GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1989

S	1 

SENATE BILL 1284

Short Title:  Sports Fishing License Study.	(Public)
─────────────────────────────────────── 
Sponsors: Senator Barker.
─────────────────────────────────────── 
Referred to:  Rules and Operation of the Senate.
─────────────────────────────────────── 

May 11, 1989

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO CREATE THE SPORTS FISHING LICENSE STUDY COMMISSION.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  The Saltwater Sports Fishing License Study Commission is created.  The Commission shall study whether to establish a saltwater sports or noncommercial fishing license system that may be similar to the inland fishing license requirements that currently exist.  The Commission shall consider the need for saltwater recreational or noncommercial fishing licenses; appropriate categories and fees for saltwater recreational or noncommercial fishing licenses; distinctions that may exist between saltwater commercial and recreational or noncommercial fishing licenses; enforcement procedures and penalties for violations of such licenses; how revenue generated by the licenses can best be spent to enhance saltwater resources; whether there will be an adverse effect on tourism or other existing economic activities if a saltwater recreational fishing license is required; and any other matters it considers relevant to the study.
Sec. 2.  The Commission shall consist of 16 members to be appointed as follows:
(1)	Four members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, one of whom shall be designated cochair;
(2)	Four public members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate:  one who is a commercial fisherman, one who is a retail merchant that sells fishing licenses, one saltwater recreational fisherman who is a member of an organized saltwater recreational fishing club, and one who is a local elected official from a coastal community that is a major tourist area;
(3)	Four members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be designated cochair;
(4)	Four public members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives:  one who works with the travel and tourism industry, one who is the owner of a commercial fishing pier, one who is the owner or operator of a charter boat for saltwater recreational fishermen, and one who is a local elected official from a coastal community that is a major tourist area.
Sec. 3.  Members appointed to the Commission shall serve until the Commission makes its final report.  Vacancies on the Commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments were made.
Sec. 4.  Upon request of the Commission or its staff, all State departments and agencies and all local government agencies shall furnish to the Commission or its staff any information in their possession or available to them.
Sec. 5.  The Commission may report to the 1990 Session of the 1989 General Assembly on its findings or recommendations. The Commission shall submit a final report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly on or before the first day of the 1991 Session of the General Assembly, by filing the report with the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.  If the Commission recommends changes in the law, its report shall include proposed legislation implementing its recommendations.  The Commission shall terminate upon filing its final report.
Sec. 6.  The Commission shall have its initial meeting on or before October 15, 1989.  The Commission shall meet upon the call of the cochairs.
Sec. 7.  Upon approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Services Officer shall assign professional and clerical staff to assist in the work of the Commission.  Clerical staff shall be furnished to the Commission through the offices of House and Senate supervisors of clerks.  The expenses of employment of the clerical staff shall be borne by the Commission.  The Commission may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building upon the approval of the Legislative Services Commission.
Sec. 8.  Members of the Commission shall be paid per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances as follows:
(1)	Commission members who are also members of the General Assembly, at the rate established in G.S. 120-3.1;
(2)	Commission members who are officials or employees of the State or local government agencies, at the rate established in G.S. 138-6;
(3)	All other Commission members at the rate established in G.S. 138-5.
Sec. 9.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the General Assembly the sum of $20,000 for the 1989-90 fiscal year, and the sum of $10,000 for the 1990-91 fiscal year to fund the Saltwater Sports Fishing License Study Commission created by this act.  Funds appropriated for the Commission for the 1989-90 fiscal year but not expended during that fiscal year may be expended for the Commission during the 1990-91 fiscal year.
Sec.  10. This act shall become effective July 1, 1989.