorsements are nontransferable.
599     2.  In addition, any commercial harvester receiving a
600judicial disposition other than dismissal or acquittal for
601violating this paragraph shall also be assessed an
602administrative penalty of up to $5,000. Immediately upon receipt
603of a citation for a violation involving theft of or from a trap
604and until adjudicated for such a violation, or upon receipt of a
605judicial disposition other than dismissal or acquittal for such
606a violation, the commercial harvester committing the violation
607is prohibited from transferring any blue crab endorsements.
608     3.  A commercial harvester who violates this paragraph
609shall be punished under s. 370.021. Any other person who
610violates this paragraph commits a Level Two violation under s.
611372.83.
612     (c)  Criminal activities prohibited.--
613     1.  It is unlawful for any commercial harvester or any
614other person to:
615     a.  Willfully molest any blue crab trap, line, or buoy that
616is the property of any licenseholder without the permission of
617that licenseholder.
618     b.  Barter, trade, lease, or sell a blue crab trap tag or
619conspire or aid in such barter, trade, lease, or sale unless
620duly authorized by commission rules.
621     c.  Supply, agree to supply, aid in supplying, or give away
622a blue crab trap tag unless duly authorized by commission rules.
623     d.  Make, alter, forge, counterfeit, or reproduce a blue
624crab trap tag.
625     e.  Possess an altered, forged, counterfeit, or imitation
626blue crab trap tag.
627     f.  Possess a number of original trap tags or replacement
628trap tags, the sum of which exceeds by 1 percent the number of
629traps allowed by commission rules.
630     g.  Engage in the commercial harvest of blue crabs while
631the blue crab endorsements of the licenseholder are under
632suspension or revocation.
633     2.  Immediately upon receiving a citation involving a
634violation of this paragraph and until adjudicated for such a
635violation, a commercial harvester is prohibited from
636transferring any blue crab endorsement.
637     3.  A commercial harvester convicted of violating this
638paragraph commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as
639provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, shall also be
640assessed an administrative penalty of up to $5,000, and is
641immediately prohibited from transferring any blue crab
642endorsement. All blue crab endorsements issued to a commercial
643harvester convicted of violating this paragraph may be suspended
644for up to 24 calendar months.
645     4.  Any other person convicted of violating this paragraph
646commits a Level Four violation under s. 372.83.
647     (d)  Endorsement transfers; fraudulent reports;
648penalties.--For a commercial harvester convicted of fraudulently
649reporting the actual value of transferred blue crab
650endorsements, the commission may automatically suspend or
651permanently revoke the seller's or the purchaser's blue crab
652endorsements. If the endorsement is permanently revoked, the
653commission shall also permanently deactivate the endorsement
654holder's blue crab trap tag accounts.
655     (e)  Prohibitions during endorsement suspension and
656revocation.--During any period of suspension or after revocation
657of a blue crab endorsement holder's endorsements, he or she
658shall, within 15 days after notice provided by the commission,
659remove from the water all traps subject to that endorsement.
660Failure to do so shall extend the period of suspension for an
661additional 6 calendar months.
662     (5)  For purposes of this section, a conviction is any
663disposition other than acquittal or dismissal.
664     (6)  A blue crab endorsement may not be renewed until all
665fees and administrative penalties imposed under this section are
666paid.
667     (7)  Subsections (3), (4), (5), and (6) shall expire on
668July 1, 2009, unless reenacted by the Legislature during the
6692009 Regular Session.
670     Section 10.  Subsections (2) and (3) of section 370.14,
671Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
672     370.14  Spiny lobster; regulation.--
673     (2)(a)1.  Each commercial harvester taking or attempting to
674take spiny lobster with a trap in commercial quantities or for
675commercial purposes shall obtain and exhibit a spiny lobster
676endorsement trap number, as required by the Fish and Wildlife
677Conservation Commission. The annual fee for a spiny lobster
678endorsement trap number is $125. This endorsement trap number
679may be issued by the commission upon the receipt of application
680by the commercial harvester when accompanied by the payment of
681the fee. The design of the applications and of the trap tag
682number shall be determined by the commission. Any trap or device
683used in taking or attempting to take spiny lobster, other than a
684trap with the endorsement trap number, shall be seized and
685destroyed by the commission. The proceeds of the fees imposed by
686this paragraph shall be deposited and used as provided in
687paragraph (b). The commission may adopt rules to carry out the
688intent of this section.
689     2.  Each commercial harvester taking or attempting to take
690spiny lobster in commercial quantities or for commercial
691purposes by any method, other than with a trap having a spiny
692lobster endorsement trap number issued by the commission, must
693pay an annual fee of $100.
694     (b)  Twenty-five dollars of the $125 fee for a spiny
695lobster endorsement trap number required under subparagraph
696(a)1. must be used only for trap retrieval as provided in s.
697370.143. The remainder of the fees collected under pursuant to
698paragraph (a) shall be deposited as follows:
699     1.  Fifty percent of the fees collected shall be deposited
700in the Marine Resources Conservation Trust Fund for use in
701enforcing the provisions of paragraph (a) through aerial and
702other surveillance and trap retrieval.
703     2.  Fifty percent of the fees collected shall be deposited
704as provided in s. 370.142(5).
705     (3)  The spiny lobster endorsement license must be on board
706the boat, and both the endorsement license and the harvested
707spiny lobster shall be subject to inspection at all times. Only
708one endorsement license shall be issued for each boat. The spiny
709lobster endorsement license number must be prominently displayed
710above the topmost portion of the boat so as to be easily and
711readily identified.
712     Section 11.  Section 370.1405, Florida Statutes, is amended
713to read:
714     370.1405  Spiny lobster Crawfish reports by dealers during
715closed season required.--
716     (1)  Within 3 days after the commencement of the closed
717season for the taking of spiny lobster saltwater crawfish, each
718and every seafood dealer, either retail or wholesale, intending
719to possess whole spiny lobster crawfish, spiny lobster crawfish
720tails, or spiny lobster crawfish meat during closed season shall
721submit to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, on
722forms provided by the commission, a sworn report of the
723quantity, in pounds, of saltwater whole spiny lobster crawfish,
724spiny lobster crawfish tails, and spiny lobster crawfish meat in
725the dealer's name or possession as of the date the season
726closed. This report shall state the location and number of
727pounds of whole spiny lobster crawfish, spiny lobster crawfish
728tails, and spiny lobster crawfish meat. The commission shall not
729accept any reports not delivered or postmarked by midnight of
730the 3rd calendar day after the commencement of the closed
731season, and any stocks of spiny lobster crawfish reported
732therein are declared a nuisance and may be seized by the
733commission.
734     (2)  Failure to submit a report as described in subsection
735(1) or reporting a greater or lesser amount of whole spiny
736lobster crawfish, spiny lobster crawfish tails, or spiny lobster
737crawfish meat than is actually in the dealer's possession or
738name is a major violation of this chapter, punishable as
739provided in s. 370.021(1), s. 370.07(6)(b), or both. The
740commission shall seize the entire supply of unreported or
741falsely reported whole spiny lobster crawfish, spiny lobster
742crawfish tails, or spiny lobster crawfish meat, and shall carry
743the same before the court for disposal. The dealer shall post a
744cash bond in the amount of the fair value of the entire quantity
745of unreported or falsely reported spiny lobster crawfish as
746determined by the judge. After posting the cash bond, the dealer
747shall have 24 hours to transport said products outside the
748limits of Florida for sale as provided by s. 370.061. Otherwise,
749the product shall be declared a nuisance and disposed of by the
750commission according to law.
751     (3)  All dealers having reported stocks of spiny lobster
752crawfish may sell or offer to sell such stocks of spiny lobster
753crawfish; however, such dealers shall submit an additional
754report on the last day of each month during the duration of the
755closed season. Reports shall be made on forms supplied by the
756commission. Each dealer shall state on this report the number of
757pounds brought forward from the previous report period, the
758number of pounds sold during the report period, the number of
759pounds, if any, acquired from a licensed wholesale dealer during
760the report period, and the number of pounds remaining on hand.
761In every case, the amount of spiny lobster crawfish sold plus
762the amount reported on hand shall equal the amount acquired plus
763the amount reported remaining on hand in the last submitted
764report. Copies of records or invoices documenting the number of
765pounds acquired during the closed season must be maintained by
766the wholesale or retail dealer and shall be kept available for
767inspection by the commission for a period not less than 3 years
768from the date of the recorded transaction. Reports postmarked
769later than midnight on the 3rd calendar day of each month during
770the duration of the closed season will not be accepted by the
771commission. Dealers for which late supplementary reports are not
772accepted by the commission must show just cause why their entire
773stock of whole spiny lobster crawfish, spiny lobster crawfish
774tails, or spiny lobster crawfish meat should not be seized by
775the commission. Whenever a dealer fails to timely submit the
776monthly supplementary report as described in this subsection,
777the dealer may be subject to the following civil penalties:
778     (a)  For a first violation, the commission shall assess a
779civil penalty of $500.
780     (b)  For a second violation within the same spiny lobster
781crawfish closed season, the commission shall assess a civil
782penalty of $1,000.
783     (c)  For a third violation within the same spiny lobster
784crawfish closed season, the commission shall assess a civil
785penalty of $2,500 and may seize said dealer's entire stock of
786whole spiny lobster crawfish, spiny lobster crawfish tails, or
787spiny lobster crawfish meat and carry the same before the court
788for disposal. The dealer shall post a cash bond in the amount of
789the fair value of the entire remaining quantity of spiny lobster
790crawfish as determined by the judge. After posting the cash
791bond, a dealer shall have 24 hours to transport said products
792outside the limits of Florida for sale as provided by s.
793370.061. Otherwise, the product shall be declared a nuisance and
794disposed of by the commission according to law.
795     (4)  All seafood dealers shall at all times during the
796closed season make their stocks of whole spiny lobster crawfish,
797spiny lobster crawfish tails, or spiny lobster crawfish meat
798available for inspection by the commission.
799     (5)  Each wholesale and retail dealer in whole spiny
800lobster crawfish, spiny lobster crawfish tails, or spiny lobster
801crawfish meat shall keep throughout the period of the spiny
802lobster crawfish closed season copies of the bill of sale or
803invoice covering each transaction involving whole spiny lobster
804crawfish, spiny lobster crawfish tails, or spiny lobster
805crawfish meat. Such invoices and bills shall be kept available
806at all times for inspection by the commission.
807     (6)  The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission may
808adopt rules incorporating by reference such forms as are
809necessary to administer this section.
810     Section 12.  Subsection (2) of section 370.142, Florida
811Statutes, is amended to read:
812     370.142  Spiny lobster trap certificate program.--
813     (2)  TRANSFERABLE TRAP CERTIFICATES; TRAP TAGS; FEES;
814PENALTIES.--The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shall
815establish a trap certificate program for the spiny lobster
816fishery of this state and shall be responsible for its
817administration and enforcement as follows:
818     (a)  Transferable trap certificates.--Each holder of a
819saltwater products license who uses traps for taking or
820attempting to take spiny lobsters shall be required to have a
821certificate on record for each trap possessed or used therefor,
822except as otherwise provided in this section.
823     1.  The Department of Environmental Protection shall
824initially allot such certificates to each licenseholder with a
825current crawfish trap number who uses traps. The number of such
826certificates allotted to each such licenseholder shall be based
827on the trap/catch coefficient established pursuant to trip
828ticket records generated under the provisions of s. 370.06(2)
829over a 3-year base period ending June 30, 1991. The trap/catch
830coefficient shall be calculated by dividing the sum of the
831highest reported single license-year landings up to a maximum of
83230,000 pounds for each such licenseholder during the base period
833by 700,000. Each such licenseholder shall then be allotted the
834number of certificates derived by dividing his or her highest
835reported single license-year landings up to a maximum of 30,000
836pounds during the base period by the trap/catch coefficient.
837Nevertheless, no licenseholder with a current crawfish trap
838number shall be allotted fewer than 10 certificates. However,
839certificates may only be issued to individuals; therefore, all
840licenseholders other than individual licenseholders shall
841designate the individual or individuals to whom their
842certificates will be allotted and the number thereof to each, if
843more than one. After initial issuance, Trap certificates are
844transferable on a market basis and may be transferred from one
845licenseholder to another for a fair market value agreed upon
846between the transferor and transferee. Each such transfer shall,
847within 72 hours thereof, be recorded on a notarized form
848provided for that purpose by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation
849Commission and hand delivered or sent by certified mail, return
850receipt requested, to the commission for recordkeeping purposes.
851In addition, In order to cover the added administrative costs of
852the program and to recover an equitable natural resource rent
853for the people of the state, a transfer fee of $2 per
854certificate transferred shall be assessed against the purchasing
855licenseholder and sent by money order or cashier's check with
856the certificate transfer form. Also, in addition to the transfer
857fee, a surcharge of $5 per certificate transferred or 25 percent
858of the actual market value, whichever is greater, given to the
859transferor shall be assessed the first time a certificate is
860transferred outside the original transferor's immediate family.
861No transfer of a certificate shall be effective until the
862commission receives the notarized transfer form and the transfer
863fee, including any surcharge, is paid. The commission may
864establish by rule an amount of equitable rent per trap
865certificate that shall be recovered as partial compensation to
866the state for the enhanced access to its natural resources. A
867rule establishing an amount of equitable rent shall become
868effective only after approval by the Legislature Final approval
869of such a rule shall be by the Governor and Cabinet sitting as
870the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund. In
871determining whether to establish such a rent and, if so, the
872amount thereof, the commission shall consider the amount of
873revenues annually generated by certificate fees, transfer fees,
874surcharges, trap license fees, and sales taxes, the demonstrated
875fair market value of transferred certificates, and the continued
876economic viability of the commercial lobster industry. All The
877proceeds of equitable rent recovered shall be deposited in the
878Marine Resources Conservation Trust Fund and used by the
879commission for research, management, and protection of the spiny
880lobster fishery and habitat. A transfer fee may not be assessed
881or required when the transfer is within a family as a result of
882the death or disability of the certificate owner. A surcharge
883will not be assessed for any transfer within an individual's
884immediate family.
885     2.  No person, firm, corporation, or other business entity
886may control, directly or indirectly, more than 1.5 percent of
887the total available certificates in any license year.
888     3.  The commission shall maintain records of all
889certificates and their transfers and shall annually provide each
890licenseholder with a statement of certificates held.
891     4.  The number of trap tags issued annually to each
892licenseholder shall not exceed the number of certificates held
893by the licenseholder at the time of issuance, and such tags and
894a statement of certificates held shall be issued simultaneously.
895     5.  Beginning July 1, 2003, and applicable to the 2003-2004
896lobster season and thereafter, It is unlawful for any person to
897lease spiny lobster trap tags or certificates.
898     (b)  Trap tags.--Each trap used to take or attempt to take
899spiny lobsters in state waters or adjacent federal waters shall,
900in addition to the spiny lobster endorsement crawfish trap
901number required by s. 370.14(2), have affixed thereto an annual
902trap tag issued by the commission. Each such tag shall be made
903of durable plastic or similar material and shall, based on the
904number of certificates held, have stamped thereon the owner's
905license number. To facilitate enforcement and recordkeeping,
906such tags shall be issued each year in a color different from
907that of each of the previous 3 years. The annual certificate fee
908shall be $1 per certificate. Replacement tags for lost or
909damaged tags may be obtained as provided by rule of the
910commission. In the event of a major natural disaster, such as a
911hurricane or major storm, that causes massive trap losses within
912an area declared by the Governor to be a disaster emergency
913area, the commission may temporarily defer or waive replacement
914tag fees.
915     (c)  Prohibitions; penalties.--
916     1.  It is unlawful for a person to possess or use a spiny
917lobster trap in or on state waters or adjacent federal waters
918without having affixed thereto the trap tag required by this
919section. It is unlawful for a person to possess or use any other
920gear or device designed to attract and enclose or otherwise aid
921in the taking of spiny lobster by trapping that is not a trap as
922defined by commission rule.
923     2.  It is unlawful for a person to possess or use spiny
924lobster trap tags without having the necessary number of
925certificates on record as required by this section.
926     3.  It is unlawful for any person to willfully molest, take
927possession of, or remove the contents of another harvester's
928spiny lobster trap without the express written consent of the
929trap owner available for immediate inspection. Unauthorized
930possession of another's trap gear or removal of trap contents
931constitutes theft.
932     a.  A commercial harvester who violates this subparagraph
933shall be punished under ss. 370.021 and 370.14. Any commercial
934harvester receiving a judicial disposition other than dismissal
935or acquittal on a charge of theft of or from a trap pursuant to
936this subparagraph or s. 370.1107 shall, in addition to the
937penalties specified in ss. 370.021 and 370.14 and the provisions
938of this section, permanently lose all his or her saltwater
939fishing privileges, including his or her saltwater products
940license, spiny lobster endorsement, and all trap certificates
941allotted to him or her through this program. In such cases, trap
942certificates and endorsements are nontransferable.
943     b.  Any commercial harvester receiving a judicial
944disposition other than dismissal or acquittal on a charge of
945willful molestation of a trap, in addition to the penalties
946specified in ss. 370.021 and 370.14, shall lose all saltwater
947fishing privileges for a period of 24 calendar months.
948     c.  In addition, any commercial harvester charged with
949violating this subparagraph paragraph and receiving a judicial
950disposition other than dismissal or acquittal for violating this
951subparagraph or s. 370.1107 shall also be assessed an
952administrative penalty of up to $5,000.
953
954Immediately upon receiving a citation for a violation involving
955theft of or from a trap, or molestation of a trap, and until
956adjudicated for such a violation or, upon receipt of a judicial
957disposition other than dismissal or acquittal of such a
958violation, the commercial harvester person, firm, or corporation
959committing the violation is prohibited from transferring any
960spiny lobster trap certificates and endorsements.
961     4.  In addition to any other penalties provided in s.
962370.021, a commercial harvester who violates the provisions of
963this section or commission rules relating to spiny lobster traps
964shall be punished as follows:
965     a.  If the first violation is for violation of subparagraph
9661. or subparagraph 2., the commission shall assess an additional
967administrative penalty of up to $1,000 and the spiny lobster
968trap number issued pursuant to s. 370.14(2) or (6) may be
969suspended for the remainder of the current license year. For all
970other first violations, the commission shall assess an
971additional administrative penalty of up to $500.
972     b.  For a second violation of subparagraph 1. or
973subparagraph 2. which occurs within 24 months of any previous
974such violation, the commission shall assess an additional
975administrative penalty of up to $2,000 and the spiny lobster
976endorsement trap number issued under pursuant to s. 370.14(2) or
977(6) may be suspended for the remainder of the current license
978year.
979     c.  For a third or subsequent violation of subparagraph 1.,
980subparagraph 2., or subparagraph 3. which occurs within 36
981months of any previous two such violations, the commission shall
982assess an additional administrative penalty of up to $5,000 and
983may suspend the spiny lobster endorsement trap number issued
984under pursuant to s. 370.14(2) or (6) for a period of up to 24
985months or may revoke the spiny lobster endorsement trap number
986and, if revoking the spiny lobster endorsement trap number, may
987also proceed against the licenseholder's saltwater products
988license in accordance with the provisions of s. 370.021(2)(h).
989     d.  Any person assessed an additional administrative
990penalty pursuant to this section shall within 30 calendar days
991after notification:
992     (I)  Pay the administrative penalty to the commission; or
993     (II)  Request an administrative hearing pursuant to the
994provisions of ss. 120.569 and 120.57.
995     e.  The commission shall suspend the spiny lobster
996endorsement trap number issued under pursuant to s. 370.14(2) or
997(6) for any person failing to comply with the provisions of sub-
998subparagraph d.
999     5.a.  It is unlawful for any person to make, alter, forge,
1000counterfeit, or reproduce a spiny lobster trap tag or
1001certificate.
1002     b.  It is unlawful for any person to knowingly have in his
1003or her possession a forged, counterfeit, or imitation spiny
1004lobster trap tag or certificate.
1005     c.  It is unlawful for any person to barter, trade, sell,
1006supply, agree to supply, aid in supplying, or give away a spiny
1007lobster trap tag or certificate or to conspire to barter, trade,
1008sell, supply, aid in supplying, or give away a spiny lobster
1009trap tag or certificate unless such action is duly authorized by
1010the commission as provided in this chapter or in the rules of
1011the commission.
1012     6.a.  Any commercial harvester who violates the provisions
1013of subparagraph 5., or any commercial harvester who engages in
1014the commercial harvest, trapping, or possession of spiny lobster
1015without a spiny lobster endorsement trap number as required by
1016s. 370.14(2) or (6) or during any period while such spiny
1017lobster endorsement trap number is under suspension or
1018revocation, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as
1019provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
1020     b.  In addition to any penalty imposed pursuant to sub-
1021subparagraph a., the commission shall levy a fine of up to twice
1022the amount of the appropriate surcharge to be paid on the fair
1023market value of the transferred certificates, as provided in
1024subparagraph (a)1., on any commercial harvester who violates the
1025provisions of sub-subparagraph 5.c.
1026     c.  In addition to any penalty imposed pursuant to sub-
1027subparagraph a., any commercial harvester receiving any judicial
1028disposition other than acquittal or dismissal for a violation of
1029subparagraph 5. shall be assessed an administrative penalty of
1030up to $5,000, and the spiny lobster endorsement under which the
1031violation was committed may be suspended for up to 24 calendar
1032months. Immediately upon issuance of a citation involving a
1033violation of subparagraph 5. and until adjudication of such a
1034violation, and after receipt of any judicial disposition other
1035than acquittal or dismissal for such a violation, the commercial
1036harvester holding the spiny lobster endorsement listed on the
1037citation is prohibited from transferring any spiny lobster trap
1038certificates.
1039     d.c.  Any other person who violates the provisions of
1040subparagraph 5. commits a Level Four violation under s. 372.83.
1041     7.  Any certificates for which the annual certificate fee
1042is not paid for a period of 3 years shall be considered
1043abandoned and shall revert to the commission. During any period
1044of trap reduction, any certificates reverting to the commission
1045shall become permanently unavailable and be considered in that
1046amount to be reduced during the next license-year period.
1047Otherwise, any certificates that revert to the commission are to
1048be reallotted in such manner as provided by the commission.
1049     8.  The proceeds of all administrative civil penalties
1050collected pursuant to subparagraph 4. and all fines collected
1051pursuant to sub-subparagraph 6.b. shall be deposited into the
1052Marine Resources Conservation Trust Fund.
1053     9.  All traps shall be removed from the water during any
1054period of suspension or revocation.
1055     10.  Except as otherwise provided, any person who violates
1056this paragraph commits a Level Two violation under s. 372.83.
1057     (d)  No vested rights.--The trap certificate program shall
1058not create vested rights in licenseholders whatsoever and may be
1059altered or terminated as necessary to protect the spiny lobster
1060resource, the participants in the fishery, or the public
1061interest.
1062     Section 13.  Section 370.143, Florida Statutes, is amended
1063to read:
1064     370.143  Retrieval of spiny lobster, crawfish, and stone
1065crab, blue crab, and black sea bass traps during closed season;
1066commission authority; fees.--
1067     (1)  The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is
1068authorized to implement a trap retrieval program for retrieval
1069of spiny lobster, crawfish, and stone crab, blue crab, and black
1070sea bass traps remaining in the water during the closed season
1071for each species. The commission is authorized to contract with
1072outside agents for the program operation.
1073     (2)  A retrieval fee of $10 per trap retrieved shall be
1074assessed trap owners. However, for each person holding a spiny
1075lobster endorsement, crawfish stamp number or a stone crab
1076endorsement, or a blue crab endorsement issued under rule of the
1077commission, the retrieval fee shall be waived for the first five
1078traps retrieved. Traps recovered under this program shall become
1079the property of the commission or its contract agent, as
1080determined by the commission, and shall be either destroyed or
1081resold to the original owner. Revenue from retrieval fees shall
1082be deposited in the Marine Resources Conservation Trust Fund and
1083used solely for operation of the trap retrieval program.
1084     (3)  Payment of all assessed retrieval fees shall be
1085required prior to renewal of the trap owner's saltwater products
1086license and stone crab and or crawfish endorsements. Retrieval
1087fees assessed under this program shall stand in lieu of other
1088penalties imposed for such trap violations.
1089     (4)  In the event of a major natural disaster, such as a
1090hurricane or major storm, that causes massive trap losses within
1091an area declared by the Governor to be a disaster emergency
1092area, the commission shall waive trap retrieval fees In the
1093event of a major natural disaster in an area declared by the
1094Governor to be a disaster emergency area, such as a hurricane or
1095major storm causing massive trap losses, the commission shall
1096waive the trap retrieval fee.
1097     Section 14.  Section 372.09, Florida Statutes, is amended
1098to read:
1099     372.09  State Game Trust Fund.--The funds resulting from
1100the operation of the commission and from the administration of
1101the laws and regulations pertaining to birds, game, fur-bearing
1102animals, freshwater fish, reptiles, and amphibians, together
1103with any other funds specifically provided for such purposes
1104shall constitute the State Game Trust Fund and shall be used by
1105the commission as it shall deem fit in carrying out the
1106provisions hereof and for no other purposes, except that annual
1107use fees deposited into the trust fund from the sale of the
1108Largemouth Bass license plate may be expended for the purposes
1109provided under s. 320.08058(18). The commission may not obligate
1110itself beyond the current resources of the State Game Trust Fund
1111unless specifically so authorized by the Legislature.
1112     Section 15.  Subsection (13) of section 372.561, Florida
1113Statutes, is renumbered as subsection (14), and a new subsection
1114(13) is added to that section to read:
1115     372.561  Recreational licenses, permits, and authorization
1116numbers to take wild animal life, freshwater aquatic life, and
1117marine life; issuance; costs; reporting.--
1118     (13)  The commission, any tax collector in this state, or
1119any subagent authorized to sell licenses and permits under s.
1120372.574 may request and collect donations when selling a
1121recreational license or permit authorized under s. 372.57. All
1122donations collected under this subsection shall be deposited
1123into the State Game Trust Fund to be used solely for the purpose
1124of enhancing youth hunting and youth freshwater and saltwater
1125fishing programs. By January 1, the commission shall provide a
1126complete and detailed annual report on the status of its youth
1127programs and activities performed under this subsection to the
1128Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the
1129House of Representatives.
1130     Section 16.  Subsection (2) of section 372.562, Florida
1131Statutes, is amended to read:
1132     372.562  Recreational licenses and permits; exemptions from
1133fees and requirements.--
1134     (2)  A hunting, freshwater fishing, or saltwater fishing
1135license or permit is not required for:
1136     (a)  Any child under 16 years of age, except as otherwise
1137provided in this chapter.
1138     (b)  Any person hunting or freshwater fishing on her or his
1139homestead property, or on the homestead property of the person's
1140spouse or minor child; or any minor child hunting or freshwater
1141fishing on the homestead property of her or his parent.
1142     (c)  Any resident who is a member of the United States
1143Armed Forces and not stationed in this state, when home on leave
1144for 30 days or less, upon submission of orders.
1145     (d)  Any resident freshwater fishing for recreational
1146purposes only, within her or his county of residence with live
1147or natural bait, using poles or lines not equipped with a
1148fishing line retrieval mechanism. This exemption does not apply
1149to residents fishing in, except on a legally established fish
1150management area.
1151     (e)  Any person freshwater fishing in a fish pond of 20
1152acres or less that is located entirely within the private
1153property of the fish pond owner.
1154     (f)  Any person freshwater fishing in a fish pond that is
1155licensed in accordance with s. 372.5705.
1156     (g)  Any person fishing who has been accepted as a client
1157for developmental disabilities services by the Department of
1158Children and Family Services, provided the department furnishes
1159proof thereof.
1160     (h)  Any resident saltwater fishing in salt water from land
1161or from a structure fixed to the land.
1162     (i)  Any person saltwater fishing from a vessel licensed
1163pursuant to s. 372.57(7).
1164     (j)  Any person saltwater fishing from a vessel the
1165operator of which is licensed pursuant to s. 372.57(7).
1166     (k)  Any person saltwater fishing who holds a valid
1167saltwater products license issued under s. 370.06(2).
1168     (l)  Any person saltwater fishing for recreational purposes
1169from a pier licensed under s. 372.57.
1170     (m)  Any resident fishing for a saltwater species in fresh
1171water from land or from a structure fixed to land.
1172     (n)  Any resident fishing for mullet in fresh water who has
1173a valid Florida freshwater fishing license.
1174     (o)  Any resident 65 years of age or older who has in her
1175or his possession proof of age and residency. A no-cost license
1176under this paragraph may be obtained from any tax collector's
1177office upon proof of age and residency and must be in the
1178possession of the resident during hunting, freshwater fishing,
1179and saltwater fishing activities.
1180     (p)  Any employee of the commission who takes freshwater
1181fish, saltwater fish, or game as part of employment with the
1182commission, or any other person authorized by commission permit
1183to take freshwater fish, saltwater fish, or game for scientific
1184or educational purposes.
1185     (q)  Any resident recreationally freshwater fishing who
1186holds a valid commercial fishing license issued under s.
1187372.65(1)(a).
1188     Section 17.  Effective October 1, 2007, subsections (4) and
1189(5), paragraph (h) of subsection (8), subsection (9), and
1190paragraph (c) of subsection (10) of section 372.57, Florida
1191Statutes, are amended to read:
1192     372.57  Recreational licenses, permits, and authorization
1193numbers; fees established.--
1194     (4)  RESIDENT HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES.--The licenses
1195and fees for residents participating in hunting and fishing
1196activities in this state are as follows:
1197     (a)  Annual freshwater fishing license, $15.50 $12.
1198     (b)  Annual saltwater fishing license, $15.50 $12.
1199     (c)  Annual hunting license to take game, $15.50 $11.
1200     (d)  Annual combination hunting and freshwater fishing
1201license, $31 $22.
1202     (e)  Annual combination freshwater fishing and saltwater
1203fishing license, $31 $24.
1204     (f)  Annual combination hunting, freshwater fishing, and
1205saltwater fishing license, $46.50 $34.
1206     (g)  Annual license to take fur-bearing animals, $25.
1207However, a resident with a valid hunting license or a no-cost
1208license who is taking fur-bearing animals for noncommercial
1209purposes using guns or dogs only, and not traps or other
1210devices, is not required to purchase this license. Also, a
1211resident 65 years of age or older is not required to purchase
1212this license.
1213     (h)  Annual sportsman's license, $79 $71, except that an
1214annual sportsman's license for a resident 64 years of age or
1215older is $12. A sportsman's license authorizes the person to
1216whom it is issued to take game and freshwater fish, subject to
1217the state and federal laws, rules, and regulations, including
1218rules of the commission, in effect at the time of the taking.
1219Other authorized activities include activities authorized by a
1220management area permit, a muzzle-loading gun season permit, a
1221crossbow season permit, a turkey permit, a Florida waterfowl
1222permit, and an archery season permit.
1223     (i)  Annual gold sportsman's license, $98.50 $87. The gold
1224sportsman's license authorizes the person to whom it is issued
1225to take freshwater fish, saltwater fish, and game, subject to
1226the state and federal laws, rules, and regulations, including
1227rules of the commission, in effect at the time of taking. Other
1228authorized activities include activities authorized by a
1229management area permit, a muzzle-loading gun season permit, a
1230crossbow season permit, a turkey permit, a Florida waterfowl
1231permit, an archery season permit, a snook permit, and a spiny
1232lobster permit.
1233     (j)  Annual military gold sportsman's license, $18.50. The
1234gold sportsman's license authorizes the person to whom it is
1235issued to take freshwater fish, saltwater fish, and game,
1236subject to the state and federal laws, rules, and regulations,
1237including rules of the commission, in effect at the time of
1238taking. Other authorized activities include activities
1239authorized by a management area permit, a muzzle-loading gun
1240season permit, a crossbow season permit, a turkey permit, a
1241Florida waterfowl permit, an archery season permit, a snook
1242permit, and a spiny lobster permit. Any resident who is an
1243active or retired member of the United States Armed Forces, the
1244United States Armed Forces Reserve, the National Guard, the
1245United States Coast Guard, or the United States Coast Guard
1246Reserve is eligible to purchase the military gold sportsman's
1247license upon submission of a current military identification
1248card.
1249     (5)  NONRESIDENT HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES.--The
1250licenses and fees for nonresidents participating in hunting and
1251fishing activities in the state are as follows:
1252     (a)  Freshwater fishing license to take freshwater fish for
12533 consecutive days, $15.50.
1254     (b)(a)  Freshwater fishing license to take freshwater fish
1255for 7 consecutive days, $28.50 $15.
1256     (c)(b)  Saltwater fishing license to take saltwater fish
1257for 3 consecutive days, $15.50 $5.
1258     (d)(c)  Saltwater fishing license to take saltwater fish
1259for 7 consecutive days, $28.50 $15.
1260     (e)(d)  Annual freshwater fishing license, $45.50 $30.
1261     (f)(e)  Annual saltwater fishing license, $45.50 $30.
1262     (g)(f)  Hunting license to take game for 10 consecutive
1263days, $45.
1264     (h)(g)  Annual hunting license to take game, $150.
1265     (i)(h)  Annual license to take fur-bearing animals, $25.
1266However, a nonresident with a valid Florida hunting license who
1267is taking fur-bearing animals for noncommercial purposes using
1268guns or dogs only, and not traps or other devices, is not
1269required to purchase this license.
1270     (8)  SPECIFIED HUNTING, FISHING, AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY
1271PERMITS.--In addition to any license required under this
1272chapter, the following permits and fees for specified hunting,
1273fishing, and recreational uses and activities are required:
1274     (h)1.  A recreational user permit is required to hunt on,
1275fish on, or otherwise use for outdoor recreational purposes land
1276leased by the commission from private nongovernmental owners,
1277except for those lands located directly north of the
1278Apalachicola National Forest, east of the Ochlocknee River until
1279the point the river meets the dam forming Lake Talquin, and
1280south of the closest federal highway. The fee for a recreational
1281user permit shall be based upon the economic compensation
1282desired by the landowner, game population levels, desired hunter
1283density, and administrative costs. The permit fee shall be set
1284by commission rule on a per-acre basis. The recreational user
1285permit fee, less administrative costs of up to $25 per permit,
1286shall be remitted to the landowner as provided in the lease
1287agreement for each area.
1288     2.  One minor dependent, under 16 years of age or younger,
1289may hunt under the supervision of the permittee and is exempt
1290from the recreational user permit requirements. The spouse and
1291dependent children of a permittee are exempt from the
1292recreational user permit requirements when engaged in outdoor
1293recreational activities other than hunting and when accompanied
1294by a permittee. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
1295chapter, no other exclusions, exceptions, or exemptions from the
1296recreational user permit fee are authorized.
1297     (9)  RESIDENT 5-YEAR HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES.--
1298     (a)  Five-year licenses are available for residents only,
1299as follows:
1300     1.  A 5-year freshwater fishing or saltwater fishing
1301license is $77.50 $60 for each type of license and authorizes
1302the person to whom the license is issued to take or attempt to
1303take or possess freshwater fish or saltwater fish consistent
1304with the state and federal laws and regulations and rules of the
1305commission in effect at the time of taking.
1306     2.  A 5-year hunting license is $77.50 $55 and authorizes
1307the person to whom it is issued to take or attempt to take or
1308possess game consistent with the state and federal laws and
1309regulations and rules of the commission in effect at the time of
1310taking.
1311     3.  The commission is authorized to sell the hunting,
1312fishing, and recreational activity permits authorized in
1313subsection (8) for a 5-year period to match the purchase of 5-
1314year fishing and hunting licenses. The fee for each permit
1315issued under this paragraph shall be five times the annual cost
1316established in subsection (8).
1317     (b)  Proceeds from the sale of all 5-year licenses and
1318permits shall be deposited into the Dedicated License Trust
1319Fund, to be distributed in accordance with the provisions of s.
1320372.106.
1321     (10)  RESIDENT LIFETIME FRESHWATER OR SALTWATER FISHING
1322LICENSES.--
1323     (c)  The following activities are authorized by the
1324purchase of a lifetime saltwater fishing license:
1325     1.  Taking, or attempting to take or possess, saltwater
1326fish consistent with the state and federal laws and regulations
1327and rules of the commission in effect at the time of the taking.
1328     2.  All activities authorized by a snook permit and a spiny
1329lobster crawfish permit.
1330     3.  All activities for which an additional license, permit,
1331or fee is required to take or attempt to take or possess
1332saltwater fish, which additional license, permit, or fee was
1333imposed subsequent to the date of the purchase of the lifetime
1334saltwater fishing license.
1335     Section 18.  Paragraph (d) is added to subsection (2) of
1336section 372.672, Florida Statutes, to read:
1337     372.672  Florida Panther Research and Management Trust
1338Fund.--
1339     (2)  Money from the fund shall be spent only for the
1340following purposes:
1341     (d)  To promote and market the Florida panther license
1342plate authorized under s. 320.08058.
1343     Section 19.  Subsection (1) of section 861.021, Florida
1344Statutes, is amended to read:
1345     861.021  Obstructing channels; misdemeanor.--
1346     (1)  It is unlawful for any person to place any spiny
1347lobster crawfish, crab, or fish trap or set net or other similar
1348device with a buoy or marker attached so that said buoy or
1349marker obstructs the navigation of boats in channels of the
1350waters of the state which are marked by, and which markers are
1351continuously maintained by, the Coast Guard of the United
1352States.
1353     Section 20.  Section 372.571, Florida Statutes, is amended
1354to read:
1355     372.571  Expiration of licenses and permits.--Each license
1356or permit issued under this chapter must be dated when issued.
1357Each license or permit issued under this chapter remains valid
1358for 12 months after the date of issuance, except for a lifetime
1359license issued pursuant to s. 372.57 which is valid from the
1360date of issuance until the death of the individual to whom the
1361license is issued unless otherwise revoked in accordance with s.
1362372.83 or s. 372.99, or a 5-year license issued pursuant to s.
1363372.57 which is valid for 5 consecutive years from the date of
1364purchase unless otherwise revoked in accordance with s. 372.83
1365or s. 372.99, or a license issued pursuant to s. 372.57(5)(a),
1366(b), (c), (d), or (g) (f) or (8)(f), or (g)2., or (h)1., which
1367is valid for the period specified on the license. A resident
1368lifetime license or a resident 5-year license that has been
1369purchased by a resident of this state and who subsequently
1370resides in another state shall be honored for activities
1371authorized by that license.
1372     Section 21.  Subsection (2) of section 372.661, Florida
1373Statutes, is amended to read:
1374     372.661  Private hunting preserve license fees;
1375exception.--
1376     (2)  A commercial hunting preserve license, which shall
1377exempt patrons of licensed preserves from the license and permit
1378requirements of s. 372.57(4)(c), (d), (f), (h), (i), and (j);
1379(5)(f) and (g) and (h); (8)(a), (b), and (e); (9)(a)2.; (11);
1380and (12) while hunting on the licensed preserve property, shall
1381be $500. Such commercial hunting preserve license shall be
1382available only to those private hunting preserves licensed
1383pursuant to this section which are operated exclusively for
1384commercial purposes, which are open to the public, and for which
1385a uniform fee is charged to patrons for hunting privileges.
1386     Section 22.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) and paragraph
1387(a) of subsection (4) of section 372.83, Florida Statutes, are
1388amended to read:
1389     372.83  Penalties and violations; civil penalties for
1390noncriminal infractions; criminal penalties; suspension and
1391forfeiture of licenses and permits.--
1392     (2)(a)  LEVEL TWO VIOLATIONS.--A person commits a Level Two
1393violation if he or she violates any of the following provisions:
1394     1.  Rules or orders of the commission relating to seasons
1395or time periods for the taking of wildlife, freshwater fish, or
1396saltwater fish.
1397     2.  Rules or orders of the commission establishing bag,
1398possession, or size limits or restricting methods of taking
1399wildlife, freshwater fish, or saltwater fish.
1400     3.  Rules or orders of the commission prohibiting access or
1401otherwise relating to access to wildlife management areas or
1402other areas managed by the commission.
1403     4.  Rules or orders of the commission relating to the
1404feeding of wildlife, freshwater fish, or saltwater fish.
1405     5.  Rules or orders of the commission relating to landing
1406requirements for freshwater fish or saltwater fish.
1407     6.  Rules or orders of the commission relating to
1408restricted hunting areas, critical wildlife areas, or bird
1409sanctuaries.
1410     7.  Rules or orders of the commission relating to tagging
1411requirements for game and fur-bearing animals.
1412     8.  Rules or orders of the commission relating to the use
1413of dogs for the taking of game.
1414     9.  Rules or orders of the commission which are not
1415otherwise classified.
1416     10.  All prohibitions in chapter 370 which are not
1417otherwise classified.
1418     11.  Section 370.028, prohibiting the violation of or
1419noncompliance with commission rules.
1420     12.  Section 370.021(6) prohibiting the sale, purchase,
1421harvest, or attempted harvest of any saltwater product with
1422intent to sell.
1423     13.  Section 370.08, prohibiting the obstruction of
1424waterways with net gear.
1425     14.  Section 370.1105, prohibiting the unlawful use of
1426finfish traps.
1427     15.  Section 370.1121, prohibiting the unlawful taking of
1428bonefish.
1429     16.  Section 370.13(2)(a) and (b), prohibiting the
1430possession or use of stone crab traps without trap tags and
1431theft of trap contents or gear.
1432     17.  Section 370.135(4)(b)(1)(c), prohibiting the theft of
1433blue crab trap contents or trap gear.
1434     18.  Section 370.142(2)(c), prohibiting the possession or
1435use of spiny lobster traps without trap tags or certificates and
1436theft of trap contents or trap gear.
1437     19.  Section 372.5704, prohibiting the possession of tarpon
1438without purchasing a tarpon tag.
1439     20.  Section 372.667, prohibiting the feeding or enticement
1440of alligators or crocodiles.
1441     21.  Section 372.705, prohibiting the intentional
1442harassment of hunters, fishers, or trappers.
1443     (4)(a)  LEVEL FOUR VIOLATIONS.--A person commits a Level
1444Four violation if he or she violates any of the following
1445provisions:
1446     1.  Section 370.13(2)(c), prohibiting criminal activities
1447relating to the taking of stone crabs.
1448     2.  Section 370.135(4)(c)(1)(b), prohibiting criminal
1449activities relating to the taking and harvesting of blue crabs
1450the willful molestation of blue crab gear.
1451     3.  Section 370.14(4), prohibiting the willful molestation
1452of spiny lobster gear.
1453     4.  Section 370.142(2)(c)5., prohibiting the unlawful
1454reproduction, possession, sale, trade, or barter of spiny
1455lobster trap tags or certificates.
1456     5.  Section 372.57(16), prohibiting the making, forging,
1457counterfeiting, or reproduction of a recreational license or
1458possession of same without authorization from the commission.
1459     6.  Section 372.99(5), prohibiting the sale of illegally-
1460taken deer or wild turkey.
1461     7.  Section 372.99022, prohibiting the molestation or theft
1462of freshwater fishing gear.
1463     Section 23.  For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
1464made by this act to section 372.57, Florida Statutes, in
1465references thereto, section 372.573, Florida Statutes, is
1466reenacted to read:
1467     372.573  Management area permit revenues.--The commission
1468shall expend the revenue generated from the sale of the
1469management area permit as provided for in s. 372.57(8)(g) or
1470that pro rata portion of any license that includes management
1471area privileges as provided for in s. 372.57(4)(h), (i), and (j)
1472for the lease, management, and protection of lands for public
1473hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreation.
1474     Section 24.  For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
1475made by this act to section 320.08058, Florida Statutes, in a
1476reference thereto, paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section
1477380.511, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
1478     380.511  Florida Communities Trust Fund.--
1479     (1)  There is created the Florida Communities Trust Fund as
1480a nonlapsing, revolving fund for projects, activities,
1481acquisitions, and operating expenses necessary to carry out this
1482part. The fund shall be held and administered by the trust. The
1483following shall be credited to or deposited in the Florida
1484Communities Trust Fund:
1485     (c)  Proceeds from the sale of environmental license plates
1486authorized in s. 320.08058(5).
1487
1488All moneys so deposited into the Florida Communities Trust Fund
1489shall be trust funds for the uses and purposes set forth in this
1490section, within the meaning of s. 215.32(1)(b); and such moneys
1491shall not become or be commingled with the General Revenue Fund
1492of the state, as defined by s. 215.32(1)(a).
1493     Section 25.  For the 2007-2008 fiscal year, the sum of
1494$132,000 is appropriated from the Marine Resources Conservation
1495Trust Fund to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for
1496the purpose of implementing the blue crab effort management
1497program pursuant to s. 370.135(3)(b), Florida Statutes, and
1498providing for the administrative costs of the Blue Crab Advisory
1499Board created by commission rules.
1500
1501     Section 26.  Except as otherwise expressly provided in this
1502act, this act shall take effect July 1, 2007.


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