AB581: Bill Text

AB581,9,21 2. This paragraph does not apply to a producer of fish if the producer is transporting fish from the producer's boat or landing to a processing facility in this state.

AB581, s. 17 Section 17. 29.503 (5) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB581,9,23 29.503 (5) (title) Records and reports inventories.

AB581, s. 18 Section 18. 29.503 (5) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB581,10,13 29.503 (5) (a) Records. Each wholesale fish dealer shall keep legible, written records in the English language of all fish purchased , sold, possessed, or obtained in his or her capacity as a wholesale fish dealer, in the manner required and on forms provided by the department by any means including by trade or barter and shall keep records of all fish disposed of in his or her capacity as a wholesale fish dealer for any reason, including as a result of spoilage or by donation. The record shall include the name, address, and fish dealer license number of the purchaser; the name, address, and wholesale fish dealer or commercial fishing license number of the person from whom the fish were purchased or obtained; the date of the transaction; the kinds of fish, the pounds or kilograms of each kind and the description of the fish purchased or obtained; and the signature of the person completing the record. If the record relates to a retail sale by the wholesale fish dealer, the record shall include only the date of the transaction and the kind, weight, and condition of the fish sold.

AB581, s. 19 Section 19. 29.503 (5) (b) of the statutes is repealed.

AB581, s. 20 Section 20. 29.503 (5) (br) of the statutes is created to read:

AB581,10,23 29.503 (5) (br) Inventory. Each wholesale fish dealer shall prepare an annual inventory of Great Lakes fish and all species of sturgeon owned by the wholesale fish dealer or in the dealer's possession or control at the time that the inventory is prepared, including such fish maintained in cold storage facilities. The inventory shall be furnished to the department within 15 days after the inventory is completed. The inventory shall be recorded on a form available from the department and shall include the weight of the fish in pounds or kilograms, the species of the fish, the condition of the fish, and the address of the location of the fish.

AB581, s. 21 Section 21. 29.503 (5) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

AB581,11,4 29.503 (5) (c) Prohibition. No wholesale fish dealer, or employee of a wholesale fish dealer, may possess, control, store, transport, or cause to be transported any fish for which there is no record or for which there is no inventory as required under this subsection.

AB581, s. 22 Section 22. 29.503 (5) (d) of the statutes is created to read:

AB581,11,10 29.503 (5) (d) Record retention and confidentiality. 1. Each wholesale fish dealer shall retain all records and inventories required under this subsection for a period of at least 5 years from the date on which the record or inventory was created. Each wholesale fish dealer shall notify the department annually, on forms available from the department, of the location of the dealer's records and inventories.

AB581,11,14 2. Upon the written request of a wholesale fish dealer to the department, the department shall keep confidential the value or weight of any fish listed on a record or inventory under this subsection and the identity of any person who is listed on a record under this subsection as having purchased, sold, possessed, or obtained fish.

AB581,11,18 3. Notwithstanding the confidentiality requirement in subd. 2, the department may disclose information contained on any record or inventory furnished by a dealer to the department if the disclosure is in furtherance of an investigation or enforcement action undertaken by the department or a law enforcement agency.

AB581,11,22 4. Notwithstanding the confidentiality requirement in subd. 2, the department may disclose information contained on any record furnished by a dealer to the department if the department uses the information for a statistical summary or report that does not identify the dealer by name or license number.

AB581, s. 23 Section 23. 29.503 (6) (am) of the statutes is created to read:

AB581,12,6 29.503 (6) (am) Record production. 1. Upon the request of the department, a wholesale fish dealer licensed in this state shall produce all records relating to the purchase, acquisition, sale, trade, barter, storage, or disposition of fish that are kept at the wholesale fish dealer's place of business or at a residence, dwelling, or location other than the wholesale fish dealer's place of business, within 24 hours of the request, for inspection or copying. The wholesale fish dealer may mail the records to the department for inspection or copying. The records shall be mailed within 24 hours of receipt of the department's request.

AB581,12,9 2. The department may not issue a license to, or renew a wholesale fish dealer license issued to, any person who has been convicted of violating this paragraph for a period of one year following the conviction.

AB581, s. 24 Section 24. 29.503 (6) (b) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB581,12,14 29.503 (6) (b) 2. To inspect fish stored or in the possession of a wholesale fish dealer, inspect or copy records or reports of a wholesale fish dealer, and to inspect buildings, structures, vehicles, boats, equipment and materials related to a wholesale fish dealer's business.

AB581, s. 25 Section 25. 29.503 (6) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB581,12,21 29.503 (6) (c) Failure to produce records or to permit inspection. No wholesale fish dealer, operator of a vehicle or boat for a wholesale fish dealer or employee or person acting on behalf of a wholesale fish dealer may prohibit entry or prohibit an inspection to be conducted as authorized under this subsection, or refuse to produce records as required under this subsection, unless a court restrains or enjoins the entry or, inspection, or production.

AB581, s. 26 Section 26. 29.503 (7) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB581,13,2 29.503 (7) Exemption. This section does not apply to fish produced in a state or municipal fish hatchery or to farm-raised fish that are bought, bartered, sold, obtained, processed, solicited, or transported by a person who operates a fish farm registered under s. 95.60 (3m) or by that person's employees.

AB581, s. 27 Section 27. 29.519 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 29.519 (1m), and 29.519 (1m) (c), as renumbered, is amended to read:

AB581,13,10 29.519 (1m) (c) The department may promulgate rules defining the qualifications of licensees in the reasonable exercise of this authority, giving due consideration to residency, past record including compliance with the reporting records requirements of sub. (5), fishing and navigation ability and quantity and quality of equipment possessed. Rules relating to licensing commercial fishers shall be based on criteria provided by the commercial fishing boards under sub. (7).

AB581, s. 28 Section 28. 29.519 (1b) of the statutes is created to read:

AB581,13,12 29.519 (1b) In this section, "record" has the meaning given in s. 29.503 (1) (cm).

AB581, s. 29 Section 29. 29.519 (2) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB581,13,25 29.519 (2) (d) Transfer of license. The department may, upon application, permit the transfer of a license to any similar boat during the time a licensed boat is disabled or undergoing repairs or upon the sale of a licensed boat. The department shall promulgate rules governing the transfer of commercial fishing licenses between individuals equally qualified to hold the licenses and to members of a licensee's immediate family provided the rules assure the wise use and conservation of the fish resources being harvested under the license. The rules shall relate only to those waters in which the number of licenses is limited. The commercial fishing boards, under sub. (7), shall approve or deny transfers of commercial fishing licenses in accordance with the rules promulgated under this section. For purposes of s. 29.024 (2g) and (2r), a transfer of a license under this section shall be considered an issuance of a license to the transferee.

AB581, s. 30 Section 30. 29.519 (2) (e) of the statutes is created to read:

AB581,14,4 29.519 (2) (e) Transfer of replacement boats. The department may, upon application, allow the holder of a commercial fishing license to replace a boat listed on that license with a different boat.

AB581, s. 31 Section 31. 29.519 (2) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB581,14,10 29.519 (2) (f) Licensed Commercial fishing boats. Any licensed boat used by a resident licensee shall be from a port of record in this state, its hailing port shall be a port in this state, and it shall be a registered or documented boat of this state. Any licensed boat used by a nonresident licensee shall be a registered or documented boat of the state of residency.

AB581, s. 32 Section 32. 29.519 (2) (fm) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB581,14,18 29.519 (2) (fm) Attending boats. Each licensed boat in excess of 25 feet in overall length used by a commercial fisher may be accompanied by and work with one attending boat without an additional license fee for the attending boat. Any attending boat that is a motorboat under s. 30.50 (2) shall be a registered boat under s. 30.51. An attending boat shall bear the name, if any, of the licensed boat listed on the commercial fishing license issued under sub. (1m) and may be used only for attending the licensed that boat.

AB581, s. 33 Section 33. 29.519 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB581,15,5 29.519 (4) (a) Any commercial fishing licensee may use licensed crew members when fishing with or without a boat. The number of crew members engaged under a single license may not exceed 4 when fishing with nets under the ice. The department, upon proper application for crew licenses, may issue with each commercial fishing license no more than 4 crew licenses for the specific purpose of fishing with nets under the ice and the number indicated on the application for the purpose of fishing in open water. Each crew license shall bear the number of the commercial fishing license, the purpose for which intended, the year for which issued and the name of the crew member to whom the crew license is issued. The crew license permits a person to engage in commercial fishing only as a member of a crew of a commercial fisher licensed under sub. (1) (1m).

AB581, s. 34 Section 34. 29.519 (4m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB581,15,9 29.519 (4m) (a) In this subsection, "incidental catch" means species of fish inadvertently caught while a commercial fisher licensed under sub. (1) (1m) is fishing by trawl for other species of fish.

AB581, s. 35 Section 35. 29.519 (4m) (c) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB581,15,15 29.519 (4m) (c) (intro.) A commercial fisher licensed under sub. (1) (1m) may fish by trawl for the total allowable commercial harvest of smelt, as set by rule by the department, on the waters of Green Bay at any time during the period beginning one hour after sunset and ending 3 hours after sunrise nighttime if all of the following apply:

AB581, s. 36 Section 36. 29.519 (4m) (e) of the statutes is repealed.

AB581, s. 37 Section 37. 29.519 (5) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB581,15,20 29.519 (5) (a) Records and reports requirements. Each commercial fishing licensee fisher shall maintain and submit records and provide reports as to the department in the form and manner required by the department by rule.

AB581, s. 38 Section 38. 29.519 (5) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB581,16,5 29.519 (5) (b) Fishing records. The licensee commercial fisher shall keep and submit a complete, legible and accurate record of the licensee's daily fishing activities, in the form and manner required and on forms provided by the department. The record shall include the complete name, address and commercial fishing license number of the licensee; the name and number of the boat fished from; the location fished; the month and year for which the record is being kept for; the date of each day's fishing activity; the kind and amount of commercial fishing gear used; the kind of fish caught and the number of pounds of each kind of fish caught; and the signature of the licensee.

AB581, s. 39 Section 39. 29.519 (5) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB581,16,18 29.519 (5) (c) Catch Fish disposition records. The licensee commercial fisher shall keep a complete, legible and accurate record of the disposition of landed catch, in the form and manner required and on forms provided by the department. The record shall include the complete name, address and commercial fishing license number of the licensee; for each wholesale sale, the complete name, address and wholesale fish dealer license number, if any, of the buyer and the kinds of fish sold, the number of pounds of each kind and the description of the fish sold and the date of the transaction sale; for direct retail sales, the kinds of fish sold and, the total pounds of each kind, and the date of the sale; and the signature of the licensee. In this paragraph, "landed catch" means those fish or fish parts caught in commercial fishing operations and brought to shore to utilize or to sell or otherwise utilize dispose of.

AB581, s. 40 Section 40. 29.519 (5) (d) of the statutes is repealed.

AB581, s. 41 Section 41. 29.519 (5) (dm) of the statutes is created to read:

AB581,16,25 29.519 (5) (dm) Record retention and confidentiality. 1. Each commercial fisher shall maintain and retain all records required under this subsection for a period of at least 5 years from the date on which the record was created. Each commercial fisher shall notify the department annually, on forms available from the department, of the location of the commercial fisher's records.

AB581,17,3 2. Upon the written request of a commercial fisher to the department, the department shall maintain the confidentiality of the information contained on each record furnished by the commercial fisher to the department.

AB581,17,8 3. Notwithstanding the confidentiality requirement in subd. 2., the department may disclose information contained on any record furnished by a commercial fisher to the department if the disclosure is in furtherance of an investigation or enforcement action undertaken by the department or a law enforcement agency.

AB581,17,13 4. Notwithstanding the confidentiality requirement in subd. 2., the department may disclose information contained on any record furnished by a commercial fisher to the department if the department uses the information for a statistical summary or report that does not identify the commercial fisher by name or license number.

AB581, s. 42 Section 42. 29.519 (5m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB581,17,22 29.519 (5m) Inventory. Each commercial fishing licensee shall prepare an annual inventory of Great Lakes fish and all species of sturgeon owned by the licensee or in the licensee's possession or control at the time that the inventory is prepared, including such fish maintained in cold storage facilities. The inventory shall be furnished to the department within 15 days after the inventory is completed. The inventory shall be recorded on a form available from the department and shall include the weight of the fish in pounds or kilograms, the species of the fish, the condition of the fish, and the address of the location of the fish.

AB581, s. 43 Section 43. 29.519 (6) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB581,18,2 29.519 (6) Inspection. (intro.) For purposes of enforcement of this section, wardens or department employees duly authorized and designated by the secretary, upon presenting appropriate credentials to the licensee commercial fisher, crew member, or agent in charge, are authorized:

AB581, s. 44 Section 44. 29.519 (6) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB581,18,7 29.519 (6) (a) To enter any building or structure, excluding a dwelling place, in which records, nets, or fish are stored, or held, or in which fish are processed, or packed or held, or to enter any boat or vehicle being used to transport nets or fish when the owner or agent in charge is present or upon 8 hours' notice at other times.

AB581, s. 45 Section 45. 29.519 (6) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB581,18,13 29.519 (6) (b) To inspect buildings, structures, boats or vehicles, to inspect all pertinent equipment including nets used or stored in the places to be inspected, to inspect or copy all records of commercial fishing activity, of fish storage, and of fish disposition, and to inspect any fish stored, processed, packed or held in the places to be inspected.

AB581, s. 46 Section 46. 29.519 (6) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

AB581,18,18 29.519 (6) (c) To direct a commercial fisher, a crew member, or an agent in charge to empty any fish box that is larger than a standard fish box, as defined by the department by rule. If so directed, the commercial fisher, crew member, or agent shall empty such fish box.

AB581, s. 47 Section 47. 29.519 (6g) of the statutes is created to read:

AB581,18,25 29.519 (6g) Record production. Upon the request of the department, a commercial fisher shall produce all records relating to the production, acquisition, sale, trade, barter, storage, or disposition of fish that are kept at the commercial fisher's place of business or at a residence, dwelling, or location other than the commercial fisher's place of business within 24 hours of the request for inspection or copying. The records shall be mailed within 24 hours of receipt of the request.

AB581, s. 48 Section 48. 29.519 (6m) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB581,19,9 29.519 (6m) Interference with inspections. No licensee commercial fisher, licensed crew member, operator of a vehicle or boat for the licensee commercial fisher, or an employee acting on behalf of the licensee commercial fisher may prohibit entry or, prohibit an inspection to be conducted , fail or refuse to produce any record, or fail or refuse to immediately empty a fish box or container as authorized provided under sub. (6) unless a court restrains or enjoins the entry or inspection. The department may not conduct an inspection or examine a person's records under sub. (6) if such action has been enjoined by court order.

AB581, s. 49 Section 49. 29.539 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB581,19,13 29.539 (2) No Except as provided in subs. (3) and (3m), no fish taken by hook and line from outlying waters, except rough fish, may be sold, bartered or traded in any manner.

AB581, s. 50 Section 50. 29.539 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB581,19,19 29.539 (3) The eggs from trout and salmon that are not farm-raised fish and that are lawfully taken and possessed under this chapter are exempted from this section if removed from the fish. The whole fish shall be taken to the buyer of the eggs and the eggs removed in the presence of the buyer. The fish carcass shall be legally disposed of as provided under sub. (3m).

AB581, s. 51 Section 51. 29.539 (3m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB581,19,25 29.539 (3m) The eggs from trout and salmon that are not farm-raised fish may not be sold or purchased unless the eggs are first removed from the whole fish in the presence of the buyer. The fish carcass shall be legally disposed of. Eggs that are removed in accordance with this subsection may subsequently be sold or purchased without the fish subject to any licensing requirement under s. 29.503.

AB581, s. 52 Section 52. 29.563 (7) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB581,20,4 29.563 (7) (a) 1. Outlying waters: $899.25 for the first licensed boat and $899.25 for each additional licensed boat that is listed on a license issued under s. 29.519 (1m).

AB581, s. 53 Section 53. 29.563 (7) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB581,20,8 29.563 (7) (b) 1. Outlying waters: $6,499.25 for the first licensed boat and $6,499.25 for each additional licensed boat that is listed on a license issued under s. 29.519 (1m).

AB581, s. 54 Section 54. 29.563 (7) (c) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB581,20,11 29.563 (7) (c) 1. Outlying waters license transfers under s. 29.519 (2) (d): $25 $50.

AB581, s. 55 Section 55. 29.924 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB581,20,24 29.924 (4) Access to storage places. The owner or occupant of any cold-storage warehouse or building used for the storage or retention of wild animals, or their carcasses, that are subject to regulation under this chapter shall permit the department and its wardens to enter and examine the premises subject to s. 66.0119. The owner or occupant, or the agent or employee of the owner or occupant, shall deliver to the officer any such wild animal or carcass, in his or her possession during the closed season the warehouse or building, that the officer has reasonable cause to believe is possessed or was taken in violation of the law, whether taken within or without the state. The owner or occupant, or the agent or employee of the owner or occupant, shall permit the department to examine and copy any record pertaining to the storage or retention of any wild animal either when the owner, occupant, agent, or employee is present or upon 24 hours' notice.

AB581, s. 56 Section 56. 29.931 (2) (am) of the statutes is created to read:

AB581,21,9 29.931 (2) (am) If the department or its wardens seize any net or similar fishing device under par. (a), the owner shall reimburse the department for all costs associated with the seizure within 20 days after the department gives written notice to the owner of the owner's obligation to reimburse the department. The notice shall include the amount of the costs required to be reimbursed by the owner. If the owner does not reimburse the department as required under this paragraph, the owner shall forfeit not more than $1,000 in addition to the costs of reimbursement. All reimbursement costs collected under this paragraph shall be credited to the appropriation under s. 20.370 (3) (mi).

AB581, s. 57 Section 57. 29.971 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB581,21,17 29.971 (1) (b) For having taking, transporting, acquiring, selling, purchasing, or possessing, or attempting to take, acquire, transport, sell, purchase, or possess, any fish in his or her possession, or failing to comply with any record-keeping requirement for fish, in violation of this chapter and the that has a value of the fish under par. (d) exceeds exceeding $300 but does not exceed exceeding $1,000, by a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000 or imprisonment for not more than 30 days or both.

AB581, s. 58 Section 58. 29.971 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB581,21,23 29.971 (1) (c) A person having taking, transporting, acquiring, selling, purchasing, or possessing, or attempting to take, acquire, transport, sell, purchase, or possess, any fish in his or her possession, or failing to comply with any record-keeping requirement for fish, in violation of this chapter is guilty of a Class I felony if the value of the fish under par. (d) exceeds $1,000.