Aquaculture duties transferred to commissioner of agriculture, commissioner of natural resources authority clarified, private fish hatcheries recodified, and money appropriated.

HF 3584 transfers oversight of aquaculture regulations from the Commissioner of Natural Resources to the Commissioner of Agriculture, clarifying the latter’s authority. The bill updates rules for private fish hatcheries, requiring aquaculture operations to follow specific licensing, inspection, and fish health protocols (including annual VHS virus testing for certain facilities). It also modifies requirements for transporting aquatic life between facilities and stocking non-public waters, mandating bill of lading submissions. The bill appropriates funds to support these regulatory changes and administrative functions.