2021 -- H 5737

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO FISH AND WILDLIFE—VIOLATIONS

     

     Introduced By: Representative Joseph J. Solomon

     Date Introduced: February 24, 2021

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 20-1-16 of the General Laws in Chapter 20-1 entitled "General

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Provisions" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     20-1-16. Penalty for violations.

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     (a) Unless otherwise specifically provided, the violation of any law or rule or regulation

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relating to wild animals, wild birds, lobsters and fish, marine, freshwater and anadromous fisheries

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and shellfisheries shall be a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred

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dollars ($500) one thousand dollars ($1,000), or imprisonment for up to ninety (90) days, or both.

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     (b) Striped bass penalties. Any person, firm, or corporation shall be fined in accordance

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with the following schedule:

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     (1) First offense. Upon conviction, not less than one hundred dollars ($100) for each striped

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bass taken, possessed, sold or possessed, and/or offered for sale and imprisonment for up to ninety

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(90) days, or both.

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     (2) Second offense. Upon conviction, not less than two hundred dollars ($200) for each

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striped bass taken, possessed, sold or possessed, and/or offered for sale and imprisonment for up to

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ninety (90) days, or both; and any boat, fishing tackle or other implements used in violation shall

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be subject to forfeiture to the state.

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     (3) Third and subsequent offenses. Upon conviction, not less than five hundred dollars

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($500) for each striped bass taken, possessed, sold or possessed, and/or offered for sale and

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imprisonment for up to ninety (90) days, or both; and any boat, fishing tackle or other implements

 

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used in this violation shall be subject to forfeiture to the state. Any person convicted of multiple

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violations on a single occurrence of the provisions of this chapter by the department of

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environmental management shall have their name and photo posted on social media or Internet

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based platforms.

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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 FISH AND WILDLIFE—VIOLATIONS

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     This act would enhance the penalty for the violation of any law rule or regulation relating

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to wild animals, wild birds, lobsters and fish, marine, freshwater and anadromous fisheries and

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shellfisheries from five hundred dollars ($500) to one thousand dollars ($1,000) and require an

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individual convicted of multiple violations on a single occurrence to have their name and photo

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posted on social media or internet based platforms.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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