NRS488.530. Unlawful acts; inspections; authority of peace officers.

      1.  It is unlawful for any person at any time to:

      (a) Launch a vessel into any body of water in this State for which the Department has approved an inspection program without first complying with that program;

      (b) Refuse to comply with any requirements of the Department or any requirements of an inspection program approved by the Department; or

      (c) Leave an impaired body of water in this State or any other state after operating a vessel on that impaired body of water and launch the vessel on any other body of water in this State without first decontaminating the vessel and any conveyance used on the impaired body of water.

      2.  In addition to any inspection conducted pursuant to NRS 488.900, each owner, operator or person in control of a vessel or conveyance shall stop at any mandatory inspection station for aquatic invasive species authorized by the Department. If a peace officer reasonably believes, based on articulable facts, that an aquatic invasive species or aquatic plant material may be present on the vessel or conveyance, the peace officer may:

      (a) Require the owner, operator or person in control of the vessel or conveyance to decontaminate the vessel or conveyance; or

      (b) In addition to any seizure required pursuant to NRS 488.910, impound or quarantine the vessel or conveyance.

      3.  A peace officer may stop and inspect a vessel or conveyance for the presence of aquatic invasive species or aquatic plant material, or for proof of a required inspection:

      (a) Before a vessel is launched into a body of water in this State;

      (b) Before a vessel or conveyance departs from a body of water in this State, a launch ramp or a vessel staging area;

      (c) If the vessel or conveyance is visibly transporting any aquatic invasive species or aquatic plant material; or

      (d) If the peace officer reasonably believes, based on articulable facts, that an aquatic invasive species or aquatic plant material is present.

      4.  If a peace officer conducts an inspection of a vessel or conveyance pursuant to this section and determines that an aquatic invasive species or aquatic plant material is present on the vessel or conveyance, the peace officer may order the vessel or conveyance to be decontaminated.

      5.  A peace officer may impound or quarantine a vessel if:

      (a) An inspection conducted pursuant to this section indicates the presence of an aquatic invasive species or aquatic plant material on the vessel or conveyance; or

      (b) The owner, operator or person in control of the vessel or conveyance refuses to:

             (1) Submit to an inspection authorized pursuant to this section; or

             (2) Comply with an order issued pursuant to this section to decontaminate his or her vessel or conveyance.

      6.  As used in this section, “impaired body of water” means any body of water in this State or any other state which the Commission or another governmental entity has identified as containing an aquatic invasive species.

      (Added to NRS by 2011, 2402)