2021 -- H 6281

========

LC002746

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO FISH AND WILDLIFE -- GENERAL PROVISIONS

     Introduced By: Representative Patricia A. Serpa

     Date Introduced: April 29, 2021

     Referred To: House Environment and Natural Resources

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 20-1-26 of the General Laws in Chapter 20-1 entitled "General

Provisions" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     20-1-26. Freshwater invasive aquatic plants -- Prohibition on importation and

possession Invasive plants -- Prohibition on importation and possession.

     (a) No person shall import, transport, disperse, distribute, introduce, sell, purchase, or

possess in the state any species of non-native (exotic) freshwater invasive aquatic plants, as defined

by the director. The director shall promulgate rules and regulations governing the prohibition and

its applicability. The prohibition and its enforcement shall not become effective until the rules and

regulations governing the prohibition and its applicability take effect.

     (b) Violations of this section shall be punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred

dollars ($500).

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC002746

========

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO FISH AND WILDLIFE -- GENERAL PROVISIONS

***

     This act would prohibit the importation, transportation, disbursement, distribution, sale,

purchase, or possession of any species of non-native (exotic) invasive plants.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC002746

========

LC002746 - Page 2 of 2