reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 42-17.8-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-17.8 - The Rhode Island Environmental Compliance Incentive Act|Section 42-17.8-5 - Discovery of environmental noncompliance.

§ 42-17.8-5. Discovery of environmental noncompliance.In order to qualify for the compliance incentives set forth in § 42-17.8-3, a regulated entity's discovery of violations must:(1) Be followed by submission to the department of an accurate and complete documentation regarding how it exercises due diligence to prevent, detect and correct violations according to the criteria for due diligence outlined in § 42-17.8-2; and(2) Be the result of voluntary activities and not the result of legally mandated monitoring, sampling or reporting requirement prescribed by environmental law, a judicial or administrative order, or a consent agreement. For example, this chapter shall not apply to:(i) Emissions violations detected through a continuous emissions monitor (or alternative monitor established in a permit where that monitoring is required);(ii) Violations of national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) discharge limits detected through required sampling or monitoring;(iii) Violations discovered through an environmental audit required to be performed by the terms of an administrative or court order or settlement agreement.History of Section.P.L. 1997, ch. 196, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 141, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-17.8-6 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-17.8 - The Rhode Island Environmental Compliance Incentive Act|Section 42-17.8-6 - Disclosure of noncompliance.

§ 42-17.8-6. Disclosure of noncompliance.In order to qualify for the compliance incentives set forth in § 42-17.8-3, a regulated entity must fully disclose the violations discovered in accordance with the following:(1) Each specific violation shall be disclosed, in writing, within fifteen (15) days (or such shorter period provided by law) of discovery. The written disclosure shall identify:(i) Each violation discovered;(ii) How each violation was discovered (i.e., audit or due diligence);(iii) All supporting information or data (i.e. documents, equipment testing results, monitoring results, laboratory analysis, etc.); and(iv) All actions that have been or will be taken by the regulated entity to bring itself into compliance, to mitigate any actual or threatened harm and to remediate any resulting damage.(2) The violation must be disclosed by the regulated entity prior to:(i) Commencement of a federal, state or local agency inspection or investigation, or the issuance by such agency of an information request to the regulated entity;(ii) Notice of a citizen suit;(iii) The filing of a civil or criminal complaint or administrative action by a government entity or a third-party;(iv) The reporting of the violation to the department (or other government entity) by a third-party;(v) The reporting of the violation to the department by an independent source, provided that the date of discovery is documented in the official report of the department.History of Section.P.L. 1997, ch. 196, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-17.8-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-17.8 - The Rhode Island Environmental Compliance Incentive Act|Section 42-17.8-7 - Compliance, remediation and mitigation of violations.

§ 42-17.8-7. Compliance, remediation and mitigation of violations.(a) In order to qualify for the compliance incentives set forth in § 42-17.8-3, a regulated entity must correct the violation within sixty (60) days from the date said violation was reported to the department, certify in writing that the violations have been corrected, and take appropriate measures, as determined by the department, to remedy any environmental harm or threat to public health or safety resulting from the violation. If more than sixty (60) days will be needed to correct the violation(s), the regulated entity shall provide the department with a written compliance schedule before the sixty (60) day period has passed.(b) The regulated entity shall agree, in writing, to take steps to prevent a recurrence of the violation(s), which may include improvements to its environmental auditing or due diligence efforts.(c) Where compliance or remedial measures are complex or a lengthy schedule for attaining and maintaining compliance or remediating harm is required, the department may require a regulated entity to enter into a publicly available written agreement, administrative consent order or judicial consent decree as a means of assuring that the required measures are performed in a prompt, professional manner.(d) The department may forgive the entire penalty for violations which meet the conditions of this chapter and, in the department's opinion, do not merit any penalty due to the insignificant amount of any economic benefit.History of Section.P.L. 1997, ch. 196, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-17.8-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-17.8 - The Rhode Island Environmental Compliance Incentive Act|Section 42-17.8-8 - Applicability.

§ 42-17.8-8. Applicability.This chapter shall apply to the assessment of penalties for any violations under all federal and state environmental statutes which the department administers.History of Section.P.L. 1997, ch. 196, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-17.9-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-17.9 - Preservation of State Open Space|Section 42-17.9-1 - Findings.

§ 42-17.9-1. Findings.The general assembly finds and declares that the preservation of open space and the protection of natural resources values are a fundamental interest of the state an essential function of state government, that property has been acquired and managed by the state for open space values and associated natural resource purposes, and that the state needs clear, consistent, and explicit policy restricting conveyances of state property acquired or managed for open space purposes or natural resources values.History of Section.P.L. 2006, ch. 649, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-17.9-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-17.9 - Preservation of State Open Space|Section 42-17.9-2 - Purposes.

§ 42-17.9-2. Purposes.The purposes of this chapter are:(1) To protect and support the public's interests in open space values as a means of preserving the use and the enjoyment of the natural resources of the state, of enhancing environmental quality and functionality, of defining and enhancing the sense of place, of providing recreational opportunities, and of contributing to the quality of life;(2) To recognize, respect, and protect the interests and investments of non-profit organizations, foundations, federal government, land-owners, the original grantors and donors in properties acquired and or managed for open space values;(3) To assure that the conveyance of interests in state properties with open space values is to the maximum extent reasonably feasible not inconsistent with the state guide plan and elements thereof, and with local comprehensive plans and elements thereof that have been approved as consistent with the state guide plan;(4) To provide a comprehensive evaluation of open space values prior to the conveyance of state interests in property or formal amendments to or changes in allowed use, with the objectives of preserving and protecting the public's interest in open space; but(5) Not to reduce or abrogate levels of protection accorded to state-owned property acquired and managed for open space, conservation, and/or natural resource values; and(6) To provide a model for public open space protection.History of Section.P.L. 2006, ch. 649, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-17.9-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-17.9 - Preservation of State Open Space|Section 42-17.9-3 - The state's interest in natural resource values.

§ 42-17.9-3. The state's interest in natural resource values.For purposes of this chapter, the state's interest in open space values shall mean interests established by law or by investment of public resources and shall include the natural resource, recreational, habitat and ecological, water supply, agricultural, soil conservation, and forestry values of lands, wetlands, and waters, acquired, preserved, conserved, and/or protected under the provisions of law.History of Section.P.L. 2006, ch. 649, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-17.9-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-17.9 - Preservation of State Open Space|Section 42-17.9-4 - Limitation of application.

§ 42-17.9-4. Limitation of application.The evaluation procedures to be implemented pursuant to §§ 42-17.9 and 42-17.9-7 of this chapter shall apply only to properties or portions of properties where the state is the sole property owner, or the state through a grant, lease-hold, or other legal instrument has the functional equivalent of ownership and the state controls the use of the property.History of Section.P.L. 2006, ch. 649, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-17.9-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-17.9 - Preservation of State Open Space|Section 42-17.9-5 - Rulemaking by the department.

§ 42-17.9-5. Rulemaking by the department.(a) The department of environmental management, in consultation with the department of administration, shall by March 15, 2007, establish by rule, integrated standards and guidelines for preserving and protecting the state's interest in open space values; the department shall report on or before January 15, 2007, to the speaker of the house, the president of the senate, the chairperson of the house committee on environment and natural resources and the chairperson of the senate committee on environment and agriculture on the status of the development of said standards and guidelines.(b) Said standards and guidelines shall set forth and provide for the implementation of criteria for evaluating actions that would convey or amend state interests or constitute changes in use of state-owned and managed property requiring the approval of the department of administration or the state properties committee. Said criteria shall provide at a minimum:(1) That any conveyance or amendment affecting the state's interest in open space values of such property shall serve a necessary public interest and is the minimum needed to achieve the purposes of the conveyance, amendment, or change in use; and(2) That to the extent reasonably feasible there is no net loss of open space values as a result of such conveyance, amendment, or change in use; and(3) That prior to any sale, transfer, conveyance and/or amendment of interests, which would adversely affect open space values, in state-owned property that was acquired and/or dedicated to and managed for open space purposes, a new and not yet conserved parcel at least equal in open space values and acreage shall be acquired by the state for conservation purposes provided this criterion shall not apply in instances of declared disasters or emergencies or in instances of imminent threat to public health or public safety.(c) Said standards and guidelines may provide for a determination that a parcel other than a parcel acquired or managed for open space purposes or natural resources values does not have significant open space value or that a specific amendment or change in use or type of use would not have a significant impact on open space values, in which case the use of standards, guidelines, and evaluation criteria as provided for in §§ 42-17.9-6 and 42-17.9-7 shall not be required.(d) Said standards and guidelines shall be reviewed by the department at least once every five (5) years and shall either be amended or affirmed by the department as appropriate.History of Section.P.L. 2006, ch. 649, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 340, § 24.
RI Gen L § 42-17.9-6 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-17.9 - Preservation of State Open Space|Section 42-17.9-6 - Applicability of standards, guidelines, and evaluation criteria.

§ 42-17.9-6. Applicability of standards, guidelines, and evaluation criteria.The standards, guidelines, and evaluation criteria shall be used by any state agency proposing a sale, transfer, conveyance and/or amendment of interests in state-owned property and shall be applicable to the sale, transfer, conveyance and/or amendment of interests in property subject to the provisions of chapters 37-6 and 37-7, but shall not be deemed either to abridge, impair, or restrict, the planning, management, or regulatory authority of state departments and agencies with responsibility for conserving, preserving, protecting, using, managing and enhancing natural resources under the jurisdiction of such departments and agencies or to contravene location or use decisions specifically provided for in statute or approved by referendum.History of Section.P.L. 2006, ch. 649, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-17.9-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-17.9 - Preservation of State Open Space|Section 42-17.9-7 - Use of evaluation criteria.

§ 42-17.9-7. Use of evaluation criteria.Prior to a final action subject to the evaluation criteria, the agency proposing the sale, transfer, conveyance and/or amendment of interests in state property shall submit to the state properties committee an evaluation of the effect of the proposed action on the state's interest in open space values; the agency may submit a finding of no significant impact, other than for a property acquired and managed for open space values. The evaluation by the agency shall be a matter of record and shall be considered by the state properties committee in rendering its decision with regard to the transaction.History of Section.P.L. 2006, ch. 649, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-17.9-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-17.9 - Preservation of State Open Space|Section 42-17.9-8 - Reporting.

§ 42-17.9-8. Reporting.The director of administration shall report annually by January 1 of each year to the governor, the speaker of the house, the president of the senate, the chairperson of the house committee on environment and natural resources and the chairperson of the senate committee on environment and agriculture with regard to the use of said standards, guidelines and criteria, in final decisions made by the state properties committee during the preceding fiscal year.History of Section.P.L. 2006, ch. 649, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-17.10-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-17.10 - Enforcement of Certain Natural Resource Violations|Section 42-17.10-1 - Civil Violations - Jurisdiction - Penalties.

§ 42-17.10-1. Civil violations — Jurisdiction — Penalties.In order to handle minor environmental offenses in a fair and expeditious manner, the following environmental offenses are declared to be civil violations and shall be within the jurisdiction of the Rhode Island traffic tribunal. Penalties assessed for violations shall correspond to the fines described.  20-1-12 Fixing of seasons and bag limits $100.00    20-11-20 Fresh water fishing — Penalties $100.00    20-13-16  Harassment of hunters, trappers, and fishers  minimum of $100.00, not to exceed $500.00    20-16-17 Prohibition against hunting/killing otter $100.00    23-22.5-9 Swimming in breachways prohibited not to exceed fifty dollars $50.00    32-2-4 Parks and recreational areas — Rules and Regulations Enforcement — Power of director not to exceed one hundred dollars $100.00    46-22-19(1) Regulation of boats — Penalties not to exceed one hundred dollars $100.00   History of Section.P.L. 2007, ch. 253, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 294, § 1; P.L. 2021, ch. 98, § 3, effective July 1, 2021; P.L. 2021, ch. 99, § 3, effective July 1, 2021.
RI Gen L § 42-17.10-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-17.10 - Enforcement of Certain Natural Resource Violations|Section 42-17.10-2 - Form of summons.

§ 42-17.10-2. Form of summons.(a) The form of the summons and the complaint authorized by this section shall be used for all environmental civil violations specified in § 42-17.10-1. The summons and complaint to be issued to an alleged offender shall contain such information, and be in such form, as may be required by the rules and procedures promulgated by the chief judge of the district court for the traffic tribunal. Every summons shall provide notice of: (i) the charge or charges against the individual; and (ii) a date to appear in the traffic tribunal and answer the charges against him or her.(b) The summons may be the same as the summons provided for in § 31-27-12. The chief of law enforcement of the department of environmental management, the chief executive officer of any other police department citing persons for environmental civil violations in accordance with § 42-17.10-1, peace officers and other individuals authorized to enforce civil violations as stipulated in § 42-17.10-1 shall prepare or cause to be prepared any records and reports that may be prescribed by the rules of the traffic tribunal.History of Section.P.L. 2007, ch. 253, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 294, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-17.10-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-17.10 - Enforcement of Certain Natural Resource Violations|Section 42-17.10-3 - Payment without personal appearance.

§ 42-17.10-3. Payment without personal appearance.Any enforcement officer of the department of environmental management, the chief executive officer of any other police department citing persons for environmental civil violations in accordance with § 42-17.10-1, peace officers and other individuals authorized to enforce civil violations as stipulated in § 42-17.10-1 who charges any person with a civil violation as set forth in § 42-17.10-1 of this chapter shall, in addition to issuing a summons for the violation, provide the alleged violator with a form which will allow the violator to dispose of the charge without the necessity of personally appearing before the traffic tribunal. Penalties assessed in accordance with this section shall be one hundred dollars ($100) for all violations set forth in § 42-17.10-1, except for violations of § 23-22.5-9, which shall have a penalty not to exceed fifty dollars ($50.00). This section shall apply to residents and nonresidents alike.History of Section.P.L. 2007, ch. 253, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 294, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-17.10-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-17.10 - Enforcement of Certain Natural Resource Violations|Section 42-17.10-4 - Method of payment.

§ 42-17.10-4. Method of payment.If the alleged violator elects to dispose of the charge without personally appearing before the traffic tribunal, he or she shall execute the form indicated and return it to the traffic tribunal not later than twenty (20) days from the date of the summons either by mailing or delivering the form and summons to the violation section of the traffic tribunal, or to its designee, together with cash, check or money order in the amount indicated by the fine schedule on the form.History of Section.P.L. 2007, ch. 253, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 294, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-17.10-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-17.10 - Enforcement of Certain Natural Resource Violations|Section 42-17.10-5 - Failure to answer or appear.

§ 42-17.10-5. Failure to answer or appear.In the event the person charged with a violation does not pay the fine administratively in accordance with the provisions of § 42-17.10-3, then he or she shall have waived his or her right to dispose of the violation without personal appearance, and the person charged with the violation must then appear before the traffic tribunal on the date specified on the summons. If the person charged with the violation shall fail to appear on the specified date, a judge or magistrate may enter default judgment, and after hearing any evidence presented, determine whether the charges have been established. If the charges are not established, an order dismissing the charges shall be entered. If a determination is made that a charge has been established, an appropriate order shall be entered in the records of the traffic tribunal.History of Section.P.L. 2007, ch. 253, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 294, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-17.10-6 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-17.10 - Enforcement of Certain Natural Resource Violations|Section 42-17.10-6 - Hearings.

§ 42-17.10-6. Hearings.(a) Every hearing for the adjudication of a violation, as provided by this chapter, shall be held before a judge or magistrate of the traffic tribunal. The burden of proof shall be upon the state, and no charge may be established except by clear and convincing evidence. A verbatim recording shall be made of all proceedings. The chief judge may prescribe, by rule or regulation, the procedures for the conduct of the hearings and for pre-hearing discovery.(b) After due consideration of the evidence and arguments, the judge or magistrate shall determine whether the charges have been established, and appropriate findings of fact shall be made on the record. If the charges are not established, an order dismissing the charges shall be entered. If a determination is made that a charge has been established or if an answer admitting the charge has been received, an appropriate order shall be entered in the records of the traffic tribunal.(c) An order entered after the receipt of an answer admitting the charge or where a determination is made that the charge has been established shall be civil in nature, and shall be treated as an adjudication that a violation has been committed. A judge or magistrate may include in the order the imposition of any penalty authorized by any provisions of this chapter for the violation, except that no penalty for it shall include imprisonment.(d) A hearing fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) shall be assessed by the traffic tribunal against each person pleading guilty to or found guilty of the violation. Any person charged with a violation who pays the fine administratively pursuant to § 42-17.10-3 shall not be subject to any hearing fee or additional costs or assessments.(e) Any party aggrieved by a judgment or order of the traffic tribunal entered pursuant to the provisions of this chapter may seek further review pursuant to §§ 31-41.1-8 and 31-41.1-9.History of Section.P.L. 2007, ch. 253, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 294, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-17.10-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-17.10 - Enforcement of Certain Natural Resource Violations|Section 42-17.10-7 - Violations by juveniles.

§ 42-17.10-7. Violations by juveniles.The Rhode Island family court shall retain exclusive jurisdiction over violations of this chapter involving juveniles.History of Section.P.L. 2007, ch. 253, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 294, § 1.
RI Gen L § 42-17.10-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 42 - State Affairs and Government|Chapter 42-17.10 - Enforcement of Certain Natural Resource Violations|Section 42-17.10-8 - Suspension for failure to pay fine.

§ 42-17.10-8. Suspension for failure to pay fine.The Department of Environmental Management shall immediately suspend all license(s) and registration of a person issued by the Department, and shall deny access to all services and facilities owned or managed by the Department, upon certification of a clerk of the traffic tribunal that the person has failed to pay fines or costs imposed for a violation of any provision of this chapter within the time period provided for payment by the court. All agencies of the state, shall cooperate and provide any information requested by the Department of Environmental Management to enforce the provisions of this section. The suspension(s) shall remain in force until all fines or costs are paid to the respective courts.History of Section.P.L. 2007, ch. 253, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 294, § 1.