2026 -- H 8133

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LC005918

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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 FISH AND WILDLIFE -- LICENSING

     

     Introduced By: Representative Joseph J. Solomon

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2026

     Referred To: House Environment and Natural Resources

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 20-2-44 of the General Laws in Chapter 20-2 entitled "Licensing" is

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hereby amended to read as follows:

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     20-2-44. Shellfish transplant program.

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     (a) In addition to any appropriation made pursuant to § 20-2-28.2, the general assembly

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shall appropriate from the general fund to the division of marine fisheries the amount it deems

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necessary for the purpose of maintaining a shellfish transplant program for the fiscal year ending

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June 30, 2000, and thereafter, the division of marine fisheries shall develop a sustainable shellfish

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management plan.

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     (b) On and after July 1, 2026, there shall be assessed and collected against all wastewater

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treatment facilities, as defined in § 42-17.4-4, a fee of one cent ($0.01) per every ten thousand

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(10,000) gallons of wastewater treatment facility effluent discharge from that facility. The fees

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collected under this section shall be used to support the shellfish transplant program. Provided, the

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provisions of this subsection shall apply both to public and privately-owned wastewater treatment

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facilities.

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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 -- LICENSING

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     This act would provide that on and after July 1, 2026, there would be assessed and collected

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a fee of one cent ($0.01) per every ten thousand (10,000) gallons of wastewater treatment facility

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effluent discharge. The fees collected under this section shall be used to support the shellfish

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transplant program.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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