Bill 596

                    Current Status

Bill Number:                    596
Ratification Number:            263
Act Number:                     249
Type of Legislation:            General Bill GB
Introducing Body:               Senate
Introduced Date:                19950302
Primary Sponsor:                Greg Smith
All Sponsors:                   Greg Smith 
Drafted Document Number:        res9650.gs
Date Bill Passed both Bodies:   19960223
Governor's Action:              S
Date of Governor's Action:      19960401
Subject:                        Hybrid striped bass

Body    Date      Action Description                       Com     Leg Involved
______  ________  _______________________________________  _______ ____________

------  19960410  Act No. A249
------  19960401  Signed by Governor
------  19960326  Ratified R263
House   19960223  Read third time, enrolled for
                  ratification
House   19960222  Unanimous consent for third
                  reading on the next Legislative day
House   19960222  Read second time
House   19960221  Committee report: Favorable              20 HANR
House   19950328  Introduced, read first time,             20 HANR
                  referred to Committee
Senate  19950323  Read third time, sent to House
Senate  19950322  Read second time
Senate  19950316  Committee report: Favorable              07 SFGF
Senate  19950302  Introduced, read first time,             07 SFGF
                  referred to Committee

(A249, R263, S596)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 50-18-20, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE PRODUCTION AND SALE OF HYBRID STRIPED BASS, SO AS TO FURTHER DEFINE THE PROCESS FOR PERMIT RENEWAL.

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

Permit renewal process revised

SECTION 1. Section 50-18-20 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 50-18-20. The department may permit the production and sale of hybrids in this State by qualified aquaculture operations.

(A) Before engaging in a business trafficking in hybrids, a person must obtain at no cost a permanent certificate of permission from the department to be issued upon request.

(B) Before engaging in a business of producing or processing hybrids, a person must obtain a permit from the department for an initial fee of one hundred dollars. The renewal fee for a permit shall be twenty-five dollars if an application is made prior to the expiration of a current permit. If the application is made after the expiration date of a permit, the applicant must pay the initial application fee before obtaining a permit. Application for permits or certificates of permission must be made on forms provided by the department. Every business establishment is required to be permitted. A permit or certificate of permission required by this chapter must be displayed conspicuously.

(C) Permits issued under this section must include the species utilized, conditions and specifications for aquaculture facilities and ponds, requirements for the possession, taking, holding, transporting, importing, or exporting hybrids, production reporting requirements, and other provisions the department determines to be necessary. The department and its agents may inspect all facilities, vehicles, boats, and operations of an applicant or person who has been issued a permit or certificate of permission and inspect and sample a product being possessed, processed, cultured, transported, or offered for sale during business hours."

Time effective

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

Approved the 1st day of April, 1996.