HOUSE RESOLUTION CREATING A TASK FORCE TO STUDY AND DEFINE THE TERM "HOUSEBOAT"

House Resolution 6186 establishes a special Task Force in Rhode Island to study and define the term "houseboat." This Task Force will examine existing definitions found in state laws, environmental regulations, and United States Coast Guard classifications due to current inconsistencies. It will consist of representatives from various bodies, including the House of Representatives, the Department of Environmental Management, the Coastal Resources Management Council, marine trade associations, municipal harbor commissions, and the U.S. Coast Guard. The Task Force is required to meet at least four times and deliver a final report with recommendations for a standardized definition to the Speaker of the House by January 31, 2026.