The proposed rule amendments will reclassify some shellfish harvesting areas to protect the health of shellfish consumers and to provide access to renewable shellfish resources. The proposed rule amendment will also clarify requirements related to commercial shellfish activities. The rulemaking updates the National Shellfish Sanitation Program Model ordinance to the 2019 revision, defines the terms “Authorized User” and “Harvest,” adds language to allow offshore aquaculture leases to be classified as approved if a sanitary survey shows no impact to microbiological water quality, clarifies the rules for possession of shellfish in closed areas, revises the penalty structure for willful violations that endanger public health and safety, clarifies tagging requirements, and requires all commercial harvesters and Aquaculture Certificate of Registration holders to have a license available for inspection while conducting commercial shellfish activities.