reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 38-2-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 38 - Public Records|Chapter 38-2 - Access to Public Records|Section 38-2-4 - Cost.

§ 38-2-4. Cost.(a) Subject to the provisions of § 38-2-3, a public body must allow copies to be made or provide copies of public records. The cost per copied page of written documents provided to the public shall not exceed fifteen cents ($.15) per page for documents copyable on common business or legal size paper. A public body may not charge more than the reasonable actual cost for providing electronic records or retrieving records from storage where the public body is assessed a retrieval fee.(b) A reasonable charge may be made for the search or retrieval of documents. Hourly costs for a search and retrieval shall not exceed fifteen dollars ($15.00) per hour and no costs shall be charged for the first hour of a search or retrieval. For the purposes of this subsection, multiple requests from any person or entity to the same public body within a thirty (30) day time period shall be considered one request.(c) Copies of documents shall be provided and the search and retrieval of documents accomplished within a reasonable time after a request. A public body upon request, shall provide an estimate of the costs of a request for documents prior to providing copies.(d) Upon request, the public body shall provide a detailed itemization of the costs charged for search and retrieval.(e) A court may reduce or waive the fees for costs charged for search or retrieval if it determines that the information requested is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the government and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester.History of Section.P.L. 1979, ch. 202, § 1; P.L. 1986, ch. 416, § 1; P.L. 1991, ch. 263, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 378, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 448, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 454, § 1.
RI Gen L § 38-2-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 38 - Public Records|Chapter 38-2 - Access to Public Records|Section 38-2-5 - Effect of chapter on broader agency publication - Existing rights - Judicial records and proceedings.

§ 38-2-5. Effect of chapter on broader agency publication — Existing rights — Judicial records and proceedings.Nothing in this chapter shall be:(1) Construed as preventing any public body from opening its records concerning the administration of the body to public inspection;(2) Construed as limiting the right of access as it existed prior to July 1, 1979, of an individual who is the subject of a record to the information contained herein; or(3) Deemed in any manner to affect the status of judicial records as they existed prior to July 1, 1979, nor to affect the rights of litigants in either criminal or civil proceedings, including parties to administrative proceedings, under the laws of discovery of this state.History of Section.P.L. 1979, ch. 202, § 1.
RI Gen L § 38-2-6 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 38 - Public Records|Chapter 38-2 - Access to Public Records|Section 38-2-6 - Repealed.

§ 38-2-6. Repealed.History of Section.P.L. 1979, ch. 202, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 2012, ch. 448, § 3, effective September 1, 2012; P.L. 2012, ch. 454, § 3, effective September 1, 2012.
RI Gen L § 38-2-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 38 - Public Records|Chapter 38-2 - Access to Public Records|Section 38-2-7 - Denial of access.

§ 38-2-7. Denial of access.(a) Any denial of the right to inspect or copy records, in whole or in part provided for under this chapter shall be made to the person or entity requesting the right in writing giving the specific reasons for the denial within ten (10) business days of the request and indicating the procedures for appealing the denial. Except for good cause shown, any reason not specifically set forth in the denial shall be deemed waived by the public body.(b) Failure to comply with a request to inspect or copy the public record within the ten (10) business day period shall be deemed to be a denial. Except that for good cause, this limit may be extended in accordance with the provisions of § 38-2-3(e). All copying and search and retrieval fees shall be waived if a public body fails to produce requested records in a timely manner; provided, however, that the production of records shall not be deemed untimely if the public body is awaiting receipt of payment for costs properly charged under § 38-2-4.(c) A public body that receives a request to inspect or copy records that do not exist or are not within its custody or control shall, in responding to the request in accordance with this chapter, state that it does not have or maintain the requested records.History of Section.P.L. 1979, ch. 202, § 1; P.L. 1991, ch. 263, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 378, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 448, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 454, § 1.
RI Gen L § 38-2-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 38 - Public Records|Chapter 38-2 - Access to Public Records|Section 38-2-8 - Administrative appeals.

§ 38-2-8. Administrative appeals.(a) Any person or entity denied the right to inspect a record of a public body may petition the chief administrative officer of that public body for a review of the determinations made by his or her subordinate. The chief administrative officer shall make a final determination whether or not to allow public inspection within ten (10) business days after the submission of the review petition.(b) If the custodian of the records or the chief administrative officer determines that the record is not subject to public inspection, the person or entity seeking disclosure may file a complaint with the attorney general. The attorney general shall investigate the complaint and if the attorney general shall determine that the allegations of the complaint are meritorious, he or she may institute proceedings for injunctive or declaratory relief on behalf of the complainant in the superior court of the county where the record is maintained. Nothing within this section shall prohibit any individual or entity from retaining private counsel for the purpose of instituting proceedings for injunctive or declaratory relief in the superior court of the county where the record is maintained.(c) The attorney general shall consider all complaints filed under this chapter to have also been filed pursuant to the provisions of § 42-46-8(a), if applicable.(d) Nothing within this section shall prohibit the attorney general from initiating a complaint on behalf of the public interest.History of Section.P.L. 1979, ch. 202, § 1; P.L. 1981, ch. 279, § 2; P.L. 1998, ch. 378, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 378, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 472, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 448, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 454, § 1.
RI Gen L § 38-2-9 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 38 - Public Records|Chapter 38-2 - Access to Public Records|Section 38-2-9 - Jurisdiction of superior court.

§ 38-2-9. Jurisdiction of superior court.(a) Jurisdiction to hear and determine civil actions brought under this chapter is hereby vested in the superior court.(b) The court may examine any record which is the subject of a suit in camera to determine whether the record or any part thereof may be withheld from public inspection under the terms of this chapter.(c) Actions brought under this chapter may be advanced on the calendar upon motion of any party, or sua sponte by the court made in accordance with the rules of civil procedure of the superior court.(d) The court shall impose a civil fine not exceeding two thousand dollars ($2,000) against a public body or official found to have committed a knowing and willful violation of this chapter, and a civil fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) against a public body found to have recklessly violated this chapter and shall award reasonable attorney fees and costs to the prevailing plaintiff. The court shall further order a public body found to have wrongfully denied access to public records to provide the records at no cost to the prevailing party; provided, further, that in the event that the court, having found in favor of the defendant, finds further that the plaintiff's case lacked a grounding in fact or in existing law or in good faith argument for the extension, modification, or reversal of existing law, the court may award attorney's fees and costs to the prevailing defendant. A judgment in the plaintiff's favor shall not be a prerequisite to obtaining an award of attorney's fees and/or costs if the court determines that the defendant's case lacked grounding in fact or in existing law or a good faith argument for extension, modification or reversal of existing law.History of Section.P.L. 1979, ch. 202, § 1; P.L. 1988, ch. 87, § 1; P.L. 1991, ch. 263, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 378, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 448, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 454, § 1.
RI Gen L § 38-2-10 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 38 - Public Records|Chapter 38-2 - Access to Public Records|Section 38-2-10 - Burden of proof.

§ 38-2-10. Burden of proof.In all actions brought under this chapter, the burden shall be on the public body to demonstrate that the record in dispute can be properly withheld from public inspection under the terms of this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 1979, ch. 202, § 1.
RI Gen L § 38-2-11 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 38 - Public Records|Chapter 38-2 - Access to Public Records|Section 38-2-11 - Right supplemental.

§ 38-2-11. Right supplemental.The right of the public to inspect public records created by this chapter shall be in addition to any other right to inspect records maintained by public bodies.History of Section.P.L. 1979, ch. 202, § 1.
RI Gen L § 38-2-12 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 38 - Public Records|Chapter 38-2 - Access to Public Records|Section 38-2-12 - Severability.

§ 38-2-12. Severability.If any provision of this chapter is held unconstitutional, the decision shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this chapter. If the application of this chapter to a particular record is held invalid, the decision shall not affect other applications of this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 1979, ch. 202, § 1.
RI Gen L § 38-2-13 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 38 - Public Records|Chapter 38-2 - Access to Public Records|Section 38-2-13 - Records access continuing.

§ 38-2-13. Records access continuing.All records initially deemed to be public records which any person may inspect and/or copy under the provisions of this chapter, shall continue to be so deemed whether or not subsequent court action or investigations are held pertaining to the matters contained in the records.History of Section.P.L. 1986, ch. 345, § 1.
RI Gen L § 38-2-14 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 38 - Public Records|Chapter 38-2 - Access to Public Records|Section 38-2-14 - Information relating to settlement of legal claims.

§ 38-2-14. Information relating to settlement of legal claims.Settlement agreements of any legal claims against a governmental entity shall be deemed public records.History of Section.P.L. 1991, ch. 263, § 2; P.L. 1998, ch. 378, § 1.
RI Gen L § 38-2-15 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 38 - Public Records|Chapter 38-2 - Access to Public Records|Section 38-2-15 - Reported violations.

§ 38-2-15. Reported violations.Every year the attorney general shall prepare a report summarizing all the complaints received pursuant to this chapter, which shall be submitted to the legislature and which shall include information as to how many complaints were found to be meritorious and the action taken by the attorney general in response to those complaints.History of Section.P.L. 1998, ch. 378, § 2.
RI Gen L § 38-2-16 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 38 - Public Records|Chapter 38-2 - Access to Public Records|Section 38-2-16 - 38 Studios, LLC investigation.

§ 38-2-16. 38 Studios, LLC investigation.Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter or state law, any investigatory records generated or obtained by the Rhode Island state police or the Rhode Island attorney general in conducting an investigation surrounding the funding of 38 Studios, LLC by the Rhode Island economic development corporation shall be made available to the public; provided, however:(1) With respect to such records, birthdates, social security numbers, home addresses, financial account number(s) or similarly sensitive personally identifiable information, but not the names of the individuals themselves, shall be redacted from those records prior to any release. The provisions of § 12-11.1-5.1 shall not apply to information disclosed pursuant to this section.History of Section.P.L. 2017, ch. 304, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 310, § 1.
RI Gen L § 38-3-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 38 - Public Records|Chapter 38-3 - Public Records Administration|Section 38-3-1 - Short title.

§ 38-3-1. Short title.This chapter shall be known as the "Public Records Administration Act."History of Section.P.L. 1981, ch. 353, § 6.
RI Gen L § 38-3-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 38 - Public Records|Chapter 38-3 - Public Records Administration|Section 38-3-2 - Definitions.

§ 38-3-2. Definitions.For the purpose of this chapter:(1) "Agency" or "public body" shall mean any executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory, administrative body of the state, or any political subdivision thereof; including, but not limited to, any department, division, agency, commission, board, office, bureau, authority, any school, fire, or water district, or other agency or quasi-public agency of state or local government which exercises governmental functions, or any other public or private agency, person, partnership, corporation, or business entity acting on behalf of any public agency.(2) "Program" shall mean the public records administration program of the secretary of state.(3) "Public record" or "public records" shall mean all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, or other material regardless of physical form or characteristics made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any agency.(4) "Public records repository" shall mean the establishment maintained by the program for preservation of those public records determined by the program to have permanent value warranting their continued preservation and which has been accepted by the program for transfer to its custody.(5) "Records center" shall mean an establishment maintained by the program for the storage, processing, servicing, and security of public records that must be retained for varying periods of time but need not be retained in an agency's office equipment or space.(6) "Records control schedule" shall mean the document establishing the official retention, maintenance, and disposal requirements for a series or type of record based on administrative, legal, fiscal, and historical values for the scheduled records.History of Section.P.L. 1981, ch. 353, § 6; P.L. 1991, ch. 179, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 363, § 42; P.L. 2012, ch. 451, § 2.
RI Gen L § 38-3-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 38 - Public Records|Chapter 38-3 - Public Records Administration|Section 38-3-4 - Duties of administrator.

§ 38-3-4. Duties of administrator.(a) It shall be the duty and responsibility of the administrator to render all services required by the program herein set forth that can advantageously and effectively be centralized. The office shall perform such other functions and duties as the secretary of state may direct.(b) The administrator shall supervise, direct, and coordinate the activities of the program.(c) The administrator shall be designated "the public records administrator".History of Section.P.L. 1981, ch. 353, § 6; P.L. 1991, ch. 179, § 1.
RI Gen L § 38-3-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 38 - Public Records|Chapter 38-3 - Public Records Administration|Section 38-3-5 - Duties of program.

§ 38-3-5. Duties of program.It shall be the duty and responsibility of the public records administration program to:(1) Establish and administer a public records management program, including the operation of a record center or centers, and appoint a director who will apply efficient and economical management methods relating to the creation, utilization, maintenance, retention, preservation, and disposal of records.(2) Analyze, develop, establish, and coordinate standards, procedures, and techniques of record making and record keeping.(3) Insure the maintenance and security of records which are deemed appropriate for preservation.(4) Institute and maintain a training and information program in all phases of records management to bring to the attention of all agencies approved and current practices, methods, procedures, and devices for the efficient and economical management of records.(5) Make available a centralized program of microfilming for the benefit of all agencies.(6) Make continuous surveys of record keeping operations.(7) Recommend improvements in current records management practices, including the use of space, equipment, supplies, and personnel in creating, maintaining, and servicing records.(8) (i) Establish and maintain a program, in cooperation with each agency, for the selection and protection of public records considered essential to the operation of government and to the protection of the rights and privileges of citizens.(ii) Make or to have made duplicates of essential records, or to designate existing record copies as essential records to be protected in the place and manner of safekeeping as prescribed by the program.(iii) The duplicate of any record made pursuant to this chapter shall have the same force and effect for all purposes as the original record. A transcript, exemplification, or certified copy of the duplicate shall be deemed, for all purposes, to be the original record.History of Section.P.L. 1981, ch. 353, § 6; P.L. 1990, ch. 492, § 10.
RI Gen L § 38-3-5.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 38 - Public Records|Chapter 38-3 - Public Records Administration|Section 38-3-5.1 - Reproduction of public records - Destruction of original records.

§ 38-3-5.1. Reproduction of public records — Destruction of original records.If any department or agency of government, in the regular course of business or activity, has kept or recorded any memorandum, writing, state tax returns, report, application, payment, entry, print, representation, or combination thereof, or any act, transaction, occurrence, or event, and, in the regular course of business, has caused any or all of the records to be recorded, copied, or reproduced by a photographic, photostatic, microfilm, micro-card, optical disk, miniature photographic, or other process which accurately reproduces or forms a durable medium for reproducing the original, the original may be destroyed in the regular course of business, provided the process meets standards established by the public records administration, and provided all the provisions of § 38-3-6 concerning disposal of public records are fulfilled. The reproduction, when satisfactorily identified, shall be admissible in evidence as the original in any judicial or administrative proceeding whether or not the original exists or is available and an enlargement or facsimile of the reproduction shall be likewise admissible in evidence if the original is in existence and available for inspection under the direction of the court. The introduction of a reproduced record, enlargement, or facsimile into evidence shall not preclude the admission into evidence of the original. This section shall not be construed to exclude from introduction into evidence any document or copy thereof which is otherwise admissible under the Rhode Island general laws, as amended.History of Section.P.L. 1988, ch. 577, § 1.
RI Gen L § 38-3-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 38 - Public Records|Chapter 38-3 - Public Records Administration|Section 38-3-7 - Agency responsibilities.

§ 38-3-7. Agency responsibilities.It shall be the duty of each agency to:(1) Cooperate with the program in complying with the provisions of this chapter.(2) Establish and maintain an active and continuous program for the economical and efficient management of public records.History of Section.P.L. 1981, ch. 353, § 6.
RI Gen L § 39-1-2.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-1 - Public Utilities Commission|Section 39-1-2.1 - Presumption of in-state use or intrastate commerce upon use or transportation of liquefied natural gas within the state.

§ 39-1-2.1. Presumption of in-state use or intrastate commerce upon use or transportation of liquefied natural gas within the state.Whereas it is in the public interest of the state that the personal safety of its inhabitants and visitors be protected, and that property situated within the borders of the state be safeguarded, and whereas it is well known and accepted that the use, storage, transmission, or transportation of liquefied natural gas involves an opportunity for the cause of personal injury or property damage, the general assembly hereby declares that the reasonable exercise of its police power for the safety and welfare of the inhabitants and visitors of the state and for the protection of property located within the state requires the control and regulation of the use, storage, transmission, and transportation of liquefied natural gas. Accordingly, the use, storage, transmission, or transportation of liquefied natural gas within the state shall raise a presumption that the liquefied natural gas is intended for use or consumption within the state or for transmission or transportation from one place to another within the state; and the general laws of the state applicable to public utilities and carriers and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder shall apply thereto; provided, however, (1) That in the safety and security zone for LNG tankers in transit upon the navigable waterways of the state of Rhode Island, established by the United States Coast Guard by 33 C.F.R. § 165.121, and authorized by the United States Code Title 33 Chapter 25 Section 1225, there shall be no:(1) LNG ships in transit must maintain an exclusion zone of two (2) miles ahead, one mile behind; five hundred (500) yards on either side, and thirty (30) feet overhead clearance within which there shall be no:(a) Persons;(b) Piers, wharves, docks, bulkheads, or similar structures within or contiguous to navigable structures;(c) Waterfront facilities on land located within the state of Rhode Island;(d) Flammable materials;(e) Hunting grounds or areas from which an incendiary device could be launched; or(f) Welding, torch cutting, or other hotwork within such prescribed safety and security zone.History of Section.P.L. 1976, ch. 270, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 565, § 1.