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Bill

LC 161

Generally revise aquatic invasive species laws

2025 Regular Session

The bill aims to generally revise aquatic invasive species laws to strengthen prevention, response, and regulatory alignment.

(LC) Draft Died in Process
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Bill Summary · LC 161

Summary: LC 161 — Generally revise aquatic invasive species laws

Overview

  • Bill Number: LC 161
  • Title: Generally revise aquatic invasive species laws
  • Subject: Fish and Wildlife, Water
  • Introduced: September 5, 2024
  • Classification: bill
  • Status: Draft Died in Process (as of May 22, 2025)

Note: The full text of the bill is not provided in the record you shared. The summary below reflects what is known from the bill’s title and its legislative history, with an emphasis on what is typically involved in a measure of this scope and what is clearly indicated by the available status updates.

Legislative History and Timeline

  • 2024-09-05: Drafter Assigned (initial assignment of staff to prepare the bill text).
  • 2024-09-26: Draft On Hold (legislative drafting status indicates the bill was paused).
  • 2025-05-22: Draft Died in Process (the measure did not advance further in the legislative process).

Purpose and Likely Scope (Based on Title)

  • The bill aims to generally revise aquatic invasive species (AIS) laws.
  • While the exact text is not provided, such bills typically seek to update or overhaul:
    • Definitions and classifications of AIS
    • Prevention and response protocols for AIS introductions
    • Inspection, decontamination, and de-risking measures for watercraft and gear
    • Regulatory duties for state agencies (e.g., wildlife, natural resources, environmental protection)
    • Reporting requirements and data collection
    • Penalties and enforcement mechanisms
    • Funding provisions and implementation timelines
    • Coordination with neighboring states and federal standards
  • The intended effect in general is to strengthen prevention, improve rapid response to new AIS incursions, and ensure regulatory alignment across agencies.

Potentially Affected Parties and Sectors

  • State Agencies: Fish and Wildlife, Natural Resources, Environmental Protection (and any agency with AIS responsibilities).
  • Public Stakeholders: Boaters, anglers, commercial and recreational aquaculture operators, marina operators, water users, equipment suppliers, and outdoor recreation groups.
  • Local Governments: Units that implement or enforce AIS-related measures at the local level.

Key Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • The bill entered the drafting stage in September 2024 but did not advance before dying in process in May 2025.
  • With “Died in Process” status, the bill did not become law, and no enacted provisions remain in effect.

Next Steps

  • If the bill text becomes available, a more detailed analysis can be provided, including:
    • Specific definitions and new or amended AIS provisions
    • Exact compliance requirements, timelines, and enforcement penalties
    • Funding sources, appropriations, and fiscal impact
    • Interaction with existing AIS laws and regulatory programs
  • If you want, supply the bill text or a link to the legislative record, and I’ll produce a precise, provision-by-provision summary.

This summary is based on the information available in the record you provided. If you share the bill’s full text, I can deliver a detailed, line-by-line synopsis of changes and their practical impact.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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