reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 30-15-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 30 - Military Affairs and Defense|Chapter 30-15 - Emergency Management|Section 30-15-3 - Definitions.

§ 30-15-3. Definitions.As used in this chapter:(1) "Bioterrorism" means the intentional use of any microorganism, virus, infectious substance or biological product that may be engineered as a result of biotechnology or any naturally occurring or bioengineered component of any such microorganism, virus, infectious substance, or biological product, to cause death, disease, or other biological malfunction in a human, an animal, a plant or other living organism;(2) "Disaster" means occurrence or imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property resulting from any natural or man-made cause, including, but not limited to:(i) Fire;(ii) Flood;(iii) Earthquake;(iv) Wind, storm, wave action, oil spill, or other water contamination requiring emergency action to avert danger or damage;(v) Volcanic activity;(vi) Epidemic;(vii) Air contamination;(viii) Blight;(ix) Drought;(x) Infestation;(xi) Explosion;(xii) Riots;(xiii) Hostile military or paramilitary action;(xiv) Endangerment of the health, safety, or resources of the people of the state;(xv) Acts of bioterrorism;(3) "Political subdivision" means any city or town in Rhode Island; and(4) "Unorganized militia" means all able-bodied persons between the ages of sixteen (16) and fifty (50) years.History of Section.P.L. 1973, ch. 67, § 2; P.L. 1974, ch. 146, § 1; P.L. 2000, ch. 170, § 2; P.L. 2003, ch. 185, § 4; P.L. 2003, ch. 189, § 4.
RI Gen L § 30-15-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 30 - Military Affairs and Defense|Chapter 30-15 - Emergency Management|Section 30-15-4 - Limitations.

§ 30-15-4. Limitations.Nothing in this chapter shall be construed:(1) To interfere with the course or conduct of a labor dispute except that actions otherwise authorized by this chapter or other laws may be taken when necessary to forestall or mitigate imminent or existing danger to public health or safety;(2) To interfere with dissemination of news or comment on public affairs; but any communications facility or organization (including, but not limited to, radio or television stations, wire services, and newspapers) may be required to transmit or print public service messages furnishing information or instructions in connection with a disaster emergency;(3) To affect the jurisdiction or responsibilities of police forces, firefighting forces, or units of the armed forces of the United States, or of any personnel thereof, when on active duty; but state and local disaster emergency plans shall place reliance upon the forces available for performance of functions related to disaster emergencies; or(4) To limit, modify, or abridge the authority of the governor to proclaim martial law or exercise any other powers vested in the governor under the constitution, statutes, or common law of this state independent of, or in conjunction with, any provisions of this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 1973, ch. 67, § 2.
RI Gen L § 30-15-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 30 - Military Affairs and Defense|Chapter 30-15 - Emergency Management|Section 30-15-5 - Emergency management preparedness agency created - Personnel - Facilities.

§ 30-15-5. Emergency management preparedness agency created — Personnel — Facilities.(a) There is hereby created within the executive department, the Rhode Island emergency management agency (hereinafter in this chapter called the "agency"), to be headed by a director, who shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the governor and who shall be in the unclassified service.(b) The director may employ such technical, clerical, stenographic, and other personnel, all of whom shall be in the classified service, and may make such expenditures within the appropriation therefor, or from other funds made available for the purposes of this chapter, as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter, consistent with other applicable provisions of law.(c) The agency may provide itself with appropriate office space, furniture, equipment, supplies, stationery, and printing.(d) The director, subject to the direction and control of the governor, shall be the head of the agency, and shall be responsible to the governor for carrying out the program for disaster preparedness of this state. The director shall coordinate the activities of all organizations for disasters within the state and shall maintain liaison with and cooperate with disaster agencies and organizations of other states and of the federal government. The director shall have such additional authority, duties, and responsibilities authorized by this chapter as may be prescribed by the governor.(e) Wherever in the general or public laws, or any rule or regulation, any reference to the "executive director" shall appear, it shall be deemed to mean and shall mean "the director."History of Section.P.L. 1973, ch. 67, § 2; P.L. 1996, ch. 100, ch. 41, § 1; P.L. 2000, ch. 170, § 2; P.L. 2014, ch. 145, art. 14, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 52, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 53, § 1.
RI Gen L § 30-15-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 30 - Military Affairs and Defense|Chapter 30-15 - Emergency Management|Section 30-15-7 - Governor's general powers.

§ 30-15-7. Governor's general powers.The governor shall be responsible for carrying out the provisions of this chapter and shall be primarily responsible for emergency management in the state. Aside from powers granted to the governor elsewhere, the governor is hereby specifically authorized to:(1) Issue executive orders, proclamations, and regulations and amend or rescind them. Executive orders, proclamations, and regulations, for the purposes of this chapter, have the force and effect of law;(2) Cooperate with the federal authorities and with the governors and/or officials of the other states in matters pertaining to the common disaster preparedness of the states and nation, and in exercising the powers under this chapter, the governor shall avoid duplications of, and conflicts with, the efforts of the federal authorities acting within their proper spheres;(3) Consider on a continuing basis steps that could be taken to prevent or reduce the harmful consequences of disasters. At the governor's direction, and pursuant to any other authority they now have, state agencies, including, but not limited to, those that are or may be charged with responsibilities in connection with flood plain management, stream encroachment and flow regulation, weather modification, fire prevention and control, air quality, public works, land use and land-use planning, and construction standards, shall make studies of disaster-prevention-related matters. The governor, from time to time, shall make recommendations to the general assembly, local governments, and other appropriate public and private entities as may facilitate measures for mitigation of the harmful consequences of disasters;(4) Prepare a comprehensive plan and program for disasters (including response and recovery) in the state, the plan and program to be integrated into, and coordinated with, the response and disaster plans of other states to the fullest possible extent, and coordinate the preparation of plans and programs for disasters by the political subdivisions of the state, such plans to be integrated into, and coordinated with the state disaster plan and program to the fullest possible extent;(5) In accordance with the plans and programs for disasters in the state, procure supplies and equipment, to institute training programs and public information programs, and to take all other preparatory steps, including the partial or full mobilization of disaster organizations in advance of actual disaster, to ensure the furnishing of adequately trained and equipped forces of disaster personnel in time of need;(6) Delegate any administrative authority vested in the governor under this chapter and provide for the subsequent delegation of that authority; and(7) Do all other things necessary to ensure adequate preparation for disasters in the state, not inconsistent with other provisions of law.History of Section.P.L. 1973, ch. 67, § 2; P.L. 2000, ch. 170, § 2; P.L. 2016, ch. 511, art. 2, § 38.
RI Gen L § 30-15-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 30 - Military Affairs and Defense|Chapter 30-15 - Emergency Management|Section 30-15-8 - Mobile support units.

§ 30-15-8. Mobile support units.(a) The governor, or the governor's duly designated representative, is authorized to create and establish any number of mobile support units that may be necessary to reinforce disaster organizations in stricken areas with due consideration of the plans of the federal government and of other states. Mobile support units shall be called to duty upon orders of the governor and shall perform their functions in any part of the state or, upon the conditions specified in this section, in other states.(b) (1) Personnel of mobile support units while on duty, whether within or without the state, shall:(i) If they are employees of the state, have the powers, duties, rights, privileges, and immunities and receive the compensation incidental to their employment;(ii) If they are employees of a political subdivision of the state, and whether serving within or without the political subdivision, have the powers, duties, rights, privileges, and immunities and receive the compensation incidental to their employment; and(iii) If they are not employees of the state or a political subdivision thereof, be entitled to compensation by the state at a rate equivalent to the rate of compensation paid to jurors in state courts, and to the same rights and immunities as are provided by law for the employees of this state.(2) All personnel of mobile support units shall, while on duty, be subject to the operational control of the authority in charge of disaster activities in the area in which they are serving, and shall be reimbursed for all actual and necessary travel and subsistence expenses as if they were temporary state employees.(c) The state shall reimburse a political subdivision for the compensation paid and actual and necessary travel, subsistence, and maintenance expenses of the employees of a political subdivision while serving as members of a mobile support unit; and for all payments for death, disability, or injury of those employees incurred in the course of such duty; and for all losses of, or damage to, supplies and equipment of such political subdivision resulting from the operation of that mobile support unit.History of Section.P.L. 1973, ch. 67, § 2; P.L. 2000, ch. 170, § 2.
RI Gen L § 30-15-10 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 30 - Military Affairs and Defense|Chapter 30-15 - Emergency Management|Section 30-15-10 - Financing - Disaster emergency funding board established.

§ 30-15-10. Financing — Disaster emergency funding board established.(a) It is the intent of the general assembly and declared to be the policy of the state that funds to meet disaster emergencies shall always be available.(b) A disaster emergency funding board is hereby established, composed of the president of the senate, the speaker of the house, and the chairpersons of the senate and house finance committees.(c) It is the legislative intent that the first recourse shall be to funds regularly appropriated to state and local agencies. If the governor finds that the demands placed upon these funds in coping with a particular disaster are unreasonably great, with the concurrence of the disaster emergency funding board, he or she may make funds available by transferring and expending moneys appropriated for other purposes or may borrow for a term not to exceed two (2) years from the United States government or any other private source.(d) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to limit the governor's authority to apply for, administer, and expend any grants, gifts, or payments, in aid of disaster prevention, preparedness, response, or recovery.History of Section.P.L. 1973, ch. 67, § 2; P.L. 2001, ch. 180, § 61.
RI Gen L § 30-15-12 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 30 - Military Affairs and Defense|Chapter 30-15 - Emergency Management|Section 30-15-12 - Local emergency management.

§ 30-15-12. Local emergency management.(a) Each city and town of the state shall establish, through local ordinance, a comparable agency, headed by a director, similar to the statewide disaster agency, with powers and duties within their respective jurisdictions similar to those of the agency. This agency shall be known as the "(here insert the name of the city or town) emergency management agency". Local agencies shall cooperate with and assist the agency and shall perform such services as may be requested by it. Local agencies may act jointly with other such agencies.(b) The chief executive officer of each city or town has powers and duties with respect to emergency management within his or her city or town similar to those of the governor on the state level, not inconsistent with other provisions of law.History of Section.P.L. 1973, ch. 67, § 2; P.L. 2000, ch. 170, § 2; P.L. 2016, ch. 511, art. 2, § 38.
RI Gen L § 30-15-13 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 30 - Military Affairs and Defense|Chapter 30-15 - Emergency Management|Section 30-15-13 - Local disaster emergencies.

§ 30-15-13. Local disaster emergencies.(a) A local disaster emergency may be declared only by the principal executive officer of a political subdivision. It shall not be continued or renewed for a period in excess of seven (7) days except by, or with the consent of, the governing board of the political subdivision. Any order or proclamation declaring, continuing, or terminating a local disaster emergency shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly with the city or town clerk.(b) The effect of a declaration of a local disaster emergency is to activate the mitigation response and recovery aspects of any and all applicable local disaster emergency plans and to authorize the furnishing of aid and assistance thereunder.History of Section.P.L. 1973, ch. 67, § 2; P.L. 2000, ch. 170, § 2.
RI Gen L § 30-15-15 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 30 - Military Affairs and Defense|Chapter 30-15 - Emergency Management|Section 30-15-15 - Immunity from liability - Compensation for death or injury of disaster response workers.

§ 30-15-15. Immunity from liability — Compensation for death or injury of disaster response workers.(a) All functions under this chapter, and all other activities relating to disaster response, are hereby declared to be governmental functions. Neither the state, nor any political subdivision thereof, nor other agencies of the state or political subdivision thereof, nor, except in cases of willful misconduct, gross negligence, or bad faith, any disaster response worker complying with, or reasonably attempting to comply with this chapter, or any order, rule, or regulation promulgated pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, or pursuant to any ordinance relating to precautionary measures enacted by any political subdivision of the state, shall be liable for the death of, or injury to, persons, or for damage to property, as a result of disaster response activity. The provisions of this section shall not affect the right of any person to receive benefits to which he or she would otherwise be entitled under this chapter, nor under the Workers' Compensation Act, chapters 29 — 38 of title 28, nor under any pension law, nor the right of any person to receive any benefits or compensation under any act of Congress.(b) Any requirement for a license to practice any professional, mechanical, or other skill shall not apply to any authorized disaster response worker who shall, in the course of performing his or her duties as such, practice such professional, mechanical, or other skill during a disaster emergency.(c) In the absence of any other benefits as provided by law, all disaster response workers who shall be killed or sustain disability or injury while in training for or on disaster response duty shall be construed to be employees of the state, any other provisions of the law to the contrary notwithstanding, and shall be compensated in like manner as state employees are compensated under the provisions of chapters 29 — 38 of title 28.(d) As used in this section, the term "disaster response worker" shall include any full- or part-time paid, volunteer, or auxiliary employee of this state, other states, territories, or possessions, the District of Columbia, the federal government, any neighboring country, or any political subdivision thereof, or any agency or organization, or any private person, firm, or corporation performing disaster response services at any place in this state subject to the order or control of, or pursuant to a request of, the state government or any political subdivision thereof.History of Section.P.L. 1973, ch. 67, § 2; P.L. 2003, ch. 185, § 4; P.L. 2003, ch. 189, § 4; P.L. 2016, ch. 511, art. 2, § 38.
RI Gen L § 30-15-16 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 30 - Military Affairs and Defense|Chapter 30-15 - Emergency Management|Section 30-15-16 - No private liability.

§ 30-15-16. No private liability.Any person controlling real estate or other premises who voluntarily, and without compensation, grants a license or privilege, or otherwise permits the designation or use of the whole or any part or parts of that real estate or premises for the purpose of sheltering persons during an actual, impending, mock, or practice disaster shall, together with his or her successors in interest, if any, not be civilly liable for negligently causing the death of, or injury to, any person on or about the real estate or premises or for the loss of, or damage to, the property of that person.History of Section.P.L. 1973, ch. 67, § 2.
RI Gen L § 30-15-17 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 30 - Military Affairs and Defense|Chapter 30-15 - Emergency Management|Section 30-15-17 - Severability.

§ 30-15-17. Severability.If any part, subdivision, or section of this chapter shall be declared unconstitutional, the validity of the remaining parts thereof shall not be affected thereby. If any provision of this chapter, or the application of that provision to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of the chapter and the application of that provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.History of Section.P.L. 1973, ch. 67, § 2.
RI Gen L § 30-15-18 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 30 - Military Affairs and Defense|Chapter 30-15 - Emergency Management|Section 30-15-18 - Enforcement.

§ 30-15-18. Enforcement.It shall be the duty of every organization for disaster preparedness and response established pursuant to this chapter, and of the officers thereof, to execute and enforce such orders, rules, and regulations as may be made by the governor under authority of this chapter. Each organization shall have available for inspection at its office all orders, rules, and regulations made by the governor or under his or her authority.History of Section.P.L. 1973, ch. 67, § 2.
RI Gen L § 30-15-19 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 30 - Military Affairs and Defense|Chapter 30-15 - Emergency Management|Section 30-15-19 - Construction of chapter.

§ 30-15-19. Construction of chapter.This chapter shall be construed liberally, but those charged with the exercise or enforcement of its great powers are directed to act with restraint and moderation and with strict regard to the rights of the people.History of Section.P.L. 1973, ch. 67, § 2.
RI Gen L § 30-15-20 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 30 - Military Affairs and Defense|Chapter 30-15 - Emergency Management|Section 30-15-20 - References to agency predecessor.

§ 30-15-20. References to agency predecessor.Wherever in any general or public law, the words "state council of defense", "Rhode Island state council of defense", or "council of defense" shall appear, these words shall mean and include the "Rhode Island emergency management agency" as established by this chapter. The "Rhode Island emergency management agency", renamed by the action of this chapter, is hereby declared to be the successor to the Rhode Island state council of defense. All provisions of law shall, so far as applicable, be so construed.History of Section.P.L. 1973, ch. 67, § 2; P.L. 2000, ch. 170, § 2.
RI Gen L § 30-15-21 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 30 - Military Affairs and Defense|Chapter 30-15 - Emergency Management|Section 30-15-21 - Penalties.

§ 30-15-21. Penalties.Any person violating any provisions of this chapter or any rule, order, or regulation promulgated pursuant to this chapter shall upon conviction thereof be punishable by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500), or imprisonment not exceeding ninety (90) days, or both.History of Section.P.L. 1979, ch. 213, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 511, art. 2, § 38.
RI Gen L § 30-15-22 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 30 - Military Affairs and Defense|Chapter 30-15 - Emergency Management|Section 30-15-22 - Repealed.

§ 30-15-22. Repealed.History of Section.P.L. 1985, ch. 181, art. 29, § 17; P.L. 1996, ch. 100, art. 41, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 2000, ch. 170, § 3, effective July 13, 2000.
RI Gen L § 30-15-23 - 30-15-40 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 30 - Military Affairs and Defense|Chapter 30-15 - Emergency Management|Section 30-15-23 - 30-15-40 - Repealed.

§ 30-15-23 — 30-15-40. Repealed.
RI Gen L § 30-15-41 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 30 - Military Affairs and Defense|Chapter 30-15 - Emergency Management|Section 30-15-41 - Approval of emergency response plans for the transportation of liquefied natural gas.

§ 30-15-41. Approval of emergency response plans for the transportation of liquefied natural gas.(a) Findings. The general assembly hereby recognizes the paramount importance of establishing an emergency response plan for the transportation of liquefied natural gas within the state. The general assembly hereby also declares that the establishment of the emergency response plan is in the interest of the public health, safety, and welfare as a means to protect against the potential hazards presented by the transportation of liquefied natural gas.(b) No emergency response plan for the transportation of liquefied natural gas through the waters of Narragansett Bay and/or Mount Hope Bay shall be issued or implemented by the Rhode Island emergency management agency prior to the approval of the aforementioned emergency response plan by the general assembly and the city or town councils of Bristol, Jamestown, Middletown, Newport, Portsmouth, Tiverton, and Warren.History of Section.P.L. 2008, ch. 208, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 511, art. 2, § 38.