R.I. Gen. Laws § 20-1-26: Freshwater invasive aquatic plants — Prohibition on importation and possession.

(a) No person shall import, transport, disperse, distribute, introduce, sell, purchase, or possess in the state any species of non-native (exotic) freshwater invasive aquatic plants, as defined by the director. The director shall promulgate rules and regulations governing the prohibition and its applicability. The prohibition and its enforcement shall not become effective until the rules and regulations governing the prohibition and its applicability take effect.

(b) Violations of this section shall be punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500).