H*4334(Rat #0282, Act #0261 of 1996)  General Bill, By Sharpe, Inabinett, Riser and 
Sandifer
 A Bill to amend the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, by adding Section
 50-13-800 so as to provide requirements and penalties for the taking of eels.

   12/06/95  House  Prefiled
   12/06/95  House  Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural
                     Resources and Environmental Affairs
   01/09/96  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-58
   01/09/96  House  Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural
                     Resources and Environmental Affairs HJ-58
   01/24/96  House  Committee report: Favorable Agriculture, Natural
                     Resources and Environmental Affairs HJ-3
   01/25/96  House  Read second time HJ-15
   01/25/96  House  Unanimous consent for third reading on next
                     legislative day HJ-16
   01/26/96  House  Read third time and sent to Senate HJ-2
   01/30/96  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-13
   01/30/96  Senate Referred to Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry SJ-13
   02/22/96  Senate Committee report: Favorable Fish, Game and
                     Forestry SJ-8
   02/27/96  Senate Read second time SJ-25
   02/27/96  Senate Ordered to third reading with notice of
                     amendments SJ-25
   02/29/96  Senate Read third time and enrolled SJ-13
   03/26/96         Ratified R 282
   04/02/96         Became law without Governor's signature
   04/02/96         Effective date 04/02/96
   04/16/96         Copies available
   04/16/96         Act No. 261

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 50-13-800 SO AS TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS AND PENALTIES FOR THE TAKING OF EELS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Department to issue permits

SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 50-13-800. (A) The department may issue permits to persons to engage in the fishery for eels in the waters of this State for commercial purposes. A person taking eels for commercial purposes first shall acquire a permit from the department.

(B) Permits issued under this section may be conditioned so as to designate seasons, size limits, take or catch limits, hours, areas, fishing methods, and catch reporting requirements.

(C) The department may define an approved fyke net for the taking of eels in the waters of South Carolina and may permit and limit its use by means of permits issued under this section.

(D) A person who takes or attempts to take eels for commercial purposes without first being properly licensed or acquiring an eel permit or who fails to meet the conditions of a permit is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two hundred nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days."

Time Effective

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Became law without the signature of the Governor -- 4/2/96.