AN ACT to Reinstate a limited herring Fishing license for inland fishing waters in the Chowan River.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.(a)  Definitions. – For purposes of this section and its implementation, Herring Rule means 15A NCAC 10C .0423 (Alewife and Blueback Herring), river herring refers to blueback herring and alewife, and Commission means the Wildlife Resources Commission.

SECTION 1.(b)  Herring Rule. – Until the effective date of the revised permanent rule that the Commission is required to adopt pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, the Commission shall implement the Herring Rule, as provided in subsection (c) of this section.

SECTION 1.(c)  Implementation. – The Commission shall issue licenses for a limited harvest of river herring in the inland fishing waters of the Chowan River during the spring 2024 migration. Each license shall permit the licensee to take for personal use up to 100 river herring. Licensees must report on catches of herring to the Commission in the same manner as provided for holders of licenses to take wild turkey and white‑tailed deer. The Commission shall charge a fee for the license based on the quantity of take of river herring as follows:

(1)        Twelve dollars and fifty cents ($12.50) for a license to take up to 25 river herring.

(2)        Twenty‑five dollars ($25.00) for a license to take more than 25 and up to 50 river herring.

(3)        Fifty dollars ($50.00) for a license to take more than 50 and up to 100 river herring.

SECTION 1.(d)  Additional Rulemaking Authority. – The Commission shall adopt temporary and permanent rules to amend the Herring Rule consistent with subsection (c) of this section. Notwithstanding G.S. 150B‑19(4), the rule adopted by the Commission pursuant to this section shall be substantively identical to the provisions of subsection (c) of this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are not subject to Part 3 of Article 2A of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes. Rules adopted pursuant to this section shall become effective as provided in G.S. 150B‑21.3(b1), as though 10 or more written objections had been received, as provided in G.S. 150B‑21.3(b2).

SECTION 1.(e)  Sunset. – This section expires when permanent rules adopted as required by subsection (d) of this section become effective.

SECTION 2.  The sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) is appropriated from the General Fund to the Wildlife Resources Commission to support activities in response to the requirements of this act.

SECTION 3.  Section 2 of this act becomes effective July 1, 2023. The remainder of this act is effective when it becomes law.