AN ACT RELATING TO FISH AND WILDLIFE -- RECIPROCAL ENFORCEMENT OF FISHING LAWS

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Megan Cotter

Rhode Island and Connecticut may enforce and prosecute boating and fish and game violations in boundary waters, with arrests by either state allowed and prosecutions in the enforci

05/19/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study

Bill Summary: HB 8522 (Rhode Island, 2026)

Purpose and Intent

Establish reciprocal enforcement of boating and fish and game laws between Rhode Island and neighboring waters with Connecticut.

Specifically authorizes Rhode Island game protectors and other law enforcement officers to arrest and prosecute violators on waters lying between Rhode Island and Connecticut once Connecticut enacts a similar law.

Key Provisions

Amends Rhode Island General Laws Chapter 20-23, adding Section 20-23-2: Enforcement in state boundary waters of boating or fish and game laws.

Provisions allow officers from either state (Rhode Island or Connecticut) who are authorized to arrest for boating or fish and game violations to arrest individuals on waters between the two states.

Once arrested, the individuals can be brought to trial in the state where the violation occurred (i.e., the enforcing state's jurisdiction).

The reciprocal enforcement applies if Connecticut enacts a similar law for arrest and punishment for violations in waters between the two states, or if Connecticut already has such a law in effect as of the act’s effective date.

Effective date: The act takes effect upon passage.

Affected Parties and Scope

Enforcement Agencies: Rhode Island game protectors, conservation officers, fish and game wardens, special conservation officers, patrolmen, and other authorized personnel.

Jurisdiction: Waters lying between Rhode Island and Connecticut (i.e., boundary waters along the state line).

Violators: Individuals committing or attempting to commit boating or fish and game law violations in the boundary waters.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

Trigger: The reciprocal enforcement framework becomes active if Connecticut enacts a law providing similar arrest and prosecutorial authority for violations in the boundary waters, or if such a law is already in effect as of the act’s effective date.

Enforcement Outcome: Arrests can be made by officers from either state, with prosecutorial procedures to follow in the state where the violation occurred.

Effective Date: Immediate upon passage of the bill.

Potential Impacts

Enhanced cross-border cooperation for enforcing boating and fishing regulations in boundary waters.

Potentially increased ability to deter and address violations by ensuring enforcement presence from both states.

Clarifies jurisdictional authority and prosecution venue for violations in inter-state boundary waters.

May require coordination between Rhode Island and Connecticut law enforcement agencies in terms of training, arrest procedures, and return-to-state protocols for prosecutions.

Considerations for Stakeholders

Waterway users (boaters and fishers) should be aware that violations in boundary waters could be pursued by either state’s authorities and prosecuted in the state where the violation occurred.

Law enforcement agencies may need to align policies and establish working protocols for reciprocal arrests and transfers.

The bill depends on Connecticut adopting a concomitant reciprocal enforcement law or having one in effect at the act’s effective date.