reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.11 - Promotion of Paper Bag Usage › Section 23-18.11-6. - Severability.

§ 23-18.11-6. Severability.
If any part or provision of this chapter, or the application of any part or provision to any person, entity, or circumstances is adjudged invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, the judgment shall be confined in its operation to the part of or provision of or application directly involved in the controversy in which the judgment shall have been rendered, and shall not affect or impair the validity of the remainder of this law or the application to other persons, entities, or circumstances.
History of Section.
P.L. 1988, ch. 424, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.12 - Beverage Container Recyclability › Section 23-18.12-1. - Legislative purpose.

§ 23-18.12-1. Legislative purpose.
The general assembly has determined that the packaging of beverages in non-recyclable containers is a significant source of waste within the state and is, therefore, a necessary concern of the effort to reduce the filling of the state central landfill as well as to reduce the economic and environmental costs of waste management for the citizens of the state.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 515, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.12 - Beverage Container Recyclability › Section 23-18.12-2. - Definitions.

§ 23-18.12-2. Definitions.
(a)
“Beverage container” means any sealable bottle, can, jar, or carton which contains a beverage.
(b)
“Beverage retailer” means any person who engages in the sale of a beverage container to a consumer within the state, or any operator of a vending machine.
(c)
“Beverage wholesaler” means any person who engages in the sale of beverage containers to beverage retailers in this state, including any brewer, manufacturer, or bottler who engages in the sales.
(d)
“Beverages” include milk, juices, carbonated soft drinks, soda water, mineral water, beer, and other malt beverages, wine and wine coolers, and all other packaged liquors and liquid mixes.
(e)
“Corporation” means the Rhode Island resource recovery corporation.
(f)
“Department” means the department of environmental management.
(g)
“Distributor establishments” means all sales outlets, stores, and shops located in this state that sell beverages to consumers, except merchants who sell prepared food or drink for consumption on the premises.
(h)
“Recyclable” means recovered resources able to be reused in manufacturing, agriculture, power production, or other processes.
(i)
“Recycling rate” means the percentage by weight of a particular beverage container that is recovered from municipal and/or commercial collection programs for recycling. The recycling rate shall apply only to those beverages included in the state mandatory recycling program.
(j)
“Reusable” means able to be refilled after proper processing on an economically feasible basis as a beverage container.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 515, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 152, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.12 - Beverage Container Recyclability › Section 23-18.12-3. - Beverage container recyclability requirements.

§ 23-18.12-3. Beverage container recyclability requirements.
(a)
Every beverage distributor located and/or doing business in the state shall sell or convey beverages only in containers for beverages which:
(1)
Shall have obtained a fifty percent (50%) recycling rate by 1992, as determined by the department pursuant to provisions of this chapter; and
(2)
Are free of any design components which make it less recyclable than a container of the same volume, whose body is composed of the same material; and
(3)
Are free of design components added to or substituted for existing recyclable containers, which would adversely affect the recyclability of the recyclable containers.
(b)
To determine if a container meets the standards of recyclability of this chapter the department shall monitor the recycling rate, costs, and technical efficiency and feasibility of collecting and recycling all containers.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 515, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.12 - Beverage Container Recyclability › Section 23-18.12-4. - Reporting — Determination of noncompliance — Orders — Appeals.

§ 23-18.12-4. Reporting — Determination of noncompliance — Orders — Appeals.
(a)
The department shall report to the governor, the general assembly and the corporation all findings of containers which are not in compliance with the requirements of this chapter, together with appropriate recommendations for adjustments in the containers.
(b)
Within one hundred (100) days of a written determination that any container does not comply with the provisions of this chapter, the corporation may issue an order barring the container from use within the state. A person adversely affected or aggrieved by the issuance of an order under the provisions of this section may seek judicial review of the order in the superior court.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 515, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.12 - Beverage Container Recyclability › Section 23-18.12-5. - Violations — Sanctions — Injunctive relief.

§ 23-18.12-5. Violations — Sanctions — Injunctive relief.
The attorney general shall have the power to bring an action in the name of the state of Rhode Island, and the department through its legal counsel shall have the power to bring an action in the name of the department in any court of competent jurisdiction for restraining orders and injunctive relief to restrain and enjoin violations or threatened violations of this chapter, or for specific performance of the obligations of any person under this chapter. Proceedings under this chapter shall be instituted and prosecuted in the name of the department, (1) by the attorney general but only upon the request of the department, or (2) by the department through its legal counsel. The superior court shall have the jurisdiction in equity to enforce the provisions of this chapter and any rules or regulations of the department promulgated under this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 515, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.12 - Beverage Container Recyclability › Section 23-18.12-6. - Regulations.

§ 23-18.12-6. Regulations.
The department shall promulgate rules and regulations as may be necessary to implement and carry out the provisions of this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 515, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.12 - Beverage Container Recyclability › Section 23-18.12-7. - Demonstration projects.

§ 23-18.12-7. Demonstration projects.
With approval of the department, a distributor of beverage containers will have the opportunity to undertake recycling projects or other projects as necessary, to demonstrate a container’s recyclability or enhanced recyclability. After a determination of noncompliance under § 23-18.12-4(a) the approval of the project by the department shall stay the time period for any action under § 23-18.12-4(b). Any project must meet criteria agreeable to both the distributor and the department and is open to monitoring by the department, its employees, agents, or consultants.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 515, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.12 - Beverage Container Recyclability › Section 23-18.12-7.1. - Demonstration projects excluded.

§ 23-18.12-7.1. Demonstration projects excluded.
The aseptic packaging council shall submit a demonstration project for the purposes of recycling aseptic packages in accordance with § 23-18.12-7.
History of Section.
P.L. 1990, ch. 76, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 86, § 76.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.12 - Beverage Container Recyclability › Section 23-18.12-8. - Severability.

§ 23-18.12-8. Severability.
If any part or provision of this chapter or the application of any part or provision to any person, entity, or circumstances is judged invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, the judgment shall be confined in its operation to the part of or provision of or application directly involved in the controversy in which the judgment has been rendered and shall not affect or impair the validity of the remainder of this law or its application to other persons, entities, or circumstances.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 515, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.13 - Toxic Packaging Reduction Act › Section 23-18.13-1. - Short title.

§ 23-18.13-1. Short title.
This chapter shall be known as the “Toxic Packaging Reduction Act”.
History of Section.
P.L. 1990, ch. 149, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.13 - Toxic Packaging Reduction Act › Section 23-18.13-2. - Findings.

§ 23-18.13-2. Findings.
The general assembly has found and declares that:
(1)
The management of solid waste can pose a wide range of hazards to public health and safety and to the environment;
(2)
Packaging comprises a significant percentage of the overall solid waste stream;
(3)
The presence of heavy metals and both perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in packaging is a part of the total concern in light of their likely presence in emissions or ash when packaging is incinerated, or in leachate when packaging is landfilled;
(4)
Lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, and PFAS, on the basis of available scientific and medical evidence, are of particular concern;
(5)
It is desirable as a first step in reducing the toxicity of packaging waste to eliminate the addition of these heavy metals and PFAS to packaging; and
(6)
The intent of this chapter is to achieve this reduction in toxicity without impeding or discouraging the expanded use of post-consumer materials in the production of packaging and its components.
History of Section.
P.L. 1990, ch. 149, § 1; P.L. 2022, ch. 293, § 1, effective June 29, 2022; P.L. 2022, ch. 294, § 1, effective June 29, 2022.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.13 - Toxic Packaging Reduction Act › Section 23-18.13-4. - Prohibition — Schedule for removal of incidental amounts.

§ 23-18.13-4. Prohibition — Schedule for removal of incidental amounts.
(a)
No package or packaging component shall be offered for sale or for promotional purposes by its manufacturer or distributor in the state, which includes, in the package itself or in any packaging component, inks, dyes, pigments, adhesives, stabilizers, or any other additives, any lead, cadmium, mercury, or hexavalent chromium that has been intentionally introduced as an element during manufacturing or distribution as opposed to the incidental presence of any of these elements.
(b)
No product shall be offered for sale or for promotional purposes by its manufacturer or distributor in the state in a package which includes, in the package itself or in any of its packaging components, inks, dyes, pigments, adhesives, stabilizers, or any other additives, any lead, cadmium, mercury, or hexavalent chromium that has been intentionally introduced as an element during manufacturing or distribution as opposed to the incidental presence of any of these elements.
(c)
The sum on the concentration levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, and hexavalent chromium present in any package or packaging component shall not exceed 100 parts per million by weight (0.01%).
(d)
Effective July 31, 2024, no food package to which PFAS have been intentionally introduced during manufacturing or distribution in any amount shall be offered for sale or for promotional purposes by its manufacturer or distributor in the state.
(e)
No substitute material used to replace a chemical regulated by this chapter in a package or packaging component may be used in a quantity or manner that creates a hazard as great as or greater than the hazard created by the chemical regulated by this act. The certificate of compliance required by § 23-18.13-6 shall require an assurance to this effect.
(f)
Interstate clearinghouse.
The department is authorized to participate in the establishment and implementation of a regional or national, multi-state clearinghouse to assist in carrying out the requirements of this chapter and to help coordinate reviews of the regulatory applicability, certificates of compliance, education and outreach activities, and any other related functions. The clearinghouse may also maintain reports on the effectiveness of the program, certificates of analysis and compliance for product packaging.
History of Section.
P.L. 1990, ch. 149, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 86, § 77; P.L. 2022, ch. 293, § 1, effective June 29, 2022; P.L. 2022, ch. 294, § 1, effective June 29, 2022; P.L. 2023, ch. 257, § 2, effective June 22, 2023; P.L. 2023, ch. 258, § 2, effective June 22, 2023.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.13 - Toxic Packaging Reduction Act › Section 23-18.13-6. - Certificate of compliance.

§ 23-18.13-6. Certificate of compliance.
(a)
A certificate of compliance stating that a package or packaging component is in compliance with the requirements of this chapter shall be furnished by its manufacturer or supplier to its purchaser; provided, however, where compliance is achieved under the exemption(s) provided in § 23-18.13-5(a)(2) and (3), the certificate shall state the specific basis upon which the exemption is claimed. The certificate of compliance shall be signed by an authorized official of the manufacturing or supplying company. The purchaser shall retain the certificate of compliance for as long as the package or packaging component is in use. A copy of the certificate of compliance shall be kept on file by the manufacturer or supplier of the package or packaging component. Certificates of compliance, or copies, shall be furnished to the department of environmental management upon its request and to members of the public in accordance with § 23-18.13-9.
(b)
If the manufacturer or supplier of the package or packaging component reformulates or creates a new package or packaging component, the manufacturer or supplier shall provide an amended or new certificate of compliance for the reformulated or new package or packaging component.
History of Section.
P.L. 1990, ch. 149, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.13 - Toxic Packaging Reduction Act › Section 23-18.13-7. - Violations — Sanctions — Injunctive relief.

§ 23-18.13-7. Violations — Sanctions — Injunctive relief.
The attorney general of the state shall have the power to bring an action in the name of the state and the department through its legal counsel shall have the power to bring an action in the name of the department in any court of competent jurisdiction for restraining orders and injunctive relief to restrain and enjoin violations or threatened violations of this chapter, or for specific performance of the obligations of any person under this chapter. Proceedings under this chapter shall be instituted and prosecuted in the name of the department, (1) by the attorney general but only upon the request of the department, or (2) by the department through its legal counsel. The superior court shall have the jurisdiction in equity to enforce the provisions of this chapter and any rules or regulations of the department pursuant to this chapter. Nothing in this section shall constitute a limitation on any powers or duties conferred upon the director of the department of environmental management under any other law, rule, or regulations.
History of Section.
P.L. 1990, ch. 149, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.13 - Toxic Packaging Reduction Act › Section 23-18.13-9. - Regulations.

§ 23-18.13-9. Regulations.
The department shall promulgate rules and regulations as may be necessary to implement and carry out the provisions of this chapter. The rules and regulations shall require manufacturers or distributors to pay a fee rationally related to the costs of enforcement of this program. Any fee paid shall be paid to the environmental response fund in § 23-19.1-23 and appropriated for enforcement of this program.
History of Section.
P.L. 1990, ch. 149, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.13 - Toxic Packaging Reduction Act › Section 23-18.13-10. - Public access.

§ 23-18.13-10. Public access.
Any request from a member of the public for any certificate of compliance from the manufacturer or supplier of a package or packaging component shall be:
(1)
Made in writing with a copy provided to the department;
(2)
Made specific as to package or packaging component information requested; and
(3)
Responded to by the manufacturer or supplier within sixty (60) days.
History of Section.
P.L. 1995, ch. 115, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.13 - Toxic Packaging Reduction Act › Section 23-18.13-12. - Severability and construction.

§ 23-18.13-12. Severability and construction.
The provisions of this chapter shall be severable, and if any court declares any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision of this chapter to be invalid, or its applicability to any government, agency, person, or circumstance is declared invalid, the remainder of the chapter and its relevant applicability shall not be affected. The provisions of this chapter shall be liberally construed to give effect to the purposes of this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 1995, ch. 115, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.13 - Toxic Packaging Reduction Act › Section 23-18.13-13. - Sunset.

§ 23-18.13-13. Sunset.
The provisions of § 23-18.13-3(6)(iii) shall sunset on July 1, 2027.
History of Section.
P.L. 2022, ch. 293, § 2, effective June 29, 2022; P.L. 2022, ch. 294, § 2, effective June 29, 2022.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.15 - Plastic Bottle and Container Labeling Act › Section 23-18.15-1. - Definitions.

§ 23-18.15-1. Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1)
“Label” means a molded imprint or raised symbol on the bottom of a plastic product, unless the manufacturer demonstrates the reasonable necessity for an alternate location, in which case it shall be near the product bottom.
(2)
“Plastic” means any material made of polymeric organic compounds and additives that can be shaped by flow.
(3)
“Plastic bottle” means a plastic container that has a neck that is smaller than the body of the container, accepts a screw type, snap cap, or other closure and has a capacity of sixteen (16) fluid ounces or more, but less than five (5) gallons.
(4)
“Rigid plastic container” means any formed or molded container, other than a bottle, intended for single use, composed predominantly of plastic resin and having a relatively inflexible finite shape or form with a capacity of eight (8) ounces or more but less than five (5) gallons.
History of Section.
P.L. 1990, ch. 270, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.15 - Plastic Bottle and Container Labeling Act › Section 23-18.15-2. - Labeling requirements.

§ 23-18.15-2. Labeling requirements.
No person shall distribute, sell or offer for sale any plastic bottle or rigid plastic container, or any product in a plastic bottle or container, unless the product bottle or container is labeled with a code indicating the plastic resin used to produce the bottle or container. Plastic bottles or rigid plastic containers with labels and basecups of a different material shall be coded by their basic material. The code shall consist of a number placed within a triangle of arrows and letters placed below the triangle of arrows. The triangle shall be equilateral, formed by three (3) arrows with the apex of each point of the triangle at the midpoint of each arrow, rounded with a short radius. The arrowhead of each arrow shall be at the midpoint of each side of the triangle with a short gap separating the pointer from the base of the adjacent arrow. The triangle, formed by the three (3) arrows curved at their midpoints shall depict a clockwise path around the code number. The numbers and letters used shall be as follows:
(1)
“1” — PETE (polyethylene terephthalate);
(2)
“2” — HDPE (high density polyethylene);
(3)
“3” — V (vinyl);
(4)
“4” — LDPE (low density polyethylene);
(5)
“5” — PP (polypropylene);
(6)
“6” — PS (polystyrene);
(7)
“7” — OTHER.
History of Section.
P.L. 1990, ch. 270, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.15 - Plastic Bottle and Container Labeling Act › Section 23-18.15-3. - Regulations.

§ 23-18.15-3. Regulations.
The director of the department of environmental management shall determine through rules and regulations which plastic bottles and rigid plastic containers may be exempt from the labeling requirements of § 23-18.15-2 including, but not limited to, the following:
(1)
Readily identifiable plastic bottles and rigid plastic containers;
(2)
Plastic bottles and rigid plastic containers for which there is no technological capacity for recycling, reclamation or reuse; and
(3)
Plastic bottles and rigid plastic containers for which recycling, reclamation or reuse is not economically feasible.
History of Section.
P.L. 1990, ch. 270, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.15 - Plastic Bottle and Container Labeling Act › Section 23-18.15-4. - Rhode Island resource recovery plan.

§ 23-18.15-4. Rhode Island resource recovery plan.
(a)
The Rhode Island resource recovery corporation shall create a plan that quantifies and details the impacts of a beverage container deposit of $.05 on beverage containers sold in the state of Rhode Island. The plan shall include but not be limited to:
(1)
Defining the beverage containers that should be included in a deposit system including the maximum size allowable for redemption and the types of containers that should be exempt from the deposit system;
(2)
Quantifying any taxes and deposits that are already charged on beverage containers, as defined in subsection (1) above, in the state and compare those charges with beverage container charges in the commonwealth of Massachusetts and the state of Connecticut;
(3)
Determining the appropriate labeling requirements for beverage containers subject to the deposit, provided that a Rhode Island state specific bar code not be a requirement;
(4)
Identifying the appropriate entities to collect, redeem and transfer beverage containers and deposits;
(5)
Defining the redemption methods that could be used and identifying appropriate locations for redemption centers including centers operated by the corporation as well as by businesses;
(6)
Identifying the costs to the corporation and any other entities identified in the study for providing redemption services;
(7)
Recommending how unclaimed deposits could be used;
(8)
Analyzing possible impacts to municipal recycling programs; and
(9)
Recommending possible alternatives to a beverage container deposit system that would yield significantly increased recycling rates statewide.
(b)
The corporation shall report the findings, recommendations and a timeline for implementation of the plan to the general assembly and the governor no later than January 1, 2009.
History of Section.
P.L. 2008, ch. 260, § 1; P.L. 2008, ch. 420, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.16 - Newspaper Recyclability › Section 23-18.16-1. - Legislative purpose.

§ 23-18.16-1. Legislative purpose.
It is the finding of the general assembly that publications in the form of newspapers, magazines, journals; or printed newsletters make up an inordinately large portion of the waste stream and that the state has a successful recycling program which has the ability to collect and process this material. In order to assure the continued viability of the recycling program and to divert material from the state landfills or incinerators, a strong market must exist. Since these publications make up a large portion of the waste stream, they will be required to use post consumer material in the production of their product.
History of Section.
P.L. 1991, ch. 36, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.16 - Newspaper Recyclability › Section 23-18.16-2. - Definitions.

§ 23-18.16-2. Definitions.
(a)
“Annual rate” means the percentage of post consumer material over total paper purchased by any person, from January 1 to December 31 of each year.
(b)
“Department” means the department of environmental management.
(c)
“Director” means the director of the department of environmental management.
(d)
“Person” means any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, or organization of any kind whatsoever.
(e)
“Post consumer material” shall be defined in rules and regulations adopted by the department of environmental management and after review of guidelines established by the federal environmental protection agency.
(f)
“Publication” means any newspaper printed, published, or produced in Rhode Island.
History of Section.
P.L. 1991, ch. 36, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.16 - Newspaper Recyclability › Section 23-18.16-3. - Minimum required purchase.

§ 23-18.16-3. Minimum required purchase.
All publications must purchase a minimum of forty percent (40%) post-consumer material calculated on an annual rate.
History of Section.
P.L. 1991, ch. 36, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 86, § 79.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.16 - Newspaper Recyclability › Section 23-18.16-4. - Reporting — Determination of compliance — Orders — Appeals.

§ 23-18.16-4. Reporting — Determination of compliance — Orders — Appeals.
(a)
The department shall annually report to the governor and the general assembly, all findings regarding publications both in compliance and not in compliance with the requirements of this chapter.
(b)
The department must by July 1 of each year produce a written determination on any publication that does not comply with the provision of this chapter.
(c)
All publications will report on an annual basis their annual rate of purchase of post consumer materials to the department of environmental management. A person adversely affected or aggrieved by the issuance of an order under the provisions of this section may seek judicial review of an order in the superior courts.
History of Section.
P.L. 1991, ch. 36, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.16 - Newspaper Recyclability › Section 23-18.16-5. - Rules and regulations.

§ 23-18.16-5. Rules and regulations.
The director shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 1991, ch. 36, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.16 - Newspaper Recyclability › Section 23-18.16-6. - Exemption.

§ 23-18.16-6. Exemption.
The director may exempt a person from the requirements of this chapter, upon a showing that no acceptable equivalent is available and that imposing the requirements would cause an undue hardship.
History of Section.
P.L. 1991, ch. 36, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.16 - Newspaper Recyclability › Section 23-18.16-7. - Penalties.

§ 23-18.16-7. Penalties.
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter will be subject to administrative penalties as authorized by chapter 17.6 of title 42.
History of Section.
P.L. 1991, ch. 36, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.16 - Newspaper Recyclability › Section 23-18.16-8. - Severability.

§ 23-18.16-8. Severability.
If any clause, sentence, paragraph, or part of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstance shall, for any reason, be adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, that judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder of this chapter or its application to other persons or circumstances.
History of Section.
P.L. 1991, ch. 36, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.17 - Used Cooking Oil Recycling › Section 23-18.17-1. - Purpose.

§ 23-18.17-1. Purpose.
The purposes of this act are:
(1)
To establish a safe and environmentally sound used cooking oil collection initiative in Rhode Island that covers all commercial facilities that generate used cooking oil in the state;
(2)
To promote the recycling of used cooking oil;
(3)
To develop a strategy for waste reduction in the state with the participation of procedures, processors and consumers;
(4)
To eliminate the dumping of used cooking oil in landfills and down sewer drains in order to minimize sewer damage and maintenance costs and extend the capacity of landfills; and
(5)
To promote the creation of green jobs.
History of Section.
P.L. 2011, ch. 335, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 371, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.17 - Used Cooking Oil Recycling › Section 23-18.17-2. - Findings.

§ 23-18.17-2. Findings.
The general assembly hereby finds and declares:
(1)
Used cooking oil clogs septic and municipal sewer systems, leading to overflowing manholes and high maintenance fees;
(2)
Sewer overspill causes environmental pollution and leads to disease in humans and animals;
(3)
In order to address these real threats to public health and the environment, efforts should be made to help minimize costs of sewer maintenance as well as prevention of sewer blockages.
History of Section.
P.L. 2011, ch. 335, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 371, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.17 - Used Cooking Oil Recycling › Section 23-18.17-3. - Definitions.

§ 23-18.17-3. Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following words shall have the following meanings:
(1)
“Used cooking oil” means grease generated from using vegetable oil or animal fat for cooking;
(2)
“Receptacle” means a container that holds, contains, or receives liquids (grease);
(3)
“Used cooking oil generation” means the creation of used cooking oil as a byproduct of cooking, etc. by commercial facilities.
History of Section.
P.L. 2011, ch. 335, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 371, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.17 - Used Cooking Oil Recycling › Section 23-18.17-4. - Environmentally sound recycling.

§ 23-18.17-4. Environmentally sound recycling.
Used cooking oil generators shall maintain receptacles for the collection of used cooking oil and deposit all used cooking oil into said receptacles for recycling purposes.
History of Section.
P.L. 2011, ch. 335, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 371, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18.17 - Used Cooking Oil Recycling › Section 23-18.17-5. - Disposal ban.

§ 23-18.17-5. Disposal ban.
After the effective date of this act, no used cooking oil generator shall dispose of used cooking oil in a manner other than by recycling.
History of Section.
P.L. 2011, ch. 335, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 371, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-19 - Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation › Section 23-19-1. - Short title.

§ 23-19-1. Short title.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation Act”.
History of Section.
P.L. 1974, ch. 176, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 23-46.1-1; P.L. 1979, ch. 39, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 23-19-1; P.L. 1996, ch. 303, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-19 - Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation › Section 23-19-1.1. - Mission statement.

§ 23-19-1.1. Mission statement.
The Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation shall provide the utmost in protection of public health and the environment while working towards having no impacts on the quality of life in the surrounding neighborhoods. The corporation shall set an example of being a good neighbor by minimizing the impacts of its operations on the surrounding community while setting high industry standards for recycling and waste disposal. The corporation shall seek the best mix of public and private processing, recycling and disposal systems, programs, and facilities for both commercial and municipal waste to meet Rhode Island’s needs.
History of Section.
P.L. 2004, ch. 366, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-19 - Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation › Section 23-19-4. - Legislative purposes of Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation.

§ 23-19-4. Legislative purposes of Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation.
(a)
In furtherance of these policies, it is the intent of this legislation to create a solid waste management corporation, as defined in this chapter.
(b)
The corporation will prepare and implement a plan for an integrated statewide system of solid waste management facilities which plan shall define the state’s disposal needs and define the manner to meet the needs in accordance with the requirements of this chapter. Capacity, maximizing the use of source reduction, reuse, and recycling at public and private facilities shall be considered when assessing state need. No public facility shall be constructed unless need is established pursuant to the plan. The plan shall be reviewed and adopted as an element of the state guide plan by the state planning council.
(c)
The facilities and services of the corporation shall be used by persons and municipalities within the state, and the corporation may require all persons and municipalities therein to use the services and facilities of the corporation under terms and conditions that the corporation shall reasonably fix and establish. This section shall not be construed, however, to affect or impair any valid contract for disposal of municipal waste in effect on March 1, 1985, until expiration at the end of the original term of the contract or any extension approved by the corporation or sooner termination of the contract, or the right of any municipality to continue the operation of its own landfill facility which is in use on December 1, 1986.
(d)
The corporation will make its waste management facilities available under contract to any municipality, institution, or person at reasonable fees established by the corporation.
(e)
Any revenues received by the corporation through the fees it charges for the use of facilities and services, from state subsidies, or through the sale of the material and energy resources recovered from the wastes it processes in the solid waste facilities within its jurisdiction, shall be used by the corporation to finance its administrative costs, its contractual costs, and other costs imposed by law, and to discharge its indebtedness and other obligations and to otherwise provide the financial support that is required for the corporation to maintain financial solvency.
History of Section.
P.L. 1974, ch. 176, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 305, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 23-46.1-4; P.L. 1979, ch. 39, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 23-19-4; P.L. 1986, ch. 522, § 2; P.L. 1989, ch. 163, § 1; P.L. 1989, ch. 292, § 1; P.L. 1989, ch. 508, § 5; P.L. 1992, ch. 133, art. 111, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 301, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 26, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 52, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-19 - Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation › Section 23-19-7. - Commissioners — Oath of office — Conflict of interest.

§ 23-19-7. Commissioners — Oath of office — Conflict of interest.
(a)
Each member of the corporation’s board of commissioners, before entering upon his or her duties, shall take an oath to administer the duties of his or her office faithfully and impartially, and the oath will be filed in the office of the secretary of state.
(b)
The commissioners shall be subject at all times to the provisions of chapter 14 of title 36.
History of Section.
P.L. 1974, ch. 176, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 305, § 6: G.L. 1956, § 23-46.1-7; P.L. 1979, ch. 39, § 1: G.L. 1956, § 23-19-7; P.L. 1982, ch. 262, § 5.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-19 - Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation › Section 23-19-8. - Employment of executive director and support services — Books and records.

§ 23-19-8. Employment of executive director and support services — Books and records.
(a)
The commissioners shall employ an executive director who shall administer, manage, and direct the offices and business of the corporation, subject to the policies, control, and direction of the commissioners. The commissioners may employ technical experts and other officers, agents, and staff, and fix their qualifications, duties, and compensation. The executive director and the technical experts, officers, agents, and staff and attorneys so employed shall not be subject to the provisions of the classified service. The board of commissioners may delegate to one or more of its agents or employees those administrative duties that it may deem proper to accomplish its purposes. The corporation may request that the director of the department of environmental management provide within the department of environmental management facilities, administrative support, staff services, and any other services that shall be necessary for the proper performance of the powers and duties of the corporation.
(b)
The executive director shall also be the secretary and shall keep a record of the proceedings of the corporation and shall be custodian of all books, documents, and papers filed with the corporation and of its minutes, books, and seal. The executive director shall have the authority to cause to be made copies of all minutes and other records and documents of the corporation, and to give certificate under the seal of the corporation that the copies are true copies and all persons dealing with the corporation may rely upon the certificate, except in the case where a secretary’s certificate is required to attest to an action of the executive director, in which instance the deputy executive director shall have the authority to give certificate under the seal of the corporation as secretary.
History of Section.
P.L. 1974, ch. 176, § 1; P.L. 1977, ch. 182, § 6; P.L. 1978, ch. 305, § 7: G.L. 1956, § 23-46.1-8; P.L. 1979, ch. 39, § 1: G.L. 1956, § 23-19-8; P.L. 1998, ch. 277, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 341, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-19 - Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation › Section 23-19-9. - Purposes of the corporation.

§ 23-19-9. Purposes of the corporation.
(a)
The purposes of the corporation shall be:
(1)
The planning, design, construction, financing, management, ownership, operation, and maintenance of transfer stations, waste processing facilities, resource recovery facilities, and all other solid waste management facilities deemed necessary by the corporation as being desirable, convenient, or appropriate to carry out the provisions of this chapter;
(2)
The provision of solid waste management services to municipalities and persons within the state by receiving solid wastes at the corporation facilities, pursuant to contracts between the corporation and the municipalities, and persons, the recovery of resources and resource values from the solid wastes, and the production from the services and resource recovery operations, of revenues sufficient to provide for the support of the corporation and its operations on a self-sustaining basis with due regard to the provision of the services at a reasonable cost to the clients it has contracted with;
(3)
The fullest feasible utilization, through contractual arrangements, of private industry for implementation of the corporation’s plans and programs, and for any other activities that may be considered necessary, desirable, or convenient by the corporation;
(4)
Assistance with and coordination of efforts directed towards source separation of solid wastes for recycling purposes;
(5)
Assistance in the development of industries and commercial enterprises within the state based upon resource recovery, recycling, and reuse;
(6)
Provided, either by contract with a private concern or directly by the corporation, or a recycling facility at, or within a convenient distance of, all solid waste management facilities under the jurisdiction of the Rhode Island resource recovery corporation; and
(7)
Develop an industrial/business park in the town of Johnston for points south of Central Pike, west of Old Pocasset Road, to the intersection of Old Pocasset Road and Scituate Avenue, then west of route 295, bounded to the south by the northern shore (mean high water line) of the Upper Simmons Reservoir and the Lower Simmons Reservoir, through the exercise of the eminent domain power and through contractual arrangements.
(b)
These purposes shall be considered to be operating responsibilities of the corporation, in accordance with the statewide solid waste management plan, and are to be considered public purposes. It is the intention of this chapter that the corporation shall be granted all powers necessary to fulfill these purposes and to carry out its assigned responsibilities, and that the provisions of this chapter are to be construed liberally in furtherance of this intention.
History of Section.
P.L. 1974, ch. 176, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 305, § 8; G.L. 1956, § 23-46.1-9; P.L. 1979, ch. 39, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 23-19-9; P.L. 1986, ch. 522, § 2; P.L. 1997, ch. 222, § 2; P.L. 1997, ch. 310, § 2; P.L. 1998, ch. 350, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 316, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-19 - Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation › Section 23-19-10.1. - Construction of gas pipelines.

§ 23-19-10.1. Construction of gas pipelines.
The corporation shall have the same rights and liabilities as public utilities when installing gas pipelines along or under interstate highways in the state including those rights and liabilities outlined in chapters 8 and 12 of title 24 and § 39-1-2.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 373, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-19 - Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation › Section 23-19-10.3. - Highway construction — Eminent domain.

§ 23-19-10.3. Highway construction — Eminent domain.
Subject to the limitations set forth in § 23-19-10.2(b)(2), the corporation shall have the right to acquire any land, or any interest in the land, by the exercise of the power of eminent domain, whenever it shall be determined by the corporation that the acquisition of the land, or interest, is necessary for development and construction of highway access from route 295 to Scituate Avenue, or the development of an industrial/business park pursuant to § 23-19-35.1(c), such exercise of the power of eminent domain to be in accordance with the procedures set forth in § 23-19-10.2(c).
History of Section.
P.L. 1997, ch. 222, § 1; P.L. 1997, ch. 310, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 350, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 316, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-19 - Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation › Section 23-19-11.2. - Improvements of the central landfill.

§ 23-19-11.2. Improvements of the central landfill.
(a)
Under the initial resource recovery system set forth in § 23-19-11.1, it will be necessary to continue to use the central landfill in Johnston for a significant portion of the state’s solid waste. In order to minimize the impact on the community of the use of the central landfill, the state and the corporation shall implement a central landfill improvement plan as soon as possible.
(b)
The central landfill improvement plan shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following projects:
(1)
The installation of city water in certain parts of the west of Johnston adjoining the landfill or which are impacted by its operation.
(2)
Reconstruction of Green Hill Road from Plainfield Pike to Shun Pike.
(3)
Minimization of visual impact of the central landfill to the extent possible by the use of fencing, grading, seeding, or the planting of vegetation and the development of an industrial/business park pursuant to § 23-19-35.1(c).
(c)
The director of the department of administration is authorized and empowered to make advances from the general fund of the state to the corporation to fund the improvements set forth in subsection (b). The advances shall be returned to the general fund at the time or times that the director shall have specified and that the total amount of the advances shall be returned to the general fund at the time or times that the director shall have specified, and that the total amount of the outstanding and unreturned advances at any one time shall not exceed four million dollars ($4,000,000); and the state controller is authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of the advances upon receipt by him or her of proper vouchers signed by the director of administration; and the corporation shall repay the advances with proceeds of the bonds or notes issued by the corporation to permanently fund the improvements or from other corporation funds.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 522, § 3; P.L. 2001, ch. 316, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-19 - Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation › Section 23-19-11.3. - Central landfill — Water quality and public health.

§ 23-19-11.3. Central landfill — Water quality and public health.
(a)
The corporation shall be committed to completion of appropriate studies of the ground and surface water under and adjacent to the central landfill to determine whether and to what extent contamination from the central landfill may affect water quality or public health, and to what extent any contamination has a significant impact on human health or the environment. This requirement may be satisfied in part or in full by studies already underway and in compliance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, 42 U.S.C., § 9601 et seq. (“CERCLA”) or other applicable federal or state environmental statutes.
(b)
If the studies determine that there is in fact an impact by the landfill on water quality or public health, which is not remediated by the installation of public water, then the corporation shall be responsible to take additional remedial action required to further protect public health or to preserve important environmental qualities which are determined to be threatened. As in the case of studies, this requirement may be satisfied in whole or in part by remedial actions required under CERCLA or other applicable federal or state environmental statutes.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 522, § 3.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-19 - Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation › Section 23-19-11.4. - Initial resource recovery facilities.

§ 23-19-11.4. Initial resource recovery facilities.
In view of the criticality of the solid waste disposal problem in the state, the procurement of the statutorily mandated Central Falls resource recovery facilities included in the initial resource recovery system shall not be subject to the provisions of chapter 2 of title 37.
History of Section.
P.L. 1990, ch. 461, § 13.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-19 - Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation › Section 23-19-12. - Powers of the department of health and the department of environmental management.

§ 23-19-12. Powers of the department of health and the department of environmental management.
Nothing else contained in this chapter shall be construed to affect the powers granted to the department of health and the department of environmental management pursuant to chapters 1 and 18.9 of this title as amended. Further, any solid waste facilities under the jurisdiction of the corporation shall be subject to the regulatory and enforcement activities of the department of environmental management.
History of Section.
P.L. 1974, ch. 176, § 1; P.L. 1977, ch. 182, § 6; P.L. 1978, ch. 131, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 23-46.1-12; P.L. 1979, ch. 39, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 23-19-12; P.L. 1989, ch. 542, § 49.