MS HB174

Amends Section 49-7-47 of the Mississippi Code to reduce the penalty for hunting or trapping alligators out of season without a required permit from a Class I offense to a Class II offense.

Maintains existing requirements that residents and nonresidents obtain a combination hunting and fishing license to hunt alligators for sporting purposes.

Maintains existing requirements for special permits to hunt, kill, catch or possess alligators for commercial purposes, with fees capped at $200 annually for sporting permits and $500 annually for commercial permits.

Effective date is July 1, 2013.