SB 329

Under current law, if the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) issues

permits to limit the number of persons allowed to take sturgeon and if the number

of applicants for permits exceeds the number of available permits, DNR must issue

the permits according to a cumulative preference system. Under this system, each

season an applicant for a permit who does not receive a permit is issued one

preference point. Applicants fall within a preference category, and a higher priority

is given to those categories with more preference points. This bill changes the

cumulative preference system DNR may establish for sturgeon spearing permits by

giving a person the option either to apply for a sturgeon spearing permit or to apply

for a preference point only.

Under current law, during a period beginning on November 1 each year, the

holder of a sturgeon spearing license may transfer the license to a minor by applying

to DNR and paying a transfer fee. This bill changes the beginning of the transfer

period to October 1 of each year.