Bill
LD 971
LD 971 amends, not repeals, baitfish trap checking rules, shifting inspections and enforcement; affects baitfish harvesters and IFW, with minor fiscal impact and fewer court cases.
Status: Signed by Governor (6/9/2025)
Introduced: 3/7/2025
Committee: Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Summary
- LD 971 was introduced to repeal the statute governing the checking of baitfish traps. During the legislative process the bill was amended (Committee Amendment “A”, H‑263) and ultimately enacted in its amended form. The engrossed/amended title and fiscal notes indicate the final law amends, rather than wholly repeals, the existing requirements for checking baitfish traps.
- The enacted changes modify how baitfish traps are checked and enforce related rules; specifics of the amendment were adopted in committee and by the Legislature prior to enactment.
Key provisions and effects (based on available legislative and fiscal documents)
- The bill’s final language replaces the original repeal with targeted amendments to the statutory provisions that govern the checking of baitfish traps. (The public summary and fiscal materials list the change in scope from repeal to amendment but do not provide full statutory text in the materials provided.)
- Regulatory and enforcement impacts are limited and largely procedural: adjustments to inspection/monitoring practices and related enforcement actions concerning baitfish traps.
- The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW) is expected to absorb any additional administrative or implementation costs within existing budgeted resources.
Who is affected
- Commercial and recreational baitfish harvesters who set and maintain baitfish traps (owners/operators) — by changes in how and when traps may be checked or inspected.
- IFW enforcement staff — small operational adjustments in enforcement or monitoring duties.
- The judicial/correctional system and state revenues — a minor reduction in the number of enforcement cases filed and in fine collections.
Fiscal and judicial impacts
- Fiscal notes (approved 4/18/25 and 5/28/25) estimate:
- Minor net cost increase to the General Fund (administration/enforcement).
- Minor savings to the General Fund in other areas.
- Minor decreases in revenue to the General Fund and to Other Special Revenue Funds due to fewer fines collected.
- Correctional and judicial workload: minor reductions associated with fewer cases proceeding to court.
Legislative timeline (selected)
- 3/7/2025: Received and referred to Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee.
- 4/7/2025: Committee work session; voted OTP‑AM (ought to pass as amended).
- 5/27–5/28/2025: Committee Amendment “A” (H‑263) adopted; bill passed to be engrossed and later passed to be enacted.
- 6/9/2025: Signed by Governor.
Note
- The fiscal notes and procedural record indicate the enacted bill amends existing baitfish trap checking law and has only minor fiscal and enforcement impacts. For the precise statutory text and exact operational changes, consult the enacted law (final engrossed/engrossed as amended version) posted by the Legislature or the Office of the Revisor of Statutes.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
