summary
Introduced
01/15/2026
01/15/2026
In Committee
02/05/2026
02/05/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 150 to define terms; require that any permit issued to take a lower Ohio River trophy catfish shall expire on May 31, 2027; prohibit the issuance or reissuance of an any lower Ohio River trophy catfish permits after that date; after the effective date of the Act, prohibit the transfer or reissuance of any lower Ohio River trophy catfish permit; prohibit the transportation of live trophy catfish except by boat while in the course of legally fishing; amend KRS 150.990 to make a violation of the prohibition on transporting live trophy catfish a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense and a Class D felony for each subsequent offense.
AI Summary
This bill establishes new regulations for "trophy catfish," defined as specific sizes of blue, flathead, or channel catfish, with a special definition for "Lower Ohio River trophy catfish" which are those caught in a particular section of the Ohio River and its tributaries open to commercial fishing. The bill mandates that any permits issued to catch Lower Ohio River trophy catfish will expire on May 31, 2027, and no new permits will be issued or reissued after that date, nor can existing permits be transferred or reissued if surrendered. Furthermore, it prohibits transporting live trophy catfish except by boat while actively and legally fishing, and imposes penalties for violations, making the first offense a Class A misdemeanor and subsequent offenses a Class D felony.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
House Floor Amendment - House Floor Amendment 1 (on 02/11/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/hb397.html |
| House Floor Amendment 1 | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/HB397/HFA1.pdf |
| Corrections Impact to House Committee Substitute 1 | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/note/26RS/hb397/HCS1CI.pdf |
| House Committee Substitute 1 | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/HB397/HCS1.pdf |
| Corrections Impact for HCS1 | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/note/26RS/hb397/HCS1CI.pdf |
| BillText | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/hb397/orig_bill.pdf |
| Corrections Impact | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/note/26RS/hb397/CI.pdf |
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