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2005 SESSION

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HB 2029 Nonindigenous aquatic nuisance species; prohibited without permit, penalty.

Introduced by: Kristen J. Amundson | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED:

Nonindigenous aquatic nuisance species; penalty.  Imposes Class 1 misdemeanor penalty on anyone who knowingly introduces a snakehead fish into the Commonwealth. Under the current law any person who imports, possesses, transports, sells, purchases or introduces into the Commonwealth any nonindigenous aquatic nuisance species is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $25,000, which is paid into the Game Protection Fund, as well as the costs incurred by the state and local government for the investigation, control, and eradication of the species. The bill includes an exemption from this civil penalty for a person who catches a snakehead fish if the individual has lawfully taken the fish, killed it, and reported his actions to the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

SUMMARY AS PASSED HOUSE:

Nonindigenous aquatic nuisance species; penalty.  Imposes Class 1 misdemeanor punishment on anyone who introduces into the waters of the Commonwealth a nonindigenous aquatic nuisance species. The bill includes an exemption for a person who catches a snakehead fish if the individual has lawfully taken the fish, killed it, and reported his actions to the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Currently, the penalty for such actions is a civil penalty of not more than $25,000, which is paid into the Game Protection Fund, as well as the costs incurred by the state and local government for the investigation, control, and eradication of the species.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Nonindigenous aquatic nuisance species; penalty.  Imposes Class 6 felony punishment on anyone who imports, possesses, transports, sells, purchases, gives, receives, or introduces into the Commonwealth a nonindigenous aquatic nuisance species. The bill includes an exemption for a person who catches a snakehead fish if the individual has lawfully taken the fish, killed it, and reported his actions to the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Currently, the penalty for such actions is a civil penalty of not more than $25,000, which is paid into the Game Protection Fund, as well as the costs incurred by the state and local government for the investigation, control, and eradication of the species.