Committee Hearing on Water and Land
/Senate Committee on Water and Land (WTL): Friday, 1/26/2018, 2:45pm, Conference Room 224 (Agenda here)
Bills to watch (testimony due 1/25/2018 at 2:45pm):
SB 2003: Relating to Aquatic Life
This bill restricts the taking of aquatic life by any method for commercial purposes. Only individuals holding a valid, non-lapsed aquarium fish permit and commercial marine license may take. Prohibits the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) from issuing any new permits and requires the phase-out of existing permits within 5 years of the enactment of this bill. Restricts the limit of non-commercial aquatic take to five live specimens per permit per day, subject to conditions.
SB 694: Relating to Real Property Transactions
This bill requires a purchaser or transferee to provide an oceanfront purchaser statement with every sale or transfer of oceanfront real estate and for the statement to be recorded with the bureau of conveyances.
Our thoughts: this is a good bill that seeks to make it clearer to the purchaser of oceanfront property the risks involved, especially in light of projected sea level rise across the state.
Need a refresher on submitting testimony? Click here.