A N A C T
RELATING TO LICENSING -- COMMERCIAL FISHING -- LICENSES
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 20-2-1.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 20-2 entitled "Licensing" is hereby amended to read as follows:
20-2-1.1. Commercial fishing license moratorium - (a) The commercial marine fishing licenses as provided for in sections 20-2-20(a), (b); 20-2-21; 20-2-24(a); 20-2-25; 20-2-26; 20-2-26.1(a); 20-2-27(a), (b), (c), (1), (2), (3), (4); 20-2-28(a); and 20-2-28.1(a) shall be issued for renewal only. No new licenses, applicable to these sections, shall be issued before July 1, 1998 between July 1, 2000 and June 30, 2001. In order to obtain a license, applicable to these sections, between July 1, 2000 and June 30, 2001, an individual must provide proof that he/she possessed a valid Rhode Island commercial fishing license prior to July 1, 2000 and submit a license application to the department environmental management prior to August 15, 2000. After August 15, 2000, and individual qualified to obtain a license purusnat to this section shall be afforded the right to appeal to the department to obtain a license pursuant to applicable department regulations. The department shall issue a public notice announcing the license renewal window, within seven (7) days following passage of this bill. The moratorium shall provide time for a study of the commercial marine fishing licensing program to insure viable sustainable fisheries and for a recommendation to the general assembly.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) above, an existing license may only be transferred to an immediate family member, upon approval by the director. An immediate family member for the purposes of this subsection is defined as the spouse, mother, father, brother, sister or child of the transferor.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2000.