reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 46-12-6 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 46 - Waters and Navigation|Chapter 46-12 - Water Pollution|Section 46-12-6 - Investigation and hearing - Records.

§ 46-12-6. Investigation and hearing — Records.(a) If the director shall have cause to believe that any person is violating any provision of this chapter, or any regulation, permit, or order of the department of environmental management adopted in accordance therewith, it shall be the director's duty to cause the matter to be investigated. The director may schedule a hearing, receive evidence, and hear witnesses in behalf of the persons believed to be in violation.(b) The director shall maintain records concerning all investigations undertaken and findings made pursuant to this section. The records shall be made available for public inspection and shall include the following information:(1) The names and addresses of persons investigated;(2) The date or dates of any hearing or hearings conducted with respect to those persons and the time and place of the hearings;(3) Any findings made by the director after the conclusion of the hearings.History of Section.P.L. 1920, ch. 1914, § 4; P.L. 1921, ch. 2090, § 2; G.L. 1923, ch. 125, § 4; G.L. 1938, ch. 634, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 46-12-5; P.L. 1966, ch. 261, § 6; P.L. 1970, ch. 88, § 2; P.L. 1970, ch. 289, § 2; P.L. 1977, ch. 140, § 1; P.L. 1983, ch. 149, § 1.
RI Gen L § 46-12-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 46 - Waters and Navigation|Chapter 46-12 - Water Pollution|Section 46-12-7 - Subpoena of witnesses - Enforcement.

§ 46-12-7. Subpoena of witnesses — Enforcement.(a) All subpoenas shall be served as subpoenas in civil cases in superior court, and witnesses so subpoenaed shall be entitled to the same fees for attendance and travel as are provided witnesses in civil cases in superior court. In cases of contumacy or refusal to obey the command of the subpoena so issued, the superior court shall have jurisdiction upon application of the director, with proof by affidavit of the fact, to issue a rule or order returnable in not less than two (2) nor more than five (5) days directing the person to show cause why he or she should not be adjudged in contempt.(b) Upon return of the order, the justice before whom the matter is brought for hearing shall examine under oath the person, and the person shall be given an opportunity to be heard, and if the justice shall determine that the person has refused without reasonable cause or legal excuse to be examined or to answer a legal or pertinent question, the justice may impose a fine upon the offender or forthwith commit the offender to the adult correctional institutions, there to remain until the offender submits to do the act which the offender was so required to do, or is discharged according to law.History of Section.P.L. 1920, ch. 1914, § 4; G.L. 1923, ch. 125, § 4; G.L. 1938, ch. 634, § 4; impl. am. P.L. 1956, ch. 3721, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 46-12-6; P.L. 1966, ch. 261, § 7; P.L. 1983, ch. 149, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 340, § 41.
RI Gen L § 46-12-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 46 - Waters and Navigation|Chapter 46-12 - Water Pollution|Section 46-12-8 - Expert assistance in investigations and prosecutions.

§ 46-12-8. Expert assistance in investigations and prosecutions.The director may employ any professional or expert services that the director may deem desirable in making any investigation or in conducting any prosecution for the violation of the provisions of this chapter, within the limit of the amount appropriated therefor by the general assembly.History of Section.P.L. 1920, ch. 1914, § 4; P.L. 1921, ch. 2090, § 2; G.L. 1923, ch. 125, § 4; G.L. 1938, ch. 634, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 46-12-7; P.L. 1966, ch. 261, § 16; P.L. 1983, ch. 149, § 1.
RI Gen L § 46-12-9 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 46 - Waters and Navigation|Chapter 46-12 - Water Pollution|Section 46-12-9 - Notices of violation and compliance orders.

§ 46-12-9. Notices of violation and compliance orders.(a) The director shall follow the procedures provided in § 42-17.1-2(21) in issuing any notice of violation or compliance order authorized pursuant to this chapter or any rules, regulations, or permits promulgated thereunder.(b) Where an order of the director does not specify the system or means to be adopted, the person against whom an order is entered shall, before proceeding to install a system or means, submit to the director a plan or statement describing the system or means that the person proposes to adopt.(c) Any order or notice issued by the director shall be eligible for recordation under chapter 13 of title 34. The director shall forward the original order or notice to the city or town wherein the subject property is located and the order or notice shall be recorded in the land evidence records in the city or town wherein the subject property is located. Any subsequent transferee of that property shall be responsible for complying with the requirements of the order or notice. Upon satisfactory completion of the requirements of the order or notice, the director shall provide written notice of the same to the owner of the subject property, which notice shall be similarly eligible for recordation.History of Section.P.L. 1920, ch. 1914, § 5; P.L. 1921, ch. 2090, § 3; G.L. 1923, ch. 125, § 5; G.L. 1938, ch. 634, § 5; G.L. 1956, § 46-12-8; P.L. 1966, ch. 261, § 16; P.L. 1983, ch. 149, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 170, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 311, § 1; P.L. 2021, ch. 147, § 1, effective July 3, 2021; P.L. 2021, ch. 148, § 1, effective July 3, 2021.
RI Gen L § 46-12-10 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 46 - Waters and Navigation|Chapter 46-12 - Water Pollution|Section 46-12-10 - Emergency powers.

§ 46-12-10. Emergency powers.Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the director, upon receipt of evidence that a pollution source or combination of sources is presenting an imminent and substantial endangerment to the health of persons or to the welfare of persons where that endangerment is, to the livelihood of those persons, or to protect the environment, may, without prior notice of violation or hearing, take such action as the director deems necessary to protect the public health or safety or the environment. The actions may include, but shall not be limited to, the following:(1) Issuing an immediate compliance order stating the existence of the violation and the action that the director deems necessary. Any order issued under this section without notice and prior hearing shall be effective no longer than forty-five (45) days; provided, however, that for good cause shown an order may be extended one additional period of up to forty-five (45) days; and/or(2) Obtaining injunctive relief or other order from the superior court.History of Section.P.L. 1920, ch. 1914, § 5; P.L. 1921, ch. 2090, § 3; G.L. 1923, ch. 125, § 5; G.L. 1938, ch. 634, § 5; G.L. 1956, § 46-12-10; P.L. 1966, ch. 261, § 16; P.L. 1983, ch. 149, § 1.
RI Gen L § 46-12-11 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 46 - Waters and Navigation|Chapter 46-12 - Water Pollution|Section 46-12-11 - Service of orders.

§ 46-12-11. Service of orders.A copy of each order entered by the director shall be sent to the person or persons affected thereby by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, by personal service, or by any other form of service now or hereafter authorized in a civil action under the laws of the state.History of Section.P.L. 1920, ch. 1914, § 5; P.L. 1921, ch. 2090, § 3; G.L. 1923, ch. 125, § 5; G.L. 1938, ch. 634, § 5; G.L. 1956, § 46-12-11; P.L. 1966, ch. 261, § 8; P.L. 1983, ch. 149, § 1.
RI Gen L § 46-12-12 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 46 - Waters and Navigation|Chapter 46-12 - Water Pollution|Section 46-12-12 - Modification or revocation of order.

§ 46-12-12. Modification or revocation of order.Any order of the director may at any time, or from time to time, after at least twenty (20) days' notice in writing to the person or persons affected thereby, and after a hearing, if so requested by the affected person or persons, be modified or revoked by an order duly entered by the director.History of Section.P.L. 1920, ch. 1914, § 5; P.L. 1921, ch. 2090, § 3; G.L. 1923, ch. 634, § 5; G.L. 1956, § 46-12-12; P.L. 1966, ch. 261, § 16; P.L. 1983, ch. 149, § 1.
RI Gen L § 46-12-13 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 46 - Waters and Navigation|Chapter 46-12 - Water Pollution|Section 46-12-13 - Civil penalties.

§ 46-12-13. Civil penalties.Except as specified in §§ 46-12-26 and 46-12-27, any person who shall violate the provisions of this chapter, or of any permit, rule, regulation, or order issued pursuant thereto, shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for each day during which the violation occurs. In an action for enforcement brought in the superior court pursuant to this chapter or chapters 12.3, 12.4, or 12.5 of this title, the court also may order any person to pay to the director any and all costs incurred in the investigation, cleanup, and restoration of areas affected by pollutants in connection with any violation. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to limit the amount of monetary relief which the court can award in any action brought pursuant to any other provision of the general laws or pursuant to common law.History of Section.P.L. 1920, ch. 1914, § 6; P.L. 1921, ch. 2090, § 4; G.L. 1923, ch. 125, § 6; G.L. 1938, ch. 634, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 46-12-13; P.L. 1966, ch. 261, § 16; P.L. 1983, ch. 149, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 324, § 1.
RI Gen L § 46-12-14 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 46 - Waters and Navigation|Chapter 46-12 - Water Pollution|Section 46-12-14 - Criminal penalties.

§ 46-12-14. Criminal penalties.(a) Except as specified in §§ 46-12-26 and 46-12-27, any person who shall be found guilty of violating, willfully or with criminal negligence, any of the provisions of this chapter, or of any permit, rule, or regulation issued pursuant thereto, or an order of the director, shall be punished by a fine of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) or by imprisonment for not more than five (5) years, or by both such fine and imprisonment; and every person shall be deemed guilty of a separate and distinct offense for each day during which the violation shall be repeated or continued.(b) Any person who knowingly makes any false statement, representation, or certification in any application, record, report, plan, or other document filed or required to be maintained under this chapter or by any permit, rule, regulation, or order issued under this chapter or who falsifies, tampers with, or knowingly renders inaccurate any monitoring device or method required to be maintained under this chapter or by any permit, rule, regulation, or order issued under this chapter, shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each instance of violation, or by imprisonment for not more than thirty (30) days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.History of Section.P.L. 1920, ch. 1914, § 7; G.L. 1923, ch. 125, § 7; G.L. 1938, ch. 634, § 7; P.L. 1947, ch. 1834, § 1; P.L. 1954, ch. 3334, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 46-12-14; P.L. 1958, ch. 170, § 1; P.L. 1966, ch. 261, § 9; P.L. 1970, ch. 88, § 3; P.L. 1971, ch. 236, § 1; P.L. 1977, ch. 140, § 1; P.L. 1983, ch. 149, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 324, § 1.
RI Gen L § 46-12-15 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 46 - Waters and Navigation|Chapter 46-12 - Water Pollution|Section 46-12-15 - Inspection powers - Rules and regulations.

§ 46-12-15. Inspection powers — Rules and regulations.The director shall have full powers to inspect, and make orders regulating and directing all methods, means, and devices employed on any steamer or other vessel in the waters of the state, or at any installation on land, in receiving, carrying, storing, heating, handling or discharging any petroleum, gasoline, kerosene, tar, oil, or any product or mixture thereof; and the director may by order establish all rules and regulations to prevent the discharge or escape of any of the substances into the waters of the state.History of Section.P.L. 1920, ch. 1914, § 8; G.L. 1923, ch. 125, § 8; G.L. 1938, ch. 634, § 8; P.L. 1947, ch. 1834, § 1; P.L. 1954, ch. 3334, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 46-12-15; P.L. 1966, ch. 261, § 16; P.L. 1983, ch. 149, § 1.
RI Gen L § 46-12-16 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 46 - Waters and Navigation|Chapter 46-12 - Water Pollution|Section 46-12-16 - Prosecution of violations.

§ 46-12-16. Prosecution of violations.The director, without being required to enter into any recognizance or to give surety for costs, may institute civil or criminal proceedings for the violation of any provision of this chapter or of any permit, rule, regulation, or order issued pursuant thereto. It shall be the duty of the attorney general to carry out all proceedings brought by the director.History of Section.P.L. 1920, ch. 1914, § 9; G.L. 1923, ch. 125, § 9; G.L. 1938, ch. 634, § 9; P.L. 1947, ch. 1834, § 1; P.L. 1954, ch. 3334, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 46-12-17; P.L. 1966, ch. 261, § 16; P.L. 1970, ch. 88, § 4; P.L. 1974, ch. 274, § 4; P.L. 1977, ch. 182, § 16; P.L. 1983, ch. 149, § 1.
RI Gen L § 46-12-17 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 46 - Waters and Navigation|Chapter 46-12 - Water Pollution|Section 46-12-17 - Proceedings for enforcement.

§ 46-12-17. Proceedings for enforcement.The superior court for Providence County shall have concurrent jurisdiction to enforce the provisions of this chapter and any rule, regulation, permit, or order issued pursuant thereto. Proceedings for enforcement may be instituted and prosecuted in the name of the director, by either the director or by the attorney general, and in any proceedings in which the director or the attorney general seeks injunctive relief, it shall not be necessary to show that without the relief, the injury that will result will be irreparable or that the remedy at law is inadequate. Proceedings provided in this section shall be in addition to and may be utilized in lieu of other administrative or judicial proceedings authorized by this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 1983, ch. 149, § 1; P.L. 2021, ch. 147, § 1, effective July 3, 2021; P.L. 2021, ch. 148, § 1, effective July 3, 2021.
RI Gen L § 46-12-18 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 46 - Waters and Navigation|Chapter 46-12 - Water Pollution|Section 46-12-18 - Records of operation.

§ 46-12-18. Records of operation.The director may, by regulation, order, permit, or otherwise, require any person who discharges to the waters or who discharges to a publicly owned treatment works to:(1) Establish and maintain such records;(2) Make such reports;(3) Install, calibrate, use, and maintain such monitoring equipment or methods (including where appropriate, biological monitoring methods);(4) Sample such discharges (in accordance with such methods, at such locations, at such intervals, and in a manner as the director shall prescribe); and(5) Provide such other information relating to discharges into the waters or into a publicly owned treatment works as the director may reasonably require.History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 634, § 14; P.L. 1950, ch. 2542, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 46-12-26; P.L. 1966, ch. 261, § 16; P.L. 1983, ch. 149, § 1.
RI Gen L § 46-12-19 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 46 - Waters and Navigation|Chapter 46-12 - Water Pollution|Section 46-12-19 - Public access to information.

§ 46-12-19. Public access to information.(a) Any permit, permit application, or effluent data shall be available to the public for inspection and copying.(b) Other records, reports, or information obtained under this chapter also may be made available to the public for inspection and copying; provided, that upon a showing, satisfactory to the director by any person, that the records, reports, or information or any part thereof, except as provided in subsection (a) of this section, would if made public divulge methods or processes entitled to protection as trade secrets of the person, the director shall consider, treat, and protect the record, report, or information, or part thereof, as confidential; provided, however, that the record, report, or information accorded confidential treatment may be disclosed or transmitted to other officers, employees, or authorized representatives of this state or of the United States concerned with carrying out this chapter or, when relevant, in any proceeding under this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 1983, ch. 149, § 1.
RI Gen L § 46-12-20 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 46 - Waters and Navigation|Chapter 46-12 - Water Pollution|Section 46-12-20 - Rules - Proceedings.

§ 46-12-20. Rules — Proceedings.In establishing any rule or regulation hereunder or in the conduct of proceedings or in any appeal from an order of the director provided for by this chapter, the provisions of chapter 35 of title 42 shall apply.History of Section.P.L. 1920, ch. 1914, § 16; G.L. 1923, ch. 125, § 16; G.L. 1938, ch. 634, § 16; G.L. 1956, § 46-12-29; P.L. 1966, ch. 261, § 14; P.L. 1983, ch. 149, § 1.
RI Gen L § 46-12-21 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 46 - Waters and Navigation|Chapter 46-12 - Water Pollution|Section 46-12-21 - Liability.

§ 46-12-21. Liability.Any person who shall negligently or intentionally pollute groundwater shall be liable to any other person who is damaged by that pollution.History of Section.P.L. 1920, ch. 1914, § 16; G.L. 1923, ch. 125, § 16; G.L. 1938, ch. 634, § 16; G.L. 1956, § 46-12-30; P.L. 1983, ch. 149, § 1.
RI Gen L § 46-12-22 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 46 - Waters and Navigation|Chapter 46-12 - Water Pollution|Section 46-12-22 - Access of enforcement officers to premises.

§ 46-12-22. Access of enforcement officers to premises.The attorney general, the director of the department of environmental management, and their agents, while in the performance of their duties, may at all reasonable times enter any premises, buildings, plant, or equipment, or other places belonging to, or controlled by, any person who is believed to be discharging to the waters or who is believed to be discharging to a publicly owned treatment works, and inspect the same or any part thereof, have access to and copy any records required to be maintained, inspect any monitoring equipment or monitoring method which is required, and have access to and sample any discharges. Any person obstructing, hindering, or in any way causing to be obstructed or hindered the director of the department of environmental management, the attorney general, or any of their agents in the performance of his or her duties, or who shall refuse to permit the director, the attorney general, or any of their agents entrance into any premises, buildings, plant, or equipment, or other places belonging to or controlled by the person, in the performance of his or her duties as such, shall be subject to the civil and criminal penalties set forth in §§ 46-12-13 and 46-12-14.History of Section.P.L. 1920, ch. 1914, § 21; P.L. 1921, ch. 2090, § 6; G.L. 1923, ch. 125, § 18; G.L. 1938, ch. 634, § 18; G.L. 1956, § 46-12-31; P.L. 1966, ch. 261, §§ 15, 16; P.L. 1977, ch. 182, § 16; P.L. 1983, ch. 149, § 1.
RI Gen L § 46-12-23 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 46 - Waters and Navigation|Chapter 46-12 - Water Pollution|Section 46-12-23 - Town and city expenditures for pollution control.

§ 46-12-23. Town and city expenditures for pollution control.The town council of every town and city council of every city are hereby authorized to make available sufficient money to pay for the proper control of the pollution of waters in their respective towns or cities, and the towns and cities may raise the money by the issue of interest bearing notes of the town or city, which notes shall not be considered in determining whether the indebtedness of the town or city is in excess of the statutory limitation; provided, however, that before any notes or any other evidences of indebtedness are issued, any and all plans and specifications for the proper control of the pollution of the waters shall be submitted to and receive the approval of the state department of environmental management.History of Section.P.L. 1940, ch. 952, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 46-12-32; P.L. 1983, ch. 149, § 1.
RI Gen L § 46-12-24 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 46 - Waters and Navigation|Chapter 46-12 - Water Pollution|Section 46-12-24 - State grants and loans for pollution prevention facilities to governmental entities.

§ 46-12-24. State grants and loans for pollution prevention facilities to governmental entities.The director is authorized, within any limits of funds made available therefor, to make grants and loans to any municipality, inter-municipal agency, municipal sewer district, or state district or agency for the construction of necessary facilities to prevent the discharge of untreated or inadequately treated pollutants into the waters of the state, and for the preparation of reports, plans, and specifications required in connection therewith under the following terms:(1) The grant or loan shall be made only in connection with a project which has or would be eligible for a grant or loan under the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq., as amended from time to time.(2) The amount of the grant or loan shall be in an amount necessary to assure the recipient of the maximum federal aid that it can anticipate qualifying for under the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq., or to supplement federal aid when the maximum federal aid, for which the project is eligible, is not currently available, or to provide state assistance for projects which are eligible under the Clean Water Act but which may not receive such federal assistance.(3) The plans and specifications for the project must be approved by the director in accordance with this chapter.(4) The grant or loan shall be made available to the applicant in partial payments on a time schedule similar to that followed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the payments to be proportioned in a similar manner except that the director may reimburse applicants for eligible projects that have already been initiated, but not yet completed, and for which only partial federal and/or state aid was provided.(5) No grant or loan shall be made for any project until the applicant has made provision satisfactory to the director for assuring its proper and efficient operation and maintenance.(6) An applicant for a grant or loan must file such executed forms and provide such information as may be required by the director.History of Section.P.L. 1967, ch. 198, § 14; G.L. 1956, § 46-12-33; P.L. 1983, ch. 149, § 1; P.L. 1986, ch. 289, art. 1, § 1.
RI Gen L § 46-12-24.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 46 - Waters and Navigation|Chapter 46-12 - Water Pollution|Section 46-12-24.1 - State grants and loans for pollution prevention facilities to nongovernmental entities.

§ 46-12-24.1. State grants and loans for pollution prevention facilities to nongovernmental entities.The director is authorized within any limits of funds made available therefor, to make grants and loans to any nongovernmental entities in Rhode Island for the construction of necessary facilities to prevent the discharge of untreated or inadequately treated pollutants into the waters of the state, and for the preparation of reports, plans, and specifications required in connection therewith under the following terms:(1) The plans and specifications for the project must be approved by the director in accordance with this chapter.(2) No grant or loan shall be made for any project until the applicant has made provision satisfactory to the director for assuring its proper and efficient operation and maintenance.(3) An applicant for a grant or loan must file such executed forms and provide such information as may be required by the director.History of Section.P.L. 1986, ch. 289, art. 1, § 2.
RI Gen L § 46-12-24.3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 46 - Waters and Navigation|Chapter 46-12 - Water Pollution|Section 46-12-24.3 - Repealed.

§ 46-12-24.3. Repealed.