State waters; persons commercially cutting aquatic plants required to remove cut plants, criminal penalties established

HB 212 requires businesses that cut or uproot aquatic plants in Alabama's public waters to remove the plant matter. These businesses must use "commercially reasonable methods" to clear away any cut, trimmed, severed, or uprooted aquatic plant material. Violations of this requirement would result in a Class C misdemeanor and a fine of at least $500. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is tasked with creating rules to administer the law, including defining what constitutes "commercially reasonable methods" for removal.