R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-27-5 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-27 / Section 37-27-5
§ 37-27-5. Penalties.
Status: in_force

(a) Unless otherwise specified, any violation of § 37-27-3 or §37-27-4 shall be deemed a felony punishable by imprisonment not exceeding three (3) years and by a fine of up to one million dollars ($1,000,000) or three (3) times the value of the submitted award or bid, whichever is greater. Any criminal proceeding brought pursuant to this chapter must be commenced within three (3) years after the alleged criminal act occurred.

(b) It shall not constitute a violation of this chapter when any person who is an official of or employed by any unit of state or local government follows procedures established by federal, state, or local laws or regulations including, but not limited to, processes established pursuant to chapter 2 of this title or chapter 55 of title 45, or regulations promulgated thereto.

(c) It shall not constitute a violation of this chapter for any person who is an official of or employed by any unit of state or local government to provide to any person a copy of the transcript or other summary of any pre-bid conference when such transcript or summary is also made generally available to the public.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-16-1 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-16 / Section 37-16-1
§ 37-16-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known as the Public Works Arbitration Act.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-5-4 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-5 / Section 37-5-4
§ 37-5-4. State piers  Cooperation in river and harbor development.
Status: in_force

The department and director shall have jurisdiction over state pier no. 1 at Providence, state pier no. 2 at Pawtucket, and state piers no. 3 and no. 4 in the town of Narragansett. The department shall also cooperate with federal authorities in connection with river and harbor development; and shall also carry on all duties in connection with the opening of breachways in the several salt ponds of the state and for this purpose shall cooperate with federal authorities in connection with the breachways.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-2-40 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-2 / Section 37-2-40
§ 37-2-40. Bid security.
Status: in_force

(a) Bidder security shall be required for all competitive sealed bidding for construction contracts when the price is estimated by the state to exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000). Bidders security shall be a bond provided by a surety company authorized to do business in this state, or the equivalent in cash, in a form satisfactory to the state. Nothing herein prevents the requirement of bonds on construction contracts under fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) when the circumstances warrant.

(b) Bidders security shall be in an amount equal to at least five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid.

(c) When the invitation for bids requires that bidder security be provided, noncompliance requires that the bid be rejected; provided, however, that the chief purchasing officer may set forth by regulations exceptions to this requirement in the event of substantial compliance.

(d) After the bids are opened, they shall be irrevocable for the period specified in the invitation for bids; provided, that, if a bidder is permitted to withdraw his or her bid before award because of a mistake in the bid as allowed by law or regulation, no action shall be had against the bidder or the bidders surety.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-2-25.1 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-2 / Section 37-2-25.1
§ 37-2-25.1. Prequalification of vendors for electronic reverse auctions.
Status: in_force

(a) Potential bidders shall be prequalified for participation in each electronic auction.

(b) A request for qualifications shall be issued stating the intent to conduct a reverse auction in accordance with the provisions of § 37-2-18.1. The request for qualifications shall identify the goods and services to be purchased and the criteria to be used to determine how many and/or which bidders will be selected to participate in the reverse auction. All requests for qualifications shall be solicited through utilization of the Rhode Island Vendor Information Program (RIVIP) as set forth in § 37-2-17.1.

(c) Participants shall be selected based on the criteria set forth in the request for qualifications, including agreement to any terms, conditions or other requirements of the solicitation. Written or oral discussions may be conducted with all responsible vendors determined in writing to be reasonably susceptible of being selected for award.

(d) Prior to the execution of the auction potential bidders shall be required to receive instruction on the use of the selected electronic bidding procedure. Only bidders who successfully complete the training phase of prequalification shall be permitted to participate in the electronic reverse auction specified in the request for qualifications.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-6-13 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-6 / Section 37-6-13
§ 37-6-13. Authorization of condemnation for road purposes.
Status: in_force

Whenever in the opinion of the director of transportation the acquisition of land or other real property or any interest, estate, or right therein is necessary or advantageous for the establishing, laying out, widening, extending, relocating, regrading, straightening, or improving of any public highway, street, or parkway, or to secure more suitable lines, grades, or safety, the state properties committee may authorize the acquisition thereof by condemnation proceedings; provided, however, the state properties committee shall not authorize any land or estate owned and used by any railroad company to be taken by condemnation until after hearing before the division of public utilities and carriers and until the consent of the division of public utilities and carriers to the taking shall be given.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-10-1 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-10 / Section 37-10-1
§ 37-10-1. Building authorized.
Status: in_force

The state of Rhode Island is hereby authorized and empowered to construct, operate, and maintain a Rhode Island building at the eastern states exposition at West Springfield, in the commonwealth of Massachusetts, to be designated and constructed for the purpose of exhibiting the resources, products, and general development of the state of Rhode Island, and for advertising its agricultural, industrial, recreational, and educational possibilities.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-2-20 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-2 / Section 37-2-20
§ 37-2-20. Negotiations after unsuccessful competitive sealed bidding.
Status: in_force

(a) In the event that all bids submitted pursuant to competitive sealed bidding under § 37-2-18 result in bid prices in excess of the funds available for the purchase and the chief purchasing officer determines in writing:

(1) That there are no additional funds available from any source so as to permit an award to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, and

(2) The best interest of the state will not permit the delay attendant to a resolicitation under revised specifications, or for revised quantities, under competitive sealed bidding as provided in § 37-2-18, then a negotiated award may be made as set forth in subsection (b) or (d) of this section.

(b) Where there is more than one bidder, competitive negotiations, pursuant to § 37-2-19, shall be conducted with the three (3) (or two (2) if there are only two (2)) bidders determined in writing to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidders to the competitive sealed bid invitation. Competitive negotiations shall be conducted under the following restrictions:

(1) If discussions pertaining to the revision of the specifications or quantities are held with any potential offeror, all other potential offerors shall be afforded an opportunity to take part in such discussions; and

(2) A request for proposals, based upon revised specifications or quantities, shall be issued as promptly as possible, shall provide for an expeditious response to the revised requirements, and shall be awarded upon the basis of the lowest bid price, or lowest evaluated bid price submitted by any responsive and responsible offeror.

(c) Contracts may be competitively negotiated when it is determined in writing by the purchasing agent that the bid prices received by competitive sealed bidding were not independently reached in open competition, and for which:

(1) Each competitive bidder has been notified of the intention to negotiate and is given reasonable opportunity to negotiate; and

(2) The negotiated price is lower than the lowest rejected bid by any competitive bidder; and

(3) The negotiated price is the lowest negotiated price offered by a competitive offeror.

(d) When, after competitive sealed bidding, it is determined in writing that there is only one responsive and responsible bidder, a negotiated award may be made with the bidder subject to the provisions of § 37-2-28.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-15-16 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-15 / Section 37-15-16
§ 37-15-16. Cooperation between industry and department.
Status: in_force

To aid in the state anti litter and recycling campaign, the general assembly requests that the various industry organizations which are active in anti litter and recycling efforts provide active cooperation with the department so that the additional effect may be given to the anti litter and recycling campaign of the state of Rhode Island.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-6-4 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-6 / Section 37-6-4
§ 37-6-4. Powers and duties supplemental.
Status: in_force

The powers and duties vested in the state purchasing agent, the director of administration, and the attorney general by the provisions of this chapter and §§ 37-7-1  37-7-9 shall be construed to be in addition to any and all other powers and duties vested in them by any other general or public law, and not in substitution thereof.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-13-12 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-13 / Section 37-13-12
§ 37-13-12. Wage records of contractors and vendors.
Status: in_force

Each contractor, vendor, or provider awarded a contract with a contract price in excess of one thousand dollars ($1,000) for public works or school transportation services, and each subcontractor who performs work on those public works, shall keep an accurate record showing the name, occupation, and actual wages paid to each worker employed by him or her and the payments to all the employee funds specified in §§ 37-13-6 and 37-13-7 by him or her in connection with the contract or work. The director and his or her authorized representatives shall have the right to enter any place of employment at all reasonable hours for the purpose of inspecting the wage records and seeing that all provisions of this chapter are complied with.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-6-20 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-6 / Section 37-6-20
§ 37-6-20. Pretrial conference with state properties committee  Proceeding to trial.
Status: in_force

In the event that the government of the United States of America does not participate with the state of Rhode Island in the payment of any funds to the claimant or claimants of an estate, then within sixty (60) days after the service of a certified copy upon the head of the acquiring authority, the owner of and any person entitled to any estate in or interested in any part of the land or other real property so taken shall confer with the state properties committee and, if at the expiration of ninety (90) days after the service of the certified copy upon the head of the acquiring authority, the owner of and person entitled to any estate in or interested in any part of the land or other real property so taken has not agreed with the state properties committee upon the price to be paid for his or her estate, right, or interest in the land or other real property so taken and the appurtenant damage to the remainder, he or she may proceed to the trial thereof in the superior court. In the event that the government of the United States of America does participate with the state of Rhode Island in the payment of any funds, in any proportion, to the claimant or claimants of the estate, then the owner of and any person entitled to any estate in or interested in any part of the land or other real property so taken shall not confer with the state properties committee, but the cause may then proceed to trial in the superior court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-8-21 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-8 / Section 37-8-21
§ 37-8-21. Universal changing stations required in public buildings.
Status: in_force

(a) The department of administration shall, by January 1, 2026, adopt regulations requiring any public building that is newly constructed, reconstructed, or remodeled on or after January 1, 2027 to install and maintain at least one universal changing station.

(b) The regulations adopted by the department pursuant to this section shall include the following:

(1) A requirement that the entrance to each universal changing station has conspicuous signage indicating the location of the station;

(2) A requirement that if a public building has a central directory, said central directory shall indicate the location of the universal changing station; and

(3) A requirement that all universal changing stations shall:

(i) Be capable of supporting up to three hundred fifty pounds (350 lbs.);

(ii) Be equipped with a height-adjustable changing table;

(iii) Be located inside a private restroom or in a private stall, enclosed area, or privacy screen within a multi-stall restroom;

(iv) Provide adequate space for assistance; and

(v) Comply with all requirements of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

(c) The department may grant an exemption from the requirements of this section if it determines:

(1) The installation would not be feasible;

(2) The installation would result in a failure to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act standards for access for persons with disabilities;

(3) The cost of the proposed reconstruction or remodeling without the inclusion of the changing table does not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000);

(4) The installation would destroy the historic significance of a historic property; or

(5) The building is not frequented by the public.

(d) For the purposes of this chapter, universal changing station means a changing station within an enclosed restroom facility that is for use by persons of any age who require assistance with diapering and is accessible by persons of any sex.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-2-22 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-2 / Section 37-2-22
§ 37-2-22. Small purchases.
Status: in_force

Procurements, not to exceed an aggregate amount of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for construction and ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for all other purchases may be made in accordance with small purchase regulations promulgated by the chief purchasing officer. Procurement requirements shall not be artificially divided so as to constitute a small purchase under this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-2-39 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-2 / Section 37-2-39
§ 37-2-39. Responsibility for selection of methods of construction contracting management.
Status: in_force

The chief purchasing officer shall issue regulations providing for as many alternative methods of management of construction contracting as he or she may determine to be feasible, setting forth criteria to be used in determining which method of management of construction is to be used for a particular project, and granting to the purchasing agent, or the purchasing agency responsible for carrying out the construction project, the discretion to select the appropriate method of construction contracting for a particular project, provided, however, that the chief purchasing officer shall execute and include in the contract file a written statement setting forth the facts which led to the selection of a particular method of management of construction contracting in each instance.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-4-5 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-4 / Section 37-4-5
§ 37-4-5. Disbursements from fund.
Status: in_force

The state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment from the automotive equipment fund of such sums as may from time to time be required under the provisions of this chapter, upon receipt by him or her of proper vouchers approved by the director of administration.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-13-3 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-13 / Section 37-13-3
§ 37-13-3. Contractors subject to provisions  Weekly payment of employees.
Status: in_force

All contractors, who have been awarded contracts for public works by an awarding agency or authority of the state or of any city, town, committee, or by any person or persons therein, in which state or municipal funds are used and of which the contract price shall be in excess of one thousand dollars ($1,000), whether payable at the time of the signing of the contract or at a later date, and their subcontractors, on those public works shall pay their employees at weekly intervals and shall comply with the provisions set forth in §§ 37-13-4  37-13-14 and § 37-13-16.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-16-12 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-16 / Section 37-16-12
§ 37-16-12. Fees.
Status: in_force

In any proceeding under this chapter, unless the parties agree as to the arbitrators or arbitrators fees, the fees shall be fixed by the court or the judges thereof who shall require the payment equally by both parties of the arbitrators fees.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-2-9 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-2 / Section 37-2-9
§ 37-2-9. Authority and duties of the chief purchasing officer.
Status: in_force

(a) The chief purchasing officer shall have power and authority over, and may, except as otherwise expressly provided in this chapter, adopt regulations pursuant to § 42-35-2 and consistent with this chapter governing the purchasing, management, and control of any and all supplies, services, construction, and other items required to be purchased by the state. The chief purchasing officer shall consider and decide matters of policy with regard to state procurement. The chief purchasing officer shall have the power of review with respect to the implementation of regulations and policy determinations.

(b) Regulations shall be adopted governing the following:

(1) Conditions and procedures for delegations of purchasing authority;

(2) Prequalification, suspension, debarment, and reinstatement of prospective bidders;

(3) Small purchase procedures;

(4) Conditions and procedures for the purchase of perishables and items for resale;

(5) Conditions and procedures for the use of source selection methods authorized by this chapter including emergency purchases;

(6) Opening and rejection of bids or offers, consideration of alternate bids, and waiver of informalities in offers;

(7) Confidentiality of technical data and trade secrets information submitted by actual or prospective bidders or offerors;

(8) Partial, progressive, and multiple awards;

(9) Supervision of storerooms and inventories, including determination of appropriate stock levels and the management, transfer, sale, or other disposal of state owned property;

(10) Definitions and classes of contractual services and procedures for acquiring them;

(11) To sell, trade, or otherwise dispose of surplus supplies and services for the state;

(12) To exercise general supervision and control over all warehouses, storerooms, stores, and all inventories of supplies, services, and construction belonging to the state;

(13) To establish and maintain programs for the development and use of purchasing specifications, and for the inspection, testing, and acceptance of supplies, services, and construction;

(14) To develop a program which involves and/or utilizes small business and small disadvantaged business as contractors;

(15) To develop standards of conduct which supplement the provisions of chapter 14 of title 36, as amended, for personnel involved in the state of Rhode Island purchasing process;

(16) For all contracts for supplies and services exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000), contractors must comply with the requirements of federal executive order no. 11246, as amended, § 28-5.1-10, and other regulations as issued by the purchasing agent, and administered by the state equal opportunity office of the department of administration. Failure to comply will be considered a substantial breach of the contract subject to penalties prescribed in the regulations.

(c) The chief purchasing officer may adopt such other regulations as deemed advisable to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-2-59 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-2 / Section 37-2-59
§ 37-2-59. Professional services  Architectural, engineering, and consultant services  Committee.
Status: in_force

(a) It shall be the policy of this state to publicly announce requirements for architectural, engineering, and consultants services, which are reasonably estimated to exceed twenty thousand dollars ($20,000), and to negotiate contracts for such professional services on the basis of demonstrated competence and qualifications and at fair and reasonable prices.

(b) Except for architectural, engineering and consultant services which can be solicited and awarded in accordance with the requirements for competitive sealed offers set forth in §§ 37-2-18  37-2-19 of this chapter, a selection committee shall select persons or firms to render such professional services. For state agency contracts, the committee shall consist of the following individuals: the purchasing agent, or his or her designee, as chairman; a representative of the user agency; and a public member, appointed by the governor, subject to the advice and consent of the senate, who shall represent the interests of the general public. The governor may appoint an alternate public member, subject to advice and consent of the senate, who shall represent the interests of the general public who shall serve in the absence of the public member. The term of the public member shall be concurrent with that of the governor. Three (3) members, one being the purchasing agent or his or her designee, shall constitute a quorum. A quorum must be present to conduct business.

(c) The procurement of auditing and accounting services shall continue to be subject to the provisions of §§ 22-13-6 and 35-7-13.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-15-5 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-15 / Section 37-15-5
§ 37-15-5. Enforcement.
Status: in_force

(a) State police officers, local police officers, forest rangers, park police officers, conservation officers, all other state and local enforcement officers, and department staff members as designated by the director are hereby authorized to enforce the provisions of this chapter.

(b)(1) All violations of this chapter shall be heard by the traffic tribunal in accordance with § 8-8.2-2.

(2) Subsection (b)(1) shall not be construed to limit the jurisdiction of any court to hear violations of other laws, including local ordinances and regulations relating to litter.

(c) Cities and towns may, through their chief executive officers, authorize designated municipal employees in addition to those described in subsection (a) to enforce the provisions of this chapter. The employees may also be authorized to enforce local ordinances and regulations relating to litter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-2-26 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-2 / Section 37-2-26
§ 37-2-26. Prequalification of contractors  Roads  Department of transportation.
Status: in_force

Prequalification for a contractor who bids on road work for the department of transportation shall be as follows:

(1) A list of equipment in his or her possession and which he or she proposes to use on the contract if awarded to him or her.

(2) The name and qualifications of his or her superintendent or supervisory personnel to be assigned to the major features of the work.

(3) His or her financial references and an original copy of his or her current financial statement.

(4)(i) The successful contractor is required to submit to the Rhode Island department of transportation for approval, executed contract agreement(s) between the contractor and the qualified DBE to be utilized during the performance of the work.

(ii) Prior to submitting the above, any subcontractor and/or supplier must first receive subcontract approval by the Rhode Island department of transportation.

(5)(i) Provide the number of proposed trainees to be trained in each classification and training programs as stated in the required contract provisions for federal aid projects (training special provisions page 15 par. 3).

(ii) The above requirement will be submitted to the Rhode Island department of transportation external equal employment opportunity office for approval.

(6) The name of the individual who will act as the equal employment opportunity officer for this company.

(7) Four (4) copies on the companys letterhead of certification of nondiscrimination in equal employment opportunity.

(8) The successful contractor shall provide the names of proposed subcontractors and the phase and extent of the work which they will perform. If any have not performed similar work for this state, supply experience records for similar types of work performed elsewhere.

(9) Copies of letters directly from the contractors bonding and insurance companies indicating their willingness to furnish the required bonds and insurance.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-2-5 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-2 / Section 37-2-5
§ 37-2-5. Severability  Construction against implicit repealer.
Status: repealed

(a) If any provision of this chapter or application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to that end the provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable.

(b) Since this chapter is a general act intended to provide model coverage of its subject matter, no part of it shall be deemed to be impliedly repealed by subsequent legislation.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-24-5 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-24 / Section 37-24-5
§ 37-24-5. Administration and reports  Green buildings advisory committee.
Status: in_force

(a) The department shall promulgate such regulations as are necessary to enforce this section by January 1, 2023. Those regulations shall include how the department will determine whether a project qualifies for an exception from the LEED, LEED for Neighborhood Development, and SITES certified or equivalent high-performance green building standard, and the green building standards that may be imposed on projects that are granted exceptions.

(b) The department shall monitor and document ongoing operating savings that result from major facility projects designed, constructed, and certified as meeting the LEED, LEED for Neighborhood Development, and SITES certified standard annually publish a public report of findings and recommended changes in policy. The report shall also include a description of projects that were granted exceptions from the LEED, LEED for Neighborhood Development, and SITES certified standard, the reasons for exception, and the lesser green building standards imposed.

(c)  (f) [Deleted by P.L. 2022, ch. 204, § 1 and P.L. 2022, ch. 205, § 1.]

(g) A green buildings advisory committee shall be created composed of nineteen (19) members. The advisory committee shall have eleven (11) public members and eight (8) public agency members. Five (5) of the public members shall be appointed by the governor; three (3) of the public members shall be appointed by the president of the senate; and, three (3) of the public members shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(1) The eleven (11) public members of the advisory committee shall be composed of nine (9) representatives one from each of the following fields: architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, energy, labor through the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, general construction contracting, building product and building materials industries who are involved in, and have recognized knowledge and accomplishment in their respective professions, of high-performance green building standards, relating to the standards set forth in § 37-24-4; in addition to two (2) public members, one representing an urban municipality from Providence, Cranston, Warwick, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, or Newport, and one public member representing the other thirty-two (32) municipalities in the state in order to ensure geographic diversity.

(2) The advisory committee shall have eight (8) public agency members representing personnel from affected public agencies, and cities and towns, that oversee public works projects and workforce development, who shall be appointed by the directors or chief executive officers of the respective public agencies which shall include the department of administration; the department of environmental management; the department of education; the department of transportation; the department of labor and training; the office of the state building code commissioner; the Rhode Island infrastructure bank, and the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns.

(3) The chairperson of the green buildings advisory committee shall be a public member chosen by the green buildings advisory committee.

(4) Of the initial eleven (11) public members, six (6) shall serve three-year (3) terms and five (5) shall have two-year (2) terms. Each appointing authority shall appoint two (2) public members to three-year (3) terms with the remainder of the public member appointments serving two-year terms. Thereafter, all public members shall be appointed to three-year (3) terms.

(h) The green buildings advisory committee shall:

(1) Make recommendations regarding an ongoing evaluation process of the green buildings act to help the department and the executive climate change coordinating council implement this chapter;

(2) Identify the needs, actions, and funding required to implement the requirements set forth in this chapter, in achieving high-performance green building projects for our public buildings, public structures, and our public real properties;

(3) Establish clear, measurable targets for implementing the standards, defined in this chapter, for all public major facility projects including timeline, workforce needs, anticipated costs and other measures identified by the green buildings advisory committee and required by chapter 6.2 of title 42 (2021 act on climate); and

(4) Identify ways to monitor and document ongoing operating savings and greenhouse gas emission reductions that result from public major facility projects designed, constructed and certified as meeting the LEED, LEED for Neighborhood Development, SITES certified standard, Green Globes, Northeast Collaborative for High-Performance Schools Protocol, Version 1.1 or above and annually publish a report to the general assembly and the executive climate change coordinating council of findings and recommended changes in policy.

(i) All requests for proposals, requests for information, requests for bids, requests for design/build, requests for construction managers, and any requests relating to obtaining the professional services, pricing, and construction for major facility projects by a public agency for a public facility, shall include the notice of the statutory requirements of this chapter (the green buildings act).

(j) The green buildings advisory committee shall have no responsibility for, and shall not develop requests for proposals, requests for information, requests for bids, requests for design/build, requests for construction managers, and any requests relating to obtaining the professional services, pricing, and construction for major facility projects by a public agency for a public facility; and the green buildings advisory committee shall have no responsibility for, and shall not select any vendors for any requests for proposals, requests for information, requests for bids, requests for design/build, requests for construction managers, and any requests relating to obtaining the professional services, pricing, and construction for major facility projects by a public agency for a public facility. Nothing shall prohibit public members of the green buildings advisory committee from responding to, and being involved with, any submittals of requests for proposals, requests for information, requests for bids, requests for design/build, requests for construction managers, and any requests relating to obtaining the professional services, pricing, and construction for major facility projects by a public agency for a public facility.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-6-26 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-6 / Section 37-6-26
§ 37-6-26. Acquisition of land for utility or railroad relocation necessitated by highway construction or improvement.
Status: in_force

(a) Whenever, in connection with the laying out, widening, relocating, improving, constructing, or altering of a highway by the department of transportation, land, an easement, or other interest therein owned by a public utility or railroad company, is acquired by the director of transportation under the provisions of this chapter, thereby necessitating the relocation of the facilities of the company, the director of transportation, subject to the provisions of this chapter, may acquire by purchase or may take by condemnation such land or easements therein as may be necessary for the relocation or replacement of the public utility or railroad facilities and convey the land or easements to the public utility or railroad company. The conveyance shall be in lieu of any damages for the value of the land, easements, or other interests therein of the company so taken by the director of transportation, not including, however, any damages for the cost of the relocation for which the state may be liable.

(b) For the purposes of this section, the term public utility shall embrace the definition therefor contained within § 39-1-2 and, in addition, shall include any public water works or water service owned or furnished by any municipal or quasi-municipal corporation or authority.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-9-2 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-9 / Section 37-9-2
§ 37-9-2. Policies for use of auditorium.
Status: in_force

The director of administration is hereby authorized and empowered to determine and administer the policies of use which shall apply to the state auditorium in the Veterans Memorial Building, at Providence, Rhode Island; to determine the patterns and standards of performance, entertainment, instruction, and other modes and purposes of use of the facilities of the state auditorium; and to determine prices, charges, schedules, contract terms, and conditions as well as any and all other matters brought about by the public and private use, presentation, and rental thereof.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-13-13.1 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-13 / Section 37-13-13.1
§ 37-13-13.1. Audits of wage records of out-of-state contractors, subcontractors, and providers.
Status: in_force

Out-of state contractors, subcontractors, vendors, or providers who perform work on public works or provide school transportation services, in this state authorize the director of labor and training to conduct wage and hour audits of their payroll records pursuant to the provisions of chapter 14 of title 28.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-21-1 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-21 / Section 37-21-1
§ 37-21-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and cited as the Minority Business Development Compliance Act.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-16-25 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-16 / Section 37-16-25
§ 37-16-25. Appeals.
Status: in_force

An appeal may be taken from an order made in a proceeding under this chapter, or from a judgment entered upon an award. The proceedings upon the appeal, including the judgment thereupon and the enforcement of the judgment, are governed by the provisions of statute and rule regulating appeal in actions as far as they are applicable.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-5-6 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-5 / Section 37-5-6
§ 37-5-6. Emergency public works powers.
Status: in_force

The department and director shall exercise and perform all the powers, duties, and functions now or formerly exercised or performed by the emergency public works commission, with the exception of the award of contracts for new buildings, which contracts shall be awarded by the department of administration, and the emergency public works commission is hereby abolished.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-2-46 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-2 / Section 37-2-46
§ 37-2-46. Authority to resolve contract and breach of contract controversies.
Status: in_force

Prior to the institution of arbitration or litigation concerning any contract, claim, or controversy, the chief purchasing officer is authorized, subject to any limitations or conditions imposed by regulations, to settle, compromise, pay, or otherwise adjust the claim, by or against, or controversy with a contractor relating to a contract entered into by the department of administration on behalf of the state or any state agency, including a claim or controversy based on contract, mistake, misrepresentation, or other cause for contract modification or rescission, but excluding any claim or controversy involving penalties or forfeitures prescribed by statute or regulation where an official other than the chief purchasing officer is specifically authorized to settle or determine the controversy.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-18-1 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-18 / Section 37-18-1
§ 37-18-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known as the Narragansett Indian Land Management Corporation Act.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-8-6.1 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-8 / Section 37-8-6.1
§ 37-8-6.1. Korean War monument.
Status: in_force

The director of the department of administration shall establish and cause to be displayed in the State House a monument commemorating the men and women who served in the armed forces of the United States during the Korean War.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-6-21.1 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-6 / Section 37-6-21.1
§ 37-6-21.1. Expediting proceedings.
Status: in_force

In any proceedings for the assessment of damages for real property so taken by the state under the provisions of this chapter, at any time during the pendency of the action or proceeding, the state or owner may apply to the court for an order directing the owner or state, as the case may be, to show cause why the further proceeding should not be expedited. The court may upon application make an order requiring that the hearings proceed and that any other steps be taken with all possible expedition, and all the court actions shall have precedence on the calendar and shall continue to have precedence on the calendar on a day-to-day basis until the matter is heard.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-23-2 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-23 / Section 37-23-2
§ 37-23-2. Board of safety awareness created.
Status: in_force

(a) There is hereby established, within the Division of Professional Regulation, a Board of Safety Awareness, hereinafter referred to as the board, which shall at all times consist of nine (9) qualified electors of the state, all of whom shall have successfully completed the OSHA ten (10) hour construction safety program.

(b) Annually, on or before January 31st, the director of labor and training shall appoint a member or members of the board to succeed the member or members whose term is at that time expiring who shall serve for three (3) years or until his/her successor is appointed and qualified. Any vacancy, which may occur in the board from any cause, shall be filled by the director for the remainder of the unexpired term. In the interest of maintaining consistency, the nine (9) members initially appointed to the Board of Safety Awareness will serve staggered term as follows: the three (3) officers will serve a three (3) year term; three (3) members will serve a two (2) year term; and three (3) members will serve a one (1) year term.

(c) The board shall elect from its membership a chairperson, who shall have obtained at least a minimum of the thirty (30) hour construction safety program as it pertains to the construction sector under OSHA regulations 1926.

(d) The board shall also elect from its membership a vice-chairperson and a secretary, both of whom shall have successfully completed at least a minimum of the thirty (30) hour construction safety program as it pertains to the construction sector under OSHA regulations 1926.

(e) The board shall advise and assist the division of professional regulation on promoting and promulgating such policies as may be necessary to improve safety on construction worksites subject to the approval of the director.

(f) The board may recommend to the director of labor and training, the replacement of a member who misses three (3) consecutive regularly scheduled monthly meetings.

(g) The final authority on all questions of procedure and parliamentary law not covered by the rules/bylaws of this board or by the Administrative Procedures Act of the State of Rhode Island shall be Roberts Rules of Order.

(h) There shall be a chief investigator for the division who shall have obtained at least a minimum successful completion of the thirty (30) hour construction safety program as it pertains to the construction sector under OSHA regulations 1926. He or she shall be appointed by the director of labor and training, upon recommendation from the board of safety awareness, and the position shall be in the classified service.

(i) There shall be a secretary for the safety awareness section who is in the classified service.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-2-66 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-2 / Section 37-2-66
§ 37-2-66. Solicitation  Public agency.
Status: in_force

(a) A solicitation shall be prepared which describes the public agencys requirements and sets forth the evaluation criteria. It shall be distributed to interested persons.

(b) For services reasonably estimated to exceed twenty thousand dollars ($20,000), the committee may require an informational conference be held which describes the criteria to be used in evaluating the statement of qualification, performance data, and selection of firms. Criteria shall include, but is not limited to:

(1) Competence to perform the services as reflected by technical training and education; general experience; experience in providing the required services; and the qualifications and competence of persons who would be assigned to perform the services;

(2) Ability to perform the services as reflected by workload and the availability of adequate personnel, equipment, and facilities to perform the services expeditiously;

(3) Past performance as reflected by the evaluation of private persons and officials of other governmental entities that have retained the services of the firm with respect to such factors as control of costs, quality of work, and an ability to meet deadlines; and

(4) The proposed approach to the project, where applicable.

(c) The scope of work shall be discussed and further defined at the bidders conference, including on-site visits, if appropriate.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-27-6 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-27 / Section 37-27-6
§ 37-27-6. Debarment.
Status: in_force

(a) Any vendor debarred pursuant to this chapter shall not perform work as a prime contractor, consultant, subcontractor, or subconsultant for the state and shall be excluded from all state procurements and any contract between the state and the vendor shall be terminated.

(b) Any person who is found to be in violation of any provision of this chapter shall be subject to debarment, pursuant to chapter 2 of this title or any regulations promulgated thereto, from state contracting for a period of up to five (5) years.

(c) A government entity that proposes, offers, or otherwise submits a contract for competitive bidding shall maintain a current list of persons excluded or ineligible, by reason of debarment, for participation in contracts or subcontracts with that government entity.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-23-7 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-23 / Section 37-23-7
§ 37-23-7. Inspection and right of entry.
Status: in_force

Authorized staff of the department shall have the right and authority to enter, during times at which work is actually being performed all municipal and state construction projects for the purpose of ascertaining compliance.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-2-13.1 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-2 / Section 37-2-13.1
§ 37-2-13.1. Procurement regulations  Request for proposal.
Status: in_force

(a) No request for proposal shall change to a master-price agreement unless the request for proposal is cancelled and reissued as a master price agreement.

(b) No vendor, parent corporation, subsidiary, affiliate, or subcontractor of any state vendor may bid on a request for proposal if that person or entity has a conflict of interest as defined in chapter 14 of title 36 with any official, officer, or agency in charge of the request or if they materially participated or were consulted with respect to the requirements, technical aspects, or any other part of the formation and promulgation of the request for proposals except for in the situations outlined in subsection (f) of this section.

(c) Further, no person or entity who or that acts as an operator or vendor for the state may participate in any request for proposal relating to any audit, examination, independent verification, review, or evaluation of any of the persons or entitys work, financials or operations performed for or on behalf of the state, or any official, officer, or agency.

(d) Persons or entities certified as sole source providers under § 37-2-21 shall be exempt from the requirements of subsection (b) of this section.

(e) Any person or entity submitting a proposal in response to a request for proposal shall make a written certification attesting under the penalty of perjury that the terms of subsection (b) of this section have been complied with or that the person or entity is exempt under subsection (d) of this section.

(f) Requests for information formally issued by the division of purchases and emergency procurements as defined in § 37-2-21 shall be exempt from subsection (b) of this section. Feasibility studies and preliminary evaluations shall also be exempt from subsection (b) of this section if the purchasing agent certifies in writing to the director of administration that a request for feasibility studies or preliminary evaluations resulted in no responsive bids. However, the division of purchases shall publicly disclose any final prior feasibility studies and/or evaluation reports completed in a subsequent procurement regarding a project.

(g) All potential suppliers shall be given a fair opportunity to present their capabilities and products. Reasonable effort shall be made to provide fair bidding opportunities to all qualified and interested suppliers.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-23-10 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-23 / Section 37-23-10
§ 37-23-10. Administration of oaths.
Status: in_force

The director of the department of labor and training and his/her designees shall have the authority to administer oaths to witnesses at a hearing, which the department has authorized by law to conduct, and any other oaths authorized or administered by the department.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-2-77 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-2 / Section 37-2-77
§ 37-2-77. International Trade Agreements  Procurement rules  General Assembly approval.
Status: in_force

(a) As used in this section, International Trade Agreement means a trade agreement between the federal government and a foreign country to which the state, at the request of the federal government, is a party. International Trade Agreement does not include a trade agreement between the state and a foreign country to which the federal government is not a party.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, state officials, including the governor, may not:

(1) Commit the state to the government procurement rules of an International Trade Agreement; or

(2) Give consent to the federal government to commit the state to the government procurement rules of an International Trade Agreement.

(c) The governor may commit the state or give consent to the federal government to commit the state to the government procurement rules of an International Trade Agreement only if the general assembly enacts legislation that explicitly authorizes the governor to commit the state or give consent to the federal government to commit the state to the government procurement rules of a specific International Trade Agreement.

(d) Any consent that a state official, including the governor, has given for the state to be committed by the government procurement rules of any International Trade Agreement on or before the effective date of this section [June 23, 2006] is declared invalid and the state is not committed by the government procurement rules of any International Trade Agreement for which a state official, including the governor, has given consent for the state to be committed to on or before the effective date of this section [June 23, 2006].
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-10-3 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-10 / Section 37-10-3
§ 37-10-3. Acceptance and deposit of contributions.
Status: in_force

(a) The director of the department of environmental management shall act as an agent of the state for the purpose of receiving, by means of public subscription, gifts, and bequests, and shall deposit all money so received in any bank or banks in this state in which the funds of the state may be lawfully kept, in a special account to be known as the eastern states exposition fund.

(b) When the director of the department of environmental management shall have obtained by public subscription as aforesaid the sum of at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), he or she shall certify that fact to the director of administration and shall deliver unto the general treasurer such money as he or she shall have received, as herein provided and as heretofore received pursuant to the provisions of chapter 2053 of the public laws of 1948.

(c) In the event that the money received by the director of the department of environmental management which, when added to the sum appropriated pursuant to § 4 of chapter 3675 of the public laws of 1956, shall be insufficient to cover the total cost of constructing, equipping, landscaping, and site improvement for the Rhode Island building at the eastern states exposition, as indicated in a firm budget for the same to be prepared by the director of administration, the director of the department of environmental management shall continue to act for the purpose of receiving the additional money or gifts in kind as are needed to complete the same. No construction or contract for construction of the building shall be entered into until the additional money or gifts in kind have been received, credited, and delivered as aforesaid.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-2-54 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-2 / Section 37-2-54
§ 37-2-54. Chief purchasing officer  Purchases.
Status: in_force

(a) The chief purchasing officer, except as otherwise provided by law, shall purchase, or delegate and control the purchase of, the combined requirements of all spending agencies of the state including, but not limited to, interests in real property, contractual services, rentals of all types, supplies, materials, equipment, and services, except that competitive bids may not be required:

(1) For contractual services where no competition exists such as sewage treatment, water, and other public utility services;

(2) When, in the judgment of the department of administration, food, clothing, equipment, supplies, or other materials to be used in laboratory and experimental studies can be purchased otherwise to the best advantage of the state;

(3) When instructional materials are available from only one source;

(4) Where rates are fixed by law or ordinance;

(5) For library books;

(6) For commercial items that are purchased for resale;

(7) For professional, technical, or artistic services;

(8) For all other commodities, equipment, and services which, in the reasonable discretion of the chief purchasing officer, are available from only one source;

(9) For interests in real property.

(10) For works of art for museum and public display;

(11) For published books, maps, periodicals, newspaper or journal subscriptions, and technical pamphlets;

(12) For licenses for use of proprietary or patented systems; and

(13) For services of visiting speakers, professors, performing artists, and expert witnesses.

(b) Nothing in this section shall deprive the chief purchasing officer from negotiating with vendors who maintain a general service administration price agreement with the United States of America or any agency thereof or other governmental entities, provided, however, that no contract executed under this provision shall authorize a price higher than is contained in the contract between the general service administration and the vendor affected.

(c) The department of administration shall have supervision over all purchases by the various spending agencies, except as otherwise provided by law, and shall prescribe rules and regulations to govern purchasing by or for all spending agencies, subject to the approval of the chief purchasing officer; and shall publish a manual of procedures to be distributed to agencies and to be revised upon issuance of amendments to the procedures. No purchase or contract shall be binding on the state or any agency thereof unless approved by the department or made under general regulations which the chief purchasing officer may prescribe.

(d) The chief purchasing officer shall adopt regulations to require agencies to take and maintain inventories of plant and equipment. The department of administration shall conduct periodic physical audits of inventories.

(e) The department of administration shall require all agencies to furnish an estimate of specific needs for supplies, materials, and equipment to be purchased by competitive bidding for the purpose of permitting scheduling of purchasing in large volume. It shall establish and enforce schedules for purchasing supplies, materials, and equipment. In addition, all agencies shall submit to the department of administration, prior to the beginning of each fiscal year, an estimate of all needs for supplies, materials, and equipment during that year which will have to be acquired through competitive bidding.

(f) The director of the department of administration shall have the power: to transfer between departments; to salvage; to exchange; and to condemn supplies and equipment.

(g) Unless the chief purchasing officer deems it is in the best interest of the state to proceed otherwise, all property (including any interest in real property) shall be sold either by invitation of sealed bids or by public auction; provided, however, that the selling price of any interest in real property shall not be less than the appraised value thereof as determined by the department of administration or the department of transportation for the requirements of that department.

(h) Subject to the provisions of this chapter, the chief purchasing officer shall purchase, or otherwise acquire, all real property determined to be needed for state use, upon the approval of the state properties committee as to the determination of need and as to the action of purchase or other acquisition, provided that the amount paid shall not exceed the appraised value as determined by the department of transportation (for such requirements of that department) or value set by eminent domain procedure.

(i) The department of administration shall maintain records of all purchases and sales made under its authority and shall make periodic summary reports of all transactions to the chief purchasing officer, the governor, and the general assembly. The chief purchasing officer shall also report trends in costs and prices, including savings realized through improved practices, to the governor and general assembly.

(j) The chief purchasing officer shall attempt in every practicable way to insure that the state is supplying its real needs at the lowest possible cost. Further, to assure that the lowest possible cost is achieved, the chief purchasing officer may enter into cooperative purchasing agreements with other governmental entities.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-2-17.2 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-2 / Section 37-2-17.2
§ 37-2-17.2. Utilization of department of administration Rhode Island vendor information program (RIVIP).
Status: in_force

All public agencies as defined by § 37-2-7(16) shall utilize the RIVIP established by the chief purchasing officer for state agencies (director of the department of administration) to implement the requirements of §§ 37-2-17 and 37-2-17.1. The director of administration shall be authorized to assess prorated charges to public agencies to offset costs for acquisition of equipment, computer and other development, consultant services, installation of equipment, software, communications lines, initial and ongoing training and outreach, maintenance and any other costs of implementing and operating the department of administration RIVIP.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-15-9 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-15 / Section 37-15-9
§ 37-15-9. Litter receptacles.
Status: in_force

(a) The department shall design and the director shall adopt by rule or regulation one or more types of state litter receptacles which are reasonably uniform as to size, shape, capacity, and color, for wide and extensive distribution throughout the public places of this state. Each litter receptacle shall bear an anti litter symbol as designed and adopted by the department. In addition, all litter receptacles shall be designed to attract attention and to encourage the depositing of litter.

(b) Litter receptacles of the uniform design shall be placed along the public highways of this state and at all parks, campgrounds, trailer parks, drive-in restaurants, gasoline service stations, tavern parking lots, shopping centers, grocery store parking lots, liquor store parking lots, parking lots of major industrial firms, marinas, boat launching areas, boat moorage and fueling stations, public and private piers, beaches and bathing areas, and at such other public places within this state as specified by rule or regulation of the director. The number of receptacles required to be placed as specified herein shall be determined as prescribed by the director.

(c) It shall be the responsibility of any person owning or operating any establishment or public place in which litter receptacles of the uniform design are required by this section to procure and place the receptacles at their own expense on the premises in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the department. Litter receptacles must be made available to the public as recommended by the department.

(d) The department shall establish a system of grants to aid cities, towns, and counties in procuring and placing litter receptacles. The grants shall be on a matching basis under which the local government involved electing to participate in this grant program shall be required to pay at least fifty percent (50%) of the total costs of the procurement of receptacles sufficient in number to meet departmental guidelines established by rule pursuant to this section. The amount of the grant shall be determined on a case by case basis by the director after consideration of need, available departmental and local government funds, degree of prior compliance by the local government involved in placement of receptacles, and other relevant criteria. The responsibility for maintaining and emptying the receptacles shall remain with the unit of local government. The provisions of this chapter as they may relate to any city or town shall not be construed to be a reimbursable state mandated cost pursuant to §§ 45-13-7  45-13-10.

(e) Any person, other than a political subdivision, government agency, or municipality, who fails to place the litter receptacles on the premises in the numbers required by rule or regulation of the department, violating the provisions of this section or rules or regulations adopted thereunder, shall be subject to a fine of ten dollars ($10.00) for each day of violation.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-6-10 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-6 / Section 37-6-10
§ 37-6-10. Acquisition of limited or encumbered title.
Status: reserved

Whenever in the opinion of the acquiring authority the purposes for which control over any land or other real property is needed are not essentially impaired by the acquisition of an interest in the land, or other real property less than a fee simple, or less than perpetual in duration, or subject to any easements or rights of way, or subject to reserved or outstanding interests or rights, and there is a substantial saving in cost by acquiring limited title or title subject to the encumbrances, reserved or outstanding interests or rights in the land or other real property, as compared with the cost of acquiring fee simple unencumbered title thereto, the acquiring authority shall be and hereby is authorized and empowered, with the approval of the state properties committee, to take and accept an interest less than a fee simple in the land or real property, or for a limited period of time, or subject to easements, rights of way, reserved or outstanding interests or rights, and the attorney general in that case may approve the limited title or title subject to easements, rights of way, reservations, or outstanding interests or rights.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-13-8 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-13 / Section 37-13-8
§ 37-13-8. Investigation and determination of prevailing wages  Filing of schedule.
Status: in_force

The director of labor and training shall investigate and determine the prevailing wages and payments made to or on behalf of employees, as set forth in § 37-13-7, paid in the trade or occupation in the city, town, village, or other appropriate political subdivision of the state and keep a schedule on file in his or her office of the customary prevailing rate of wages and payments made to or on behalf of the employees that shall be open to public inspection. In making a determination, the director of labor may adopt and use such appropriate and applicable prevailing wage rate determinations as have been made by the secretary of labor of the United States of America in accordance with the Davis-Bacon Act, as amended, 40 U.S.C. § 276a [40 U.S.C. § 3141 et seq.]; provided, however, that each contractor awarded a public works or school transportation services contract after July 1, 2007, shall contact the department of labor and training on or before July first of each year, for the duration of such contract to ascertain the prevailing wage rate of wages on an hourly basis and the amount of payment or contributions paid or payable on behalf of each mechanic, laborer, or worker employed upon the work contracted to be done each year and shall make any necessary adjustments to such prevailing rate of wages and such payment or contributions paid or payable on behalf of each such employee every July first.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-18-9 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-18 / Section 37-18-9
§ 37-18-9. Exemption from taxation  Payments in lieu of taxes.
Status: in_force

(a) The corporation shall not be required to pay any taxes or assessments upon or in respect to any property of the corporation levied by the town.

(b) The corporation shall make payments in lieu of real property taxes and assessments to the town with respect to income producing projects of the corporation located in the town, and for police, fire, sanitation, health protection, and municipal services provided by the town to the real estate held by the corporation in the town. The payments in lieu of taxes shall be in such amounts as shall be agreed upon by the corporation and the town.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-8-15 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-8 / Section 37-8-15
§ 37-8-15. Access for people with disabilities.
Status: in_force

The design of all public buildings to be constructed, leased, or rented by the state or any municipality of the state must be in compliance with all the standards promulgated by the Rhode Island State Building Code, chapter 27.3 of title 23, which make buildings and facilities accessible to and usable by people with disabilities.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-16-17 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-16 / Section 37-16-17
§ 37-16-17. Court order confirming award.
Status: in_force

At any time within one year after the award is made, as prescribed in § 37-16-16, any party to the contract by the terms of which arbitration was had, may apply to the court having jurisdiction as provided in § 37-16-14 for an order confirming the award. Thereupon the court must grant the order unless the award is vacated, modified, or corrected, as prescribed in §§ 37-16-18 and 37-16-19 or unless the award is unenforceable under the provisions of § 37-16-13. Notice of the motion must be served upon the adverse party or parties or his or her or their attorneys, as prescribed by law for service of notice of a motion upon an attorney in an action in the same court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-2-11 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-2 / Section 37-2-11
§ 37-2-11. Authority and duties of the purchasing agent.
Status: in_force

The purchasing agent shall have the following authority and responsibilities:

(1) To serve as the central procurement and contracting agency of the state;

(2) To recommend regulations, rules, and procedures to the chief purchasing officer; and

(3) To purchase or otherwise acquire, or, with the approval of the chief purchasing officer, to delegate the purchase and acquisition of all supplies, services, and construction for the state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-2-34 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-2 / Section 37-2-34
§ 37-2-34. Right to inspect facilities  Right to audit.
Status: in_force

(a) The department of administration may inspect the plant, or place of business of a contractor, or any subcontractor under any contract awarded or to be awarded by the state.

(b) The department of administration may audit the books and records of any person who has submitted cost or pricing data under § 37-2-27 at any time until the period of record retention as set forth in subsection (c) of this section expires. The right to audit hereunder shall only extend to those books and records reasonably connected with cost or pricing data submitted under § 37-2-27 and the books and records shall be maintained by the contractor or subcontractor for the period specified in subsection (c) of this section.

(c) The department of administration or auditor general shall be entitled to audit the books and records of a contractor or any subcontractor under any negotiated contract or subcontract other than a firm fixed-price type contract, provided, however, that this subsection shall not limit the right to audit as set forth in subsection (b) of this section. The books and records shall be maintained by the contractor for a period of three (3) years from the date of final payment under the prime contract and by the subcontractor for a period of three (3) years from the date of final payment under the subcontract.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-5-7.1 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-5 / Section 37-5-7.1
§ 37-5-7.1. Parking cash-out programs.
Status: in_force

(a) Each employer of fifty (50) persons or more, located within one-quarter (Â¼) of a mile of Rhode Island public transit service who provides a parking subsidy to employees, shall offer a parking cash-out program. Parking cash-out program means an employer-funded program under which an employer offers to provide a RIPTA monthly transit pass to an employee instead of the parking subsidy that the employer would otherwise pay to provide the employee with a parking space.

(b) A parking cash-out program may include a requirement that employee participants certify that they will comply with guidelines established by the employer designed to avoid neighborhood parking problems, with a provision that employees not complying with the guidelines will no longer be eligible for the parking cash-out program.

(c) As used in this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

(1) Employee means an employee of an employer subject to this section;

(2) Parking subsidy means the difference between the out-of-pocket amount paid by an employer on a regular basis in order to secure the availability of an employee parking space not owned by the employer and the price, if any, charged to an employee for use of that space.

(d) Subsection (a) shall not apply to any employer who, on or before August 1, 2003, has leased employee parking, until the expiration of that lease or unless the lease permits the employer to reduce, without penalty, the number of parking spaces subject to the lease.

(e) It is the intent of the general assembly, in enacting this section, that cash-out requirements shall apply only to employers who can reduce, without penalty, the number of paid parking spaces they maintain for the use of their employees and instead provide their employees the monthly transit pass described in this section.

(f) Any city or town in which a commercial development will implement a parking cash-out program may grant to that development an appropriate reduction in the parking requirements otherwise in effect for new development. At the request of an existing commercial development that has implemented a parking cash-out program, the city or town may grant an appropriate reduction in the parking requirements otherwise applicable, based on the demonstrated reduced need for parking, and the space no longer needed for parking purposes may be used for other appropriate purposes.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-2-50 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-2 / Section 37-2-50
§ 37-2-50. Settlement of dispute.
Status: in_force

(a) The first five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) of any arbitration award or superior court judgment against the state awarding damages on a contract claim under the provisions of this chapter shall be a necessary governmental expense. Payment shall be approved by the chief purchasing officer and paid by the state treasurer out of the general fund upon warrants drawn by the chief purchasing officer. Appropriations for these judgments shall be continued appropriations.

(b) The governor shall request an appropriation from the next regular session of the general assembly for the purpose of satisfying all awards and judgments granted during the preceding two (2) fiscal years which are not satisfied under subsection (a) of this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-7-5.1 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-7 / Section 37-7-5.1
§ 37-7-5.1. Lease or sale of property to refunding bond authority  Proceeds  Restricted receipt account.
Status: in_force

Whenever the state leases, sells, or conveys property, real, personal, or mixed to the refunding bond authority under the provisions of chapter 14 of this title, in connection with a project authorized under the provisions of chapter 14 of this title, all money received by the state from the lease, sale, or conveyance, shall, if requested in writing by the director of administration, be deposited by the state controller to a restricted receipt account. The money and interest or income earned from their investment shall be administered and used solely to meet the states obligation to the refunding bond authority in connection with the project. However, this section shall not prohibit or limit the state from appropriating such additional funds as may be necessary to carry out the lease arrangement with the refunding bond authority. Upon the termination of the states lease arrangement with the refunding bond authority and the transfer of the project to the state, any money remaining unexpended in the restricted receipt account shall be transferred to the states general fund for the general purposes of the state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-26-5 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-26 / Section 37-26-5
§ 37-26-5. Posting of standard compensation.
Status: in_force

Each contractor awarded a contract for building services with a contract price in excess of one thousand dollars ($1,000), and each subcontractor who or that performs building service work on that contract, shall post in conspicuous places wherever building service employees are employed, posters that contain the current standard compensation and its components. The posters shall also contain the rights and remedies described in §§ 37-26-7 and 37-26-8 for nonpayment of any wages pursuant to this chapter. Posters shall be furnished to contractors and subcontractors at the time a contract is awarded by the director of labor and training, who shall determine the size and content thereof from time to time, at the time a contract is awarded. A contractor or subcontractor who or that fails to comply with the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a civil infraction and shall pay the director of labor and training one hundred dollars ($100) for each calendar day of noncompliance as determined by the director. Contracts set shall not be awarded by a state purchasing entity until the director of labor and training has prepared and delivered the poster to the division of purchases and the contractor to whom the contract is to be awarded.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-26-8 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-26 / Section 37-26-8
§ 37-26-8. Private right of action.
Status: in_force

(a) An employee or former employee, or any organization representing such an employee or former employee, of a contractor or subcontractor may bring a civil action for a violation of § 37-26-3 for appropriate injunctive relief including reinstatement, or actual damages, or both within three (3) years after the occurrence of the alleged violation. An action commenced pursuant to this section may be brought in the superior court for the county where the alleged violation occurred, the county where the complainant resides, or the county where the person against whom the civil complaint is filed resides or has their principal place of business. Any contractor or subcontractor who or that violates the provisions of § 37-26-3 shall be liable to the affected employee or employees in the amount of back pay or unpaid wages or benefits, plus interest. A civil action filed in court under this section may be instituted instead of, but not in addition to the director of labor and training enforcement procedures authorized by this chapter, provided the civil action is filed prior to the date the director of labor and training issues notice of an administrative hearing.

(b) An action instituted pursuant to this section may be brought by one or more employees or former employees on behalf of the employee(s) or former employee(s) and other employees similarly situated or by any person, including any organization, alleging violations, except that no employee shall be a party plaintiff to any such action unless the employee gives consent in writing to become such a party and such consent is filed in the court in which such action is brought.

(c) In an action filed under this section in which the plaintiff prevails, the court shall, in addition to any judgment awarded to the plaintiff, require reasonable attorneys fees and the costs of the action to be paid by the defendant.

(d) The court in an action filed under this section shall award affected employees or former employees liquidated damages in an amount equal to two (2) times the amount of unpaid wages or benefits owed. Unpaid fringe benefit contributions owed pursuant to this section in any form shall be paid to the appropriate benefit fund; however, in the absence of an appropriate fund, the benefit shall be paid directly to the individual.

(e) The filing of a civil action under this section shall not preclude the director of labor and training from referring a matter to the attorney general as provided in § 37-26-7(c), from prohibiting a contractor or subcontractor from bidding on or otherwise participating in contracts as provided in § 37-26-7(e), (f) and (i), or from prohibiting termination of work on failure to pay agreed wages pursuant to § 37-26-3(c).

(f) Any person, firm, or corporation found to have willfully made a false or fraudulent representation in connection with wage obligations owed on a contract shall be required to pay a civil penalty to the department of labor and training in an amount of no less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) and not greater than three thousand dollars ($3,000) per representation. Such penalties shall be recoverable in civil actions filed pursuant to this section. For purposes of this subsection willfully shall mean representations that are known to be false, or representations made with deliberate ignorance or reckless disregard for their truth or falsity.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-9-7 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-9 / Section 37-9-7
§ 37-9-7. Maintenance.
Status: in_force

The physical maintenance and management of the auditorium shall remain and be vested in the department of administration.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-6-23.2 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-6 / Section 37-6-23.2
§ 37-6-23.2. Deposit of fair market value as determined by states reviewing appraiser.
Status: in_force

(a) If, after the expiration of one year following the filing of the description, plat, and statement as provided in § 37-6-14, and after notice by publication as prescribed by § 37-6-16, no petition for an assessment of damages has been filed in the superior court pursuant to § 37-6-18 or otherwise, the acquiring authority may petition the superior court for one of the counties in which the land or other real property is situated or for Providence county for permission to deposit in the registry of the court a sum of money equal to the amount of appraisal of the parcel of land taken which was approved by the states reviewing appraiser as the fair market value of the parcel or parcels of land taken and of appurtenant damages to any remainder. The sum shall be deposited in the registry of the court in a special account to accumulate for the benefit of the person or persons entitled thereto. The acquiring authority making the deposit shall take the receipt of the clerk of the superior court as evidence of his or her compliance with the order of the court. After such notice as the court shall order, the court after hearing evidence as to the approved figure of the states reviewing appraiser, as aforesaid, shall direct the amount to be so deposited and invested. The acquiring authority shall have the right to join several parcels of land in a single petition, despite the fact that the parcels are owned by different persons, but, wherever possible, the sum deposited for each parcel owned separately or owned in common by more than one person shall be designated and recorded with the clerk of court at the time of the deposit. When any person entitled to money so deposited shall satisfy the superior court of his or her right to receive the money, the court shall cause the money to be paid over to him or her with all accumulations thereon.

(b) If a petition is filed under the provisions of § 37-6-23.1 after the deposit of a sum of money in the registry of the court has been made for the land or real property so taken in accordance with the provisions of this section, upon entry of judgment thereon, the court shall order the sum of money theretofore deposited in the registry of the court transferred to the special account provided for in § 37-6-23.1, and the acquiring authority shall thereupon deposit in the special account a sum of money equal to the difference between the sum transferred and the sum awarded by the court in its decision made under the provisions of § 37-6-23.1.

(c) Nothing in this section shall prevent or interfere with the operation of any other section of this title.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-2-41 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-2 / Section 37-2-41
§ 37-2-41. Contractors bonds.
Status: in_force

The provisions of chapters 12 and 13 of this title requiring contractors to furnish performance bonds and labor and material payment bonds shall apply to all construction contracts awarded under this chapter. Waiver of the bonding requirements contained in chapters 12 and 13 of this title is expressly prohibited.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-27-4 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-27 / Section 37-27-4
§ 37-27-4. Intentional interference with contract submission and award by public official.
Status: in_force

(a) It is unlawful for any person who is an official of or employed by any unit of state or local government, or any public officers who are subject to the code of ethics set forth in § 36-14-4, to knowingly and willfully convey, outside of any official procurement process adopted pursuant to law, regulation, or ordinance, by that unit of government including, but not limited to, procurement processes established pursuant to chapter 2 of this title or chapter 55 of title 45, or regulations promulgated thereto, to any person any information concerning the specifications for such contract or the identity of any particular potential subcontractors, when conveyance of such information concerning the specifications or contractors in the bid or offer is intended to improperly influence acceptance of such bid or offer in contravention of the official procurement process. It shall not constitute a violation of this subsection to convey information intended to clarify plans or specifications regarding a public contract where such disclosure of information is also made generally available to the public.

(b) It is unlawful for any person who is an official of or employed by any unit of state or local government, or any public officers who are subject to the code of ethics set forth in § 36-14-4, to knowingly and willfully take any action to deliberately and improperly influence the award in favor of a particular bidder, prime contractor, or subcontractor in contravention of official procurement processes set forth pursuant to law, regulation, or ordinance including, but not limited to, procurement processes established pursuant to chapter 2 of this title or chapter 55 of title 45, or regulations promulgated thereto, when such invitation to bid is required by law, regulation, or ordinance.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-2-76 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-2 / Section 37-2-76
§ 37-2-76. State purchase of recycled products.
Status: in_force

(a) The state shall, through its purchasing policy and practice, affirmatively promote the use of recycled products. The department of administration in conjunction with the department of environmental management shall, through regulations, establish a time table requiring increased utilization by the state of recycled products. In January of each year, the department of administration shall report to the general assembly the states progress in utilizing recycled products materials and supplies for the preceding twelve (12) months.

(b) With respect to office paper products, at least fifty percent (50%) of the expenditure for office paper products purchased by the state of Rhode Island, its agencies, and departments, shall be recycled paper products by fiscal year 1995.

(c) The department of administration in conjunction with the department of environmental management shall annually establish comprehensive technical specifications based on research by the department of environmental management for the recycled products, materials, and supplies to be purchased by the state under this section. These specifications shall include the minimum performance and quality attributes as well as minimum preconsumer and post-consumer content.

(d) The director of the department of administration, acting as chief purchasing officer of the state, shall direct that all subsequent purchases of the subject recycled products, materials, and supplies by the state, its agencies, and departments shall meet the source certification of pre-consumer and/or post-consumer content standards established under subsection (c) of this section.

(e) Subsequent discovery by the state, its agencies, or departments that products delivered by vendors to the state as recycled products do not satisfy the specifications of recycled content stated in the award, shall be grounds for the return of all discrepant goods, refunding of all money paid, termination of all outstanding contracts and orders, and at the discretion of the chief purchasing officer suspension of the vendors involvement in state procurement for a period of up to twenty-four (24) months.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-2-69 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-2 / Section 37-2-69
§ 37-2-69. Provision of architectural, engineering, or consultant services not exceeding twenty thousand dollars.
Status: in_force

(a) State agencies. (1) For every state project requiring architectural or engineering services, the fees for which are not reasonably expected to exceed twenty thousand dollars ($20,000), the state agency shall forward to the chief purchasing officer a request for those services through the state purchasing office.

(2) For every state agency project requiring consultant services, the fees for which are not reasonably expected to exceed twenty thousand dollars ($20,000), the state agency shall forward to the chief purchasing officer a request for such services through the state purchasing office with a proposed scope of work and, if possible, the names of three recommended qualified contractors, along with a written evaluation of the qualifications of each potential contractor.

(3) The purchasing agent shall request offers from potential contractors in writing and shall notify potential contractors that any contract resulting from such solicitation shall not exceed a total value of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000), including change orders.

(4) The chief purchasing officer shall be responsible for the final selection of a qualified architectural, engineering, or consultant firm for the project and shall so inform the purchasing agent. The chief purchasing officer shall use the criteria set forth in §37-2-61 in making that determination. The determination shall be justified in writing.

(b) Public agencies. For every public agency project requiring architectural, engineering, or consultant services, the fees for which are not reasonably expected to exceed twenty thousand dollars ($20,000), the public agency chief operating officer shall be responsible for the final selection of a qualified architectural, engineering, or consultant firm for the project. The public agency chief operating officer shall notify the board of directors of the public agency of that selection.

The public agency chief operating officer shall use the criteria set forth in §37-2-66 in making the determination. That determination shall be justified in writing.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-7-3 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-7 / Section 37-7-3
§ 37-7-3. Reconveyance, lease, or sale of land acquired by condemnation.
Status: in_force

Whenever in the opinion of the acquiring authority any land or other real property or interest therein taken by condemnation is no longer required for the purpose for which it was taken, the acquiring authority, with the approval of the state properties committee, may, with the consent of the person or persons from whom the land, property, or interest was obtained, or their heirs, successors, or assigns, convey the property or any part thereof, with or without suitable restrictions, by executing and recording a deed thereof. The deed shall be executed on behalf of the state by the acquiring authority, approved as to substance by the director of administration, and approved as to form by the attorney general. The recorded deed shall thereby revest the title to the land, property or interest therein to the persons, their heirs, successors, or assigns, in whom it was vested at the time of the taking, and the fair market value of the land or property or interest therein so conveyed at the time of the conveyance shall be considered in mitigation of damages in any proceedings instituted on account of the taking. Or, the acquiring authority, with the approval of the state properties committee, may lease or sell and convey the property, with or without suitable restrictions, for consideration not less than that paid for it by the acquiring authority or not less than its appraised value as determined by the state properties committee at the time of the leasing or selling, by executing and delivering a lease or deed thereof, which lease or deed shall be executed on behalf of the state by the acquiring authority, approved as to substance by the director of administration, and approved as to form by the attorney general; provided, however, the person or persons in whom the title to the land or property or interest therein was vested at the time it was acquired under the provisions of this chapter shall, if living, have the right to lease, purchase, or reinvest him or herself or themselves, as the case may be, of the land or property or interest therein before the property may be leased, sold, or conveyed as provided by this section. A prior right shall be conclusively presumed to have been waived in the event that a written offer to lease, sell, or convey the property, containing the terms and conditions of the offer, shall be sent by registered or certified mail to the last known address of the person or persons, and the offer shall not have been accepted within thirty (30) days from the date of the mailing. In the event the prior right to purchase or lease the land or real property shall be waived by the person or persons in whom the title to the land or property or interest therein was vested, the city or town wherein the land or property is situated shall have the second right to purchase or lease the land and property upon the same terms and conditions as the acquiring authority was willing to sell or lease the land or property to the vested person or persons thereof. A second right to purchase or lease the land or property shall be conclusively presumed to have been waived in the event a written offer to sell or lease the same, containing the terms of the offer, shall have been sent by registered or certified mail to the city or town clerk, as the case may be, wherein the land and property are situated and the offer shall not have been accepted within thirty (30) days from the date of the mailing.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-6-12 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-6 / Section 37-6-12
§ 37-6-12. Examination of title by attorney general  Acquisition of title insurance.
Status: in_force

The attorney general shall require the state purchasing agent to engage a title insurance company doing business within this state to furnish a certificate of title or to issue to the state a policy of title insurance covering the real estate, and the expense of procuring the certificate or title insurance policy shall be paid out of the appropriation made to the acquiring authority for the acquisition. No public money shall be expended upon any site or land purchased by, devised to, or conveyed as a gift to the state until the acquisition of such certificate of title or policy of title insurance.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-2-12_37-2-12 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-2 / Section 37-2-12_37-2-12
§ 37-2-12. Centralization of the procurement authority. [Effective until January 1, 2026.]37-2-12. Centralization of the procurement authority. [Effective January 1, 2026.]
Status: in_force

(a) All rights, powers, duties, and authority relating to the procurement of supplies, services, and construction, and the management, control, warehousing, sale, and disposal of supplies, services, and construction now vested in or exercised by any state agency under the several statutes relating thereto are hereby transferred to the chief purchasing officer as provided in this chapter, subject to the provisions of § 37-2-54. A public agency does not have to utilize the centralized purchasing of the state but the public agency, through its existing internal purchasing function, shall adhere to the general principles, policies and practices set forth in this chapter.

(b) The chief purchasing officer, as defined in § 37-2-7(3)(i), may establish, charge, and collect from state contractors, listed on master-price agreements, a statewide contract administrative fee not to exceed one percent (1%) of the total value of the annual spend against a contract awarded to a state contractor. All statewide contract administrative fees collected pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited into a restricted-receipt account within the general fund designated as the division of purchases administrative-fee account and shall be used for the purposes of implementing technology for the submission and processing of bids, online vendor registration, bid notification, and other costs related to state procurement. On or before January 15, 2019, and annually thereafter on or before January 15, the chief purchasing officer or designee shall file a report with the governor, the speaker of the house, and the president of the senate detailing:

(i) The total amount of funds collected and deposited into the division of purchases administrative-fee account for the most recently completed fiscal year;

(ii) The account balance as of the date of the report;

(iii) An itemization of all expenditures and other uses of said funds from said account for the most recently completed fiscal year; and

(iv) An annual evaluation as to the appropriateness of the amount of the contract administrative fee on master-price agreements.

(c) Subject to the approval of the director of the department of administration, the state controller is authorized to offset any currently recorded outstanding liability on the part of developmental disability organizations (DDOs) to repay previously authorized startup capital advances against the proceeds from the sale of group homes within a fiscal year prior to any sale proceeds being deposited into the information technology restricted receipt account established pursuant to § 42-11-2.5(a).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-15-8 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-15 / Section 37-15-8
§ 37-15-8. Notice.
Status: in_force

Pertinent portions of this chapter shall be posted along the public highways of this state and in all campgrounds and trailer parks, at all entrances to state parks, forest lands, and recreational areas, at all public beaches, and at other public places in this state where persons are likely to be informed of the existence and content of this chapter and the penalties for violating its provisions.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-5-3 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-5 / Section 37-5-3
§ 37-5-3. Airports and aeronautics.
Status: in_force

The department and director shall have supervision over the state airport at Hillsgrove, such other airports and landing fields as may be constructed or operated by the state, and all other aeronautics within the state, and shall enforce the provisions of chapters 2 and 4 of title 1.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-13-12.1 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-13 / Section 37-13-12.1
§ 37-13-12.1. Obstruction of enforcement.
Status: in_force

Any effort of any employer to obstruct the director and his or her authorized representatives in the performance of their duties shall be deemed a violation of this chapter and punishable as such.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-13-3.1 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-13 / Section 37-13-3.1
§ 37-13-3.1. State public works contract apprenticeship requirements.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any laws to the contrary, all general contractors and subcontractors who perform work on any public works contract awarded by the state after passage of this act and valued at one million dollars ($1,000,000) or more shall employ apprentices required for the performance of the awarded contract. The number of apprentices shall comply with the apprentice-to-journeyman ratio for each trade approved by the apprenticeship council of the department of labor and training. To the extent that any of the provisions contained in this section conflict with the requirements for federal aid contracts, federal law and regulations shall control.

The provisions of this section shall not apply to contracts for school transportation services.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-13-1 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-13 / Section 37-13-1
§ 37-13-1. Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter:

(1) Public works means any public work consisting of grading, clearing, demolition, improvement, completion, repair, alteration, or construction of any public road or any bridge, or portion thereof, or any public building, or portion thereof, or any heavy construction, or any public works projects of any nature or kind whatsoever.

(2) School transportation services means those transportation and related services provided for the transportation of public and private students pursuant to §§ 16-21-1 and 16-21.1-8.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-12-3 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-12 / Section 37-12-3
§ 37-12-3. Remedies of creditors and state  Priority of claims.
Status: in_force

The remedy on the bond shall be by a civil action brought in the superior court for the counties of Providence and Bristol and in any suit brought on the bond the rights of the state shall be prior to those of all creditors. These rights shall include penalties, assessed under § 37-13-14.1(b) for nonpayment or late payment of wages due. The rights of persons who shall have performed labor as aforesaid shall be prior to the rights of all other creditors, and there shall be no priorities among laborers or among other creditors under the bond. The state, either after having recovered a judgment against the contractor on the contract or without having recovered a judgment, may bring a suit on the bond against the contractor and surety on the bond, and may join as parties defendant in the suit any persons claiming to have rights under the bond as creditors; and, if it has not brought such a suit, it may at any time before a final and conclusive decree, intervene and become a party in any suit brought, as hereafter provided in this chapter, by any person claiming to be a creditor under the bond.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-13-4 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-13 / Section 37-13-4
§ 37-13-4. Provisions applicable to public works contracts  Lists of subcontractors.
Status: in_force

All public works shall be done by contract, subject to the same provisions of law relating thereto and to the letting thereof, which are applicable to similar contracts of the awarding authority or authorized agency, hereinafter called the proper authority, in the general location where the work is to be performed and which are not contrary to the provisions of §§ 37-13-1  37-13-14 and § 37-13-16. Each contractor after the award of a contract for public works shall submit to the proper authority a list of his or her subcontractors of any part or all of the work. The list shall be submitted in such manner or form as the proper authority shall uniformly require from contractors in all public works.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-8-7 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-8 / Section 37-8-7
§ 37-8-7. Allotment of office space in State House  Furnishings.
Status: in_force

The director of administration shall designate the rooms to be used by the committees, boards, departments, divisions, commissions, officers, or persons now or hereafter authorized by law to be provided with offices in the state house, and shall furnish the offices, to the extent of furnishings in the custody of the department of administration available therefor. Upon the request of any board, department, division, commission, or officer, the department of administration shall from time to time, as in the directors judgment may be necessary, repair and renew the furniture, furnishings, and other movables used or to be used in any office, and the cost of repair and renewal of the furniture, furnishings, and other movables or any additions thereto shall be paid upon vouchers approved by the director of administration from the appropriation made to be expended for that purpose. All furniture, furnishings, and movables shall remain in the care and custody of the department of administration.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-23-1 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-23 / Section 37-23-1
§ 37-23-1. Safety awareness program required.
Status: in_force

(a) All contractors performing work on municipal and state construction projects with a total project cost of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) or more, shall have an OSHA ten (10) hour construction safety program for their on-site employees. The training program shall utilize instructors trained by the occupational safety and health administration, using an OSHA approved curriculum. Graduates shall receive a card from the U.S. department of labor occupational safety and health administration certifying the successful completion of the training course.

(b) Every person shall have a card issued by the U.S. department of labor occupational safety and health administration certifying their successful completion of the OSHA ten (10) hour training program as required by this section on their person at all times while work is actually being performed on municipal and state construction projects. No person shall transfer their card certifying their successful completion of the OSHA ten (10) hour training program to another person. Failure to comply with this section shall subject the holder to penalties prescribed by the director of the department of labor and training.

(c) The director of the department of labor and training shall promulgate rules, regulations, and penalties to enforce the provisions of this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-18-13 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-18 / Section 37-18-13
§ 37-18-13. Transfer of land to Indian tribe.
Status: in_force

Upon the presentation of federal recognition to the Narragansett Indian land management corporation and the secretary of state, the Narragansett Indian land management corporation shall forthwith transfer and convey to the federally recognized Narragansett Tribe of Indians all powers, authority, rights, privileges, titles, and interest it may possess to any and all real property acquired, owned, and held for the benefit of those individuals of Indian ancestry set forth in the list established pursuant to P.L. 1880 ch. 800, § 4, and thereafter, the Narragansett Indian land management corporation shall have no further interest in the real property. All real property transferred by the Narragansett Indian land management corporation to the federally recognized Narragansett Tribe of Indians pursuant to this provision:

(a) Shall be subject to the same conditions, restrictions, limitations, or responsibilities set forth in §§ 37-18-6(m)(2) and (m)(3), 37-18-8, 37-18-9, 37-18-10, and 37-18-11 hereof as are applicable to the corporation and all its authorized activities.

(b) Shall be subject to the civil and criminal laws of the state of Rhode Island and the town of Charlestown, Rhode Island, except as otherwise provided herein.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-27-7 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-27 / Section 37-27-7
§ 37-27-7. Severability.
Status: in_force

Should any part of this chapter be declared invalid or unenforceable, or the enforcement or compliance with it is suspended, restrained, or barred, either by the state or by the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this chapter shall remain in full force and effect.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-8-8 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-8 / Section 37-8-8
§ 37-8-8. Battle flags and markers.
Status: in_force

(a) The priceless battle flags and markers now belonging to the state of Rhode Island, and any that may hereafter be presented to this state, shall be maintained by the department of administration in appropriate cases suitable for their display or presentation in the State House, and the cases shall be practically hermetically sealed for the purpose of protecting and preserving the battle flags and markers for future generations as the most eloquent testimonials of the patriotism and valor of our fathers. The battle flags and markers shall be removed from their State House display encasements for the purpose of conservation and preservation until appropriate storage and display cases have been created and a permanent storage facility within the State of Rhode Island has been designated. The department of administration shall have full care, custody, and control of all the battle flags and markers, and the department is hereby authorized and directed to carry out and enforce the provisions and purposes of this section.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the department of administration is authorized to remove, conserve, and indefinitely store any battle flag or marker it deems to be in such a state of deterioration that its removal from the State House encasements is necessary for its continued existence.

(c) The department of administration is authorized to apply for and accept public or private funds for the continued preservation and display of the battle flags and markers. The department of administration is also authorized to enter into an agreement with a state or federally approved agency or museum for the temporary loan and display of a battle flag(s) or marker(s), when insured with a bond against damage or loss, when such loan will enhance the existing conditions of the flag(s) or marker(s) not currently provided through preservation contracts, or when such loan will promote the further education and public awareness of the valor of Rhode Islands veterans.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-2-62 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-2 / Section 37-2-62
§ 37-2-62. Evaluation of qualifications and performance data.
Status: in_force

(a) The committee shall evaluate:

(1) Statements that may be submitted in response to the solicitation of architectural, engineering, or consultant services; and

(2) Statements of qualifications and performance data, if their submission was required.

(b) All statements and statements of qualifications and performance data shall be evaluated in light of the criteria set forth in the solicitation for architectural, engineering, or consultant services.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-2-18.1 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-2 / Section 37-2-18.1
§ 37-2-18.1. Reverse auctions.
Status: in_force

(a) Contracts exceeding the amount provided by § 37-2-22 may be awarded by electronic reverse auctions when it is determined in writing by the chief purchasing officer that the state will obtain a better value with this method than with a competitive sealed bid process. Factors to be considered in determining whether electronic reverse auctions shall be utilized shall include:

(1) Whether specifications can be prepared that permit electronic posting of bid solicitations and secure receipt of electronic bids; and

(2) The cost for preparing and executing the auction; and

(3) Whether conditions are such that the commodities or services to be purchased are appropriately competitive.

(b) All reverse auctions shall be conducted electronically using real-time, on-line bidding procedures. These procedures shall include the following:

(1) Participation as a bidder shall be subject to a prequalification process conducted in accordance with the provisions of § 37-2-25.1.

(2) The solicitation shall designate both an opening date and time and a closing date and time. The closing date and time may be dependent on a variable or variables specified in the solicitation. At the opening date and time, the auctioneer shall begin accepting real-time, on-line bids. The solicitation shall remain open until the closing date and time.

(3) Following receipt of the first bid after the opening date and time, all bid prices shall be posted electronically to the internet and updated on a real-time basis. At any time before the closing date and time, a bidder may offer a lower bid than the lowest bid of any bidder, including his own. A bidders lowest bid shall supersede any prior higher bid offered by that bidder. Bid prices may not be increased at any time after the opening date and time. All bids shall be binding and may not be withdrawn. If a price entered by the bidder is in error, the bidder must correct the bid within the time period and manner specified in the solicitation.

(4) The invitation for bids shall state that the award shall be made on the basis of the lowest responsive bid price.

(c) The contract shall be awarded with reasonable promptness by written notice to the responsive and responsible bidder whose bid is either the lowest bid price, lowest evaluated, or responsive bid price.

(d) Subsequent to the awarding of the contract, all documents pertinent to the awarding of the contract shall be made available and open to the public inspection and retained in the bid file.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-6-9 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-6 / Section 37-6-9
§ 37-6-9. Acceptance of conveyances by treasurer.
Status: in_force

The general treasurer is hereby directed, authorized, and empowered, with the approval of the acquiring authority, and subject to the approval of the state properties committee and of the governor, to receive, take title to, and hold in trust for the state, exempt from taxation, any gift, grant, or devise of lands or interests, estates, or rights, therein made for the purposes of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-2-44 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-2 / Section 37-2-44
§ 37-2-44. Cost and pricing principles  Regulations required.
Status: in_force

The chief purchasing officer shall issue regulations setting forth cost principles which shall be used:

(1) As guidelines in the negotiation of:

(i) Estimated costs of fixed prices when the absence of open marker competition precludes the use of competitive sealed bidding;

(ii) Adjustments for state-directed changes or modifications in contract performances; and

(iii) Settlements of contracts which have been terminated.

(2) To determine the allowability of incurred costs for the purpose of reimbursing costs under contract provisions which provide for the reimbursement of costs; and

(3) As appropriate in any other situation where the determination of the estimated or the incurred costs of performing contracts may be required.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-24-2 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-24 / Section 37-24-2
§ 37-24-2. Legislative findings.
Status: in_force

It is hereby found and declared as follows:

(1) Energy costs for public buildings and public projects are skyrocketing and will likely continue to increase.

(2) Energy use by public buildings and public projects contributes substantially to the problems of pollution and global warming.

(3) Public buildings, public structures, public real property and public projects can be built, renovated, and located using high-performance methods that save and generate energy; reduce and conserve water consumption; improve indoor air and environmental quality; improve water quality; reduce transportation demand and emissions; preserve the environment; make workers and students more productive; and improve the quality of our individual and shared human experience and environmental justice for all citizens of the state.

(4) The green buildings act is a strategic tool to achieve the greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and other objectives of chapter 6.2 of title 42 (2021 act on climate) and the work of the executive climate change coordinating council established in § 42-6.2-1.

(5) This law is necessary to more efficiently spend public funds.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-6-16 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-6 / Section 37-6-16
§ 37-6-16. Publication of notice of condemnation.
Status: in_force

(a) After the filing of the description and statement, the acquiring authority shall cause a notice of condemnation to be published in the newspaper of greatest circulation in the city or town where the land or other real property is located at least once a week for three (3) successive weeks. The notice shall contain the name of the acquiring authority, the plat number of the taking, the date the condemnation was authorized by the state properties committee, the date of the taking, the property interest or interests acquired, the purpose of the taking, and the location of the area of the condemnation together with a statement that the complete description may be obtained from the office of the director of the condemning authority.

(b) For the purposes of this statute, a notice in substantially the following form will suffice: NOTICE OF CONDEMNATION  [Plat Number]. Location: [City or Town]  [Street, streets or area or location of taking]. The [condemning authority] pursuant to authorization received from the state properties committee on [date] did on [date] take [fee, simple title, permanent easements, temporary easements, or other interest in property] in the location referred to above for [purpose of taking]. A complete description of the taking may be obtained from [the office of the director of the condemning authority, address].
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-6-7 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-6 / Section 37-6-7
§ 37-6-7. Consideration of public interest  Certificate that state employee is not interested in site selected.
Status: in_force

In the selection of a site for acquisition for any public use, reference shall be had to the interest and convenience of the public, as well as to the best interests of the state government. The state properties committee shall have the power, and it shall be its duty, to set aside any selection which in its opinion has not been made solely with reference thereto. Before any site shall be finally adopted, each and every state employee acting in the selection of the site shall make and file with the committee a certificate under penalty of perjury that he or she is not, at the time of making the certificate, and was not at the date of making the selection of the site, directly or indirectly, interested in the property selected for the same, and that he or she has not received and will not receive, either directly or indirectly, any inducement, commission, brokerage, fee, consideration, gift, or reward for or as a result of the selection or acquisition of the site.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-13-14 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-13 / Section 37-13-14
§ 37-13-14. Contractors bond.
Status: in_force

The state or any city, town, agency, or committee therein awarding contracts for public works shall require the contractor awarded a contract with a contract price in excess of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for public works to file with the proper authority good and sufficient bond with surety furnished by any surety company authorized to do business in the state, conditioned upon the faithful performance of the contract and upon the payment for labor performed and material furnished in connection therewith, a bond to contain the terms and conditions set forth in chapter 12 of this title, and to be subject to the provisions of that chapter. Waiver of the bonding requirements of this section is expressly prohibited.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-12-11 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-12 / Section 37-12-11
§ 37-12-11. Substitution of securities for retained earnings.
Status: in_force

(a) Where any public works contract as defined by § 37-13-1 provides for the retention of earned estimates by the state of Rhode Island, the contractor may, from time to time, withdraw the whole or any portion of the amount retained for payments to the contractor pursuant to the terms of the contract, upon depositing with the general treasurer either;

(1) United States treasury bonds, United States treasury notes, United States treasury certificates of indebtedness, or United States treasury bills;

(2) Bonds or notes of the state of Rhode Island; or

(3) Bonds of any political subdivision in the state of Rhode Island.

(b) No amount shall be withdrawn in excess of the market value of the securities at the time of deposit or of the par value of the securities, whichever is lower. The general treasurer shall, on a regular basis, collect all interest or income on the obligations so deposited and shall pay the interest or income, when and as collected, to the contractor who deposited the obligations. If the deposit is in the form of coupon bonds, the general treasurer shall deliver each coupon as it matures to the contractor. Any amount deducted by the state, or by any public department or official thereof, pursuant to the terms of the contract, from the retained payments otherwise due the contractor, shall be deducted, first from that portion of the retained payments for which no security has been substituted, then from the proceeds of any deposited security. In the latter case, the contractor shall be entitled to receive interest, coupons, or income only from those securities which remain after the amount has been deducted. The securities so deposited shall be properly endorsed by the contractor in such manner so as to enable the general treasurer to carry out the provisions of this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-15-19 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-15 / Section 37-15-19
§ 37-15-19. Protection of state coastline  Adult designated smoking areas.
Status: in_force

Whereas it has been conclusively shown that pollution in the form of discarded cigarettes pose a major threat to the integrity of the coastline in this state, every municipality bordering on such coastline may adopt rules and regulations for the establishment of adult designated smoking areas for the purpose of reducing such cigarette litter and pollution.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-2-33 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-2 / Section 37-2-33
§ 37-2-33. Multi-year contracts.
Status: in_force

(a) Unless otherwise provided in the statute making appropriations therefor, multi-year contracts for supplies and services may be entered into for periods extending beyond the end of the fiscal year in which the contract was made, if funds for the first fiscal year of the contemplated contract are available at the time of contracting and the contract states that payment and performance obligations for succeeding fiscal years shall be subject to the availability of funds therefor.

(b) Prior to the utilization of a contract as described in subsection (a) of this section, it shall be determined, in writing, by the chief purchasing officer:

(1) That estimated requirements cover the period of the contract, are reasonably firm, and continuing; and

(2) That the contract will serve the best interests of the state by encouraging effective competition or otherwise promoting economics in state procurement.

(c) When funds are not appropriated or otherwise made available to support continuation of performance in a subsequent year of a contract as described in subsection (a) of this section, the contract for the subsequent year may be cancelled and the contractor shall be reimbursed for the reasonable value of any nonrecurring costs incurred but not amortized in the price of the supplies or services delivered under the contract. The cost of cancellation may be paid from:

(1) Appropriations currently available for performance of the contract;

(2) Appropriations currently available for procurement of similar supplies or services and not otherwise obligated; or

(3) Appropriations made specifically for the payment of cancellation costs.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-2-32 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-2 / Section 37-2-32
§ 37-2-32. Approval of accounting system.
Status: in_force

Except with respect to firm fixed price type contracts, no contract type shall be used unless it has been determined in writing that the proposed contractors accounting system will permit timely development of all necessary cost data in the form required by the specific contract type contemplated and that the contractors accounting system is adequate to allocate costs in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-8-14 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-8 / Section 37-8-14
§ 37-8-14. Legislators parking lot.
Status: in_force

The department of administration shall provide suitable parking facilities for all legislators, whereby each member of the legislature shall be assigned a parking area. The department shall appoint a member of the capitol police to be on duty in the legislative parking lot, during all sessions of the general assembly.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-8-18 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-8 / Section 37-8-18
§ 37-8-18. Department of administration garage.
Status: in_force

All fees and charges collected from users of the parking garage located in the department of administration building shall be deposited as general revenues.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-8-1.5 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-8 / Section 37-8-1.5
§ 37-8-1.5. Bristol County Courthouse.
Status: in_force

The state of Rhode Island has determined that it no longer needs the property and building thereon which once served the people as the Bristol County Courthouse and as a state house. Therefore, the director of the department of administration is hereby authorized and empowered to convey the states interest in the real property, the buildings thereon, and fixtures, located in the Town of Bristol and commonly known as the Bristol County Courthouse to the Bristol Statehouse Foundation, a Rhode Island non-business corporation. The consideration for the sale shall be one dollar ($1.00) paid by the Bristol Statehouse Foundation to the state. The deed conveying the property shall contain covenants relating to the preservation thereof and a reverter in the event the Bristol Statehouse Foundation, or legal successor thereto, ceases to exist.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-2-67 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-2 / Section 37-2-67
§ 37-2-67. Evaluation of qualifications and performance data.
Status: in_force

(a) The chief purchasing officer shall evaluate:

(1) Statements that may be submitted in response to the solicitation of architectural or engineering services; and

(2) Statements of qualifications and performance data, if their submission was required.

(b) All statements and statements of qualifications and performance data shall be evaluated in light of the criteria set forth in the solicitation for architectural, engineering, or consultant services.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-2-49 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-2 / Section 37-2-49
§ 37-2-49. Disputes and appeals procedure.
Status: in_force

(a) Section 37-2-48 shall apply only to contracts that are not arbitrable under the provisions of chapter 16 of this title.

(b) Any person, firm, or corporation having a lawfully authorized written contract with the state at the time of or after January 1, 1990 may bring an action against the state on the contract, including, but not limited to, actions either for breach of contract, enforcement of contract, or both. Any claim shall be commenced in superior court within three (3) years from the date of completion specified in the contract and shall be tried by the court sitting without a jury. The case shall receive a priority position on the calendar. All defenses in law or equity, except the defense of governmental immunity, shall be preserved to the state.

(c) The court shall enter its findings as a judgment of the court and the judgment shall have the same effect and be enforceable as any other judgment of the court in civil cases, subject to the provisions of this chapter.

(d) Appeals may be taken to the supreme court under the same conditions and under the same practice as appeals are taken from judgments in civil cases rendered by the superior court.

(e) If damages awarded on any contract claim under this section exceed the original amount of the contract, the excess shall be limited to an amount which is equal to the amount of the original contract.

(f) No person, firm, or corporation shall be permitted more than one money recovery upon a claim for the enforcement of or for breach of contract with the state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-15-15 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-15 / Section 37-15-15
§ 37-15-15. Duties of the department.
Status: in_force

In addition to the foregoing, the department shall:

(1) Serve as the coordinating agency between the various industry organizations seeking to aid in the anti litter and recycling efforts;

(2) Recommend to the governing bodies of all local governments that they adopt ordinances consistent with the provisions of this chapter;

(3) Cooperate with all local governments to accomplish coordination of local anti litter and recycling efforts;

(4) Encourage, organize, and coordinate all voluntary local anti litter and recycling campaigns seeking to focus the attention of the public on the programs of this state to control and remove litter and to foster recycling;

(5) Investigate the availability of and apply for funds available from any private or public source to be used in the program outlined in this chapter;

(6) Develop statewide programs to increase public awareness of and participation in recycling and to encourage community recycling centers, public participation in recycling and research and development in the field of litter control, and recycling, removal, and disposal of litter related recycling materials;

(7) Establish a technical assistance program to assist cities and towns in establishing separation recycling programs in conjunction with recycling collection centers to be constructed at state solid waste management facilities.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-2-80 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-2 / Section 37-2-80
§ 37-2-80. Selection of vendors and services with place of business located in Rhode Island.
Status: in_force

The State of Rhode Island has a large number of well-qualified vendors and service-oriented businesses. In instances where contracts are entirely supported by state funds and two (2) or more vendors or service providers are judged to be equal on all other factors, the chief purchasing officer shall select a vendor or service provider whose headquarters or primary place of business is located within the state or secondly select those entities that propose a joint venture with a vendor or service provider whose headquarters or primary place of business is within the state.

This section shall not apply to contracts that are financed in part or in their entirety by the federal government, including, but not limited to, contracts supported by the Federal Highway Administration (FHA), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-6-2 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-6 / Section 37-6-2
§ 37-6-2. Rules, regulations, and procedures of committee.
Status: in_force

(a) The state properties committee is hereby authorized and empowered to adopt and prescribe rules of procedure and regulations, and from time to time amend, change, and eliminate rules and regulations, and make such orders and perform such actions as it may deem necessary to the proper administration of this chapter and §§ 37-7-1  37-7-9. In the performance of the commissions duties hereunder, the commission may in any particular case prescribe a variation in procedure or regulation when it shall deem it necessary in view of the exigencies of the case and the importance of speedy action in order to carry out the intent and purpose of this chapter and §§ 37-7-1  37-7-9. The commission shall file written notice thereof in the office of the secretary of state. All filings shall be available for public inspection.

(b) The following siting criteria shall be utilized whenever current existing leases expire or additional office space is needed:

(1) A preference shall be given to sites designated as enterprise zone census tracts pursuant to chapter 64.3 of title 42, or in blighted and/or substandard areas pursuant to § 45-31-8, or in downtown commercial areas where it can be shown the facilities would make a significant impact on the economic vitality of the communitys central business district;

(2) Consideration should be given to adequate access via public transportation for both employees as well as the public being served, and, where appropriate, adequate parking; and

(3) A site must be consistent with the respective communitys local comprehensive plan.

(4) [Deleted by P.L. 2019, ch. 191, § 1 and P.L. 2019, ch. 244, § 1.]

(c) The state properties committee shall explain, in writing, how each site selected by the committee for a state facility meets the criteria described in subsection (b) of this section.

(d) For any lease, rental agreement, or extension of an existing rental agreement for leased office and operating space that carries a term of five (5) years or longer, including any options or extensions that bring the total term to five (5) years or longer, where the state is the tenant and the aggregate rent of the terms exceeds five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), the state properties committee shall request approval of the general assembly prior to entering into any new agreements or signing any extensions with existing landlords. The state properties committee, in the form of a resolution, shall provide information relating to the purpose of the lease or rental agreement, the agencys current lease or rental costs, the expiration date of any present lease or rental agreement, the range of costs of a new lease or rental agreement, the proposed term of a new agreement, and the location and owner of the desired property.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-18-11 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-18 / Section 37-18-11
§ 37-18-11. Civil and criminal jurisdiction.
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided, the corporation and all its authorized activities shall be subject to all the criminal and civil laws of the state and the town.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-24-6 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-24 / Section 37-24-6
§ 37-24-6. Protection from liability.
Status: in_force

No person, corporation, or entity shall be held liable for the failure of a public major facility project to meet the LEED, LEED for Neighborhood Development, and SITES certified standard or other standards established for the project as long as a good faith attempt was made to achieve the standard set for the project.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-18-10 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-18 / Section 37-18-10
§ 37-18-10. Land use plan.
Status: in_force

(a) All real property owned and held by the corporation shall be subject to a land use plan prepared by the office of state planning within the department of administration. No less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the land owned by the corporation, exclusive of the real property described in § 37-18-7, shall not be improved and developed and shall be held in perpetuity for conservation purposes, and the real property to be held in perpetuity for conservation purposes shall be delineated in the land use plan. The land use plan shall be mutually acceptable to the corporation and the town. Acceptance by the town of the plan shall not be unreasonably withheld. Upon acceptance of the plan by the town, the town shall amend its zoning ordinance adopted pursuant to chapter 24 of title 45 so as to conform to the plan. The zoning ordinance as amended shall govern the land use of real property owned by the corporation and the ordinance shall not be further amended in a manner inconsistent with the plan without the consent of the corporation; provided, however, that the ordinance shall not be amended in any manner affecting the land designated in the land use plan for conservation purposes.

(b) The corporation shall not be entitled to use any portion of the real property to be owned and held by the corporation until such time as the land use plan is adopted by the corporation and accepted by the town.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-5-7 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-5 / Section 37-5-7
§ 37-5-7. Commuter parking facilities.
Status: in_force

The department and director are authorized to plan, construct, and maintain, or to enter into agreements with federal, state, or local governmental agencies in connection with commuter parking facilities at locations which would encourage the use of mass transportation and reduce peak traffic demands on highway systems. The provisions of the agreements may be carried out by the director with other governmental agencies as necessity, convenience, or economy requires. The director shall have authority to enter into agreements with federal agencies for federal financial aid and to do any and all other acts and things necessary or desirable to take advantage of the financial aid. Contracts for the construction shall be carried out in the manner provided by law for public works. The director may acquire in the name of the state such real property as is necessary to construct and maintain commuter parking facilities in the same manner and with like powers as authorized and exercised by the director in acquiring real property for state highway purposes in accordance with chapter 6 of title 37.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-2-60 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-2 / Section 37-2-60
§ 37-2-60. Public announcement of needed architectural, engineering, and consultant services.
Status: in_force

The chief purchasing officer shall give public notice of the need for architectural, engineering, or consultant services which are reasonably estimated to exceed twenty thousand dollars ($20,000). The public notice shall be published sufficiently in advance of the date when responses must be received in order that interested parties have an adequate opportunity to submit a statement of qualifications and performance data. The notice shall contain a brief statement of the services required, describe the project, and specify how a solicitation containing specific information on the project may be obtained. The notice shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the state and in any other publications as in the judgment of the committee shall be desirable.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-16-10 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-16 / Section 37-16-10
§ 37-16-10. Arbitrators oath  Waiver.
Status: in_force

Before hearing any testimony, arbitrators selected as prescribed in this chapter must be sworn, by an officer authorized by law to administer an oath, faithfully and fairly to hear and examine the claim, dispute, or matter in question and to make a just award according to the best of their understanding, unless the oath is waived by the written consent of the parties to the contract or their attorneys or the parties have continued with the arbitration without objection to the failure of the arbitrators to take the oath.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-7-14 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-7 / Section 37-7-14
§ 37-7-14. Topsoil conservation.
Status: in_force

Any alteration on state owned land, or any alteration funded by the state which requires the alteration of topsoil shall require the use of compost amended soil which meets the United States Department of Agriculture classification criteria of silt loam, sandy loam, loamy sand, or loam with a minimum of at least two percent (2%) organic matter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-16-9 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-16 / Section 37-16-9
§ 37-16-9. Power of court to direct prompt hearing.
Status: in_force

The court shall have the power to direct the arbitrators to proceed promptly with the hearing and determination of the dispute, claim, or matter in question.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-16-14 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-16 / Section 37-16-14
§ 37-16-14. Arbitration under chapter deemed special proceeding  Jurisdiction of superior court.
Status: in_force

Arbitration of a claim, dispute, or matter in question under a contract described in this chapter shall be deemed a special proceeding of which the superior court for Providence County shall have jurisdiction.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-27-1 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-27 / Section 37-27-1
§ 37-27-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Rhode Island Anti-Bid-Rigging Act.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-6-22 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-6 / Section 37-6-22
§ 37-6-22. Consolidation of petitions as to same land.
Status: in_force

In case two (2) or more petitioners make claim to the same land, or other real property, or to any estate or interest therein, or to different estates or interests in the same parcel of land or other real property, the court shall, upon motion, consolidate their several petitions for trial and shall frame all necessary issues therefor.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-15-18 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-15 / Section 37-15-18
§ 37-15-18. Distribution of flyers on motor vehicles on private property  Penalties.
Status: in_force

No person, corporation, partnership, or association shall cause to be or shall distribute flyers on motor vehicles on private commercial property. Flyers shall mean commercial advertising literature which shall include, but not be limited to, advertisement of products or services, whether free or not; notices of events of any type; solicitation of funds, services, signatures or assistance of any causes; etc. Violators of this section shall be fined two hundred dollars ($200), the proceeds of which shall go to the OSCAR fund.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-23-12 — RI Code / Title 37 / Chapter 37-23 / Section 37-23-12
§ 37-23-12. Penalties for nonpayment.
Status: in_force

Any person, firm, entity, or corporation who has violated chapter 23 of title 37, whether duly registered with the office of the secretary of state or not, and has been assessed a fine by the director of labor and training, is hereby required to submit penalties due to the department of labor and training, within thirty (30) days of notice of the penalty, or the director of labor and training shall have the power to institute injunction proceedings in superior court.