H.B. 617
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
Apr 13, 2023
SESSION 2023 HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK
H D
HOUSE BILL DRH10320-MH-115
Short Title: River Herring Limited Harvest. (Public)
Sponsors: Representative Goodwin.
Referred to:
1 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
2 AN ACT TO REINSTATE A LIMITED HERRING FISHING LICENSE FOR INLAND
3 FISHING WATERS IN THE CHOWAN RIVER.
4 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
5 SECTION 1.(a) Definitions. – For purposes of this section and its implementation,
6 "Herring Rule" means 15A NCAC 10C .0423 (Alewife and Blueback Herring), "river herring"
7 refers to blueback herring and alewife, and "Commission" means the Wildlife Resources
8 Commission.
9 SECTION 1.(b) Herring Rule. – Until the effective date of the revised permanent
10 rule that the Commission is required to adopt pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, the
11 Commission shall implement the Herring Rule, as provided in subsection (c) of this section.
12 SECTION 1.(c) Implementation. – The Commission shall issue licenses for a limited
13 harvest of river herring in the inland fishing waters of the Chowan River during the spring 2024
14 migration. Each license shall permit the licensee to take for personal use up to 100 river herring.
15 Licensees must report on catches of herring to the Commission in the same manner as provided
16 for holders of licenses to take wild turkey and white-tailed deer. The Commission shall charge a
17 fee for the license based on the quantity of take of river herring as follows:
18 (1) Twelve dollars and fifty cents ($12.50) for a license to take up to 25 river
19 herring.
20 (2) Twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for a license to take more than 25 and up to 50
21 river herring.
22 (3) Fifty dollars ($50.00) for a license to take more than 50 and up to 100 river
23 herring.
24 SECTION 1.(d) Additional Rulemaking Authority. – The Commission shall adopt
25 temporary and permanent rules to amend the Herring Rule consistent with subsection (c) of this
26 section. Notwithstanding G.S. 150B-19(4), the rule adopted by the Commission pursuant to this
27 section shall be substantively identical to the provisions of subsection (c) of this section. Rules
28 adopted pursuant to this section are not subject to Part 3 of Article 2A of Chapter 150B of the
29 General Statutes. Rules adopted pursuant to this section shall become effective as provided in
30 G.S. 150B-21.3(b1), as though 10 or more written objections had been received, as provided in
31 G.S. 150B-21.3(b2).
32 SECTION 1.(e) Sunset. – This section expires when permanent rules adopted as
33 required by subsection (d) of this section become effective.
34 SECTION 2. The sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) is appropriated from the
35 General Fund to the Wildlife Resources Commission to support activities in response to the
36 requirements of this act.
*DRH10320-MH-115*
 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2023
1 SECTION 3. Section 2 of this act becomes effective July 1, 2023. The remainder of
2 this act is effective when it becomes law.
Page 2 DRH10320-MH-115