H486: Commercial Fishing License Reforms

• Increases Standard Commercial Fishing License (SCFL) fees from $400 to $800 annually for state residents and from $400 to $800 minimum for nonresidents, effective October 1, 2019.

• Restricts SCFL assignment to immediate family members or corporations where the license holder and family members hold controlling interest, eliminating assignment to any eligible individual.

• Adds minimum participation requirement for SCFL renewal: licensees must demonstrate at least 1,000 pounds of seafood landings or 15 completed fishing trips in two of the five years preceding renewal, effective June 30, 2022.

• Reduces available SCFL pool from 500 to 100 additional licenses beyond the June 30, 2018 active license count, with 100 licenses reserved for a community college apprenticeship program.

• Increases Recreational Coastal Fishing License (CRFL) fees: resident annual from $15 to $20, nonresident annual from $30 to $36, and ten-day licenses from $5-$10 to $7-$18, effective October 1, 2019; repeals Recreational Commercial Gear License.