2023 -- H 5230
========
LC000708
========
S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
____________
A N A C T
RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- HARBORS AND HARBOR L INES
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 1
hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 2
46-4-9. Houseboats - Town or city regulations. 3
(a) Notwithstanding any general, public or special law to the contrary, and in addition to 4
any authority or powers conferred upon the town or city councils of the state, the authority to 5
regulate any houseboat and enforce any ordinance, rule or regulation in any public water within the 6
jurisdiction of the town or city shall be conferred to the town or city councils of the state. 7
(b) For purposes of this section, "houseboat" means a building constructed on a float, raft, 8
or barge that is used for single or multiple family habitation or is represented as a place of business 9
whether stationary or self-propelled. "Houseboat" includes platforms, and water borne hotels and 10
restaurants. 11
(c) Towns and cities may impose penalties pursuant to this section to be enforced by the 12
harbormaster and which shall not exceed a penalty in the amount of seven hundred fifty dollars 13
($750) per day for violations occurring within the first seven (7) days, and for any day beyond such 14
day the penalty shall be one thousand dollars ($1,000) per day. 15
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 16
========
LC000708
========
LC000708 - Page 2 of 2
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- HARBORS AND HARBOR L INES
***
This act would permit towns and cities to regulate all houseboats within their jurisdiction. 1
This act would take effect upon passage. 2
========
LC000708
========