reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 20-3-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 20 - Fish and Wildlife|Chapter 20-3 - Marine Fisheries Council|Section 20-3-1 - Council created - Membership - Compensation.

§ 20-3-1. Council created — Membership — Compensation.There is hereby created a marine fisheries council. The council shall be composed of the director of the department of environmental management, or the director's designee, who shall serve as chairperson, and eight (8) private citizen members. The private citizen members shall be chosen from among those with skill, knowledge, and experience in the commercial fishing industry, the sport fishing industry, and in the conservation and management of fisheries resources and shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. Three (3) of the private citizen members shall be representatives of the commercial fishing industry; three (3) shall be representatives of the sport fishing industry; and the remaining two (2) shall have skill, knowledge, and experience in the conservation and management of fisheries resources and/or marine biology. The chairperson of the coastal resources management council and the chiefs of the divisions of enforcement and marine fisheries in the department of environmental management shall serve in an advisory capacity to the council. Members of the council shall serve for a term of four (4) years and may not succeed themselves more than once after January 1, 2002. Initial appointments to the council shall be appointed as follows: three (3) members for a term of two (2) years; three (3) members for a term of three (3) years; and two (2) members for a term of four (4) years. All members of the council shall serve without compensation and shall be reimbursed for their necessary expenses incurred in travel and in the performance of their duties.History of Section.P.L. 1981, ch. 197, § 3; P.L. 1985, ch. 190, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 304, § 2; P.L. 2002, ch. 47, § 5; P.L. 2017, ch. 191, § 4; P.L. 2017, ch. 242, § 4.
RI Gen L § 20-3-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 20 - Fish and Wildlife|Chapter 20-3 - Marine Fisheries Council|Section 20-3-2 - Powers and duties.

§ 20-3-2. Powers and duties.(a) The marine fisheries council shall serve in an advisory capacity only to the state and agencies of the state regarding marine fisheries issues and to the director of the department of environmental management in the exercise of his or her authority under this title for the planning, management, and regulation of marine fisheries on matters, including, but not limited to, the following activities:(1) The manner of taking fish, lobsters, and shellfish;(2) The legal size limits of fish, lobsters, and shellfish to be taken or possessed;(3) The seasons and hours during which fish, lobsters, and shellfish may be taken or possessed;(4) The numbers or quantities of fish, lobsters, and shellfish which may be taken or possessed; and(5) The opening and closing of areas within the coastal waters to the taking of any and all types of fish, lobsters, and shellfish.(b) The council shall report annually by March 1 of each year to the governor, the speaker of the house, the president of the senate, the chairperson of the house committee on environment and natural resources, the chairperson of the senate committee on environment and agriculture, and to the house oversight committee and the senate committee on government oversight, for the preceding calendar year with regard to:(1) The advice it has given to state agencies, including specifically the department of environmental management, on marine fisheries issues;(2) The response it received to the advice it gave;(3) Any findings or position it may have with regard to the status and/or condition of marine fisheries; and(4) Any recommendations it may have for maintaining, improving, or changing laws, regulations, or management programs for marine fisheries.History of Section.P.L. 1981, ch. 197, § 3; P.L. 2001, ch. 304, § 2; P.L. 2004, ch. 359, § 2.
RI Gen L § 20-3-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 20 - Fish and Wildlife|Chapter 20-3 - Marine Fisheries Council|Section 20-3-3 - Penalties.

§ 20-3-3. Penalties.Unless another penalty is specified in this title, any person who violates a rule or regulation of the marine fisheries council shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or imprisonment for not more than thirty (30) days, or both.History of Section.P.L. 1981, ch. 197, § 3.
RI Gen L § 20-3-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 20 - Fish and Wildlife|Chapter 20-3 - Marine Fisheries Council|Section 20-3-4 - Shellfish and marine life management areas.

§ 20-3-4. Shellfish and marine life management areas.The council may recommend to the director of environmental management, the designation of certain portions of the shores of the public waters of the state, or land within the state covered by tidewater at either high or low tide, or portions of the free and common fisheries of the state as shellfish or marine life project management areas for the purpose of enhancing the cultivation and growth of marine species; managing the harvest of marine species; facilitating the conduct by the department of experiments in planting, cultivating, propagating, managing, and developing any and all kinds of marine life; and any other related purpose. The designation shall be pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act, chapter 35 of title 42, and shall be by reference to fixed landmarks. The council, upon the designation of a management area, shall propose any rules and regulations as it shall deem necessary for the protection and management of the management area and the animal life and property in the management area, including the exclusion or restriction of persons from the area or the prohibition of certain activities within the areas or other restrictions as it may deem necessary. Upon the designation of a management area, the director of environmental management shall place any stakes, bounds, buoys, or markers with the words "Rhode Island department of environmental management" plainly marked on them, as will approximate the management area. Failure to place or maintain the stakes, bounds, buoys, or markers shall not be admissible in any judicial or administrative proceeding. The director may make any experiments or conduct any activities as in his or her discretion are appropriate in these management areas.History of Section.P.L. 1981, ch. 197, § 3; P.L. 1987, ch. 254, § 2; P.L. 2004, ch. 359, § 2.
RI Gen L § 20-3-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 20 - Fish and Wildlife|Chapter 20-3 - Marine Fisheries Council|Section 20-3-5 - Emergencies.

§ 20-3-5. Emergencies.The marine fisheries council may, without requirement of notice of hearing, recommend closure of any or all of the coastal waters of the state to the taking of any or all types of fish, lobsters, and shellfish where it determines that a biological emergency exists that imminently threatens the marine resources of the state subject to the provisions of § 42-35-3(b).History of Section.P.L. 1981, ch. 197, § 3; P.L. 2004, ch. 359, § 2.
RI Gen L § 20-3-6 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 20 - Fish and Wildlife|Chapter 20-3 - Marine Fisheries Council|Section 20-3-6 - Suspension and revocation of licenses.

§ 20-3-6. Suspension and revocation of licenses.The director of environmental management has the authority to suspend or revoke any shellfishing, lobster, or fishing license issued pursuant to any provision of this title, for violation of a rule and regulation adopted by the marine fisheries council, in any manner and for any period as the director determines by regulation. Any person aggrieved by an order of suspension or revocation may appeal the order in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act, chapter 35 of title 42.History of Section.P.L. 1981, ch. 197, § 3.
RI Gen L § 20-3-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 20 - Fish and Wildlife|Chapter 20-3 - Marine Fisheries Council|Section 20-3-7 - Regulation of fishing in Great Salt Pond.

§ 20-3-7. Regulation of fishing in Great Salt Pond.Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 20-10-1 through 20-10-4, the electors of the town of New Shoreham may, in a town meeting called for that purpose, enact any ordinances to protect and to regulate the taking of shellfish and other fish in Great Salt Pond, and may impose penalties for violations of these ordinances not exceeding a fine of two hundred dollars ($200) and three (3) months imprisonment for any one offense.History of Section.P.L. 1982, ch. 30, § 3; P.L. 1983, ch. 86, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 435, § 1.
RI Gen L § 20-3.1-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 20 - Fish and Wildlife|Chapter 20-3.1 - Marine Fisheries Management Modernization|Section 20-3.1-1 - Short title.

§ 20-3.1-1. Short title.This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Management Modernization Act of 2001."History of Section.P.L. 2001, ch. 58, § 5.
RI Gen L § 20-3.1-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 20 - Fish and Wildlife|Chapter 20-3.1 - Marine Fisheries Management Modernization|Section 20-3.1-2 - Repealed.

§ 20-3.1-2. Repealed.History of Section.P.L. 2001, ch. 58, § 5; Repealed by P.L. 2002, ch. 47, § 6, effective January 1, 2004.
RI Gen L § 20-3.1-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 20 - Fish and Wildlife|Chapter 20-3.1 - Marine Fisheries Management Modernization|Section 20-3.1-3 - Repealed.

§ 20-3.1-3. Repealed.History of Section.P.L. 2001, ch. 58, § 5; Repealed by P.L. 2002, ch. 47, § 6, effective January 1, 2004.
RI Gen L § 20-3.1-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 20 - Fish and Wildlife|Chapter 20-3.1 - Marine Fisheries Management Modernization|Section 20-3.1-4 - Repealed.

§ 20-3.1-4. Repealed.History of Section.P.L. 2001, ch. 58, § 5; Repealed by P.L. 2002, ch. 47, § 6, effective January 1, 2004.
RI Gen L § 20-3.1-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 20 - Fish and Wildlife|Chapter 20-3.1 - Marine Fisheries Management Modernization|Section 20-3.1-5 - Repealed.

§ 20-3.1-5. Repealed.History of Section.P.L. 2001, ch. 58, § 5; Repealed by P.L. 2002, ch. 47, § 6, effective January 1, 2004.
RI Gen L § 20-3.1-6 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 20 - Fish and Wildlife|Chapter 20-3.1 - Marine Fisheries Management Modernization|Section 20-3.1-6 - Information systems and data collection.

§ 20-3.1-6. Information systems and data collection.The department, in consultation with the council, shall develop and implement for license renewals for the year beginning January 1, 2003, an electronic license system for commercial fishing licenses, which licensing system shall have the capacity to incorporate data on landings by species and effort and shall provide for electronic license renewal. The licensing system shall be designed so that appropriate confidentiality for individual license holders is maintained and data analysis for fisheries management purposes is facilitated.History of Section.P.L. 2001, ch. 58, § 5.
RI Gen L § 20-3.1-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 20 - Fish and Wildlife|Chapter 20-3.1 - Marine Fisheries Management Modernization|Section 20-3.1-7 - Studies and analyses.

§ 20-3.1-7. Studies and analyses.The department, with the advice and involvement of the council, the University of Rhode Island Coastal Institute, and commercial and recreational fishing interests, shall undertake the following studies and analyses that shall evaluate the full reasonable range of options for improving fisheries management in Rhode Island. The process for undertaking these studies and analyses and developing legislative options for consideration by the general assembly shall be open, inclusive, and participatory and shall fairly and appropriately involve the range of fishing interests and give fair and balanced consideration to the interests of year-round, seasonal, and recreational fishers, full and part-time fishers, aquaculturists, and persons who may wish to participate in fishing in the future:(1) Principles for fisheries management. The department shall, by October 1, 2001, recommend goals and principles to guide the development and implementation of a restructured marine fisheries management system.(2) Commercial fisheries. The department shall, by January 1, 2002, recommend options for commercial fishing licenses that address license eligibility; provide for new entrants into fisheries in the state; and establish an analytic basis for and a method to manage fisheries by effort, as well as by quota for catch by species.(3) Recreational fisheries. The department is authorized to propose a licensing system for recreational fisheries for the purposes of: (i) Obtaining reliable data about the level and effects of recreational fishing in the state; (ii) Improving the quality and extent of recreational fishing opportunities in Rhode Island; and (iii) Providing revenue to be used solely and exclusively for the purposes of managing recreational fisheries and enhancing recreational fishing opportunities. The licensing system shall not be effective either before April 1, 2003, or without general assembly approval, and shall be put into effect by rule, after a finding by the director, following the general assembly approval, that the system is fair, enforceable, and accomplishes the purposes of this chapter.(4) Commercial aquaculture. The department shall, by January 1, 2002, develop proposed rules and recommend statutory changes for the purposes of fostering the expansion and competitiveness of commercial aquaculture, which rules shall treat commercial aquaculture as a separate and distinct activity from commercial fishing.(5) Comprehensive. The department shall develop a plan, by January 1, 2002, to coordinate Rhode Island licensing requirements with federal licensing requirements and licensing requirements in other states that minimizes conflicts and confusion in licensing and reporting; provides for consistent data collection and analysis; and supports regional management efforts that maintain or enhance the stewardship and productivity of fisheries resources.History of Section.P.L. 2001, ch. 58, § 5.
RI Gen L § 20-3.1-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 20 - Fish and Wildlife|Chapter 20-3.1 - Marine Fisheries Management Modernization|Section 20-3.1-8 - Repealed.

§ 20-3.1-8. Repealed.History of Section.P.L. 2001, ch. 58, § 5; Repealed by P.L. 2002, ch. 47, § 6, effective January 1, 2004.
RI Gen L § 20-3.1-9 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 20 - Fish and Wildlife|Chapter 20-3.1 - Marine Fisheries Management Modernization|Section 20-3.1-9 - Repealed.

§ 20-3.1-9. Repealed.History of Section.P.L. 2001, ch. 58, § 5; Repealed by P.L. 2002, ch. 47, § 6, effective January 1, 2004.
RI Gen L § 20-3.2-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 20 - Fish and Wildlife|Chapter 20-3.2 - Rhode Island Freedom to Fish and Marine Conservation Act|Section 20-3.2-1 - Short title.

§ 20-3.2-1. Short title.This chapter shall be known as the "Rhode Island Freedom to Fish and Marine Conservation Act."History of Section.P.L. 2003, ch. 164, § 1; P.L. 2003, ch. 167, § 1.
RI Gen L § 20-3.2-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 20 - Fish and Wildlife|Chapter 20-3.2 - Rhode Island Freedom to Fish and Marine Conservation Act|Section 20-3.2-2 - Findings.

§ 20-3.2-2. Findings.The general assembly finds and declares:(a) The people of the State of Rhode Island have an ongoing interest in the sound management of commercially and noncommercially important marine fish, shellfish, and crustacean species and their associated habitats.(b) That marine fisheries have been important to the way of life of people in Rhode Island throughout its history;(c) Marine fisheries support commercial operations and recreational activities, both of which are significant contributors to the state's economy;(d) The rights and interests of people to engage in commercial and recreational fishing in Rhode Island's marine waters need to be recognized and protected;(e) Rhode Island has historically managed its marine fisheries for the benefit of the people of the state, as an ecological asset, and as a source of food, income, and recreation;(f) Protecting fish, shellfish, crustaceans, essential marine habitats, and the right to fish in Rhode Island's marine waters must be managed together;(g) Various management measures, including the closure of marine waters or portions thereof to fishing, can be utilized to manage marine fish, shellfish, crustaceans, essential marine habitats, or other marine resources, but such measures must be developed in response to specific conservation or restoration needs; be based on the best, currently available scientific information; and emanate from an open management and regulatory process, incorporating full input from all affected stakeholders, conducted pursuant to the general laws of the state of Rhode Island.History of Section.P.L. 2003, ch. 164, § 1; P.L. 2003, ch. 167, § 1.
RI Gen L § 20-3.2-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 20 - Fish and Wildlife|Chapter 20-3.2 - Rhode Island Freedom to Fish and Marine Conservation Act|Section 20-3.2-3 - Freedom to fish.

§ 20-3.2-3. Freedom to fish.(a) The marine waters of Rhode Island, or portions thereof, shall not be closed to recreational or commercial fishing unless such closure is:(1) Deemed necessary in order to protect, manage, or restore marine fish, shellfish, crustaceans, and associated marine habitats or other marine resources, protect public health or safety, or address some other public purpose;(2) Based on the best currently available scientific information; and(3) Developed via public review and stakeholder input through chapter 35 of title 42 and other applicable state law, and with the advice of the marine fisheries council; except where the director deems it necessary to institute a closure via emergency rule, in which case the regulation must meet the standards set forth by chapter 35 of title 42 and have an effective period of not more than one hundred twenty (120) days.(b) Any marine waters of Rhode Island, or portions thereof, that are closed to recreational or commercial fishing shall be reopened if and when the original justification for such closure ceases to apply.(c) As part of the annual reporting requirements as specified in § 20-2.1-9(6), the department of environmental management, upon advice of the marine fisheries council, shall include therein an evaluation of any closures identified as significant by the council and any relevant scientific information related thereto that was collected during the year.History of Section.P.L. 2003, ch. 164, § 1; P.L. 2003, ch. 167, § 1.
RI Gen L § 20-4-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 20 - Fish and Wildlife|Chapter 20-4 - Commercial Fisheries|Section 20-4-1 - Commercial fishing.

§ 20-4-1. Commercial fishing.No person shall engage in the taking for sale, by any manner, method, or contrivance, of any marine finfish, shellfish, crustacean, or other invertebrate; and no vessel, boat, trap, seine, or other fishing gear shall be used in the taking for sale or landing of any marine finfish, shellfish, crustacean, or other invertebrate unless a license or permit has been obtained as provided in this title. Provided, however, that for all commercial fisheries except shellfish, any number of unlicensed crews may assist in direct commercial harvest operations regardless of the manner, method, or contrivance employed, as long as said crew is/are located onboard a commercially declared vessel that is operated by an individual who possesses a valid and proper commercial fishing license and is/are under the direct supervision and responsibility of said properly licensed commercial fisher. With respect to commercial shellfish operations, unlicensed crews may only assist with culling activities and other indirect harvest operations, as the director may determine by regulations adopted pursuant to this title, while said crew is/are located onboard a commercially declared vessel that is operated by an individual who possesses a valid and proper commercial fishing license and is/are under the direct supervision and responsibility of said properly licensed commercial fisher.History of Section.P.L. 1981, ch. 197, § 3; P.L. 2002, ch. 47, § 7; P.L. 2011, ch. 183, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 320, § 1.
RI Gen L § 20-4-1.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 20 - Fish and Wildlife|Chapter 20-4 - Commercial Fisheries|Section 20-4-1.1 - Finfish dealers license - License for finfish buyers - Suspension or revocation.

§ 20-4-1.1. [Repealed.]History of Section.P.L. 1992, ch. 133, art 17, § 3; repealed by P.L. 2021, ch. 162, art. 7, § 6, effective July 6, 2021.
RI Gen L § 20-4-1.2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 20 - Fish and Wildlife|Chapter 20-4 - Commercial Fisheries|Section 20-4-1.2 - Resident or nonresident commercial landing permit.

§ 20-4-1.2. [Repealed.]History of Section.P.L. 1992, ch. 133, art. 17, § 3; P.L. 1996, ch. 288, § 2; P.L. 2001, ch. 58, § 2; P.L. 2002, ch. 47, § 7; repealed by P.L. 2021, ch. 162, art. 7, § 6, effective July 6, 2021.
RI Gen L § 20-4-1.3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 20 - Fish and Wildlife|Chapter 20-4 - Commercial Fisheries|Section 20-4-1.3 - Nonresident landing permits.

§ 20-4-1.3. [Repealed.]History of Section.P.L. 2002, ch. 47, § 8; repealed by P.L. 2021, ch. 162, art. 7, § 6, effective July 6, 2021.
RI Gen L § 20-4-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 20 - Fish and Wildlife|Chapter 20-4 - Commercial Fisheries|Section 20-4-2 - Otter trawls, pair trawls, and beam trawls - Areas prohibited.

§ 20-4-2. Otter trawls, pair trawls, and beam trawls — Areas prohibited.Unless otherwise specified in regulations adopted by the marine fisheries council and except for those areas described in § 20-4-3, no person shall operate a beam, pair, or otter trawl or other mechanical trawling device in the Sakonnet River; Narragansett Bay; in Point Judith Pond, so-called, in the towns of Narragansett and South Kingstown; or the Harbor of Refuge, so-called, in the town of Narragansett; or in Potter Pond, so-called, in the town of South Kingstown; or in Great Salt Pond, so-called, in the town of New Shoreham.History of Section.P.L. 1981, ch. 197, § 3.
RI Gen L § 20-4-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 20 - Fish and Wildlife|Chapter 20-4 - Commercial Fisheries|Section 20-4-3 - Otter trawls, pair trawls, and beam trawls - Areas allowed.

§ 20-4-3. Otter trawls, pair trawls, and beam trawls — Areas allowed.Any duly licensed resident commercial fisherman and a nonresident commercial fisherman licensed pursuant to § 20-2-28 [repealed], may operate otter, beam, or pair trawls or other mechanical trawling device subject to rules and regulations of the marine fisheries council, in the area of Narragansett Bay, and Sakonnet River south of a line, extending from Spink Neck in the town of North Kingstown in a northeasterly direction to Pine Hill Point on Prudence Island and from a point at Homestead Dock on the easterly shore of Prudence Island, thence northeasterly to Hog Island shoal light, thence to the north abutment of Mt. Hope Bridge in the town of Bristol, and south of a line extending from McCurry Point on the east side of the town of Portsmouth northeasterly in a line to southerly point of Jack's Island, so-called, in the town of Tiverton. The area subject to this section may be changed by rules and regulations adopted by the marine fisheries council.History of Section.P.L. 1981, ch. 197, § 3.