§33-5-31. Local regulation.

(a) The provisions of this article and rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, and other general laws of this state shall govern the operation, equipment, numbering and all other matters relating thereto whenever any vessel shall be operated on the waters of this state, or when any activity regulated by this article shall take place thereon, but nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent the adoption of any ordinance or local law relating to operation of vessels the provisions of which are identical to the provisions of this article, amendments thereto or regulations issued thereunder; provided, that such ordinances or local laws shall be operative only so long as and to the extent that they continue to be identical to provisions of this article, amendments thereto or regulations issued thereunder.

(b) Any subdivision of this state may, at any time, but only after public notice, make formal application to the commissioner for special rules and regulations with reference to the operation of vessels on any waters within its territorial limits and shall set forth therein the reasons which make such special rules or regulations necessary or appropriate. The public notice shall be effected by the said subdivision causing a copy of the proposed public rules or regulations to be published one time per week for four consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation within the area that the subdivision is located.

(c) The commissioner is hereby authorized to make special rules and regulations with reference to the operation of vessels on any waters within the territorial limits of any subdivision of this state.

(Acts 1959, No. 576, p. 1442, §26.)