§ 20-2-27.1. Rhode Island party and charter boat license. (a) All party and charter boats carrying recreational passengers to take, or attempt to take, marine fish upon the navigable state and coastal waters of Rhode Island shall be required to obtain a Rhode Island party and charter boat license. The licenses shall be issued by the department on a biennial basis for a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) per vessel. All licensed party and charter boats shall be required to display a party and charter boat decal provided by the department. To obtain a license, the owner of a qualified vessel must submit:

(1) A current copy of the operator's United States Coast Guard license to carry passengers for hire;

(2) A current copy of the vessel's "Certificate of Documentation" certifying that the vessel is documented "Coastwise", or if the vessel is under five (5) net tons, a copy of the vessel's state registration;

(3) Proof that the operator and crew are currently enrolled in a random drug testing program that complies with the federal government's 46 C.F.R. § 16.101 et seq. "Drug Testing Program" regulations; and

(4) A signed, license-application form certifying that the vessel is, and will be, operated in compliance with all state and federal safety regulations for the vessel.

(b) Rhode Island party and charter boat licenses shall expire on the last day of February every other year, with the first expiration date being in February 2001.

History of Section. (P.L. 1998, ch. 54, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 451, § 24.)