reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-55 - Award of Municipal Contracts › Section 45-55-16. - Prohibition against the use of lead based paints.

§ 45-55-16. Prohibition against the use of lead based paints.
When purchasing paint products or contracting or subcontracting for painting, construction, improvement, completion, or repair of any public buildings, public road, public bridge, or public construction, all municipalities, as defined by § 45-55-4(11), are prohibited from the use of lead based paint.
History of Section.
P.L. 1993, ch. 382, § 3.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-55 - Award of Municipal Contracts › Section 45-55-17. - Penalties.

§ 45-55-17. Penalties.
Any person who knowingly and intentionally violates any provision of this chapter shall be subject to a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.
History of Section.
P.L. 2012, ch. 453, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-56 - Westerly Downtown Center Special Services District › Section 45-56-1. - Purpose of Westerly downtown center special services district.

§ 45-56-1. Purpose of Westerly downtown center special services district.
The town of Westerly may establish by ordinance of its legislative body as provided in this chapter, within its confines, a downtown center special services district to promote the economic and general welfare of its citizens and property owners through the preservation, enhancement, protection and development of the economic health of the municipality. The term “municipality” as used in this chapter means only the town of Westerly.
History of Section.
P.L. 1998, ch. 135, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-56 - Westerly Downtown Center Special Services District › Section 45-56-2. - Powers of the downtown center special services district.

§ 45-56-2. Powers of the downtown center special services district.
The downtown center special services district constitutes a body politic and corporate and the ordinance establishing the district confers upon the district the following powers and other powers as are provided in the chapter:
(1)
To sue or be sued;
(2)
To acquire, hold and convey any estate, real or personal;
(3)
To contract;
(4)
To borrow money, provided any obligation incurred for this purpose is discharged not more than one year after it was incurred, and the district may pledge any revenues to be received pursuant to § 45-56-6 against the obligation;
(5)
To recommend to the legislative body of the municipality in which the district is located the imposition of a levy upon the taxable interests in real property within the district, the revenues from which may be used in carrying out any of the powers of the district;
(6)
To construct, own, operate and maintain public improvements; and
(7)
To provide, within the district, some or all of the other services which the municipality is authorized to provide, except that the ordinance may not confer upon the district the power to provide elementary or secondary public education services; and, provided, further, that the ordinance may not confer upon the district the power to provide services which are then being provided within any portion of the area included in the district by any multi-town body or authority.
History of Section.
P.L. 1998, ch. 135, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-56 - Westerly Downtown Center Special Services District › Section 45-56-3. - Powers regarding motor vehicle parking.

§ 45-56-3. Powers regarding motor vehicle parking.
In addition to the powers enumerated in § 45-56-2, the ordinance establishing the downtown center special services district may confer upon the district some or all of the following powers:
(1)
To construct, acquire, or obtain a lease-hold interest in a motor vehicle parking facility, within or without the district;
(2)
To operate a motor vehicle parking facility, within or without the district;
(3)
To lease or sublease to other parties motor vehicle parking facilities; and
(4)
To enter into, fund and perform agreements which reduce the cost of motor vehicle parking to residents of the district and to employees of, and those doing business with, businesses located within the district.
History of Section.
P.L. 1998, ch. 135, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-56 - Westerly Downtown Center Special Services District › Section 45-56-5. - Board of commissioners of district — Contract awards.

§ 45-56-5. Board of commissioners of district — Contract awards.
The ordinance establishing the downtown center special services district shall provide that the business of the district shall be conducted by a board of commissioners, and by any agents that the ordinance may authorize them to designate, and the ordinance shall further provide the number, qualifications and manner of election of the commissioners. All orders or contracts for expenditures by the board on behalf of the downtown center special services district which are greater than five thousand dollars ($5,000) shall be awarded to the lowest responsible qualified bidder only after a public invitation to bid, which shall be advertised in a newspaper having circulation in the downtown center special services district.
History of Section.
P.L. 1998, ch. 135, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-56 - Westerly Downtown Center Special Services District › Section 45-56-6. - Tax levy for benefit of district.

§ 45-56-6. Tax levy for benefit of district.
(a)
An ordinance establishing a downtown center special services district shall provide the time and manner for determining the levy on real property within the district which is recommended by the board of commissioners of the district pursuant to § 45-56-2(5).
(b)
In order to provide that different areas, and different land use categories, within the downtown center special services district may share equitably in the funding of the district in proportion to the different benefits to be derived, an ordinance establishing the downtown center special services district may divide the district into subdistricts, and the ordinance may further provide a separate basis for the determination of the levy recommended pursuant to § 45-56-2(5) on taxable interests in real property within each subdistrict.
(c)(1)
An ordinance establishing the downtown center special services district may create, for taxing purposes only, different categories of land use within the district, and the ordinance may further provide a separate basis for the determination of the levy recommended pursuant to § 45-56-2(5) on each category of land use.
(2)
If an ordinance establishing a district divides the district into subdistricts, and if the ordinance also creates different land use categories, the ordinance may also provide a basis for the determination of the levy recommended pursuant to § 45-56-2(5) on taxable interests in real property in a land use category in a subdistrict which is different from the basis for determining the levy recommended on taxable interests in real property in the same land use category in another subdistrict or in other subdistricts.
(d)
An ordinance establishing the downtown center special services district shall provide that, when the board of commissioners of the district shall, in a timely manner, recommend to the legislative body of the municipality in which the district is located a levy upon the taxable interests in real property within the district, pursuant to § 45-56-2(5) and pursuant to the ordinance, it is the obligation of the legislative body to impose the levy as a municipal levy, and the levy shall be in addition to the regular municipal levy, and it is the obligation of the municipality to collect the levy for the benefit of the district. All moneys received by the board of commissioners of the district or by a municipality on behalf of the district shall be paid into the general fund of the municipality where an account is maintained of the moneys for the benefit of the district. Notwithstanding any provision of the general laws, public laws or any special act or any municipal charter to the contrary, the treasurer of the municipality shall disburse funds in accordance with an annual budget adopted by the board of commissioners of the district.
History of Section.
P.L. 1998, ch. 135, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-57 - Winnisimet Farm Road District › Section 45-57-1. - Creation — Corporate powers.

§ 45-57-1. Creation — Corporate powers.
(a)
There is hereby created a special preservation and management district to be known as the Winnisimet Farm Road District.
(b)
The district consists of those lots of record listed on the town of Tiverton tax assessor’s plat map 1-7 Block 179, including cards numbered:
1 1a 2 2a 3 3a 3b 4 4a 5 6 7 7a 8 8a 9 9a 10 10a 11a 11b 12 12a 13 13a 14 14a 15 15a 16 16a 17 17a 20 26 27 28 29 30 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 50 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 67a 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 74a
(c)
The district includes privately owned lots as well as common properties owned by the Winnisimet Farm Association, including ponds, beach accesses, open land and streets and associated improvements, to wit, Hamilton Circle, Indian Point Road, Penny Pond Road, Winnisimet Drive, Arrowhead Drive and Sachem Road.
(d)
Lots owned by the Winnisimet Farm Association as common property are not lots of record for purposes of voting rights or assessments.
(e)
Should any lots be created for future individual ownership, either from common property owned by the Winnisimet Farm Association, or from privately owned property, such newly created lots will be lots of record under the provisions of this act, with future owners incurring all rights and obligations of this chapter.
(f)
As used in this chapter, the term “Winnisimet Farm Association” means that neighborhood association previously incorporated under the laws of this state as a nonprofit corporation, which corporation owns the common properties and roads within the district.
(g)
The district may have a common seal, sue and be sued, and enjoy the powers generally incident to corporations.
History of Section.
P.L. 1999, ch. 79, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-57 - Winnisimet Farm Road District › Section 45-57-2. - Elections.

§ 45-57-2. Elections.
(a)
Every owner listed on recorded deeds of any lot or lots of record within the district is an elector of the district and is eligible to vote in the election of officers of the district and in the ballots for all propositions brought before any annual or special meeting.
(b)
In the event that the owner of record of any lot or lots is a corporation, partnership, trust or other non-natural person or entity, then the entity shall be deemed an elector and shall be entitled to cast one vote on any matter to come before the electors.
History of Section.
P.L. 1999, ch. 79, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-57 - Winnisimet Farm Road District › Section 45-57-3. - Annual and special meetings — Voting.

§ 45-57-3. Annual and special meetings — Voting.
(a)
The district will hold an annual meeting during the month of October in every year.
(b)
Special meetings of the district shall be called by the secretary upon order of the board of directors or upon written application of at least fifteen (15) electors; and whenever the subject of ordering an assessment is to be acted on at any special meeting, the assessment must be mentioned in the notice. It is the duty of the secretary to fix a suitable place for the holding of all meetings and to give notice of each meeting, both annual and special, by posting a notice in at least one public place within the town of Tiverton and mailing or hand delivering the notice to each elector in the district, at least ten (10) days before the meeting, and the notice will contain a statement of the time and place when and where the meeting will be held. One notice may be mailed or hand delivered where more than one elector resides, addressed to all electors there residing. It is the duty of the secretary of the district to maintain and correct the voting list on a regular basis, using ownership records of the town of Tiverton.
(c)
No vote, except upon an adjournment, or in the annual election of officers, may be taken at any meeting of the district unless at least fifteen (15) electors are present at the meeting. On demand of at least one fifth (⅕) of the qualified electors of the district present at any meeting for a ballot on any question pending at the meeting, the ballot will be allowed; and all votes except on motion to adjourn, or on amendment to any pending proposition, will be required by the secretary to be so taken, the votes affirmative and negative may be counted by the secretary, and the result entered by the secretary on the minutes of the meeting.
History of Section.
P.L. 1999, ch. 79, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-57 - Winnisimet Farm Road District › Section 45-57-4. - Governing board — Elections — Officers.

§ 45-57-4. Governing board — Elections — Officers.
(a)
The electors of the district shall at annual meetings elect a board of directors comprised of seven (7) electors of the district, and then shall elect from the duly elected directors a president, a vice president, a treasurer and a secretary.
(b)
The directors shall serve for two year terms, and shall serve without compensation. No more than one elector from any lot of record may serve as a director at the same time.
(c)
The board of directors constitute the governing board of the district, and the duties of the board are prescribed in this chapter, and may be further defined by the bylaws of the district consistent with this chapter.
(d)
Any vacancy that may occur in the board of directors between annual meetings will be filled by some elector to be chosen by the other members of the board of directors to hold office until the next annual meeting, at which time the vacancy must be filled by a vote of the electors.
(e)
The electors of the district may, at any meeting, adopt and ordain bylaws, and, from time to time, rescind or amend the bylaws, as they deem necessary and proper for the purposes of this chapter and not repugnant to this chapter and not inconsistent with any other law; provided that the electors may appoint such committees as they may deem necessary, and may fix the compensation, if any, of all agents and employees of the district.
History of Section.
P.L. 1999, ch. 79, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-57 - Winnisimet Farm Road District › Section 45-57-5. - Powers of the board of directors.

§ 45-57-5. Powers of the board of directors.
The board of directors of the Winnisimet Farm Road District, in addition to any other powers conferred by this chapter, have the power:
(a)
To conduct the business and affairs of the district as approved at annual meetings by a majority vote of electors in attendance;
(b)
To adopt and amend budgets for revenues, and reserves, and to collect assessments;
(c)
To make contracts and incur liabilities on behalf of the district;
(d)
To regulate the use, maintenance, repair, replacement, and modification of common elements;
(e)
To file liens on lots of record for nonpayment of assessments;
(f)
To approve curb cuts for new construction within the district;
(g)
Subject to the provisions of this chapter, to expend and disperse monies as needed to accomplish the purpose of this chapter and of the district;
(h)
Subject to the provisions of this chapter, to acquire by purchase, lease, gift, devise real or personal property required for any district purpose;
(i)
Subject to provisions of this chapter, to lease or convey any real property owned by the district or to grant an easement or license with respect to such property, on such terms and conditions as the board may determine;
(j)
To maintain premises and to provide supervision, control and maintenance thereof;
(k)
To accept gifts of money and personalty;
(l)
To hire whatever employees, advisors and consultants which are deemed required from time to time to accomplish the district purposes;
(m)
To manage and control the property of the district and to insure that property against loss or damage from any risk whatsoever;
(n)
To place upon the ballot at any annual or special election any proposition which must be approved by the electors pursuant to § 45-57-6 of this chapter;
(o)
To purchase and maintain insurance to indemnify officers of the district; provided, however, that any officer shall be indemnified only if the officer, at the time the claim or cause of action arose or damages were sustained, was acting in the discharge of or within the scope of his or her authorized duties and that the claim or cause of action or damages sustained did not result from the intentional wrongdoing or gross negligence of that officer.
History of Section.
P.L. 1999, ch. 79, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-57 - Winnisimet Farm Road District › Section 45-57-6. - Powers of governing board with approval of electors.

§ 45-57-6. Powers of governing board with approval of electors.
The board of directors, when authorized by majority vote of the electors voting upon a proposition, have the power:
(a)
To acquire real property by purchase at prices or amounts authorized by duly adopted proposition;
(b)
To sell, transfer or permanently dispose of any real property, on such terms and conditions and at such prices as shall by proposition be authorized;
(c)
To take any further or additional action which, under the provisions of this chapter, must first be authorized by the adoption of a proposition.
History of Section.
P.L. 1999, ch. 79, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-57 - Winnisimet Farm Road District › Section 45-57-7. - Assessments.

§ 45-57-7. Assessments.
(a)
The electors of the district, at annual or special meeting of the district, have the power to order the imposition and collection of thosemonetary assessments upon lots of record with the district which they deem necessary for the payment of common expenses incurred or to be incurred in fulfillment of the purposes of the district and of this chapter.
(b)
Assessments shall be determined for each lot of record equally, without regard to the lot location, size or value of the land or of any improvements thereon, and without regard to the benefit of any individual lot owner.
(c)
The amount of assessments hereunder shall be determined by a majority vote of the electors voting, upon recommendation of the board of directors and consideration of the treasurer’s annual report.
(d)
Notwithstanding subsections (a) through (c), any common expense incurred by the district as the result of misconduct by an individual lot owner or owners may be assessed exclusively against the offending lot owner or owners.
History of Section.
P.L. 1999, ch. 79, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-57 - Winnisimet Farm Road District › Section 45-57-8. - Unpaid assessments.

§ 45-57-8. Unpaid assessments.
A reasonable interest charge, approved by the board of directors, may be added to assessments that remain unpaid after one year from the notification of the assessment, and may accumulate annually thereafter on the unpaid balance.
History of Section.
P.L. 1999, ch. 79, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-57 - Winnisimet Farm Road District › Section 45-57-9. - Audits.

§ 45-57-9. Audits.
An audit of the treasurer’s financial records shall be conducted annually prior to the annual meeting by a person, firm or committee appointed by the board of directors. The audit report shall be included in the annual treasurer’s report.
History of Section.
P.L. 1999, ch. 79, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-57 - Winnisimet Farm Road District › Section 45-57-10. - Establishment of the road district.

§ 45-57-10. Establishment of the road district.
The road district will be established when approved by majority vote of the electors under the following procedures: Ballots shall be distributed by certified mail to every elector as defined in § 45-57-2. Ballots shall include copies of this act and instructions for ballot submission with at least a thirty (30) days response period. Ballot procedural language shall be certified by the board of canvassers of the town of Tiverton. Completed ballots shall be returned to the board of canvassers, which shall certify the results. The approval vote will be conducted at no cost to the town of Tiverton.
History of Section.
P.L. 1999, ch. 79, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-57 - Winnisimet Farm Road District › Section 45-57-11. - Implementation of the road district.

§ 45-57-11. Implementation of the road district.
The Winnisimet Farm Road District shall be duly instituted when the majority vote of the electors, as certified by the board of canvassers, together with a copy of this act, are recorded in land evidence records of the town of Tiverton.
History of Section.
P.L. 1999, ch. 79, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-57 - Winnisimet Farm Road District › Section 45-57-12. - Exemption from liability.

§ 45-57-12. Exemption from liability.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, no person serving without compensation as a director, officer, or volunteer of the Winnisimet Farm Road District shall be liable to any person based solely on his or her conduct in the execution of the office or duty unless the conduct of the director, officer or volunteer with respect to the person asserting the liability constituted malicious, willful or wanton misconduct. As used in the section, “compensation” does not include a per diem or per meeting allowance, or reimbursement for out of pocket costs and expenses incurred in the service. Nothing in this section shall be construed to exempt a director, officer or volunteer from liability based upon his or her ownership and/or operation of a motor vehicle.
History of Section.
P.L. 1999, ch. 79, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-57 - Winnisimet Farm Road District › Section 45-57-13. - Severability.

§ 45-57-13. Severability.
This chapter shall be construed in all respects so as to meet all constitutional requirements. In carrying out the purposes and provisions of this chapter, all steps shall be taken which are necessary to meet constitutional or other legal requirements whether or not these steps are expressly required by statute. If, after the application of the foregoing provisions of this section, any of the provisions of this chapter, or its application to any circumstances, shall be held unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, that decision shall not affect or impair the validity of the application of those provisions to other circumstances of the validity of any other provisions of this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 1999, ch. 79, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-58 - Pascoag Utility District › Section 45-58-1. - Short title.

§ 45-58-1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the “Pascoag Utility District Act of 2001”.
History of Section.
P.L. 2001, ch. 12, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 47, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-58 - Pascoag Utility District › Section 45-58-2. - Definitions.

§ 45-58-2. Definitions.
Terms used in this chapter shall be construed as follows, unless another meaning is expressed or is clearly apparent from the language or context:
(1)
“Fire district” means the Pascoag fire district created by the act passed at the May session 1887, entitled “An Act to Incorporate the Pascoag Fire District” as thereafter amended and supplemented from time to time.
(2)
“Fire protection assets” means that real property, facilities, equipment, statutory rights and privileges, and other tangible or intangible property of any kind whatever used in, or useful to, the conduct of the fire protection and prevention operations conducted prior to, on and after April 4, 2001 by the fire district.
(3)
“Qualified voter” means any person whose name appears on an active account with the Pascoag utility district and who resides in the village of Pascoag or owns property in the village of Pascoag.
(4)
“Utility assets” means that real property, personal property, rights in any real and personal property, facilities, equipment, contract rights, statutory rights and privileges, franchises and other tangible or intangible property of any kind whatever used in, or useful to, the conduct of the electric and water utility operations conducted prior to April 4, 2001 by the fire district, and on and after April 4, 2001 by the utility district.
(5)
“Utility bond obligations” means the obligations represented by and inherent in any revenue or general obligation bond issued by the Pascoag fire district prior to April 4, 2001 for the purpose of financing any aspect of its electric or water utility system or operations, which obligations remain outstanding in any part as of April 4, 2001.
(6)
“Utility district” means the Pascoag utility district, a quasi-municipal corporation, district and political subdivision of the state established and empowered by this chapter to:
(i)
Succeed to and fulfill the electric and water utility functions, powers, rights, property and obligations heretofore held and fulfilled by the Pascoag fire district created by the act passed at the May session 1887, entitled “An Act to Incorporate the Pascoag Fire District” as thereafter amended and supplemented from time to time;
(ii)
Exercise certain additional powers as a water supplier, an electric distribution company and as a nonregulated power producer; and
(iii)
To provide additional utility services not inconsistent with the duties, powers and obligations of the utility district as defined in this section.
(7)
“Utility service area” means that geographic area located within the boundaries of the Pascoag fire district, as established under the act passed at the May session 1887, entitled “An Act to Incorporate the Pascoag Fire District” as thereafter amended and supplemented from time to time.
History of Section.
P.L. 2001, ch. 12, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 47, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 147, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 445, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 310, § 67.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-58 - Pascoag Utility District › Section 45-58-3. - Statement of purpose.

§ 45-58-3. Statement of purpose.
This chapter is intended to: (1) Establish the Pascoag utility district as the successor to the utility functions fulfilled prior to April 4, 2001, by the Pascoag fire district; (2) Provide for the orderly separation and transfer of those utility functions and related utility assets and utility bond obligations (without impairment thereof) from the Pascoag fire district to the utility district; (3) Provide for the retention and fulfillment of the fire protection functions and fire protection assets of the Pascoag fire district by the fire district; and (4) Authorize and enable the utility district to provide such other utility products and services as may be authorized, from time to time, by the utility district’s board of utility commissioners.
History of Section.
P.L. 2001, ch. 12, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 47, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 77, § 2; P.L. 2015, ch. 90, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-58 - Pascoag Utility District › Section 45-58-4. - Pascoag utility district established.

§ 45-58-4. Pascoag utility district established.
There is hereby created a quasi-municipal corporation, district and political subdivision of the state, to be known as the Pascoag utility district, the boundaries of which shall be coterminous with the boundaries of the utility service area of the Pascoag fire district, as established under the act passed at the May session 1887, entitled “An Act to Incorporate the Pascoag Fire District” as thereafter amended and supplemented from time to time and such other areas as provided for by this chapter. The utility district shall, upon April 4, 2001, have and succeed to the utility powers and functions heretofore held and exercised by the Pascoag fire district, and shall further have and be entitled to exercise the additional powers, rights and functions set forth in this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 2001, ch. 12, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 47, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-58 - Pascoag Utility District › Section 45-58-5. - Board of utility commissioners of the Pascoag utility district established.

§ 45-58-5. Board of utility commissioners of the Pascoag utility district established.
There is hereby created a board to be known as the board of utility commissioners of the Pascoag utility district. The powers of the utility district as set forth in this chapter, or conferred on the utility district by operation of this chapter, shall be vested in and exercised by a majority of the members of the board of utility commissioners then in office; provided, however, that the board of utility commissioners in its discretion may delegate executive functions to general managers, by resolution, rule or otherwise.
History of Section.
P.L. 2001, ch. 12, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 47, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 274, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 297, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-58 - Pascoag Utility District › Section 45-58-7. - Compensation of the board — Employees of the utility district.

§ 45-58-7. Compensation of the board — Employees of the utility district.
(a)
Each member of the board of utility commissioners shall be entitled to receive compensation of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per year for attendance at scheduled and special meetings of the board of utility commissioners, and shall be entitled to reimbursement of the actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of his or her official duties. The salaries, compensation and expenses of all members and officers of the board, and all employees and agents of the utility district, shall be paid solely out of funds of the utility district. No part of the earnings of the utility district shall inure to the benefit of any private person.
(b)
The board shall appoint general managers and may enter into employment contracts with its executive employees. The board shall have the authority to approve employee benefit plans, including fringe benefits such as but not limited to pension and health and disability and other insurances.
(c)
No member of the board of utility commissioners shall directly or indirectly engage or participate in the proceeds of any contract or agreement to supply anything of value or receive anything of value from the utility district. The prohibition set forth in the subsection may be waived by a vote of five (5) members of the board of utility commissioners, if and only if the board of utility commissioners shall have first obtained an opinion of the attorney general and/or the Rhode Island ethics commission based on full disclosure of all relevant facts that the waiver does not contravene state law and is otherwise in the best interests of the consumers served by the utility district.
History of Section.
P.L. 2001, ch. 12, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 47, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 274, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 297, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-58 - Pascoag Utility District › Section 45-58-8.1. - Limitation of powers.

§ 45-58-8.1. Limitation of powers.
All services provided by the utility district that constitute public utility services within the meaning of § 39-1-2(20) or community antennae television systems (CATV) services within the meaning of § 39-19-1 shall be subject to the applicable jurisdictions of the public utilities commission and the division of public utilities and carriers.
History of Section.
P.L. 2001, ch. 12, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-58 - Pascoag Utility District › Section 45-58-9. - Separation of utility assets and fire protection assets.

§ 45-58-9. Separation of utility assets and fire protection assets.
Upon April 4, 2001, ownership of the utility assets previously titled to, or otherwise owned or controlled by, the Pascoag fire district shall be transferred to the utility district, subject to any security interest of record relating to such utility assets, which security interests, if any, shall remain in full force and effect and be unimpaired by the transfer of ownership of the utility assets. All fire protection assets that are the property of Pascoag fire district on April 4, 2001 shall remain the property of the fire district. To the extent that individual assets presently titled to the Pascoag fire district cannot be classified as either utility assets or fire protection assets, the utility district and the fire district shall negotiate in good faith to transfer title to such assets to one entity or the other, with or without cost but in all cases preserving any applicable contract rights of third parties. The utility district and the fire district may agree to joint ownership or control of assets that cannot reasonably be classified as either utility assets or fire protection assets.
History of Section.
P.L. 2001, ch. 12, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 47, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-58 - Pascoag Utility District › Section 45-58-10. - Succession of utility district to certain obligations of Pascoag fire district.

§ 45-58-10. Succession of utility district to certain obligations of Pascoag fire district.
Upon April 4, 2001, the utility district shall:
(1)
Succeed to and become subject to the utility bond obligations heretofore imposed by any security interest or trust instrument upon the Pascoag fire district; and
(2)
Succeed to the precise position of Pascoag fire district, without any waiver or augmentation of that position whatsoever, as to each wholesale power purchase or power sales agreement heretofore entered into by the fire district, that position to include such rights, claims or defenses as Pascoag fire district may have had prior to April 4, 2001 with respect to any obligation of any such contract.
History of Section.
P.L. 2001, ch. 12, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 47, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-58 - Pascoag Utility District › Section 45-58-12. - Money of the utility district.

§ 45-58-12. Money of the utility district.
(a)
All money of the utility district, from whatever source derived, shall be paid to the treasurer of the utility district. The money on receipt shall be deposited forthwith in a separate bank account or accounts. The money in the accounts shall be paid out with a check of the treasurer, on requisition by the utility district, or of any other person or persons that the utility district may authorize to make the requisitions. All deposits of money shall be secured by obligations of the United States or of the state, of a market value at all times not less than the amount of deposits, and all banks and trust companies are authorized to give security for the deposits. The utility district shall have the power, notwithstanding the provisions of this section, to contract with the holders of any of its bonds as to the custody, collection, security, investment and payment of any money of the authority, or any money held in trust or otherwise for the payment of bonds or in any way to secure the bonds, and to carry out any contract notwithstanding that the contract may be inconsistent with the previous provisions of this section. Money held in trust or otherwise for the payment of bonds or in any way to secure bonds and deposits of money may be secured in the same manner as the money of the authority, and all banks and trust companies are authorized to give security for the deposits.
(b)
Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, or any other provision of this chapter, the board of utility commissioners shall have the power to authorize by resolution a loan or advance from one utility fund of the utility district to another. Any such interfund advance or loan shall be for a term specified in the authorizing resolution of the board of utility commissioners and shall bear interest at a rate reasonably determined by the board of utility commissioners to be consistent with the public interest implicated in all funds involved in the interfund loan or advance; provided, however, that an interest rate set at the rate applicable to the utility district’s most recent borrowing from a bank or other financial institution shall be presumptively reasonable as the rate of interest for an interfund loan or advance.
History of Section.
P.L. 2001, ch. 12, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 47, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-58 - Pascoag Utility District › Section 45-58-13. - Alteration, amendment, repeal or severability.

§ 45-58-13. Alteration, amendment, repeal or severability.
The right to alter, amend or repeal this chapter is reserved to the state, but no such alteration, amendment or repeal shall operate to impair the obligation of any contract made by the utility district under any power conferred by this chapter. If any section, clause, provision or term of this chapter shall be declared unconstitutional, void, ultra vires or otherwise ineffective in whole or in part, such determination of invalidity shall not otherwise affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 2001, ch. 12, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 47, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-58 - Pascoag Utility District › Section 45-58-14. - Pascoag fire district.

§ 45-58-14. Pascoag fire district.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to effect in any way the continued existence and operation of the Pascoag fire district’s fire prevention and suppression functions, its charter and/or bylaws governing the fire district.
History of Section.
P.L. 2001, ch. 12, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 47, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-58 - Pascoag Utility District › Section 45-58-15. - Tax exemption.

§ 45-58-15. Tax exemption.
It is hereby declared that the Pascoag utility district, in the carrying out of its quasi-municipal purposes, is in all respects providing essential services to the people of the state of Rhode Island that improves their health, safety and welfare. Accordingly, the district shall not be required to pay taxes, assessments or sums in lieu of taxes to the state of Rhode Island or any political subdivision thereof upon any of the property now owned or acquired in the future by the district, or under its jurisdiction and/or control, possession or supervision or upon its activities or operations, or upon any earnings, revenues, moneys or other income derived by the district. The bonds issued by the district and any income therefrom shall at all times be exempt from taxation; provided, however, nothing in this section shall have any effect upon the water resources board, or the division of public utilities and carriers, and/or the public utilities commission’s authority to impose regulation-related assessments and charges on Pascoag.
History of Section.
P.L. 2007, ch. 147, § 2; P.L. 2007, ch. 445, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-59 - District Management Authorities › Section 45-59-1. - Short title.

§ 45-59-1. Short title.
This chapter will be known and may be cited as the “District Management Authorities Act.”
History of Section.
P.L. 2001, ch. 205, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 373, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-59 - District Management Authorities › Section 45-59-2. - Legislative findings and purpose.

§ 45-59-2. Legislative findings and purpose.
(a)
It is found and declared that:
(1)
The continued vitality of the business districts in the towns and cities of the state is essential to retaining existing businesses and attracting new enterprises.
(2)
The financial condition of certain of the larger municipalities of the state do not permit the continued provision of services which in the past have been provided for business districts and paid for by property taxes.
(3)
This circumstance emphasizes the importance of enabling public-private cooperation to provide security, cleaning and other services in these business districts in order to supplement, but not to substitute for, the services now being provided in by municipalities within these districts.
(4)
The establishment of district management authorities with the power to make special tax assessments, as provided in this chapter, will benefit the health, safety, welfare and prosperity of the people of this state.
(b)
It is the purpose of this chapter to authorize towns and cities to create district management authorities for the purpose of providing the services and undertaking the activities described in this chapter to supplement the services provided by municipal governments.
History of Section.
P.L. 2001, ch. 205, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 373, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-59 - District Management Authorities › Section 45-59-3. - Definitions and construction.

§ 45-59-3. Definitions and construction.
(a)
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, the term:
(1)
“Chief elected officer” means the official, elected by the voters of a municipality or appointed by the members of the elected legislative body of the municipality, who exercises day-to-day executive authority over the municipality’s affairs.
(2)
“District management authority” means a district management authority established pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
(3)
“Fiscal year” means the fiscal year of the municipality within which the management district is located; “first fiscal year” means the first full fiscal year after the fiscal year during which the management district is created; subsequent fiscal years are referred to in like manner.
(4)
“Management district” means a management district established pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and, as the context may require, includes any subdistrict within the management district.
(5)
“Municipality” means a city or town of the state of Rhode Island having a population according to the most recent federal census of not less than one hundred thousand (100,000); however, notwithstanding the population requirement, the cities of Newport and Pawtucket shall be considered municipalities for purposes of this chapter. Where the context requires, “municipality” also means a city or town within which a management district is created pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
(6)
“Real property” means land and buildings or structures located on the land but does not include lines, mains, poles, easements and rights-of-way owned by public utilities.
(7)
“State” means the state of Rhode Island.
(b)
References in this chapter to owners or tenants of real property located within a management district or residents of a management district, or managers of real property located within the management district will be construed to include shareholders, members, partners, directors, officers, employees or agents thereof.
History of Section.
P.L. 2001, ch. 205, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 373, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 265, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 365, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 31, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 37, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-59 - District Management Authorities › Section 45-59-4. - Creation of district or subdistrict.

§ 45-59-4. Creation of district or subdistrict.
A management district may be created by an ordinance or resolution enacted by the city or town council of any municipality (as defined in § 45-59-3(5)) upon the written petition of persons owning real property located within the proposed district as provided in this chapter. A management district may contain one or more subdistricts. A subdistrict may be created within an existing district by compliance with the provisions of §§ 45-59-5 and 45-59-6, but excluding § 45-59-5(a)(8), solely with respect to the proposed subdistrict. Any subdistrict will be managed by the district management authority having management authority over the district in which the subdistrict is located.
History of Section.
P.L. 2001, ch. 205, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 373, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-59 - District Management Authorities › Section 45-59-6. - Public hearing on petition.

§ 45-59-6. Public hearing on petition.
(a)
The city or town council to which the petition is submitted will forthwith and in any event no later than ninety (90) days after the receipt of the petition hold a public hearing for the purpose of receiving comments from all interested persons on the approval of the petition and the creation of a management district and a district management authority pursuant to the petition. Notice of the public hearing will be given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation within the municipality at least once a week for three (3) successive weeks prior to the date of the hearing. The notice will state the date, time and place of the hearing and contain a description of the boundaries of the proposed district, sufficient to reasonably identify the boundaries of the proposed district, a statement to the effect that it is proposed to create a management district and a district management authority which will have the power to provide services within the management district and apportion the cost of services among the owners of real properly located in the district by means of a special tax assessment, and the office where a copy of the petition may be examined. No notice, other than the notice by publication referred to in this section to the owners of property within the proposed district is required. The boundaries of a district may be described by reference to streets or highways.
(b)
At any time prior to the passage of the ordinance or resolution, the petition may be modified or amended by the petitioners or by persons authorized to act on their behalf without further advertising, provided, however, that in the event such modification or amendment to the petition would either: (1) enlarge or add additional real property to the proposed district or (2) enlarge the purpose of the proposed district management authority or (3) lessen any limitation on the powers of the district management authority, a new public hearing will be held in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this section.
History of Section.
P.L. 2001, ch. 205, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 373, § 1.