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South CarolinaS 0219126th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 50-5-2730, RELATING TO THE APPLICABILITY OF FEDERAL FISHING REGULATIONS IN STATE WATERS, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE SEASON, CATCH LIMITS, AND MINIMUM SIZES FOR CERTAIN SPECIES UNDER THE SNAPPER-GROUPER FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN.

Sponsored By: Stephen L. Goldfinch (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Snapper-Grouper Fishery

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Snapper-grouper catch and size rules set

Beginning May 8, 2025, South Carolina sets new snapper-grouper limits. Black sea bass: up to 5 fish per person per day or the federal limit, whichever is higher; minimum size is 13 inches total length; no closed season. Red snapper: up to 2 fish per person per day; minimum size is 20 inches total length; no closed season. Other snapper-grouper species: the daily limit is the higher of the 2024-2025 South Carolina Hunting and Fishing Laws and Regulations Guide or the federal limit; the minimum size is the lower of the Guide or the federal size; no closed season.

Federal fishing rules now govern SC waters

Beginning May 8, 2025, federal fishing rules are state law in South Carolina. Seasons, fishing periods, gear, sales, bag, size, and possession limits set under federal law apply statewide, including in state waters. This creates one set of rules and clearer enforcement, but it can tighten limits where federal rules are stricter. State exceptions for snapper-grouper species below still apply.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Stephen L. Goldfinch

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 151 • No: 0

House vote • 5/1/2025

(Snapper-Grouper Fishery)Passage of Bill

Yes: 107 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/26/2025

(Snapper-Grouper Fishery)2nd Reading

Yes: 44 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Act No. 16

    5/16/2025legislature

  2. Effective date 05/08/25

    5/16/2025legislature

  3. Signed By Governor

    5/8/2025Governor

  4. Ratified R 32

    5/6/2025legislature

  5. Read third time and enrolled

    5/2/2025House

  6. Unanimous consent for third reading on next legislative day

    5/1/2025House

  7. Roll call Yeas-107 Nays-0

    5/1/2025House

  8. Read second time

    5/1/2025House

  9. Committee report: Favorable Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs

    4/29/2025House

  10. Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs

    3/5/2025House

  11. Introduced and read first time

    3/5/2025House

  12. Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs

    3/5/2025House

  13. Read third time and sent to House

    2/27/2025Senate

  14. Roll call Ayes-44 Nays-0

    2/26/2025Senate

  15. Read second time

    2/26/2025Senate

  16. Committee Amendment Adopted

    2/26/2025Senate

  17. Committee report: Favorable with amendment Fish, Game and Forestry

    2/19/2025Senate

  18. Referred to Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry

    1/15/2025Senate

  19. Introduced and read first time

    1/15/2025Senate

Bill Text

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