reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 5 - Marine Resources Act › Section 50-5-2100. Mariculture permits; penalty for failure to acquire.

(A) The department may grant mariculture permits for collection, importation, and holding of saltwater gamefish, or for other fish for which there are size or possession limits, for brood stock and for the propagation, holding, transport, and processing of the fish produced through mariculture as defined in Section 50-5-15. Mariculture permits granted under this section may allow the take of such fish and may specify conditions related to lawful collection areas, equipment, collecting times and periods, catch and size limitations, holding facilities, and catch reporting requirements. The department may permit a mariculture operation to take and possess the fish outside of the size and possession limits provided in this chapter. The department may limit the number of permits granted for taking brood stock.
(B) A person before engaging in any aspect of mariculture of saltwater gamefish or of any other fish for which there are size or possession limits must acquire a mariculture permit from the department.
(C) A person who fails to acquire the proper permits or who violates any other provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days and must pay restitution to the department in an amount equal to the value of the fish. Each fish taken, imported, or possessed in violation of this section is a separate offense.
HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 245, Section 11; 2002 Act No. 342, Sections 41, 53.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 5 - Marine Resources Act › Section 50-5-2105. Permits for licensed wholesale seafood dealers to sell undersize fish grown in mariculture operation; identification of fish; penalty.

(A) The department may grant permits to licensed wholesale seafood dealers for sale of saltwater gamefish or for other fish for which there are size or possession limits, grown in permitted mariculture operations. Permits may be conditioned to include sales reporting requirements. Any licensed wholesale seafood dealer must first acquire a permit before selling or attempting to sell such fish.
(B) Fish produced through permitted mariculture and marketed must be marked and identified as such, and each lot or shipment must be accompanied by a bill of sale, bill of lading, or other proof of origin.
(C) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days. Each fish sold or offered for sale in violation of this section is a separate offense.
HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 245, Section 11; 2002 Act No. 342, Section 54.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 5 - Marine Resources Act › Section 50-5-2300. Taking and possessing diamond-backed terrapins; penalty.

(A) It is unlawful to take or possess diamond-backed terrapin for a commercial purpose. A person may possess no more than two diamond-backed terrapin for a noncommercial purpose. Nothing in this section prohibits the incidental catch of terrapin by persons engaged in a lawful fishery when the terrapin are returned immediately to the water.
(B) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days. Each terrapin taken or possessed in violation of this section constitutes a separate offense.
HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 245, Section 12; 2006 Act No. 246, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 5 - Marine Resources Act › Section 50-5-2305. Permit to remove live wild rock; penalty.

(A) The department may grant permits to remove wild live rock solely for scientific or educational purposes.
(B) The department shall:
(1) facilitate the aquaculture of live rock in state waters;
(2) establish a permitting system to enable interested parties to establish live rock culture operations within state waters, including ocean waters from three nautical miles or less offshore; and
(3) promulgate regulations to guide the operation, maintenance, and harvesting activities of live rock culture operations.
(C) It is unlawful for a person to engage in a directed effort to catch, take, remove, or harvest wild live rock from state waters for the purposes of sale or trade. The incidental take of wild live rock during trawling operations and the taking of wild live rock washed ashore and deposited upon a beach or shoreface are activities which are exempt from these restrictions if these exempt activities are not a directed effort to take wild live rock.
(D) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days for the first offense, and fined not more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both, for each subsequent offense.
HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 245, Section 12.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 5 - Marine Resources Act › Section 50-5-2310. Display of dolphins and whales prohibited; penalty.

(A) It is unlawful for a person, which includes a corporation, to display a wild caught or captive-bred mammal of the order Cetacean (dolphins and whales).
(B) A person violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than six months.
HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 245, Section 12; 2011 Act No. 29, Section 1, eff May 23, 2011.
Effect of Amendment
The 2011 amendment rewrote the section.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 5 - Marine Resources Act › Section 50-5-2505. Point system administration.

(A) Each time a person is convicted of a violation enumerated in Section 50-5-2500 the number of points assigned to a violation must be charged against him under a point category. Point categories are:
(1) commercial, and
(2) recreational.
Points resulting from any violation must be assigned under only one point category.
(B) Points assigned for any violation for a commercial purpose except related to an activity authorized solely under a wholesale seafood dealer license must be assigned to the commercial category.
(C) Points assigned for any violation not for a commercial purpose or not related to an activity authorized solely under a wholesale seafood dealer license must be assigned to the recreational category.
(D) For each twelve-month period in which the person received no points, the department shall deduct one-half of the accumulated points under each point category if the number of points under that point category is greater than three. If a person has three or less points under a point category at the end of a calendar year in which no points were received, the department shall reduce his point total to zero under that point category.
(E) Nothing in this article affects the action of the department in suspending, revoking, or canceling a license or permit when the action is mandatory under the laws of this State.
HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 245, Section 13; Act No. 342, Section 42.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 5 - Marine Resources Act › Section 50-5-2510. Suspension of saltwater privileges for accumulation of points.

(A) The department must suspend for one year the related saltwater privileges and associated licenses and permits issued to a person or entity that has accumulated eighteen or more points under any point category. Privileges related to each point category are as follows:
(1) commercial: commercial saltwater fishing license, equipment license, and bait dealer license, and
(2) recreational: recreational saltwater fishing license, pier license, charter fishing vessel license, shrimp baiting license, and any other saltwater licenses utilized for recreational purposes.
(B) Any suspension under this article begins the twenty-first day after the department mails written notice of the suspension and ends the same day the following year.
HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 245, Section 13; 2002 Act No. 342, Section 43; 2023 Act No. 64 (H.3433), Section 2.A, eff May 19, 2023.
Effect of Amendment
2023 Act No. 64, Section 2.A, rewrote the section.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 5 - Marine Resources Act › Section 50-5-2515. Notice of suspension; request for review.

(A) Upon determination by the department that a person or entity has accumulated sufficient points to warrant the suspension of any saltwater privilege, the department must notify the person or entity in writing that the person's or entity's saltwater privilege has been suspended, and the person or entity must return all the suspended licenses or permits in the person's or entity's name to the department no later than ten days following the effective date of the suspension.
(B) The notice of the suspension must be given by the department by depositing the notice in the United States mail with postage prepaid addressed to the person or entity at the address contained in the records of the department. The giving of notice by mail is complete twenty days after the deposit of the notice. A certificate by the director of the department, or his designee, that the notice has been sent as required in this section is presumptive proof that the requirements as to notice of suspension have been met even if the notice has not been received by the addressee.
HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 245, Section 13; 2002 Act No. 342, Section 44; 2023 Act No. 64 (H.3433), Section 2.B, eff May 19, 2023.
Effect of Amendment
2023 Act No. 64, Section 2.B, rewrote the section.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 5 - Marine Resources Act › Section 50-5-2517. Mammalian dolphin or porpoise; prohibited activities; penalty.

Except when authorized by a federal permit, it is unlawful for any person to catch, attempt to catch, feed, feed by hand, kill, or harass any mammalian dolphin or porpoise. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two hundred fifty dollars nor more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days, or both.
HISTORY: 2002 Act No. 178, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 5 - Marine Resources Act › Section 50-5-2525. Points cleared when suspension expires; concurrent running of suspensions.

After the expiration of a period of suspension of saltwater privileges under a point category the person's or entity's record must be cleared of points in only that category. When a person's or entity's privileges are suspended under another article and the person or entity has accumulated enough points to be suspended under this article, the suspension will run concurrently. Where a violation actually results in a suspension of all saltwater fishing privileges under another article, no points shall be assigned under this system for the violation.
HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 245, Section 13.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 5 - Marine Resources Act › Section 50-5-2535. Engaging in prohibited activities while under suspension; penalties.

A person engaging in activities prohibited by this chapter while the person is under suspension, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, for a first offense must be fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned thirty days and have all saltwater privileges suspended for an additional three-year period. A person convicted of a second or subsequent offense under this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than one thousand dollars nor more than two thousand five hundred dollars or imprisoned one year, and have all saltwater privileges suspended for an additional five years.
HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 245, Section 13.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 5 - Marine Resources Act › Section 50-5-2536. Other violations while under suspension.

(A) While under suspension for recreational activities, any person found guilty of a commercial violation of this chapter shall have all saltwater privileges suspended for one year.
(B) While under suspension for commercial activities, any person found guilty of a recreational violation of this chapter shall have all saltwater privileges suspended for one year.
HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 245, Section 13.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 5 - Marine Resources Act › Section 50-5-2540. Activities prohibited while under commercial suspension.

(A) It is unlawful for a person whose commercial privileges are suspended under this chapter:
(1) to take or attempt to take saltwater fish for commercial purposes; or
(2) to be on board any vessel while the vessel is being utilized to take or in an attempt to take saltwater fish for commercial purposes. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined five thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days, and all saltwater privileges must be suspended for an additional period of five years.
(B) No person for whom a saltwater privilege is suspended may purchase or acquire, or attempt to purchase or acquire, a license, permit, or stamp for any privilege which has been suspended. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days and by extension of the suspension period for twelve months.
(C) No court may suspend any portion of the minimum fines or lengths of imprisonment provided in this section.
HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 245, Section 13.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 5 - Marine Resources Act › Section 50-5-2545. Repealed.

HISTORY: Former Section, titled Prior points and suspensions, had the following history: 2000 Act No. 245, Section 13. Repealed by 2023 Act No. 64, Section 1, eff May 19, 2023.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 5 - Marine Resources Act › Section 50-5-2700. Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Compact; members; term; vacancies.

In pursuance of Article III of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Compact, of which this State is a signatory, there shall be three members, hereinafter called compact commissioners, of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, hereinafter called the Compact Commission, from this State. The first compact commissioner from this State shall be the director of the department, ex officio. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8-13-770, the second compact commissioner from this State shall be a member of the General Assembly who is also a member of the Commission on Interstate Cooperation of this State, designated by the Commission on Interstate Cooperation to serve ex officio. The Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint a citizen of this State as a third compact commissioner, who shall have a knowledge of and interest in the marine fisheries problem. The term of the compact commissioner shall be three years and he shall hold office until his successor shall be appointed and qualified. Vacancies occurring in the office of the commissioner for any reason or cause shall be filled by appointment by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, for the unexpired term. The director of the department as an ex officio commissioner may delegate, from time to time, to any deputy or other subordinate in his department or office, the power to be present and participate, including voting as his representative or substitute, at any meeting of or hearing by or other proceeding of the Compact Commission. These commissioners' service shall begin when the compact has gone into effect in accordance with Article II thereof and also shall begin upon the date upon which the compact shall become effective in accordance with Article II.
HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 245, Section 14.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 5 - Marine Resources Act › Section 50-5-2705. Powers of Compact Commission and commissioners.

The Compact Commission and the compact commissioners thereof shall have all the powers provided in the compact and all the powers necessary or incidental to the carrying out of the compact in every particular.
HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 245, Section 14.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 5 - Marine Resources Act › Section 50-5-2710. State officials to cooperate and furnish information.

All officers of this State shall do all things falling within their respective provinces and jurisdiction necessary or incidental to the carrying out of the compact in every particular, it being hereby declared to be the policy of this State to perform and carry out the compact and to accomplish the purposes thereof. All officers, bureaus, departments, and persons of and in the state government or administration of this State shall at convenient times and upon request of the Compact Commission furnish the Compact Commission with information and data possessed by them and shall aid the Compact Commission with information and data possessed by them or by loan of personnel or other means lying within their legal rights respectively.
HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 245, Section 14.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 5 - Marine Resources Act › Section 50-5-2715. Records, reports, and recommendations.

The Compact Commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements and shall report to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before the tenth day of December in each year, setting forth in detail the transactions conducted by it during the preceding calendar year, and shall make recommendations for any legislative action it considers advisable, including amendments to the statutes of this State which may be necessary to carry out the intent and purposes of the compact between the signatory states.
HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 245, Section 14.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 5 - Marine Resources Act › Section 50-5-2720. Audits.

The State Auditor may from time to time examine the accounts and books of the Compact Commission, including its receipts, disbursements, and such other items referring to its financial standing as the State Auditor may consider proper, and report the results to the State Budget and Control Board.
HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 245, Section 14.
Code Commissioner's Note
At the direction of the Code Commissioner, reference in this section to the former Budget and Control Board has not been changed pursuant to the directive of the South Carolina Restructuring Act, 2014 Act No. 121, Section 5(D)(1), until further action by the General Assembly.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 5 - Marine Resources Act › Section 50-5-2725. Shark catch limits; boat or vessel permit to take sharks for commercial purposes; equipment requirements and prohibitions.

(A) Except as provided in this chapter, the size, catch, bag, and possession limits, fishing period closures, and requirements pertaining to the taking, release, landing, sale, purchase, trade, or barter of sharks or shark parts prescribed by those federal regulations implemented under the Fishery Conservation and Management Act (PL 94-265) and pertaining to the Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic tuna, swordfish, and sharks are declared to be the law of this State and apply in state waters; provided, however, no federal recreational angling permit or federal charter boat/head boat permit is required for the taking or possession of sharks in the waters of this State. In state waters size, catch, bag, and possession limits pertain to individual fishermen when no vessel is utilized.
(B) An annual permit must be obtained from the department for a boat or vessel before it takes sharks for commercial purposes in state waters. Permits granted under this section do not include income requirements but may include requirements for fishing times, periods, areas, gear, and equipment, catch limitations and reporting, and other conditions the department may determine to be necessary for management or regulatory purposes. In addition to department conditions, the use of gill nets to harvest sharks is prohibited in state waters at all times, and when taken by gill net, all sharks must be released immediately.
HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 245, Section 14; 2002 Act No. 342, Section 46; 2003 Act No. 7, Section 2.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 5 - Marine Resources Act › Section 50-5-2730. Federal fishing regulations declared to be law of State; exceptions.

(A) Unless otherwise provided by law, any regulations promulgated by the federal government under the Fishery Conservation and Management Act (PL 94-265) or the Atlantic Tuna Conservation Act (PL 94-70) which establishes seasons, fishing periods, gear restrictions, sales restrictions, or bag, catch, size, or possession limits on fish are declared to be the law of this State and apply statewide including in state waters.
(B) This provision does not apply to:
(1) black sea bass (Centropristis striata) whose lawful catch limit is five fish per person per day or the same as the federal limit for black sea bass, whichever is higher. The lawful minimum size for black sea bass is thirteen inches total length and there is no closed season; or
(2) red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) whose lawful catch limit is two fish per person per day. The lawful minimum size for red snapper is twenty inches total length and there is no closed season.
HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 245, Section 14; 2002 Act No. 342, Section 47; 2013 Act No. 83, Section 1, eff June 13, 2013; 2016 Act No. 166 (H.4709), Section 2, eff April 29, 2016; 2018 Act No. 210 (S.1111), Section 1, eff May 17, 2018; 2021 Act No. 15 (H.3684), Section 2, eff April 12, 2021; 2022 Act No. 178 (S.980), Section 1, eff May 16, 2022.
Effect of Amendment
The 2013 amendment designated paragraph (A) and added paragraph (B).
2016 Act No. 166, Section 2, in (B), inserted paragraph designator (1), and added (2), relating to cobia.
2018 Act No. 210, Section 1, in (B), in (2), in the second sentence, substituted "a minimum size requirement of thirty-six inches in fork length" for "the size limit established by federal regulation" and "June first to April thirtieth" for "June 1 to April 30", and in the third sentence, substituted "May first to May thirty-first" for "May 1 to May 31", and made nonsubstantive changes.
2021 Act No. 15, Section 2, rewrote (B), removing the exception for cobia.
2022 Act No. 178, Section 1, rewrote (B).
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 5 - Marine Resources Act › Section 50-5-2740. Penalty for violation of article.

A person who violates this article is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days and must pay restitution to the department. Each fish, lobster, or other marine resource taken, possessed, sold, offered for sale, purchased, or attempted to be sold, purchased, brought to the dock, or landed in violation of this article is a separate offense.
HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 245, Section 14; 2002 Act No. 342, Section 55.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-10. Unlicensed activities; violations; penalties.

It is unlawful to hunt, fish, or take fish or wildlife without obtaining a license and applicable permits, tags, or stamps which allow these activities. A person convicted of violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than fifty nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 28-16; 1969 (56) 444; 1970 (56) 2085; 1972 (57) 2431; 1981 Act No. 94, Section 1; 1986 Act No. 502, Part I, Section 14; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1261; 1996 Act No. 372, Section 2.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-15. Definitions.

For the purposes of this title:
(1) "License sales vendor" means a business, not for profit entity, or unit of state or local government that has entered into an agreement with the department to offer for sale hunting and fishing licenses.
(2) "License year" means the period beginning July first and ending June thirtieth.
HISTORY: 2013 Act No. 94, Section 1, eff July 1, 2013.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-20. Duration of hunting and fishing licenses, permits, and tags for recreational purposes.

(A) The duration for hunting and fishing licenses, permits, and tags for recreational purposes is as follows:
(1) a temporary license, permit, or tag expires after the specified number of consecutive days inclusive of the start date and expiration date;
(2) an annual license, permit, or tag expires on the last day of the license year for which the license was issued; provided, the department may issue an annual license, permit, or tag that expires the day before the anniversary of the date of its issuance;
(3) a three year license or permit expires on the last day of the third license year of issue; provided, the department may issue a three year license or permit that expires the day before the third anniversary of the date of its issuance;
(4) a three year disability license expires the day before the third anniversary of the date of its issuance; and
(5) the Catawba Indian license expires October 27, 2092.
(B) For commercial purposes, an annual license, permit, or tag expires on the last day of the license year for which the license, permit, or tag was issued.
(C) This section does not alter the start date or expiration date of a permit which by law has other terms.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 28-17; 1970 (56) 1955; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1261; 1996 Act No. 372, Section 2; 2009 Act No. 15, Section 7, eff July 1, 2009; 2010 Act No. 233, Section 1, eff July 1, 2010; 2013 Act No. 94, Section 2, eff July 1, 2013.
Effect of Amendment
The 2009 amendment in the first sentence deleted "resident and nonresident hunting and fishing" preceding "licenses" and added ", permits, stamps, and tags issued by the department", and in the second sentence deleted"Resident and nonresident" preceding "Temporary", added and permits", and substituted "of issue" for "as indicated on the license".
The 2010 amendment rewrote the section.
The 2013 amendment rewrote subsections (A) and (B).
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-30. Residency requirements.

(A) For the purposes of obtaining:
(1) a recreational license, permit, or tag with a duration of three years or less, "resident", unless otherwise specified, means a United States citizen or a citizen of a foreign country lawfully in the United States who:
(a) has been domiciled in this State for thirty consecutive days or more immediately preceding the date of application;
(b) is a regularly enrolled full-time student in a high school, technical school, college, or university within this State; or
(c) is an active member of the United States Armed Forces, or the member's dependent, stationed in this State for thirty consecutive days or more immediately preceding the date of application;
(2) a lifetime recreational license, "resident" means a United States citizen who has been domiciled in this State for one hundred eighty consecutive days or more immediately preceding the date of application;
(3) a disability recreational license, "resident" means a United States citizen who has been domiciled in this State for three hundred sixty-five consecutive days or more immediately preceding the date of application;
(4)(a) a commercial license, permit, or tag, "resident" means a United States citizen who has been domiciled in this State for three hundred sixty-five consecutive days or more immediately preceding the date of application; and
(b) a commercial license or permit issued for a business, "resident" means a business that has been incorporated and operating in this State for three hundred sixty-five days or more immediately preceding the date of application.
(B) An applicant for a resident license must furnish proof of residency as may be required by the department.
(C) "Nonresident" means an individual or business that is not a resident under subitem (A).
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 28-18; 1976 Act No. 742, Section 1; 1989 Act No. 101, Section 5; 1991 Act No. 57, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1261; 1996 Act No. 372, Section 2; 2010 Act No. 183, Section 2, eff May 28, 2010; 2010 Act No. 200, Section 6, eff May 28, 2010; 2010 Act No. 233, Section 2, eff July 1, 2010; 2013 Act No. 94, Section 3, eff July 1, 2013.
Code Commissioner's Note
The three 2010 amendments were read together. They rewrote the section making identical changes except for nonsubstantive differences.
Effect of Amendment
The 2013 amendment rewrote subsections (A) and (C).
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-35. Persons licensed by another state; transfer of residency.

Any person licensed by another state as a resident for any purpose is not eligible to apply for, obtain, or hold any South Carolina resident license, permit, stamp, or tag required by this title. It is unlawful to obtain, attempt to obtain, or possess a license, permit, stamp, or tag required by this title while licensed as a resident of another state for any purpose.
Any person who lawfully acquires a resident South Carolina license, permit, stamp, or tag and who during the term of that instrument transfers their domicile outside of this State, may continue the privileges until expiration of that license, permit, stamp, or tag.
HISTORY: 2010 Act No. 233, Section 3, eff July 1, 2010; 2013 Act No. 94, Section 17, eff July 1, 2013.
Effect of Amendment
The 2013 amendment rewrote the section.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-40. License procedures and fees.

(A) The department shall prescribe the form of the license and method by which licenses, permits, and tags must be distributed and sold.
(B) The department shall establish procedures and agreements for allowing license sales vendors to sell and distribute certain department licenses and permits.
(C) License and permit fees collected by a license sales vendor, except for any sales vendor's retained fee, must be remitted to the department in the time and manner prescribed by the department.
(D) The department may offer to fulfill any privilege for applicants on a card made of durable materials such as plastic or a similar product. The fee is six dollars of which the issuing vendor may retain one dollar.
HISTORY: 1996 Act No. 372, Section 2; 2009 Act No. 15, Section 8, eff July 1, 2009; 2010 Act No. 233, Section 4, eff July 1, 2010; 2021 Act No. 12 (H.3549), Section 1, eff July 1, 2021.
Effect of Amendment
The 2009 amendment substituted ", unless otherwise specified, apply to recreational freshwater fishing" for "apply to freshwaters of the State only".
The 2010 amendment rewrote the section.
2021 Act No. 12, Section 1, added (D).
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-45. Licenses for South Carolinians in the Armed Services.

An active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States whose home of record is South Carolina and who is stationed outside of the State, shall, upon presentation of his leave and earnings statement, be allowed to fish and hunt without purchasing a fishing or hunting license.
HISTORY: 2010 Act No. 233, Section 5, eff July 1, 2010.
Editor's Note
Prior laws: 2008 Act No. 263, Section 1; 2008 Act No. 353, Section 8A.1; 1976 Code Section 50-9-515.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-50. Possession on person of license, permit, tag, or stamp; violations.

(A) Licenses, permits, tags, and stamps issued pursuant to this title must be carried on the person while exercising the privileges of the license, permit, tag, or stamp, and the person shall produce the license, permit, tag, or stamp to a law enforcement officer upon demand.
(B) A person exercising the privileges of a license, permit, or stamp may provide proof of the license, permit, or stamp to a law enforcement officer upon demand by use of a mobile electronic device in a format prescribed by the department. A person carrying a mobile electronic device with access to electronic proof of a license, permit, or stamp is deemed to be carrying the license, permit, or stamp on his person.
(C) A person who has been issued a license, permit, tag, or stamp but who fails to keep it in possession or provide electronic proof of the license, permit, or stamp while exercising the privileges granted under it is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than fifty nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days.
HISTORY: 1996 Act No. 372, Section 2; 2021 Act No. 12 (H.3549), Section 2, eff July 1, 2021.
Effect of Amendment
2021 Act No. 12, Section 2, rewrote the section, allowing for a person hunting or fishing to display their license, permit, or stamp electronically.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-60. Borrowing or lending of license, permit, tag, or stamp; violations.

It is unlawful for a person to borrow or lend a license, permit, tag, or stamp issued pursuant to this title. A person violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two hundred nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days. A person convicted pursuant to this section forfeits his hunting and fishing privileges for one year.
HISTORY: 1996 Act No. 372, Section 2.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-70. Alteration or fraudulent issuance or obtainment of license, permit, tag, or stamp; violations.

It is unlawful to alter a license, permit, tag, or stamp issued pursuant to this title or issue, obtain, or attempt to obtain a license, permit, tag, or stamp by fraud. A person violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two hundred nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days. A person convicted pursuant to this section forfeits his hunting and fishing privileges for one year.
HISTORY: 1993 Act No. 94, Section 1; 1996 Act No. 372, Section 2.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-75. Surrender of combination licenses.

(A) It is unlawful to purchase, acquire, or possess or attempt to purchase, acquire, or possess a license, permit, stamp, or tag while privileges allowed by the license, permit, stamp, or tag are suspended.
(B) A combination license holder who has a portion of his privileges suspended must surrender the combination license. To engage in those activities from which he has not been suspended he must obtain a separate license.
(C) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two hundred dollars and not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days. A person convicted pursuant to this section forfeits all hunting and fishing privileges for an additional two years.
HISTORY: 2003 Act No. 10, Section 1; 2010 Act No. 233, Section 6, eff July 1, 2010.
Effect of Amendment
The 2010 amendment rewrote the section.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-80. Replacement licenses, permits, or tags.

A license, permit, or tag issued pursuant to this title may be replaced only upon affidavit from the licensee that the original was lost or destroyed and upon payment of the fee:
(1) for a duplicate license or permit the fee is three dollars, one dollar of which the issuing sales vendor may retain;
(2) for a duplicate disability or lifetime license issued by the department, there is no fee;
(3) for a replacement nongame fish tag, the fee is one dollar per tag for residents and five dollars per tag for nonresidents;
(4) for a duplicate individual antlerless deer tag, the fee is one dollar per tag.
HISTORY: 1993 Act No. 94, Section 1; 1996 Act No. 372, Section 2; 2010 Act No. 200, Section 7, eff May 28, 2010.
Effect of Amendment
The 2010 amendment rewrote the section.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-310. Program contents.

The department shall establish programs in instruction on the safe use of firearms and archery tackle for hunting and hunter responsibility. The programs must include, but are not limited to, the selection, training, and certification of instructors, appropriate course materials and content, and criteria for successful course completion. The department shall authorize the issuance of a certificate of completion to persons successfully completing the course.
HISTORY: 1996 Act No. 372, Section 2.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-320. Certificate of completion required for license.

No resident or nonresident born after June 30, 1979, may obtain a hunting license in this State unless he first exhibits the certificate of completion he receives pursuant to Section 50-9-310 to the authorized hunting license agent from whom he desires to buy a license. A certificate of successful completion of a hunter's education program issued by other states or territories of the United States, Canadian provinces, or other nations is valid for purposes of this article if the department approves the course as comparable to the program required by this article. A license issued in violation of this section is invalid.
HISTORY: 1996 Act No. 372, Section 2.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-330. Lifetime hunting and fishing combination licenses.

Lifetime hunting and lifetime combination licenses may be issued to persons required to be certified who have not completed the hunter education program pursuant to Section 50-9-310. However, a license issued under this section does not authorize the person to hunt until the program is completed. The requirements of this section do not apply to persons who purchased a lifetime hunting or lifetime combination license before its effective date.
HISTORY: 1996 Act No. 372, Section 2.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-340. Shooting preserves.

A certificate of completion is not required for a hunting license to be used solely for hunting game on a specific shooting preserve of over ten thousand contiguous acres and including onsite hunting instruction and supervision provided for in Article 7, Chapter 11 of Title 50. A license issued under this section must be marked clearly by the authorized hunting license agent from whom it is bought as being valid only on that specific preserve.
HISTORY: 1996 Act No. 372, Section 2.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-350. Apprentice hunting license.

To encourage the recruitment of persons as responsible hunters:
(1) The certificate of completion requirement may be waived if a person obtains an apprentice hunting license. An apprentice hunting license may be issued if the applicant:
(a) is at least sixteen years of age and otherwise required to obtain a certificate of completion to obtain a hunting license;
(b) has not been convicted of or received deferred adjudication for violation of the hunter education requirement in this State; and
(c) has not been convicted of a hunting violation.
(2) While afield, the apprentice hunter must be accompanied by a licensed hunter who:
(a) has attained the age of twenty-one years;
(b) is not licensed as an apprentice hunter; and
(c) stays within a distance that enables uninterrupted, unaided, visual, and oral communication with the apprentice hunter and provides adequate direction to the apprentice.
(3) If the holder of an apprentice hunting license obtains a certificate of completion prior to the expiration date of his apprentice hunting license, his apprentice hunting license will be used as his statewide hunting license; provided, the licensee must have the certificate of completion in his possession while hunting.
(4) In addition to obtaining the apprentice hunting license, an apprentice license holder must obtain any other license, permit, receipt, stamp, and tag required to participate in a specific hunting activity.
HISTORY: 2010 Act No. 233, Section 7, eff July 1, 2010; 2012 Act No. 257, Section 11, eff June 18, 2012; 2013 Act No. 94, Section 4, eff July 1, 2013; 2020 Act No. 155 (H.3800), Section 1, eff November 27, 2020.
Effect of Amendment
The 2012 amendment rewrote item (4).
The 2013 amendment rewrote the section.
2020 Act No. 155, Section 1, in (1), in the first sentence, deleted "for one license year" following "may be waived" and ", and a person may receive such a waiver only one time" following "apprentice hunting license".
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-410. Freshwater commercial fishing license.

(A) For the privilege of taking nongame freshwater fish for a commercial purpose, a resident must purchase an annual freshwater commercial fishing license for fifty dollars, one dollar of which the issuing sales vendor may retain.
(B) For the privilege of taking nongame freshwater fish for a commercial purpose, a nonresident must purchase an annual freshwater commercial fishing license for one thousand dollars, twenty dollars of which the issuing sales vendor may retain.
(C) A commercial freshwater license is required to:
(1) fish six or more crayfish traps;
(2) fish three or more eel pots;
(3) fish an Elver fyke net;
(4) fish four or more gill nets or a total of more than one hundred yards of net;
(5) fish two or more hoop nets;
(6) fish three or more traps;
(7) fish two or more trotlines;
(8) acquire more than one trotline tag or fish a trotline with more than fifty hooks;
(9) take freshwater fish for commercial purposes.
HISTORY: 2010 Act No. 200, Section 8, eff May 28, 2010; 2012 Act No. 245, Section 3, eff July 1, 2012.
Effect of Amendment
The 2012 amendment substituted "two" for "four" in subsection (C)(7) and rewrote subsection (C)(8).
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-420. Requirements for taking shad, herring, or eels for commercial purposes.

A person taking shad, herring, or eels for commercial purposes:
(1) in the salt waters of this State, must obtain a commercial saltwater fishing license and a commercial saltwater equipment license and related permits;
(2) in the freshwaters of this State, must obtain a commercial freshwater license and a commercial saltwater equipment license and related permits. Section 50-9-430. The cost for a scientific collection permit is ten dollars.
HISTORY: 2010 Act No. 200, Section 8, eff May 28, 2010.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-450. Commercial fur license required; exceptions.

(A) In addition to a valid state hunting license, an annual commercial fur license is required of all persons who sell or take by any means, for commercial purposes, and all persons who trap or who attempt to trap any fur bearing animals. The license is issued by the department at a cost of twenty-five dollars for residents and two hundred dollars for nonresidents. Any person having in his possession more than five fur bearing animals or raw or green pelts shall have a valid commercial fur license. The provisions of this section do not apply to a processor, manufacturer, or retailer.
(B) A person under the age of sixteen may purchase a commercial fur license without having to purchase a state hunting license after completing the "Trappers Education Course".
(C) A person under the age of sixteen is exempt from the licensing requirements of this section while in the presence of a commercial fur licensee, but may not sell any fur bearing animals or raw or green pelts unless licensed.
HISTORY: 2012 Act No. 257, Section 1, eff June 18, 2012.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-460. Alligator propagation facility permits.

(A) An applicant for an alligator propagation facility permit must remit a nonrefundable fee of five hundred dollars with the application.
(B) Upon approval of an alligator propagation facility permit, the applicant must remit a fee of one hundred dollars to obtain the permit.
(C) Before renewal of a valid alligator propagation facility permit, the permittee must remit a fee of one hundred dollars to renew the permit.
HISTORY: 2014 Act No. 159 (S.714), Section 3, eff April 14, 2014.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-515. Combination licenses; sportsman's licenses.

For the combined statewide privilege of:
(1) hunting, including the privilege of hunting big game and freshwater fishing, a resident may purchase:
(a) an annual combination license for twenty-five dollars, two dollars of which the issuing sales vendor may retain; or
(b) a three year combination license for seventy-five dollars, six dollars of which the issuing sales vendor may retain.
(2) hunting, including the privilege of hunting big game and hunting on wildlife management area lands and freshwater fishing:
(a) a resident may purchase:
(i) an annual sportsman's license for fifty dollars, two dollars of which the issuing sales vendor may retain; or
(ii) a three year sportsman's license for one hundred fifty dollars, six dollars of which the issuing sales vendor may retain.
(b) a resident who is at least sixteen years of age but who has not reached eighteen years of age may purchase an annual junior sportsman license for sixteen dollars, one dollar of which the issuing sales vendor may retain.
HISTORY: 2010 Act No. 233, Section 8, eff July 1, 2010.