reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 2-3-10 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-3 - Cooperative Extension District Associations and the Rhode Island Agricultural Council|Section 2-3-10 - Appropriations for general education purposes.

§ 2-3-10. Appropriations for general education purposes.The general assembly shall annually appropriate any sum that it may deem necessary for the purpose of supporting the program of the department of environmental management in its enlargement of cooperation with agricultural organizations as exemplified by the Rhode Island agricultural council in the endeavor to promote, encourage, generally better rural living in Rhode Island; to encourage and promote agriculture in this state and improve the state's agricultural interests; to hold meetings throughout the state with discussions conducted by authorities from both within and without the state; to make awards for outstanding agricultural contributions, and to assist Rhode Island agriculturalists in every way to overcome the problems that confront them in the agricultural field. This sum is to be expended under the direction of the director of the department of environmental management with a committee of five (5) members of the Rhode Island agricultural council appointed annually by the president of the council within thirty (30) days after the annual meeting of the council. The committee is to act in an advisory capacity and to assist in the formulation of plans and programs.History of Section.P.L. 1988, ch. 553, § 2; P.L. 2016, ch. 512, art. 2, § 35.
RI Gen L § 2-3-11 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-3 - Cooperative Extension District Associations and the Rhode Island Agricultural Council|Section 2-3-11 - Annual report by the Rhode Island agricultural council.

§ 2-3-11. Annual report by the Rhode Island agricultural council.The Rhode Island agricultural council shall make an annual report to the director of the department of environmental management.History of Section.P.L. 1988, ch. 553, § 2.
RI Gen L § 2-4-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-4 - Soil Conservation|Section 2-4-1 - Legislative determinations and declaration of policy.

§ 2-4-1. Legislative determinations and declaration of policy.In recognition of the ever increasing environmental problems resulting from demands on the land and renewable resources of the state and of the need to preserve, protect and develop these resources of the state at a rate and level of quality to meet the needs of the people of the state, and the need for environmental balance, it is hereby declared to be the policy of the state to provide for the conservation of the land and renewable natural resources using those measures that best meet these objectives, including, but not limited to, the control and prevention of erosion, control of floods, the conservation and development of water resources and the improvement of water quality; assistance in the conservation of coastal land and water resources, the prevention of impairment of dams and reservoirs by sediment, the protection of wildlife, and preservation of natural beauty, and to protect and promote the health, safety and general welfare of the people of this state. It is further the policy of the general assembly to authorize conservation districts established under this chapter to serve as a local unit of the state conservation committee responsible for the conservation of the renewable natural resources of this state, and competent to administer, in close cooperation with landowners and occupiers, with local governmental units, and with agencies of the government of this state and of the United States, projects, programs and activities suitable for carrying out the policy of this chapter.History of Section.G.L. 1956, § 2-4-1; P.L. 1972, ch. 173, § 2; P.L. 1985, ch. 179, § 1.
RI Gen L § 2-4-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-4 - Soil Conservation|Section 2-4-2 - Definitions.

§ 2-4-2. Definitions.(1) "Associate Director" means a designated representative of any community who serves to advise and consult with the board of directors of a district.(2) "Committee" or "state conservation committee" means the agency created in § 2-4-3. All references in this chapter to "state conservation committee", "state committee", or "committee" shall be deemed to be references to "state conservation committee".(3) "Conservation" includes conservation, improvement, maintenance, preservation, protection and use, and the control and prevention of floodwater and sediment damages, and the safe disposal of water.(4) "Director" means one of the members of the governing body of a district, appointed or elected in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.(5) "District" or "conservation district" means a subdivision of the state conservation committee, and a quasi public corporation organized in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, for the purposes, with the powers, and subject to the restrictions set forth. All districts created under this chapter shall be known as conservation districts and shall have all the powers and duties set out in this chapter. All references in this chapter to "districts" shall be deemed to be references to "conservation districts".(6) "Land occupier" or "occupier of land" includes any person, firm or corporation holding title to, or in possession of, any lands lying within a district organized under the provisions of this chapter, whether as owner, renter, lessee, tenant, town, municipality or otherwise.(7) "Renewable natural resources", "natural resources", or "resources" includes land, soil, water, vegetation, trees, fish, wildlife, streams, rivers, natural beauty, scenery, and open space.History of Section.G.L. 1956, § 2-4-2; P.L. 1972, ch. 173, § 2; P.L. 1985, ch. 179, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 163, § 1.
RI Gen L § 2-4-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-4 - Soil Conservation|Section 2-4-3 - State conservation committee.

§ 2-4-3. State conservation committee.(a) There is established, within the department of environmental management to serve as an agency of the state and to perform the functions conferred upon it by this chapter, the state conservation committee. The following shall serve as members of the committee: the director of the department of environmental management, or his or her designee, and four (4) members of the public appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. At least one member shall be appointed from each of the state's conservation districts and, in making appointments under this section, the governor shall give due consideration to recommendations made by the state's conservation district directors.(b) Members of the committee as of the effective date of this act [April 20, 2006] shall continue to serve for the balance of their current terms. Thereafter, members shall be appointed to terms of three (3) years. Members shall hold office until a successor has been selected. Vacancies shall be filled for any unexpired terms. The selection of successors to fill an unexpired term or for a full term shall be in the same manner in which the respective state committee member had been selected.(c) [Deleted by P.L. 2006, ch. 22, § 1 and P.L. 2006, ch. 27, § 1].(d) Gubernatorial appointments made under this section after the effective date of this act [April 20, 2006] shall be subject to the advice and consent of the senate. All persons appointed to the committee after the effective date of this act [April 20, 2006] shall be residents of the state.(e) The committee shall invite the director of the cooperative extension service and agricultural experiment station, chief of the office of state planning, director of transportation, the president of the Rhode Island association of conservation districts, the state conservationist of the USDA soil conservation service, the state executive director of the USDA agricultural stabilization and conservation service, the chairperson of the water resources board, and the executive director of the coastal resources management council, and any other agency representatives necessary to carry out the intent of this chapter to serve as advisors to the state committee.(f) The committee shall keep a record of its official actions, and may perform any acts, hold any public hearings, and promulgate any rules and regulations that may be necessary for the execution of its functions under this chapter.(g) The director of the department of environmental management shall direct staff to support the committee within the constraints of available resources.History of Section.P.L. 1972, ch. 173, § 2; P.L. 1985, ch. 179, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 163, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 105, § 13; P.L. 2001, ch. 180, § 2; P.L. 2001, ch. 376, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 22, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 27, § 1.
RI Gen L § 2-4-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-4 - Soil Conservation|Section 2-4-4 - Agents and employees - Assistance by other agencies - Delegation of powers.

§ 2-4-4. Agents and employees — Assistance by other agencies — Delegation of powers.The committee may employ an administrative officer and any technical experts and any other agents, and employees, permanent and temporary, that it may require, and shall determine their qualifications, duties, and compensation. It has the authority to delegate to its chairperson, to one or more of its members, or to one or more agents or employees, any powers and duties that it may deem proper. Upon request of the committee, for the purpose of carrying out any of its functions, the supervising officer of any state agency, or of any state institution of learning shall, insofar as may be possible under available appropriations, and having due regard to the needs of the agency to which the request is directed, assign or detail to the committee members of the staff or personnel of the agency or institution of learning, and make any special reports, surveys, or studies that the committee may request. The committee may call upon the attorney general for any legal services it may require.History of Section.G.L. 1956, § 2-4-4; P.L. 1972, ch. 173, § 2; P.L. 1985, ch. 179, § 1.
RI Gen L § 2-4-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-4 - Soil Conservation|Section 2-4-5 - Chairperson of the committee - Quorum - Expenses - Surety bonds - Records - Audit.

§ 2-4-5. Chairperson of the committee — Quorum — Expenses — Surety bonds — Records — Audit.The chairperson of the state committee shall be elected annually by the committee. The committee may elect from among its members such other officers as they deem necessary. A majority of the committee constitutes a quorum, and all actions of the committee shall be by a majority vote of the members present and voting at a meeting at which a quorum is present. The chairperson and members of the committee receive no compensation for their services on the committee, but are entitled to expenses or per diem, including traveling expenses, necessarily incurred in the discharge of their duties on the committee. The committee shall provide for the execution of surety bonds for all employees entrusted with funds or property; shall provide for the keeping of a full and accurate record of all proceedings and of all resolutions, regulations, and orders issued or adopted; and shall provide for a periodic audit of the accounts of receipts and disbursements. Members of the committee and the subcommittee shall be removable by the governor pursuant to § 36-1-7 of the general laws and for cause only, and removal solely for partisan or personal reasons unrelated to capacity or fitness for the office shall be unlawful.History of Section.G.L. 1956, § 2-4-5; P.L. 1972, ch. 173, § 2; P.L. 1985, ch. 179, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 22, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 27, § 1.
RI Gen L § 2-4-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-4 - Soil Conservation|Section 2-4-7 - Establishment of conservation districts.

§ 2-4-7. Establishment of conservation districts.There are established, three (3) conservation districts as follows:(1) All that portion known as Washington County and Kent County is incorporated into a district to be called the southern Rhode Island conservation district;(2) All that portion known as Providence County is incorporated into a district to be called the northern Rhode Island conservation district;(3) All that portion known as Newport County and Bristol County is incorporated into a district to be called the eastern Rhode Island conservation district.History of Section.G.L. 1956, § 2-4-7; P.L. 1972, ch. 173, § 2; P.L. 1983, ch. 68, § 1.
RI Gen L § 2-4-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-4 - Soil Conservation|Section 2-4-8 - District board - Organization - Quorum - Expenses and audit.

§ 2-4-8. District board — Organization — Quorum — Expenses and audit.(a) The governing body of the districts is be the board of directors consisting of five (5) directors, elected or appointed. The directors shall elect one of their members to be chairperson and may, from time to time, change that designation. The term of office of each director is three (3) years. A director holds office until a successor has been elected or appointed and has qualified. Vacancies shall be filled for any unexpired term. The selection of successors to fill an unexpired term, or for a full term, shall be made in the same manner in which the retiring directors were, respectively, selected. A majority of the board constitutes a quorum and all actions of the board shall be by a majority vote of the members present and voting at a meeting at which a quorum is present.(b) The directors may employ a secretary and other employees, technical experts, personnel, permanent and temporary, as they may require and shall determine their qualifications, duties, and compensation. The directors shall provide for the execution of surety bonds for all employees and officers who are entrusted with funds or property; shall provide for the keeping of a record of all proceedings and orders issued or adopted; and shall provide for a periodic audit of the accounts of receipts and disbursements in accordance with procedures prescribed by regulations of the state committee.(c) The directors may call upon the state committee for any legal services that may be available from the attorney general. The directors shall furnish to the state committee, upon request, copies of any rules, regulations, orders, contracts, ordinances, forms and other documents that they shall adopt or employ, and any other information that may be required in the performance of their duties.(d) Directors shall receive twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per meeting for their services, and are entitled to other expenses at a rate set by the state committee, including per diem and traveling expenses, necessarily incurred in the discharge of their duties. All payments for compensation and expenses are contingent upon availability of funds and at no time shall meeting or travel expenses supersede necessary conservation expenditures.History of Section.P.L. 1985, ch. 179, § 3.
RI Gen L § 2-4-9 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-4 - Soil Conservation|Section 2-4-9 - Designation of district directors - Appointments - Elections.

§ 2-4-9. Designation of district directors — Appointments — Elections.(a) Three (3) directors will be appointed by the state conservation committee and shall be persons who are by training and experience qualified to perform the services which will be required of them in the performance of their duties. In appointing directors, the state committee shall take into consideration the recommendations of the representative of the state committee from the area in which the district is located, as well as representation of the various interests of the district such as agricultural, woodland, wildlife, recreation, community and conservation groups.(b) The committee shall receive nomination petitions for directors, whose terms have expired, by or before January 15 of the year following their expiration and shall take action to approve or reject the nominees within thirty (30) days of receipt. The committee has the authority to extend the time within which nominating petitions may be filed.(c) No nomination petition shall be accepted by the committee unless it is subscribed to by twenty-five (25) or more occupiers of lands lying within the boundaries of the district. Land occupiers may sign more than one nominating petition to nominate more than one candidate for director.(d) The conservation districts shall give notice and hold elections for the two (2) directors for each district on or before January 15 of the year following the expiration of these elected directors' terms. All occupiers of lands lying within the district shall be eligible to vote in the election. The two (2) candidates who shall receive the largest number, respectively, of the votes cast in the election shall be the elected directors for the district.(e) All elections of directors shall be supervised and conducted by the district directors of the districts involved. The elections shall be held during a period prescribed or approved by the state conservation committee and in that manner and under any rules and regulations that the state committee prescribes. The cost of conducting elections shall be borne by the district involved. The board of directors shall certify to the state committee the names of the elected directors. The state committee shall issue certificates of election to each certified director, and shall publish the results of the election in some newspaper of general circulation in the area.(f) The board of directors may appoint associate directors, as deemed necessary, to advise and consult with the board and to broaden representation from the communities within the district.History of Section.P.L. 1985, ch. 179, § 3; P.L. 1988, ch. 67, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 163, § 1.
RI Gen L § 2-4-10 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-4 - Soil Conservation|Section 2-4-10 - Repealed.

§ 2-4-10. Repealed.History of Section.G.L. 1956, § 2-4-10; P.L. 1972, ch. 173, § 2; Repealed by P.L. 1985, ch. 179, § 2, effective June 18, 1985.
RI Gen L § 2-4-11 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-4 - Soil Conservation|Section 2-4-11 - Consultation with municipal representatives.

§ 2-4-11. Consultation with municipal representatives.The directors may invite the legislative body of any municipality within the district to designate a representative to serve as an associate director to advise and consult with them on all questions of programs and policy which may affect the property, water supply or other interest of the municipality. The board of directors may appoint, as they deem necessary, advisory committees to assure the availability of appropriate channels of communications to the board of directors, to persons affected by district operations, and to local, federal, state, regional and interstate special-purpose districts and agencies responsible for community planning, conservation commissions, zoning or resource development activities. The district shall keep the advisory committees informed of its work, and the advisory committees shall submit recommendations from time to time to the board of directors.History of Section.G.L. 1956, § 2-4-11; P.L. 1972, ch. 173, § 2; P.L. 1985, ch. 179, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 163, § 1.
RI Gen L § 2-4-13 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-4 - Soil Conservation|Section 2-4-13 - Contributions and agreements as conditions to benefits.

§ 2-4-13. Contributions and agreements as conditions to benefits.As a condition to the extending of any benefits under this chapter to, or the performance of work upon, any lands not owned or controlled by this state or any of its agencies, the directors may require contributions in money, services, materials, or otherwise to any operations conferring those benefits, and may require land occupiers to enter into and perform any agreements as to the use of their lands as may be consistent with the purposes of this chapter; however, required contributions must be approved as to amount and content by the state conservation committee.History of Section.G.L. 1956, § 2-4-13; P.L. 1972, ch. 173, § 2; P.L. 1985, ch. 179, § 1.
RI Gen L § 2-4-14 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-4 - Soil Conservation|Section 2-4-14 - Public property laws inapplicable.

§ 2-4-14. Public property laws inapplicable.No provisions with respect to the acquisition, operation, or disposition of property by other public bodies are applicable to a district organized under the provisions of this chapter unless the legislature shall specifically so state.History of Section.G.L. 1956, § 2-4-14; P.L. 1972, ch. 173, § 2; P.L. 1985, ch. 179, § 1.
RI Gen L § 2-4-15 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-4 - Soil Conservation|Section 2-4-15 - Cooperation between districts.

§ 2-4-15. Cooperation between districts.(a) Any two (2) or more districts may engage in joint activities by agreement between or among them in planning, financing, constructing, operating, maintaining and administering any program or project concerning the conservation of renewable natural resources. The districts concerned may make available for purposes of the agreement any funds, property, personnel, equipment or services available to them under this chapter.(b) Any district may, with the concurrence of the state committee, enter into agreements with a district, districts or responsible agency in adjoining states to carry out those purposes if the law in those states permits the district and agencies in those states to enter into agreements. The committee has the authority to propose, guide and facilitate the establishment and carrying out of any agreements.History of Section.G.L. 1956, § 2-4-15; P.L. 1972, ch. 173, § 2; P.L. 1985, ch. 179, § 1.
RI Gen L § 2-4-16 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-4 - Soil Conservation|Section 2-4-16 - Cooperation of other public agencies.

§ 2-4-16. Cooperation of other public agencies.Agencies of this state and agencies of towns, municipalities or other governmental subdivisions of this state having jurisdiction over public or private land, or charged with the administration of publicly owned lands lying within the boundaries of any district, may cooperate to the fullest extent with those districts in the implementation of programs undertaken by the directors under the provisions of this chapter.History of Section.G.L. 1956, § 2-4-16; P.L. 1972, ch. 173, § 2; P.L. 1985, ch. 179, § 1.
RI Gen L § 2-4-17 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-4 - Soil Conservation|Section 2-4-17 - Repealed.

§ 2-4-17. Repealed.History of Section.G.L. 1956, § 2-4-17; P.L. 1972, ch. 173, § 2; Repealed by P.L. 1985, ch. 179, § 2, effective June 18, 1985.
RI Gen L § 2-4-18 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-4 - Soil Conservation|Section 2-4-18 - Coastal resources management council and water resources board unaffected.

§ 2-4-18. Coastal resources management council and water resources board unaffected.The provisions of this chapter notwithstanding, no provision of this chapter shall be construed to take precedence over or acquire any of the powers delegated to the coastal resources management council under the provisions of § 46-23-6 and any amendment to these sections and this section shall also apply to the state water resources board.History of Section.P.L. 1972, ch. 173, § 3; P.L. 2016, ch. 512, art. 2, § 36.