Provides that the department of environmental management would maintain and repair state owned or operated boat ramps and docks.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would make the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) officially responsible for maintaining and repairing boat ramps and docks that are owned or operated by the state. In other words, it clarifies that when a state-owned boat ramp or dock falls into disrepair or needs upkeep, it is DEM's job to fix it and keep it in good working condition.

Currently, there may be some ambiguity about which state agency is responsible for taking care of these public water access points. By assigning this duty clearly to DEM, the bill aims to ensure that boat ramps and docks don't fall through the cracks due to unclear responsibility between different state agencies.

This bill primarily affects Rhode Islanders who use state-owned boat ramps and docks — including recreational boaters, anglers, and others who rely on public water access points. It also affects DEM as an agency, since it would take on a defined maintenance obligation. The bill has been referred to the House Finance Committee, which suggests that lawmakers will also be looking at what funding or budget resources might be needed for DEM to carry out these responsibilities.