House Bill 397

Actions | Amendments
Last Action 02/06/26: 2nd reading, to Rules
Title AN ACT relating to trophy catfish.
Bill Documents Introduced
Fiscal Impact Statements Corrections Impact
Additional Fiscal Impact Statements Exist
Bill Request Number 1801
Sponsors DJ Johnson, K. Banta, V. Grossl, M. Lehman
Summary of Original Version Create a new section of KRS Chapter 150 to define terms; require that any permit issued to take a lower Ohio River trophy catfish shall expire on May 31, 2027; prohibit the issuance or reissuance of an any lower Ohio River trophy catfish permits after that date; after the effective date of the Act, prohibit the transfer or reissuance of any lower Ohio River trophy catfish permit; prohibit the transportation of live trophy catfish except by boat while in the course of legally fishing; amend KRS 150.990 to make a violation of the prohibition on transporting live trophy catfish a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense and a Class D felony for each subsequent offense.
Index Headings of Original Version Corrections Impact - Trophy catfish, live transportation, prohibition, penalties
Boats And Boating - Trophy catfish, live transportation, prohibition, exception
Crimes And Punishments - Trophy catfish, live transportation, prohibition, penalties
Fish And Wildlife - Lower Ohio River trophy catfish, permits, expiration, May 31, 2027
Hunting And Fishing - Lower Ohio River trophy catfish, permits, expiration, May 31, 2027
Hunting And Fishing - Trophy catfish, live transportation, prohibition, penalties
Waterways And Dams - Lower Ohio River trophy catfish, permits, expiration, May 31, 2027
Jump to Proposed Amendments House Committee Substitute 1 with Fiscal Impact Statements

Actions

Top | Amendments
01/15/26
  • introduced in House
  • to Committee on Committees (H)
01/23/26
  • to Natural Resources & Energy (H)
02/05/26
  • reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
02/06/26
  • 2nd reading, to Rules

Proposed Amendments

Top | Actions
Amendment House Committee Substitute 1
Fiscal Impact Statement Corrections Impact to House Committee Substitute 1
Summary Retain original provisions; prohibit the transportation of live trophy catfish by persons engaged in commercial fishing except by boat while in the course of legally fishing; make the penalty for a violation of the prohibition on transporting live trophy catfish a Class A misdemeanor for each offense; require that in addition to all other penalties that may apply, a person convicted of a violation of KRS Chapter 150 or the administrative regulations promulgated thereunder that results in the wounding or killing of a trophy catfish shall pay to the department $500 for the replacement cost of each trophy catfish.
Index Headings Waterways And Dams - Trophy catfish, live transportation, commercial fishing, prohibition
Corrections Impact - Trophy catfish, wounded or killed, replacement cost, $500
Boats And Boating - Trophy catfish, live transportation, commercial fishing, prohibition
Crimes And Punishments - Trophy catfish, wounded or killed, replacement cost, $500
Fees - Trophy catfish, wounded or killed, replacement cost, $500
Fish And Wildlife - Lower Ohio River trophy catfish, permits, expiration, February 28, 2027
Fish And Wildlife - Trophy catfish, live transportation, commercial fishing, prohibition
Fish And Wildlife - Trophy catfish, wounded or killed, replacement cost, $500
Hunting And Fishing - Lower Ohio River trophy catfish, permits, expiration, February 28, 2027
Hunting And Fishing - Trophy catfish, live transportation, commercial fishing, prohibition
Hunting And Fishing - Trophy catfish, wounded or killed, replacement cost, $500
Waterways And Dams - Lower Ohio River trophy catfish, permits, expiration, February 28, 2027

Last updated: 2/6/2026 4:20 PM (EST)