WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor                         Ch. 531

Article - Natural Resources

4-745.

(a)     (1) Except as provided in subsections (c) and (d) of this section, a person
may not fish for finfish in the Chesapeake Bay or in its tributaries up to tidal boundaries
without first obtaining a Chesapeake Bay sport fishing license.

(2)     The license may be obtained from the Department or from any
authorized agent of the Department. The following annual license fees shall apply:

(i) Resident...........................................................................................$7

(ii) Short term license valid for 5 consecutive days from date of
issue......................................................................................................................................$4

(iii) Nonresident...................................................................................$12

(iv) Resident and nonresident blind persons...............................No fee

(3)     Except for a license issued under subsection (d) of this section, every
Chesapeake Bay sport fishing license shall be valid for not more than 1 year and shall
expire on December 31.

(b)     (1) The Department may designate a person engaged in a commercial
enterprise to sell the Chesapeake Bay sport fishing license as an agent under the
Department's control and supervision.

(2)     As compensation, the agent shall retain 50 cents for each license issued.

(3)     The Chesapeake Bay sport fishing license shall be furnished to an agent
upon satisfactory payment or upon consignment and only if the Department is given
adequate security to insure ultimate payment by an agent to the Department for the
licenses.

(4)     All fees collected on behalf of the Department pursuant to this section
shall be remitted to the Department in accordance with its rules and regulations for
deposit with the State Treasurer to the credit of the Fisheries Research and Development
Fund to be used for the replenishment, protection, and conservation of fish stocks caught
by recreational fishermen, for enhancement of recreational fishing opportunities, and for
research concerning tidal fishery resources. The Department shall publicly report
annually the amounts collected and the expenditures.

(5)     In the preparation of plans for the expenditure of license receipts, the
Secretary annually shall solicit the advice and opinions of the Department's Sport
Fisheries Advisory Commission, representative fishing and boating associations, and
other interested parties.

(c)     A person may fish for finfish in the Chesapeake Bay or its tidal tributaries
without a Chesapeake Bay sport fishing license if the person:

(1)     Is under the age of 16

(2)     Possesses a valid commercial license;

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