The bill amends Section 9-12-125 of the Code of Alabama 1975, which pertains to seafood dealer licenses. It establishes a new fee structure for seafood dealer licenses, setting the fee at $465 for Alabama residents who have been domiciled for over a year and $730 for nonresidents, with exceptions for residents of states that charge Alabama residents more than $730. Additionally, residents holding valid licenses or permits under specific sections (9-12-82, 9-12-87, 9-12-93, 9-12-113, or 9-12-124) will pay a reduced fee of $265. The bill also clarifies that nonresident seafood dealers and licensed commercial fishermen do not need a license when selling to a licensed Alabama seafood dealer, and it specifies that restaurants must only purchase seafood from licensed sellers.

Furthermore, the bill includes a provision that mandates the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to remit $200 from each seafood dealer license fee to the nonprofit corporation Sweet Grown Alabama for promoting the state's seafood products. The act is retroactive and curative, applying to any licenses issued on or after October 1, 2025, and it will take effect immediately upon passage. The language also replaces "fishermen" with "fisherman" and removes the requirement for a license for nonresident seafood dealers selling to licensed Alabama seafood dealers.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 9-12-125
Enrolled: 9-12-125