Bill > HF505

This bill establishes a new licensing framework for "noodling", which is a unique fishing method where anglers catch catfish using only their bare hands or feet. The bill requires individuals who want to engage in noodling to purchase a specific noodling license with several important restrictions: noodling can only occur during daylight hours, each license holder is limited to harvesting three catfish per outing, each harvested catfish must be at least ten inches long, and no special equipment like scuba gear, fins, bait, gloves, or breathing tubes can be used. The natural resource commission is tasked with creating rules that determine the license's duration and fee. To enforce these regulations, the bill includes a fine structure where unlawfully taking a fish results in a $35 penalty, and attempting to unlawfully take a fish carries a $20 fine. This legislation provides a formal regulatory approach to a traditional and somewhat unconventional fishing practice, ensuring safety, conservation, and controlled participation in noodling activities.