SB 1018 - Environmental Conservation Law Enforcement

• Repeals and updates statutory definitions related to wildlife, fishing, and environmental terms, including correcting hyphenation of "smallmouth" and "largemouth" bass.

• Establishes infraction-level penalties (up to $85 fine) for importing, possessing, or releasing live fish or aquatic nuisance invertebrates in violation of regulations, with each fish or invertebrate constituting a separate offense.

• Expands procedures under section 51-164n to include infractions for violations of sections 26-16, 26-40a, 26-55, and 26-55 (as amended), allowing payment by mail or the option to plead not guilty.

• Implements enhanced penalties specifically for striped bass violations: $100 per fish for first offense, $200 per fish for second offense, and $500 per fish or up to 30 days imprisonment for subsequent violations, with no portion of fines subject to remission.

• Requires the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to maintain any donated improvements to real property in safe and sanitary condition equivalent to donation state, or raze structures and restore land to natural condition if maintenance becomes economically impracticable.