2026 -- H 8301

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LC006063

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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 STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

     Introduced By: Representatives Cortvriend, and McGaw

     Date Introduced: March 13, 2026

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 42-17.1 of the General Laws entitled "Department of Environmental

Management" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     42-17.1-47. Boat ramp maintenance.

     (a) As used herein, the term “boat ramps and docks” refers to a sloping floor, walk, or

roadway into a body of water, for the purpose of launching, hauling or operation of boats into,

upon, or out of, the body of water. The term also includes docks, piers, and related in-water

structures.

     (b) It is the responsibility of the state, through the department of environmental

management (the “department”), to maintain and repair state owned or operated boat ramps and

docks, thereby maintaining public boating access and infrastructure to facilitate that public access.

     (c) There is hereby established a “public boat ramps and docks” restricted receipt account

to implement the provisions of this section. This account shall be funded from the receipt of fees

for the use of state owned or operated boat ramps and docks. The department shall establish by rule

and regulation adopted by the department what percentage of these fees collected shall be placed

in the restricted receipt account.

     (d) The department shall also promulgate rules and regulations to delineate the division of

ownership, maintenance, and repair of boat ramps and docks between municipalities and the

department.

     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 STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

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     This act would provide that the department of environmental management would maintain

and repair state owned or operated boat ramps and docks. This act would authorize the creation of

a restricted receipt account to pay for the costs of this maintenance and repair. The act would further

direct the department to promulgate rules and regulations to delineate the division of ownership,

maintenance, and repair of boat ramps and docks between municipalities and the department.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC006063

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