LEAD SINKER BAN ACT

AN ACT relative to prohibiting the use of lead fishing sinkers and lead jigs in fresh waters of the state.

Section 1. Short Title.

This Act shall be known and may be cited as the ”Lead Sinker Ban Act.”

Section 2. Findings and Declarations.

The Legislature finds and declares the following:

(A) The wildlife of <insert state here> is a valuable natural resource and an integral part of the economic and social fabric of our citizenry;

(B) A review of available literature and research indicates that lead sinkers and jigs pose a significant hazard to water birds that mistakenly ingest lead sinkers and jigs and experience lead poisoning;

(C) Lead is a toxic metal known to cause many health problems in water birds, increasing susceptibility to disease, predation, and infection. A single sinker can cause death within two weeks;

(D) Lead has been linked to human health problems, including brain damage, mental retardation, behavior problems, anemia, liver and kidney damage, hearing loss, hyperactivity, developmental delays, other physical and mental problems and, in extreme cases, death. Lower IQ scores, slower development, and more attention problems have been observed in children exposed to lead;

(E) Lead sinkers are small and easily swallowed, posing a toxic hazard to children.
Furthermore, many anglers make their own sinkers or make sinkers in their home for sale to others. If proper precautions are not used, lead vapors and dust can impact anyone within the household; and

(F) Effective and comparably-priced alternatives to lead sinkers and jigs exist and it would be irresponsible to continue to allow the use of toxic products and their deposition in our waters.

Section 3. Definitions.

For the purposes of this Act, the terms below are defined as follows:

(A) “Lead jig” means any lead weighted fishing hook that measures less than one and one-half inches along its longest axis.

(B) “Lead sinker” means any lead device designed to be attached to fishing line for the purpose of sinking the line, the lead portion of which has a mass of one ounce or less.

(C) “Person” means any human, organization, agency, corporation, or other entity.

Section 4. Restrictions on Use.

No person shall use any lead sinker or lead jig for the taking of fish in any freshwater lake, pond, river, stream, brook, or similar water body in the state.

Section 5. Enforcement and Penalties.

(A) The <Department of Natural Resources or insert appropriate state agency> shall enforce this Act.

(B) A person using any such lead sinker or jig shall be guilty of a violation of this Act. The penalty for a violation of this Act shall consist of a forfeiture of not more than <insert amount here> dollars and suspension of fishing and hunting privileges for not more than <insert amount here> months.

Section 6. Effective Date.

The provisions of this Act shall be effective on <insert date>.

---