GA HB869

Requires the Board of Natural Resources to report to appropriate legislative committees and First Congressional District members within the first ten days of each legislative session on rules promulgated for salt-water species and related department findings from the previous year

Authorizes the General Assembly to override any Board of Natural Resources rule or regulation affecting salt-water finfish fisheries adopted after January 1, 2013, by adopting a joint resolution

Establishes an 11-member Coastal Finfish Advisory Panel attached to the Department of Natural Resources, with six members appointed by the commissioner from coastal counties (Chatham, Bryan, Liberty, McIntosh, Glynn, and Camden) and five from the First Congressional District, each serving two-year terms without compensation

Requires the Department of Natural Resources to consult with the Coastal Finfish Advisory Panel on all issues affecting salt-water finfish fisheries and authorizes the panel to submit objection reports on department rules to the General Assembly

Exempts cashiers employed by licensed bait dealers who are not actively involved in harvesting bait shrimp from the requirement to obtain a commercial fishing license