2025 -- H 6063

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LC002379

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- PERSONAL WATERCRAFT SAFETY

ACT

     

     Introduced By: Representatives O'Brien, Baginski, Place, Cruz, and Casey

     Date Introduced: March 12, 2025

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 46-27-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 46-27 entitled "Personal

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Watercraft Safety Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     46-27-4. Penalties.

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     (a) Any person who violates §§ 46-27-2(b) or 46-27-2(h) any provision of this chapter or

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who violates any rule or regulation promulgated hereunder, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and

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shall be subject to a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500), or imprisonment not to exceed

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six (6) months for each such violation. The privilege to operate a personal watercraft may be

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suspended for a period of up to six (6) months for each violation.

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     (b) Any person who violates any other provision of this chapter or who violates any

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department of environmental management rule or regulation related to the operation of personal

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watercraft shall be guilty of a civil violation and be subject to a fine not to exceed two hundred fifty

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dollars ($250) for each violation.

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     (c) The Rhode Island traffic tribunal has jurisdiction over all civil infractions related to

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violations of subsection (b) of this section.

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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 WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- PERSONAL WATERCRAFT SAFETY

ACT

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     This act would make violations of §§ 46-27-2(b) and 46-27-2(h) related to operation of

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personal watercraft a misdemeanor subject to a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500). The

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privilege to operate a personal watercraft may also be suspended for six (6) months. The act would

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also make any violation of any rules and regulations of the department of environmental

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management a civil violation resulting into a civil violation with a penalty of two hundred fifty

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dollars ($250).

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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