§44.1. Riverboat inspections; alternative inspections when certificate of inspection not issued; inspections for non-certificated vessels

            A. A riverboat shall be designated as a non-certificated vessel as defined in R.S. 27:44 if either of the following occur:

            (1) The United States Coast Guard discontinues its issuance of Certificates of Inspection for riverboats as provided for in R.S. 27:44(23)(a) and (b), upon expiration of the United States Coast Guard certificate of inspection in effect at the time the United States Coast Guard discontinues its issuance of Certificates of Inspection.

            (2) The United States Coast Guard declines to issue a Certificate of Inspection as provided for in R.S. 27:44(23)(a) and (b), for riverboats which are placed into service by the licensee and approved by the board after August 15, 2005. The riverboat shall be designated as a non-certificated vessel upon the refusal of the United States Coast Guard to issue a Certificate of Inspection.

            B. To ensure the public health and safety of the public, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board may approve that the non-certificated vessels be inspected by a combination of the following:

            (1) A third-party inspector named and approved by the board.

            (2) Inspections conducted by the licensee.

            C. The non-certificated vessel shall be inspected by the third-party inspector annually. The licensee shall conduct quarterly inspections using the criteria set forth in Subsection D of this Section and shall document in writing the results of the quarterly inspections and shall make them available to the division.

            D.(1) The third-party inspector shall certify to the Louisiana Gaming Control Board that the vessel is in compliance with the standards necessary to maintain either:

            (a) A United States Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection utilizing the inspection criteria in effect at the time of the vessel's original construction, applicable waivers approved by the United States Coast Guard, and subsequent modifications to the configuration and marine staffing recommended by an approved third-party inspector as approved by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board that are consistent with United States Coast Guard criteria for the current configuration and mooring of the vessel; or

            (b) A certificate of compliance utilizing a combination of applicable marine structural and life safety standards, the National Fire Protection Association Life Safety Code®, and the International Building Code as adopted in the state of Louisiana and as accepted by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, which are suitable to the vessel's present location and configuration.

            (2) The certification by the third-party inspector shall incorporate the standards, conditions, policy letters, alternative examinations, and alternative design approvals placed upon the vessel by the United States Coast Guard at the time the third-party inspector began inspecting that vessel.

            E. Items which are not in compliance with the inspection standard described in this Section shall be identified by the third-party inspector who will establish a time period for the discrepancies to be remedied.

            F. Failure to remedy any discrepancy timely shall be reported to the division and Louisiana Gaming Control Board who may impose sanctions upon the licensee including a civil penalty.

            G. In the event an approved third-party inspector is no longer available or acceptable to the division to conduct the annual inspections required under Subsection C of this Section, the division, subject to the approval of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, shall select other third-party inspectors to conduct inspections according to the same standards as provided for in Subsection D of this Section and report its findings regarding compliance to the Louisiana Gaming Control Board.

            H. Fees imposed by the third-party inspector shall be paid by the licensee and in no circumstance shall the state of Louisiana or any of its political subdivisions be responsible for the payment of such inspection fees regardless of who contracts with the third-party inspector to conduct the inspections as required by this Section.

            I. The Louisiana Gaming Control Board shall adopt rules to provide for alternate inspections for persons licensed pursuant to the provisions of the Louisiana Riverboat Economic Development and Gaming Control Act as provided in Chapter 4 of this Title. All rules shall be adopted pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act and R.S. 27:15(B)(8). Such rules shall provide for the submission within thirty days of receipt by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board of each riverboat gaming vessel certificate of compliance to the Senate Committee on Judiciary B and the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.

            Acts 2005, No. 459, §1; Acts 2008, No. 319, §1, eff. June 17, 2008; Acts 2012, No. 447, §1; Acts 2023, No. 126, §1.