reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 39-1-20 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-1 - Public Utilities Commission|Section 39-1-20 - Assistance for investigations and hearings.

§ 39-1-20. Assistance for investigations and hearings.Whenever the commission or the division shall conduct an investigation or hearing upon a proposal by a public utility to increase its rates, tolls, or charges, or to issue stocks, bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness, or to merge or consolidate with another company, it may employ legal counsel, official stenographers, and expert witnesses, and may designate disinterested persons free from bias, prejudice, and pecuniary interest in the matter concerned, to examine into and testify regarding the matters involved and all collateral issues at all hearings and in any appeal procedures until final determination in law has been had.History of Section.P.L. 1969, ch. 240, § 1; P.L. 1973, ch. 199, § 1.
RI Gen L § 39-1-21 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-1 - Public Utilities Commission|Section 39-1-21 - Access to premises of utility.

§ 39-1-21. Access to premises of utility.The commissioners, the attorney general, and the agents of the division, as provided in §§ 39-1-15 and 39-1-20, while engaged in the performance of their duties, may, at all reasonable times, enter any premises, buildings, cars, plant, or equipment, or other places belonging to, or controlled by, any public utility, communications carrier, or contract carrier, and inspect the same or any part thereof, and any person obstructing, hindering, or in any way causing to be obstructed or hindered, any commissioner or the attorney general or any agent of the division, in the performance of his or her duties, or who shall refuse to permit any commissioner, the attorney general, or any agent of the division entrance into any premises, building, cars, plant, or equipment, or other places belonging to or controlled by any public utility, communications carrier, or contract carrier, in the performance of his or her duties as such, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and fined not more than five hundred dollars ($500).History of Section.P.L. 1912, ch. 795, § 14; G.L. 1923, ch. 253, § 14; G.L. 1938, ch. 122, § 11; G.L. 1956, § 39-1-13; G.L. 1956, § 39-1-21; P.L. 1969, ch. 240, § 1.
RI Gen L § 39-1-22 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-1 - Public Utilities Commission|Section 39-1-22 - False returns.

§ 39-1-22. False returns.A company subject to the supervision of the commission or division that furnishes it with a sworn or affirmed report, return, or statement, that the company knows or should know contains false figures or information regarding any material matter lawfully required of it, and any company that fails within a reasonable time to obey a final order of the commission or division, shall be fined not more than twenty thousand dollars ($20,000).History of Section.P.L. 1969, ch. 240, § 1; P.L. 1973, ch. 199, § 1.
RI Gen L § 39-1-23.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-1 - Public Utilities Commission|Section 39-1-23.1 - Motor carrier enforcement program created - Recovery of expenses through a percentage of fines collected from motor carriers.

§ 39-1-23.1. Motor carrier enforcement program created — Recovery of expenses through a percentage of fines collected from motor carriers.(a) The administrator has been charged under this title with the responsibility of promoting adequate, economical, and efficient service by motor carriers and reasonable charges therefore without unjust discriminations, undue preferences, or advantages, or unfair or destructive competitive practices. This legislative charge further requires that the administrator improve the relations between, and coordinate transportation by, and the regulations between all modes of transportation provided by the various classes of motor carriers; develop and preserve a highway transportation system properly adapted to the needs of the commerce of the state; and promote safety upon its publicly used highways in the interest of its citizens.(b) It is hereby declared that in order to enforce the statutes, rules, and regulations under which the administrator carries out his or her efforts to fulfill the mandates provided in subsection (a), appropriations shall be provided, pursuant to the assessment provision contained in § 39-1-23, for the purposes of providing the administrator with the financial means to maintain an enforcement presence in the transportation industry. The appropriations shall be used by the administrator to create and maintain a field enforcement staff of at least two (2) inspector-auditors whose sole responsibilities shall be to promote and compel compliance with all applicable motor carrier related statutes, rules, and regulations. In addition to compensation for inspector-auditors, the motor carrier enforcement appropriations may be used to purchase any materials or equipment necessary for this field enforcement staff and any training or educational programs germane to its regulatory functions.History of Section.P.L. 1992, ch. 133, art. 34, § 3; P.L. 1995, ch. 370, art. 40, § 116; P.L. 1997, ch. 326, § 103; P.L. 2008, ch. 100, art. 29, § 1.
RI Gen L § 39-1-24 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-1 - Public Utilities Commission|Section 39-1-24 - Certification, collection, and deposit of assessments.

§ 39-1-24. Certification, collection, and deposit of assessments.On or before the first day of August in each year, the administrator shall certify to the state controller the amount of the assessment made pursuant to § 39-1-23 and the name and address of each company against whom the assessment is made. Each company shall pay the administrator the amount assessed against it within thirty (30) days from the receipt of the assessment with interest at the rate of six percent (6%) per annum if unpaid at the due date. The administrator shall deposit all payments with the general treasurer. The amount so deposited shall be credited to the general fund of the state and accounted for as expenses recovered from public utility companies and common carriers.History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 122, § 63; P.L. 1955, ch. 3436, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 39-1-15; G.L. 1956, § 39-1-24; P.L. 1969, ch. 240, § 1.
RI Gen L § 39-1-25 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-1 - Public Utilities Commission|Section 39-1-25 - Objection to assessments.

§ 39-1-25. Objection to assessments.Each company shall pay to the administrator the amount assessed against it or shall file with the commission its objections in writing setting out the grounds upon which it claims that the assessment is excessive, erroneous, unlawful, or invalid. The commission shall, within thirty (30) days from the receipt of the objection, hold a hearing and issue an order in accordance with its findings.History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 122, § 63; P.L. 1955, ch. 3436, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 39-1-16; G.L. 1956, § 39-1-25; P.L. 1969, ch. 240, § 1.
RI Gen L § 39-1-27.2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-1 - Public Utilities Commission|Section 39-1-27.2 - [Repealed.]

§ 39-1-27.2. [Repealed.]History of Section.P.L. 1996, ch. 315, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 2006, ch. 216, § 10, effective July 3, 2006.
RI Gen L § 39-1-27.5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-1 - Public Utilities Commission|Section 39-1-27.5 - [Repealed.]

§ 39-1-27.5. [Repealed.]History of Section.P.L. 1996, ch. 316, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 2006, ch. 216, § 10, effective July 3, 2006.
RI Gen L § 39-1-27.8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-1 - Public Utilities Commission|Section 39-1-27.8 - Supply procurement portfolio.

§ 39-1-27.8. Supply procurement portfolio.Each electric distribution company shall submit a proposed supply procurement plan or plans to the commission not later than March 1, 2009, and each March 1 thereafter through March 1, 2018. The supply procurement plan or plans shall be consistent with the purposes of least-cost procurement and shall, as appropriate, take into account plans and orders with regard to system reliability and energy efficiency and conservation procurement. The supply procurement plan or plans will include the acquisition procedure, the pricing options being sought, and a proposed term of service for which standard-offer service will be acquired. The term of service may be of various, staggered term lengths and acquisitions may occur from time to time and for more than one supplier for segments of standard-offer load over different terms, if appropriate. There also may be separate procurement plans for residential and nonresidential classes or separate plans among nonresidential classes. All the components of the procurement plans shall be subject to commission review and approval. Once a procurement plan is approved by the commission, the electric distribution company shall be authorized to acquire standard-offer service supply consistent with the approved procurement plan and recover its costs incurred from providing standard-offer service pursuant to the approved procurement plan. The commission may periodically review the procurement plan to determine whether it should be prospectively modified due to changed market conditions. The commission shall have the authority and discretion to establish eligibility criteria by rate class, and approve special tariff conditions and rates proposed by the electric distribution company that the commission finds are in the public interest, including, without limitation: (1) Short- and long-term optional service at different rates; (2) Term commitments or notice provisions before individual customers leave standard-offer service; (3) Standard-offer service rates for residential or any other special class of customers that are different than the rates for other standard-offer customers; (4) Time of use commodity pricing for specified classes of customers, except residential customers; provided, however, that the commission may establish pilot programs for time of use commodity pricing for residential customers; and/or (5) Standard-offer service rates that are designed to encourage any class of customers to purchase supply directly from the market.History of Section.P.L. 2006, ch. 236, § 6; P.L. 2006, ch. 237, § 6.
RI Gen L § 39-1-27.9 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-1 - Public Utilities Commission|Section 39-1-27.9 - Office of energy resources participation.

§ 39-1-27.9. Office of energy resources participation.In any commission inquiry into, or examination of, matters that relate to or could potentially impact any programs, functions, or duties of the office of energy resources and/or the energy efficiency and resources management council, including, but not limited to, those programs, functions and duties pursuant to this chapter and chapters 140, 140.1, 140.2, and 141 of title 42, the office of energy resources and the energy resources council shall be deemed, upon the formal request of the office or the council as appropriate, to be an interested party for all purposes, and as such, shall receive all notices and may file complaints, institute proceedings, and participate as a party in administrative hearings.History of Section.P.L. 2006, ch. 236, § 6; P.L. 2006, ch. 237, § 6; P.L. 2020, ch. 79, art. 1, § 2.
RI Gen L § 39-1-27.10 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-1 - Public Utilities Commission|Section 39-1-27.10 - Electric and gas distribution companies required to file affordable energy plans.

§ 39-1-27.10. Electric and gas distribution companies required to file affordable energy plans.(a) On or before January 2, 2007, each gas and electric distribution company shall submit to the commission a plan for affordable energy for low-income households, including very low-income households as defined in § 42-141-2 [repealed]. The plan shall provide for the implementation of the affordable energy fund and shall include provisions for discounted distribution rates and customer charges; payments on arrearages and unpaid balances by low-income households; and energy efficiency and weatherization, to the extent that funding is allocated by the commissioner pursuant to § 42-141-5(d) [repealed]. Any amendments or revisions to the plan after December 1, 2007, shall provide for referral of eligible households, as appropriate, to community action agencies or other entities designated by the office of energy resources for weatherization assistance.(b) On or before April 30, 2007, the commission shall review the plan and issue an order with regard to the plan not later than May 31, 2007. The order shall be effective not later than November 1, 2007. The commission shall cause a review, and as appropriate an amendment, of the plan at least every three (3) years between July 1, 2007, and July 1, 2016.(c) On or before November 1, 2007, each gas and electric distribution company shall implement an affordable energy plan in accordance with the order of the commission.History of Section.P.L. 2006, ch. 236, § 6; P.L. 2006, ch. 237, § 6; P.L. 2007, ch. 51, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 66, § 1.
RI Gen L § 39-1-27.11 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-1 - Public Utilities Commission|Section 39-1-27.11 - Affordable gas for public housing authorities.

§ 39-1-27.11. Affordable gas for public housing authorities.The commission shall authorize public housing authorities, created pursuant to chapter 25 or 26 of title 45, to participate in "business choice programs" provided the commission determines that the accounts are billed to and paid by a single housing provider; that the accounts are located on contiguous sites; that other applicable standards for program participation are met; and that such participation is reasonable and prudent.History of Section.P.L. 2007, ch. 441, § 1.
RI Gen L § 39-1-27.13 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-1 - Public Utilities Commission|Section 39-1-27.13 - Alternative suppliers and purchase of receivables program.

§ 39-1-27.13. Alternative suppliers and purchase of receivables program.(a) The general assembly recognizes the importance of competitive choice in electric generation service.(b) The commission may implement a purchase of receivables program where the electric distribution company purchases the receivables of a nonregulated power producer at a discount rate that is then offset from the monthly payments the electric distribution company makes to the nonregulated power producer if the commission finds that the benefits of the program to ratepayers would exceed the costs to ratepayers.History of Section.P.L. 2018, ch. 102, § 1; P.L. 2018, ch. 108, § 1.
RI Gen L § 39-1-28 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-1 - Public Utilities Commission|Section 39-1-28 - Acceptance of grants.

§ 39-1-28. Acceptance of grants.The commission and the division are authorized and empowered to apply for and receive and accept, in the name of the state, grants, of property, money, and services and other assistance offered or made available to them by any person, any political subdivision or entity, or any other agency, governmental or private, including the United States or any of its agencies and instrumentalities, which they may use for any purpose in furtherance of their powers and duties; provided, however, that acceptance of any grant shall not make the state in any manner legally or equitably liable to the donor relative to the use of the grant. The grants received shall not be covered into the general fund of the state, but shall be kept by the general treasurer in a separate fund for the commission and division and shall be paid out by him or her only upon receipt of properly authenticated vouchers signed by the chairperson of the commission or the administrator as appropriate, without the necessity of appropriation or reappropriation by the general assembly.History of Section.P.L. 1969, ch. 240, § 1; P.L. 1973, ch. 199, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 316, § 1.
RI Gen L § 39-1-29 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-1 - Public Utilities Commission|Section 39-1-29 - Proceedings before federal agencies - Cooperation with other agencies.

§ 39-1-29. Proceedings before federal agencies — Cooperation with other agencies.The administrator shall represent the state in proceedings before agencies of the federal government on all matters affecting public utility services rendered, or to be rendered, in this state, and shall participate with other governmental and private agencies in studying integration or coordination of power systems to achieve low generating and transmission costs and possible regionalization of regulation.History of Section.P.L. 1969, ch. 240, § 1; P.L. 1973, ch. 199, § 1.
RI Gen L § 39-1-30 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-1 - Public Utilities Commission|Section 39-1-30 - Zoning review - Approval of ordinances and regulations.

§ 39-1-30. Zoning review — Approval of ordinances and regulations.Every ruling, decision, and order of a zoning board of review and of a building, gas, water, health, or electrical inspector of any municipality affecting the placing, erection, and maintenance of any plant, building, wires, conductors, fixtures, structures, equipment, or apparatus of any company under the supervision of the commission, shall be subject to the right of appeal by any aggrieved party to the commission within ten (10) days from the giving of notice of the ruling, decision, or order. The commission, after hearing, upon notice to all parties in interest, shall, as speedily as possible, determine the matter in question, weighing the consideration of public convenience, necessity, and safety against the consideration of public zoning, and shall have jurisdiction to affirm or revoke or modify the ruling, decision, or order to make any order in substitution thereof. Every ordinance enacted, or regulation promulgated, by any town or city affecting the mode or manner of operation or the placing or maintenance of the plant and equipment of any company under the supervision of the commission, shall be subject to the right of appeal by any aggrieved party to the commission within ten (10) days from the enactment or promulgation. The commission, after a hearing, upon notice to all parties in interest, shall determine the matter giving consideration to its effect upon the public health, safety, welfare, comfort, and convenience.History of Section.P.L. 1969, ch. 240, § 1; P.L. 1971, ch. 265, § 2; P.L. 1972, ch. 205, § 2.
RI Gen L § 39-1-30.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-1 - Public Utilities Commission|Section 39-1-30.1 - Validation of location of utilities.

§ 39-1-30.1. Validation of location of utilities.The locations for all lines for the transmission or distribution of electric current or for the providing of audio or visual telephonic or telegraphic communication service heretofore acquired or constructed by public utilities as defined under § 39-1-2, upon, along, under, or over the public ways and places of this state, and the locations for poles, piers, abutments, conduits, manholes, vaults, and other fixtures, including those jointly owned, necessary to sustain, protect, or operate the wires and cables of the lines, and actually in place on May 19, 1982, are hereby made lawful notwithstanding any deficiency in the proceedings relative to their location and erection.History of Section.P.L. 1982, ch. 427, § 2.
RI Gen L § 39-1-30.2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-1 - Public Utilities Commission|Section 39-1-30.2 - Possession of land adverse to a utility.

§ 39-1-30.2. Possession of land adverse to a utility.No interest in real property of an electric distribution company, electric transmission company, gas, telephone, or water utility may be defeated or otherwise adversely affected by the use, possession, or occupancy of the real property by any person.History of Section.P.L. 1991, ch. 123, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 316, § 1.
RI Gen L § 39-1-30.3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-1 - Public Utilities Commission|Section 39-1-30.3 - Installation of public utility services for abutting owners on private ways authorized.

§ 39-1-30.3. Installation of public utility services for abutting owners on private ways authorized.The owner, or owners, of real estate abutting on a private way who have by deed or by prescription existing rights of ingress and egress upon the way or other private ways, shall have the right to place, install, or construct in, on, along, under, and upon the private way or other private ways, poles and other appurtenances necessary for the transmission of electricity or telephone service, provided the facilities do not unreasonably obstruct the private way or other private ways, and do not interfere with or be inconsistent with the existing use by others of the way or other private ways; and, provided further, that such placement, installation, or construction is done in accordance with regulations, plans, and practices of the utility company that is to provide the electricity or telephone service. The agencies that provide the service shall comply with the rules and regulations of the public utilities commission. Any owner, or owners, may grant permission to a public utility company to enter upon the way or other private ways to place, install, repair, or relocate poles and other necessary appurtenances for the transmission of electricity or telephone service in accordance with the company or companies' regulations, practices, and tariffs filed with the public utilities commission; provided, however, that no charge or added assessment shall be levied by the public utility company or companies against the owner or owners not connected to the service or services. Neither the person installing or repairing public utility facilities, nor the facilities, nor the electricity or telephone service transmitted shall be deemed to constitute a trespass upon the way or ways.History of Section.P.L. 1994, ch. 353, § 1.