CS/HB 1227 Summary

• Revises administrative penalties for stone crab trap violations, establishing a tiered system with escalating penalties up to $5,000 for a third violation within 36 months, and permanent revocation of saltwater fishing privileges for a fourth violation within 48 months.

• Revises administrative penalties for spiny lobster trap violations with a similar escalating structure, including penalties up to $5,000 for third violations and permanent revocation for fourth violations.

• Creates new penalties for possession of undersized spiny lobsters, allowing each undersized lobster to be charged as a separate offense for fewer than 100 lobsters, with total penalties capped at 4 years imprisonment and $4,000 in fines; possession of 100+ undersized lobsters is a third-degree felony.

• Updates the Criminal Punishment Code offense severity ranking chart to include violations related to stone crabs and spiny lobsters as third-degree felonies.

• Takes effect October 1, 2016.