PARKS AND RECREATIONAL AREAS -- GENERAL PROVISIONS, the official text

H7916 2026 -- H 7916 ======== LC005745 ======== STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ A N A C T RELATING TO PARKS AND RECREATIONAL AREAS -- GENERAL PROVISIONS Introduced By: Representatives Place, and Fascia Date Introduced: February 27, 2026 Referred To: House Environment and Natural Resources It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: 1 SECTION 1. Chapter 32-1 of the General Laws entitled General Provisions is hereby 2 amended by adding thereto the following section: 3 32-1-23. Taking of mushrooms from state parks, recreational areas, and forests 4 permitted. 5 (a) The director of the department of environmental management ( director ) shall 6 promulgate, adopt, and enforce any and all rules and regulations deemed necessary to authorize 7 any person to take mushrooms from any lands under the control of the director, provided such 8 taking is for personal use only. The state shall have no liability to any person or the heirs or assigns 9 of any such person who engages in the taking of mushrooms from any lands under the control of 10 the director. 11 (b) Pursuant to the rules and regulations promulgated in accordance with the provisions of 12 subsection (a) of this section, any person lawfully using or present on the premises of any state 13 park, recreational area, forest or public land under the control or management of the director, may 14 collect and harvest wild mushrooms found growing thereon for personal use. 15 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. ======== LC005745 ======== EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF A N A C T RELATING TO PARKS AND RECREATIONAL AREAS -- GENERAL PROVISIONS *** 1 This act would provide for the authorized taking of mushrooms from lands under control 2 of the DEM for personal use. 3 This act would take effect upon passage. ======== LC005745 ======== LC005745 - Page 2 of 2