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S 3079Licensing & Accreditation

Fish and Wildlife - Licensing

This bill grants free fishing licenses to local tribal members and updates rules for commercial seafood dealers and disabled anglers.

Signed into law71 Yea0 Nay4 Not voting
Population
Affected
8
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Introduced Mar 13, 2026Committee Senate Environment & Agriculture

Plain-English Summary

This bill updates Rhode Island's fishing laws to allow members of federally recognized Indian tribes located in the state to receive freshwater and recreational saltwater fishing licenses free of charge. It also clarifies the definition of "permanently disabled" for the purpose of obtaining free licenses, specifically linking eligibility to Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income benefits. Additionally, the legislation updates regulations for commercial seafood dealers, expanding certain restrictions that previously applied only to lobsters to now cover all marine species legally taken or possessed.

For younger readers

This new law changes the rules for fishing licenses in Rhode Island. First, it says that people who belong to Native American tribes in the state can get a license to fish in lakes or the ocean for free. Second, it makes the rules clearer for people with disabilities who want a free fishing license. Finally, it changes the rules for businesses that buy and sell seafood; they now have to be more careful to make sure all the sea animals they buy, not just lobsters, were caught according to the rules.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
Members of federally recognized Indian tribesCommercial seafood dealersDisabled residentsRecreational anglersDepartment of Environmental Management
Impacted communities
All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost
None
Estimated revenue
None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Promotes social equity and acknowledges indigenous sovereignty by removing financial barriers to traditional fishing practices for members of federally recognized tribes.
  • Clarifies and streamlines the process for disabled individuals to access state recreational resources by aligning state definitions with federal Social Security standards.
  • Strengthens environmental conservation efforts by expanding commercial dealer regulations to ensure all marine species, not just lobsters, are legally sourced and possessed.
  • Limits benefits only to "federally recognized" tribes, potentially excluding members of state-recognized tribes or other indigenous groups residing in Rhode Island who lack federal status.
  • Maintains the requirement for indigenous people to obtain a state-issued license to fish on ancestral lands, which some may view as a continued infringement on inherent rights.
  • The reliance on strict federal definitions for disability (SSDI/SSI) might exclude individuals with legitimate disabilities who do not qualify for or have not yet received federal benefits due to bureaucratic hurdles.
For Conservatives
  • Tightens the definition of "permanently disabled" by requiring proof of federal SSDI or SSI benefits, potentially reducing fraud and ensuring only those strictly qualified receive fee waivers.
  • Enhances the rule of law regarding commercial fishing by ensuring dealers cannot trade in any illegally harvested marine species, closing a loophole that may have existed for species other than lobster.
  • Does not create any new taxes or administrative bureaucracies, simply adjusting fee structures for specific existing groups within the current licensing system.
  • Creates a special class of citizens based on tribal membership who are exempt from fees that other residents must pay, which may be viewed as unfair or discriminatory against non-tribal residents.
  • Results in a loss of state revenue by waiving license fees for a specific demographic, potentially shifting the financial burden of conservation management to other license holders.
  • Expands government regulation on small business owners (seafood dealers) by broadening the scope of scrutiny from just lobsters to all marine species.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 9 additions · 1 deletion

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 20-2-31 of the General Laws in Chapter 20-2 entitled "Licensing" is hereby amended to read as follows: 20-2-31. Hunting and fishing licenses — Exceptions.

(a) Every valid license to hunt or fish in this state that is held by any resident of this state upon joining the armed forces or the merchant marine of the United States is hereby extended and is in force and valid until six (6) months following the termination of his or her service.

(b) Every member of the armed forces or of the merchant marine of the United States may hunt or fish in this state if that person procures a hunting or fishing license issued by the state of Rhode Island, the fee for which is that charged for a resident civilian.

(c) Every man or woman who was a part of the armed forces of the United States government and is now a one hundred percent (100%) disabled veteran, and any man or woman who is one hundred percent (100%) permanently disabled, is entitled, subject to the provisions of this title, to receive a license to hunt or fish or both in this state; and upon the presentation of his or her necessary military discharge identification or disability papers or both, as prescribed by the department of environmental management, shall, at the discretion of the licensing authority, receive, without the payment of any license fee, a continuing special form of license authorizing the man or woman to hunt or fish or both in this state in accordance with the provisions of this title and regulations issued pursuant to this title for so long as he or she so desires; provided, however, that the man or woman, having once made application for this license, shall not again be required to appear before the licensing authority to present his or her papers.

(d) A freshwater fishing license is not required of any blind person. For the purposes of this section, a person is blind only if his or her central visual acuity does not exceed 20/200 in the better eye with correcting lenses or if his or her visual acuity is greater than 20/200 but is accompanied by a limitation in the fields of vision such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than twenty degrees (20°).

(e) Every resident man or woman over the age of sixty-five (65) years is entitled, subject to the provisions of this title and the regulations issued pursuant to this title, to receive a special permanent license to hunt or fish or both in this state for which there is no fee.

(f) Any man or woman who is one hundred percent (100%) permanently disabled may apply to receive a license to fish in this state, and upon presentation of a proof of his or her disability as prescribed by the department of environmental management, receive, without the payment of any license fee, a continuing special form of license authorizing the man or woman to fish in this state for so long as he or she so desires; provided, however, that the man or woman, having once made application for this license, shall not again be required to appear before the licensing authority to present his or her papers.

(g) The director may, by regulation, designate no more than two (2) days in each year, which may or may not be consecutive, during which residents and nonresidents may, without having a license and without payment of any fee, exercise the privileges of a holder of a freshwater fishing license. These persons are subject to all other limitations, restrictions, conditions, laws, rules, and regulations applicable to the holder of a freshwater fishing license.

(h) For the purpose of this section, “man or woman who is one hundred percent (100%) permanently disabled” means an individual who has a physical or mental impairment and is receiving:

(1) Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits (SSDI);

(2) Supplemental Security Income benefits (SSI). All licenses that are issued to persons who qualify pursuant to this subsection shall be issued without the requirement of the payment of a fee and shall expire annually on February 28 of each year. Persons seeking the issuance or reissuance of licenses shall be required to present documentation establishing that the applicant is qualified, or remains qualified, pursuant to this subsection.

(i) Every member of a federally recognized Indian tribe that is located in Rhode Island is entitled, subject to the provisions of this title and regulations issued pursuant to this title, to receive a freshwater fishing license for which there is no fee.

SECTION 2. Section 20-2.1-8 of the General Laws in Chapter 20-2.1 entitled "Commercial Fishing Licenses" is hereby amended to read as follows: 20-2.1-8. Dealers’ licenses and fees.

(a) No person, partnership, firm, association, or corporation shall barter or trade in marine species taken by persons licensed under this chapter unless a license so to do has been obtained from the director of environmental management.

(b) Any licensee operating under the provisions of this section shall purchase marine species from licensed persons only and shall purchase or possess only those lobsters marine species legally taken or possessed.

(c) The director shall issue and enforce rules and regulations and orders governing bartering and trading in marine species by licensed persons of marine species and licensed dealers, and other persons, partnerships, firms, associations, or corporations.

(d) License types and fees.

(1) Multipurpose dealer’s license This license shall allow the dealer to purchase or sell all marine products in the state of Rhode Island. The license shall be valid for the calendar year in which it is issued. The fee shall be four hundred and fifty dollars ($450).

(2) Finfish dealer’s license. This license shall allow the dealer to purchase or sell all finfish products in the state of Rhode Island. The license shall be valid for the calendar year in which it is issued. The fee shall be three hundred dollars ($300).

(3) Shellfish dealer’s license. This license shall allow the dealer to purchase or sell all shellfish products in the state of Rhode Island. The license shall be valid for the calendar year in which it is issued. The fee shall be three hundred dollars ($300).

(4) Crustacean dealer license. This license shall allow the dealer to purchase all crustacean products in the state of Rhode Island. The license shall be valid for the calendar year in which it is issued. The fee shall be three hundred dollars ($300).

(e) Seafood dealers license — Suspension or revocation. The director may suspend, revoke, or deny the license of a seafood dealer or fisher of marine species for the violation of any provision of this title or the rules, regulations, or orders adopted or issued pursuant to this title.

(f) Any person aggrieved by the decisions of the director may appeal the decision pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act, chapter 35 of title 42.

(g) The director is authorized to enter and inspect the business premises, appurtenant structures, vehicles, or vessels of any seafood dealer and to inspect the records maintained by a seafood dealer for the purpose of determining compliance with the provisions of this section and any rules, regulations, or orders issued under this section, and no person shall interfere with, obstruct the entrance, or inspection of the director or the director’s agents of those business premises, appurtenant structures, vehicles, or vessels.

(h) Any violation of the provisions of this section or any rule, regulation, or order adopted under this section shall be subject to the penalties prescribed in § 20-1-16.

SECTION 3. Section 20-2.2-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 20-2.2 entitled "Recreational Saltwater Fishing License" is hereby amended to read as follows: 20-2.2-6. Fees — Terms and conditions — Information required. (a)(1) Resident, seven dollars ($7.00);

(2) No fee shall be charged for residents who are over the age of sixty-five (65), or are members of a federally recognized Indian tribe located in Rhode Island or in active military service;

(3) Nonresident, ten dollars ($10.00);

(4) Licenses issued pursuant to this subsection shall expire on December 31st of each year. (b)(1) Resident or nonresident seven-day (7), five dollars ($5.00);

(2) This license shall entitle the holder to fish recreationally for seven (7) consecutive days, including the day of issuance.

(c) All license applications shall be required to provide their name, address, phone number, and date of birth.

(d) Any lost or destroyed license shall be replaceable, during the calendar year in which it was issued, or in the case of a seven-day (7) license, during the seven-day (7) period when it is valid, at no cost to the license holder.

(e) The director is authorized to determine a portion of the license fee, not to exceed any of the amounts set forth above in this section, that may be retained by the state-approved vendor and authorized licensing agents, as set forth in § 20-2.2-7, as commission for services rendered.

SECTION 4. Sections 1 and 3 of this act shall take effect on March 1, 2027. Section 2 of this act shall take effect upon passage.