AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT (Provides that the department of environmental management would maintain and repair state owned or operated boat ramps and docks.)

H8301

2026 -- H 8301
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LC006063
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Introduced By:
Representatives Cortvriend, and McGaw

Date Introduced:
March 13, 2026

Referred To:
House Finance
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 42-17.1 of the General Laws entitled "Department of Environmental
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Management" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
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42-17.1-47. Boat ramp maintenance.

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(a) As used herein, the term “boat ramps and docks” refers to a sloping floor, walk, or
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roadway into a body of water, for the purpose of launching, hauling or operation of boats into,
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upon, or out of, the body of water. The term also includes docks, piers, and related in-water
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structures.
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(b) It is the responsibility of the state, through the department of environmental
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management (the “department”), to maintain and repair state owned or operated boat ramps and
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docks, thereby maintaining public boating access and infrastructure to facilitate that public access.
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(c) There is hereby established a “public boat ramps and docks” restricted receipt account
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to implement the provisions of this section. This account shall be funded from the receipt of fees
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for the use of state owned or operated boat ramps and docks. The department shall establish by rule
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and regulation adopted by the department what percentage of these fees collected shall be placed
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in the restricted receipt account.
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(d) The department shall also promulgate rules and regulations to delineate the division of
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ownership, maintenance, and repair of boat ramps and docks between municipalities and the
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department.

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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
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This act would provide that the department of environmental management would maintain
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and repair state owned or operated boat ramps and docks. This act would authorize the creation of
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a restricted receipt account to pay for the costs of this maintenance and repair. The act would further
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direct the department to promulgate rules and regulations to delineate the division of ownership,
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maintenance, and repair of boat ramps and docks between municipalities and the department.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC006063 - Page 3 of 3