S*0467(Rat #0561, Act #0469 of 1984)  General Bill, By 
Senate Fish, Game and Forestry
 A Bill to amend the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, by adding Section
 50-17-1821, so as to provide that it is lawful for crab processors to import
 blue crabs of less than the minimum size from other states if they obtain
 permits from the Division of Marine Resources; and to amend Section
 50-17-1820, as amended, relating to the minimum size of blue crabs which may
 be caught or possessed so as to provide that conservation officers may inspect
 for violations only prior to the processing of the crabs.-amended title

   04/13/83  Senate Introduced, read first time, placed on calendar
                     without reference SJ-987
   04/14/83  Senate Read second time SJ-1014
   04/27/83  Senate Read third time and sent to House SJ-1133
   04/28/83  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-2457
   04/28/83  House  Referred to Committee on Agriculture and Natural
                     Resources HJ-2457
   05/31/84  House  Committee report: Favorable with amendment
                     Agriculture and Natural Resources HJ-3552
   06/01/84  House  Amended HJ-3576
   06/01/84  House  Read second time HJ-3576
   06/08/84  House   Read third time HJ-3624
   06/08/84  House  Returned HJ-3624
   06/15/84  Senate Concurred in House amendment and enrolled SJ-2576
   06/19/84         Ratified R 561
   06/21/84         Signed By Governor
   06/21/84         Effective date 06/21/84
   06/21/84         Act No. 469
   07/02/84         Copies available

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 50-17-1821, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS LAWFUL FOR CRAB PROCESSORS TO IMPORT BLUE CRABS OF LESS THAN THE MINIMUM SIZE FROM OTHER STATES IF THEY OBTAIN PERMITS FROM THE DIVISION OF MARINE RESOURCES; AND TO AMEND SECTION 50-17-1820, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE MINIMUM SIZE OF BLUE CRABS WHICH MAY BE CAUGHT OR POSSESSED SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT CONSERVATION OFFICERS MAY INSPECT FOR VIOLATIONS ONLY PRIOR TO THE PROCESSING OF THE CRABS.

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

Permit required

SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 50-17-1821. It is lawful for crab processors licensed under the laws of this State to import blue crabs of less than the minimum size limit specified by Section 50-17-1820 from other states.

A permit for such purpose must be obtained from the Division of Marine Resources. Each shipment or load of imported crabs shall have with it either an invoice from a licensed harvester or dealer in that State or a certificate from an appropriate agency verifying that the crabs were taken in that State."

Conservation officers may inspect

SECTION 2. Section 50-17-1820 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 142 of 1979, is further amended by adding at the end:

"Conservation officers may inspect for violations of laws contained in this title pertaining to blue crabs only prior to the processing of the crabs."

Time effective

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon approval by the Governor.