2023 -- H 5230

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LC000708

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- HARBORS AND HARBOR LINES

     Introduced By: Representatives Carson, Craven, Caldwell, McEntee, Casimiro, McGaw,
Shanley, Kazarian, McNamara, and Finkelman

     Date Introduced: January 25, 2023

     Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 46-4 of the General Laws entitled "Harbors and Harbor Lines" is

hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     46-4-9. Houseboats - Town or city regulations.

     (a) Notwithstanding any general, public or special law to the contrary, and in addition to

any authority or powers conferred upon the town or city councils of the state, the authority to

regulate any houseboat and enforce any ordinance, rule or regulation in any public water within the

jurisdiction of the town or city shall be conferred to the town or city councils of the state.

     (b) For purposes of this section, "houseboat" means a building constructed on a float, raft,

or barge that is used for single or multiple family habitation or is represented as a place of business

whether stationary or self-propelled. "Houseboat" includes platforms, and water borne hotels and

restaurants.

     (c) Towns and cities may impose penalties pursuant to this section to be enforced by the

harbormaster and which shall not exceed a penalty in the amount of seven hundred fifty dollars

($750) per day for violations occurring within the first seven (7) days, and for any day beyond such

day the penalty shall be one thousand dollars ($1,000) per day.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC000708

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- HARBORS AND HARBOR LINES

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     This act would permit towns and cities to regulate all houseboats within their jurisdiction.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC000708

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