H*3756(Rat #0240, Act #0112 of 1997)  General Bill, By Limehouse, Bailey, 
Battle, Bauer, Bowers, J. Brown, T. Brown, Campsen, Canty, Chellis, Dantzler, 
Delleney, Edge, Gamble, Gourdine, Harrell, Hinson, J.H. Hodges, B.L. Jordan, 
Kelley, Kennedy, M.H. Kinon, Kirsh, Klauber, Koon, Leach, Mason, McMahand, 
J.D. McMaster, Meacham, Miller, Moody-Lawrence, V.T. Mullen, J.H. Neal, 
Pinckney, Rhoad, Rice, Rodgers, Scott, Seithel, Sharpe, Sheheen, F. Smith, 
Spearman, Stille, Stuart, Tripp, Walker, Whatley, Whipper and Witherspoon
 A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 50-17-510, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
 1976, RELATING TO RESTRICTIONS ON TAKING CERTAIN FISH, SO AS TO REQUIRE THAT
 BLACK SEA BASS BE PROCESSED, MARKETED, AND SOLD WITH THE HEAD AND TAIL FINS
 INTACT; AND TO PLACE A MINIMUM SIZE LIMIT OF TEN INCHES ON BLACK SEA
 BASS.-AMENDED TITLE

   04/01/97  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-12
   04/01/97  House  Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural
                     Resources and Environmental Affairs HJ-13
   04/10/97  House  Recalled from Committee on Agriculture, Natural
                     Resources and Environmental Affairs HJ-114
   04/16/97  House  Amended HJ-44
   04/16/97  House  Read second time HJ-45
   04/17/97  House  Read third time and sent to Senate HJ-27
   04/22/97  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-15
   04/22/97  Senate Referred to Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry SJ-15
   05/27/97  Senate Committee report: Favorable Fish, Game and
                     Forestry SJ-10
   05/29/97  Senate Read second time SJ-73
   06/03/97  Senate Read third time and enrolled SJ-84
   06/09/97         Ratified R 240
   06/15/97         Became law without Governor's signature
   06/15/97         Effective date 06/15/97
   06/24/97         Copies available
   06/24/97         Act No. 112

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 50-17-510, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO RESTRICTIONS ON TAKING CERTAIN FISH, SO AS TO REQUIRE THAT BLACK SEA BASS BE PROCESSED, MARKETED, AND SOLD WITH THE HEAD AND TAIL FINS INTACT; AND TO PLACE A MINIMUM SIZE LIMIT OF TEN INCHES ON BLACK SEA BASS.

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

Requires black sea bass to be sold with head and fins intact

SECTION 1. Section 50-17-510(E) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 326 of 1992, is further amended to read:

"(E) The species in this section must be landed with the head and tail fins intact; and black sea bass must be processed, marketed, and sold to the ultimate consumer with head and tail fins intact. A commercial retailer or restaurant may remove the head at the request of the ultimate consumer after completion of the transaction but before transfer of the purchase or serving of the dish."

Limits size of black sea bass to ten inches

SECTION 2. Section 50-17-510(D) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 326 of 1992, is further amended by adding at the end:

"(4) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, it is unlawful to take, have in possession, land, offer for sale, or sell a black sea bass (Centropristis striata) of less than ten inches in total length."

Time effective

SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Became law without the signature of the Governor -- 6/15/97.