The purpose of the proposed rule amendments is to establish a special-use alligator harvest permit. The effect of the proposed final rule changes is to create new alligator hunting opportunities.

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

68A-9.007Special-use Permits; Short-term Use Permits; Fees; Special-Opportunity Hunting and Fishing

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule amendments is to establish a special-use alligator harvest permit. The effect of the proposed final rule changes is to create new alligator hunting opportunities.

SUMMARY: These proposed rule amendments are part of a programmatic review of the Alligator Management Program and are meant to create additional alligator hunting opportunities.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: The nature of the rule and the preliminary analysis conducted to determine whether a SERC was required.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: Article IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution n; section 379.354 Florida Statutes

LAW IMPLEMENTED: Article IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution n; section 379.354 Florida Statutes

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN THE FAR.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Brooke L. Talley, Ph.D., Alligator Management Program Coordinator, Division of Hunting and Game Management, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600.

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

68A-9.007 Special-use Permits; Short-term Use Permits; Fees; Special-Opportunity Hunting and Fishing.

Special-use permits, short-term use permits, and fees for such permits are hereby established as follows:

(1) Limited entry (special hunting and fishing) opportunities for which special-use permits are required shall be established by rule or, for small-game areas, by order of the Executive Director pursuant to Rule 68A-13.007, F.A.C., subject to the following provisions:

(a) through (d) No change.

(e) Special-use permits shall be transferable, except that special-use alligator and bear permits shall not be transferable and special-opportunity dove hunt permits shall not be transferable after the date and time they become effective.

(2) The Commission establishes fees for special-use permits and non-refundable application fees for limited entry (special hunting and fishing) opportunities as follows:

(a) and (b) No change.

(c) Special-use alligator harvest permit:

1. The application fee for a special-use alligator harvest permit is $5.

2. There shall be no permit fee for a special-use alligator harvest permit.

(3) and (4) No change.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., 379.354 FS. History–New 9-15-96, Amended 1-9-97, 6-1-97, 4-12-98, 4-15-99, Formerly 39-9.007, Amended 7-1-00, 5-13-02, 7-1-06, 8-22-06, 7-1-07, 7-1-08, 7-1-10, 4-1-15, 7-29-15, 7-1-17, 7-1-18,               .

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Morgan Richardson, Acting Director, Division of Hunting and Game Management.

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: February 22, 2024

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: December 18, 2023