S.B. 255 - Commercial Marine Licenses Summary

• Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish requirements and fees for commercial marine vessel licenses, separate from individual commercial marine licenses.

• Allows a single valid commercial marine vessel license to satisfy the commercial marine licensure requirement for all persons aboard that licensed vessel, eliminating the need for individual crew members to obtain separate licenses.

• Requires any person providing fishing charter services (vessel-based or shore-based) to obtain a commercial marine license.

• Permits vessels used for commercial marine life taking to obtain a commercial marine vessel license.

• Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to submit a report to the legislature no later than thirty days before the 2022 regular legislative session regarding the status of administrative rules establishing the new commercial marine vessel license category.