Bill 3756

                    Current Status

Bill Number:                    3756
Ratification Number:            240
Act Number:                     112
Type of Legislation:            General Bill GB
Introducing Body:               House
Introduced Date:                19970401
Primary Sponsor:                Limehouse
All Sponsors:                   Limehouse, Bailey, Battle, Bauer,
                                Bowers, J. Brown, T. Brown, Campsen,
                                Canty, Chellis, Dantzler, Delleney,
                                Edge, Gamble, Gourdine, Harrell,
                                Hinson, Hodges, Jordan, Kelley,
                                Kennedy, Kinon, Kirsh, Klauber, Koon,
                                Leach, Mason, McMahand, McMaster,
                                Meacham, Miller, Moody-Lawrence,
                                Mullen, Neal, Pinckney, Rhoad, Rice,
                                Rodgers, Scott, Seithel, Sharpe,
                                Sheheen, F. Smith, Spearman, Stille,
                                Stuart, Tripp, Walker, Whatley, Whipper
                                and Witherspoon 
Drafted Document Number:        dka\4257mm.97
Date Bill Passed both Bodies:   19970603
Date of Last Amendment:         19970416
Governor's Action:              U Became law without signature of
                                Governor
Date of Governor's Action:      19970615
Subject:                        Bass, black sea; head and tail
                                fins to be intact when processed and
                                sold; Fish and Game

Body    Date      Action Description                       Com     Leg Involved
______  ________  _______________________________________  _______ ____________

------  19970630  Act No. A112
------  19970615  Unsigned, became law without
                  signature of Governor
------  19970609  Ratified R240
Senate  19970603  Read third time, enrolled for
                  ratification
Senate  19970529  Read second time
Senate  19970527  Committee report: Favorable              07 SFGF
Senate  19970422  Introduced, read first time,             07 SFGF
                  referred to Committee
House   19970417  Read third time, sent to Senate
House   19970416  Amended, read second time
House   19970410  Recalled from Committee                  20 HANR
House   19970401  Introduced, read first time,             20 HANR
                  referred to Committee

(A112, R240, H3756)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 50-17-510, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO RESTRICTIONS ON TAKING CERTAIN FISH, SO AS TO REQUIRE THAT BLACK SEA BASS BE PROCESSED, MARKETED, AND SOLD WITH THE HEAD AND TAIL FINS INTACT; AND TO PLACE A MINIMUM SIZE LIMIT OF TEN INCHES ON BLACK SEA BASS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Requires black sea bass to be sold with head and fins intact

SECTION 1. Section 50-17-510(E) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 326 of 1992, is further amended to read:

"(E) The species in this section must be landed with the head and tail fins intact; and black sea bass must be processed, marketed, and sold to the ultimate consumer with head and tail fins intact. A commercial retailer or restaurant may remove the head at the request of the ultimate consumer after completion of the transaction but before transfer of the purchase or serving of the dish."

Limits size of black sea bass to ten inches

SECTION 2. Section 50-17-510(D) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 326 of 1992, is further amended by adding at the end:

"(4) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, it is unlawful to take, have in possession, land, offer for sale, or sell a black sea bass (Centropristis striata) of less than ten inches in total length."

Time effective

SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Became law without the signature of the Governor -- 6/15/97.