reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-11 - Forest Fire Personnel › Section 2-11-2. - Designation of fire chief, senior officer, and forest fire district.

§ 2-11-2. Designation of fire chief, senior officer, and forest fire district.
The local chief shall be elected, appointed, or designated by the procedure established and within the framework spelled out in the fire company or fire district, city or town charter, by-laws, constitution, or any other existing format for appointment of a fire chief. The fire chief’s term of office is recognized as that which is spelled out in the fire company or fire district, city or town charter, by-laws, constitution, or any other existing format for such term of appointment. The fire chief elected, appointed, or designated shall forthwith notify the director of the department of environmental management of the election, appointment, or designation and shall further notify the director of his or her specific forest fire district and jurisdiction. The director may then enter into agreements with each fire chief and fire company to provide assistance and to accept assistance in the prevention and control of forest fires and enforcement of forest fire laws that may include training of personnel. It is the responsibility of the city or town council to appoint a qualified resident to forest fire chief and to designate a forest fire company for any portion of the city or town not protected by an existing fire chief and fire company. If the city or town council of any city or town shall fail to appoint a fire chief as required by this section, the director of the department of environmental management shall appoint some qualified resident of the city or town to act as fire chief until an appointment shall be made by the city or town council as provided in this section. In any fire company or fire district, the fire chief shall establish and define his or her forest fire district and jurisdiction and shall designate a qualified resident of each district to serve as authorized senior officer. Any designated senior officer shall serve at the pleasure of the fire chief by whom he or she was designated. A fire chief shall notify the director of the department of environmental management of each authorized senior officer designated by him or her, and of each removal from designation by him or her, forthwith upon the designation or removal.
History of Section.
G.L. 1956, § 2-11-2; P.L. 1970, ch. 124, § 2; P.L. 2016, ch. 512, art. 2, § 39.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-11 - Forest Fire Personnel › Section 2-11-3. - Compensation of fire chief, senior officer, and their employees.

§ 2-11-3. Compensation of fire chief, senior officer, and their employees.
Each fire chief, senior officer, and employee of any fire chief or senior officer shall receive an hourly rate equivalent to the existing state minimum hourly wage as prescribed by the minimum wage law, chapter 12 of title 28. Payment will be for his or her actual services rendered under this chapter and chapter 12 of this title in extinguishing forest fires. A person summoned by a fire chief or senior officer to assist in the extinguishment of a forest fire may be allowed once in any one day a three (3) hour minimum pay. Payment for property used under the direction of the fire chief or senior officer shall be made at a rate prescribed by the director of the department of environmental management. In addition to this compensation, each fire chief shall be paid one hundred dollars ($100) a year. This sum shall be in lieu of all allowances for making reports, for postage, for posting notices, for issuing permits, for telephoning, and for other services not provided in this chapter, provided that these services actually have been rendered, or that the expenses have been incurred.
History of Section.
G.L. 1956, § 2-11-3; P.L. 1970, ch. 124, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-11 - Forest Fire Personnel › Section 2-11-4. - Patrols during drought.

§ 2-11-4. Patrols during drought.
During a period of drought, the local fire chief or senior officer in the fire company may require and request their fire personnel to patrol their districts, provided approval for the patrolling is first obtained from the director of the department of environmental management and the expenses for the patrolling are paid at the same rate and in the same way as for fighting fires.
History of Section.
G.L. 1956, § 2-11-4; P.L. 1970, ch. 124, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-11 - Forest Fire Personnel › Section 2-11-5. - Reports of fires.

§ 2-11-5. Reports of fires.
Within two (2) weeks after any forest fire, the local fire chief of the local fire district in which the fire occurs shall mail a report of the fire to the director of the department of environmental management using the printed form furnished for that purpose. In case any local fire chief fails to make the report as required by this section, or the local fire chief fails to transmit a copy of the itemized account as provided in § 2-11-6, the fire department or fire district shall not receive from the state the payment due under § 2-11-6 for extinguishing the fire.
History of Section.
G.L. 1956, § 2-11-5; P.L. 1970, ch. 124, § 2; P.L. 1971, ch. 24, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 512, art. 2, § 39.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-11 - Forest Fire Personnel › Section 2-11-6. - Payments to local fire companies and districts.

§ 2-11-6. Payments to local fire companies and districts.
Of the money required for all payments for the property used, and services rendered in extinguishing forest fires, fifty percent (50%) shall be paid by the state to the local fire company or fire district. The payment for work done in preventing and extinguishing forest fires shall not be made until an itemized account of all the labor performed and materials used is submitted by the local fire chief of the forest fire district or jurisdiction in which the work is done or the assistance rendered, and is approved for payment by the local fire chief of the forest fire district or jurisdiction, who shall, within sixty (60) days from the date of any fire, transmit a copy of the itemized account and order for payment to the director of the department of environmental management for the director’s approval and when the itemized account and order for payment is approved the director shall transmit the account and order to the state controller who shall draw his or her order upon the general treasurer for the payment of fifty percent (50%) of the money to the local fire company or fire district.
History of Section.
G.L. 1956, § 2-11-6; P.L. 1970, ch. 124, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-11 - Forest Fire Personnel › Section 2-11-7. - Incidental expenses.

§ 2-11-7. Incidental expenses.
The clerical work, posters, signs, printed matter and other supplies furnished by the director of the department of environmental management under this chapter and chapter 12 of this title, may be paid for out of the appropriation made as prescribed in § 2-11-11; provided, that any fire company, district, or any city or town may pay for any additional service for the prevention or extinguishment of forest fires that the fire company, district, or city or town council may authorize.
History of Section.
G.L. 1956, § 2-11-7; P.L. 1970, ch. 124, § 2; P.L. 1992, ch. 133, art. 23, § 3.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-11 - Forest Fire Personnel › Section 2-11-8. - Badges.

§ 2-11-8. Badges.
Every fire chief or senior officer shall, when on duty, wear in plain sight a badge inscribed with the state seal and the words fire chief or senior officer.
History of Section.
G.L. 1956, § 2-11-8; P.L. 1970, ch. 124, § 2; P.L. 1992, ch. 133, art. 23, § 3.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-11 - Forest Fire Personnel › Section 2-11-9. - Enforcement powers of fire chiefs.

§ 2-11-9. Enforcement powers of fire chiefs.
The fire chiefs shall enforce all laws relating to forest fires, and shall not be required to give surety for costs upon any complaint made by him or her. The fire chiefs shall have the power to arrest without a warrant any person detected in the act of setting or maintaining fire unlawfully.
History of Section.
G.L. 1956, § 2-11-9; P.L. 1970, ch. 124, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-11 - Forest Fire Personnel › Section 2-11-10. - Subpoena of witnesses.

§ 2-11-10. Subpoena of witnesses.
For the purpose of investigating the causes of fire, the fire chiefs shall have the power to subpoena witnesses.
History of Section.
G.L. 1956, § 2-11-10; P.L. 1970, ch. 124, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-11 - Forest Fire Personnel › Section 2-11-11. - State appropriations.

§ 2-11-11. State appropriations.
The general assembly shall annually appropriate any sums that it may deem necessary in carrying out the provisions of this chapter and chapter 12 of this title and the state controller is authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of the sums appropriated, or so much of the sums as may be required, upon receipt by him or her of proper vouchers approved by the director of environmental management.
History of Section.
G.L. 1956, § 2-11-11; P.L. 1970, ch. 124, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-12 - Forest Fires and Prevention › Section 2-12-1. - Definitions.

§ 2-12-1. Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter:
(1)
“Authorized representative” means anyone recognized and/or appointed and/or commissioned by the director of the department of natural resources to exercise and pursue the laws, rules and regulations intended by this chapter.
(2)
“Authorized senior officer” means a member of a fire organization who is authorized by the fire chief to issue burning permits.
(3)
“Director” means the director of the department of environmental management.
(4)
“Fire chief” means the elected, appointed, designated or recognized leader and member of a fire organization.
(5)
“Flammable material” means any substance that will burn, including but not limited to, refuse, debris, waste forest material, brush, stumps, logs, rubbish, fallen timber, grass, stubble, leaves, fallow land, slash crops or crop residue.
(6)
“Forest fire” or “Wildland fire” means any fire occurring on forest land or wildland.
(7)
“Forest land” or “Wildland” means timbered land, potential timber producing land, cutover or burned timber land or grass lands not including lands devoted to agriculture.
(8)
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, association, municipality or other public body or legal entity or employee or agent of the person.
(9)
“Senior officer” means a member of a fire organization who would be next in command during the absence of the fire chief.
History of Section.
G.L. 1956, § 2-12-1; P.L. 1970, ch. 124, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-12 - Forest Fires and Prevention › Section 2-12-2. - Fire fighting equipment.

§ 2-12-2. Fire fighting equipment.
The director of environmental management may purchase any special forest fire equipment and supplies that in his or her judgment may be necessary to promptly and quickly extinguish forest fires occurring in the more heavily wooded areas of the state, and the equipment and supplies shall be located in each of the forest lookout station zones at those places and under any supervision that the director may designate. The equipment and supplies may consist of gas masks, pumps, hose, brooms, shovels, trucks and similar articles, but the equipment and supplies shall not be purchased until an appropriation is made by the general assembly.
History of Section.
G.L. 1956, § 2-12-2; P.L. 1970, ch. 124, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-12 - Forest Fires and Prevention › Section 2-12-3. - Lookout stations and appropriations.

§ 2-12-3. Lookout stations and appropriations.
(a)(1)
For the purpose of protecting the forests from fire, the director of environmental management may expend, within the amount appropriated, a sum sufficient to establish, equip and maintain lookout stations, may purchase or lease necessary land and purchase material, contract for the construction of lookout stations, employ a watcher at each station established during those periods in each year that the director may deem advisable, and shall fix the rate per hour for those services. The watchers shall at all times, during their employment, be subject to the control of the director.
(2)
The director of environmental management may cooperate in forest protection and may enter into agreements with other states, groups of states and the federal government to provide assistance and accept assistance in the control of fires which may include training of personnel. Any employee of the department of environmental management assigned to fire control duties or training programs outside this state shall be considered the same as working inside this state for the purpose of compensation and other employee benefits.
(b)
The general assembly shall annually appropriate, out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, in addition to any other moneys appropriated for this purpose, any sum as it may deem necessary to be expended under the direction of the department of environmental management for the purpose of providing for keeping open and operating the forest fire towers in this state throughout twelve (12) months of each year and the state controller is authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of that sum, or so much as may be required from time to time, upon the receipt by him or her of proper vouchers approved by the director of environmental management, provided that authority is given to the director of environmental management to utilize the services of the personnel assigned to the operation of forest fire towers for other phases of the forestry, parks and parkways program, whenever, in his or her discretion, because of certain seasonal weather conditions, forest fire towers are not required to be staffed with a full complement of personnel.
History of Section.
G.L. 1956, § 2-12-3; P.L. 1970, ch. 124, § 4; P.L. 1972, ch. 80, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-12 - Forest Fires and Prevention › Section 2-12-4. - Conferences of fire chiefs and senior officers.

§ 2-12-4. Conferences of fire chiefs and senior officers.
The director of environmental management may, from time to time, call together the city or town and district fire chiefs and senior officers of the several cities and towns at places as he or she may designate, for conference and for instruction in methods of forest fire suppression. Fire chiefs and senior officers attending those conferences or meetings for instruction may be allowed their actual expenses incurred for attending not exceeding two (2) conferences or meetings during any one calendar year and those expenses shall be paid from the appropriation provided for by § 2-11-11 upon vouchers approved by the director of environmental management.
History of Section.
G.L. 1956, § 2-12-4; P.L. 1970, ch. 124, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-12 - Forest Fires and Prevention › Section 2-12-5. - Rules and regulations.

§ 2-12-5. Rules and regulations.
The director of the department of environmental management may make any rules and regulations, not inconsistent with law, that in his or her judgment may be helpful in carrying out the provisions of this chapter and of preventing and suppressing forest fires.
History of Section.
G.L. 1956, § 2-12-5; P.L. 1970, ch. 124, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-12 - Forest Fires and Prevention › Section 2-12-6. - Restrictions on open air fires.

§ 2-12-6. Restrictions on open air fires.
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no person shall burn any flammable material on or adjacent to forest land without a written permit from the director of the department of environmental management or, his or her authorized representative, on forms prepared and under rules and regulations approved by the director, provided whoever sets or maintains a permit fire shall totally extinguish the permit fire before leaving it and the director, or his or her authorized representative, may cancel or suspend any or all permits, if, in his or her opinion, public necessity requires it. Any person doing any burning on or adjacent to forest land prior to burning operations, and at all times during the continuance of these operations, shall do that work in and around the area in which the burning is done as may be required by the director by rules and regulations promulgated under the authority granted in § 2-12-5. Whoever violates the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100) nor less than ten dollars ($10.00) or to imprisonment not exceeding thirty (30) days nor less than ten (10) days or both.
History of Section.
P.L. 1970, ch. 124, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-12 - Forest Fires and Prevention › Section 2-12-7. - Exemption of attended fires.

§ 2-12-7. Exemption of attended fires.
The provisions of § 2-12-6 do not apply to fires set or maintained in accordance with regulations approved by the director of the department of environmental management or his or her duly authorized representative, or to any act that may be done under authority given to any incorporated fire district or under the supervision of a fire chief or senior officer in which case the person requesting supervision shall pay for the actual time required for the supervision, to the city or town fire chief or senior officer, the prevailing rate per hour customarily paid to supervisory employees on construction work in the area or to burning in attended incinerators, fireplaces or rubbish burners, provided that time of burning and location of the incinerator, fireplace or rubbish burner is such that fires from any incinerator, fireplace or rubbish burner will not endanger any forest and pasture, brush, sprout, waste or cutover woodland or buildings. The provisions of § 2-12-6 shall not apply to fire chiefs and senior officers, the director of environmental management or any member of the department of environmental management authorized by him or her, when engaged in the discharge of their duties under this chapter, or to any incorporated volunteer fire company authorized in writing by the director of environmental management while engaged in prevention burning. Whoever sets or maintains any attended fire shall totally extinguish the attended fire before leaving it and failure to do so shall make the person, upon conviction, liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100) or less than ten dollars ($10.00) or to imprisonment not exceeding thirty (30) days nor less than ten (10) days or both, and further they shall be liable in a civil action for the payment to the state or fire company for the expenses incurred by the fire chief or senior officer or any other authorized forest fire official in attending or suppressing fire or fires as result from that burning.
History of Section.
G.L. 1956, § 2-12-7; P.L. 1970, ch. 124, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-12 - Forest Fires and Prevention › Section 2-12-8. - Enforcement.

§ 2-12-8. Enforcement.
The director of environmental management or any employee of the department authorized by him or her has the powers and is subject to the duties and obligations specified in chapter 7 of title 12 in dealing with any violations of the provisions of chapters 9, 10, 11, 12 and 15 of title 2.
History of Section.
G.L. 1956, § 2-12-8; P.L. 1970, ch. 124, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-12 - Forest Fires and Prevention › Section 2-12-9. - Causing of fires.

§ 2-12-9. Causing of fires.
(a)
A person shall not:
(1)
Dispose of a lighted match, cigarette, cigar, ashes or other flaming or glowing substance or any other substance or thing that is likely to ignite a forest, brush, grass or woods fire, or throw or drop from a moving vehicle any of those objects or substances;
(2)
Set a backfire or cause a backfire to be set, except under the direct supervision of an established fire control agency or unless it can be established that the setting of the backfire is necessary for the purpose of saving life or valuable property;
(3)
Destroy, break down, mutilate or remove any fire control sign or poster erected by an established fire control agency in the administration of its lawful duties and authorities;
(4)
Use or operate on or adjacent to forest land, a welding torch, tar pot, or other device which may cause a fire, without clearing flammable material surrounding the operation or without taking other precautions prescribed by the director to insure against the starting and spreading of fire;
(5)
Operate or cause to be operated any engine, other machinery or powered vehicle not equipped with spark arresters, or other suitable devices to prevent the escape of fire or sparks; or
(6)
Discharge or cause to be discharged a gun firing incendiary or tracer bullets or tracer charge on to or across any forest land.
(b)
Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100) nor less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for each offense.
History of Section.
G.L. 1956, § 2-12-9; P.L. 1970, ch. 124, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-12 - Forest Fires and Prevention › Section 2-12-10. - Fire upon land of another — Penalty — Liability for damages.

§ 2-12-10. Fire upon land of another — Penalty — Liability for damages.
(a)
Any person being upon the land of another, or upon any highway adjacent to this land, who carelessly sets or maintains, or causes to be set or maintained, fire upon the land of another, shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) nor more than two hundred dollars ($200) or by imprisonment for not less than ten (10) days nor more than thirty (30) days, or both.
(b)
Any person being upon the land of another or upon any highway adjacent to this land, who willfully sets or maintains or willfully causes to be set or maintained fire upon land of another, shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000) nor less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) or by imprisonment for not more than five (5) years nor less than thirty (30) days, or both.
(c)
Any person who carelessly suffers or permits any fire on his or her own land to extend beyond the limits of their own land, whereby the forest land or property of another are damaged shall upon conviction be punished by a fine of not more than two hundred dollars ($200) nor less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00).
(d)
Any person convicted of the provisions of this section and of § 2-12-6 is liable for all damages caused and to civil action for the payment to the state or local fire company for all expenses incurred by the fire chief or senior officer or any other authorized forest fire official in attending or suppressing the fire or fires as a result from that action.
History of Section.
G.L. 1956, § 2-12-10; P.L. 1970, ch. 124, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-12 - Forest Fires and Prevention › Section 2-12-11. - Fire fighting by fire chiefs and senior officers — Summons of assistance.

§ 2-12-11. Fire fighting by fire chiefs and senior officers — Summons of assistance.
If a fire occurs in woodland, the fire chief, and the senior officer of the district in which the fire occurs, shall immediately take any measures that may be necessary, including backfiring and plowing, to control or extinguish the fire, and shall investigate the causes of fire and report the causes to the director. Any fire chief or senior officer has the authority to summon any use of bulldozers, trucks, and other property adapted to the purpose. Any person who refuses or neglects to assist or to allow the use of the bulldozers, trucks or other property required, is liable to a fine of not more than one hundred dollars ($100). All active members of an organized fire department shall be called as a unit only, the unit coming under the authority of the officer in charge of the fire department. The fire chief or senior officer in charge of a fire shall keep an account of the time of all persons assisting him or her, and a schedule of all property used.
History of Section.
G.L. 1956, § 2-12-11; P.L. 1970, ch. 124, § 4; P.L. 1992, ch. 133, art. 23, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-12 - Forest Fires and Prevention › Section 2-12-12. - Posting of statutory provisions.

§ 2-12-12. Posting of statutory provisions.
Notices containing a statement of §§ 2-12-6, 2-12-8, 2-12-10 — 2-12-12, and § 2-12-19, furnished by the director of the department of environmental management, shall be posted in suitable places by the fire chief.
History of Section.
G.L. 1956, § 2-12-12; P.L. 1970, ch. 124, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-12 - Forest Fires and Prevention › Section 2-12-13. - Proclamation of hazardous conditions — Closing of forests.

§ 2-12-13. Proclamation of hazardous conditions — Closing of forests.
(a)
Whenever in his or her opinion an unusual forest fire hazard exists, the director of environmental management shall notify the governor, who has the authority to forbid by proclamation, any person or persons entering forests, woodlands or open lands in any parts of the state that he or she deems the public interest requires, and may by that proclamation suspend any woods operations and open season for taking fish, birds and quadrupeds. The proclamation shall be in full force and effect immediately after notice is given in the manner the governor may determine, and shall remain in force until rescinded by the governor. This does not prevent entry into forest or woodland areas by forest fire suppression agents, law enforcement agents, legal residents of those areas or persons engaged in pursuits necessary to the public health and welfare or, by any agency or person authorized by the state director of environmental management.
(b)
Any authorized representative or representatives of the director of environmental management, as well as state and local police authorities, shall enforce the provisions of the proclamation. Any person or persons violating any of the provisions of this section shall be liable to a fine of not more than fifty dollars ($50.00) or imprisonment for not more than ten (10) days.
History of Section.
G.L. 1956, § 2-12-13; P.L. 1970, ch. 124, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-12 - Forest Fires and Prevention › Section 2-12-14. - Closing of fishing and hunting seasons during drought.

§ 2-12-14. Closing of fishing and hunting seasons during drought.
Whenever during an open season for the hunting of any kind of game, or for fishing for any kind of fish, it appears to the governor that by reason of extreme drought the presence of hunters and persons fishing is likely to cause forest fires, he or she may, by proclamation, suspend the open season and make it a closed season for any time he or she may designate and may prohibit the discharge of firearms or the building of open fires on or near forest land during that time.
History of Section.
G.L. 1956, § 2-12-14; P.L. 1970, ch. 124, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-12 - Forest Fires and Prevention › Section 2-12-15. - Emergency powers of director.

§ 2-12-15. Emergency powers of director.
Whenever, in his or her opinion, an unusual forest fire hazard exists, the governor shall in writing, notify the director of environmental management, and shall likewise notify the director when in his or her opinion the hazard has ceased to exist. Between the dates of the receipt by him or her of the notices, the director has full charge of the hazard and all fire chiefs and senior officers shall obey his or her orders or those of his or her authorized representatives; and he and she and his or her authorized representatives shall have all the powers of fire chiefs and senior officers and the director of the department of environmental management may establish rates of payment for equipment used in the prevention and suppression of forest fires. Any time during this period of unusual forest fire hazard, the director may prohibit, by a written directive filed with the secretary of state and by public announcement, all open air fires and any other activity conducted in the open air that creates a forest or wildland fire hazard, in any areas of the state that he or she deems necessary to protect the health and property of the people of the state. Any person, firm or corporation who violates a directive, upon conviction, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding three hundred dollars ($300) nor less than fifty dollars ($50.00) or not exceeding ninety (90) days nor less than thirty (30) days’ imprisonment or both for each offense and each day shall be considered a separate offense.
History of Section.
G.L. 1956, § 2-12-15; P.L. 1970, ch. 124, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-12 - Forest Fires and Prevention › Section 2-12-16. - Compensation of emergency fire fighters.

§ 2-12-16. Compensation of emergency fire fighters.
Between the dates the state shall, upon vouchers approved by the director of environmental management and out of the appropriation provided for by § 2-11-11, pay fully, at the rate of the existing minimum wage per hour as set by the minimum wage law, all persons not resident of the city or town or fire district where they are employed by the director in fighting a forest fire and pay, at a rate prescribed by the director for all equipment and supplies coming from outside the city or town or fire district where they are to be used and authorized by the director in fighting forest fires but all other expenses shall be paid as provided in § 2-11-6. The expense of the authorized representatives of the director shall be paid out of the appropriation authorized by § 2-11-11.
History of Section.
G.L. 1956, § 2-12-16; P.L. 1970, ch. 124, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-12 - Forest Fires and Prevention › Section 2-12-17. - Right of fire fighters and officials to enter land.

§ 2-12-17. Right of fire fighters and officials to enter land.
No action of trespass shall lie against any person crossing or working upon the land of another to extinguish fire or to the director of environmental management or his or her representatives from crossing or working upon lands of another to investigate fire.
History of Section.
G.L. 1956, § 2-12-17; P.L. 1970, ch. 124, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-12 - Forest Fires and Prevention › Section 2-12-18. - Disposition of fines — Limitation of prosecutions.

§ 2-12-18. Disposition of fines — Limitation of prosecutions.
All fines recovered by virtue of this chapter and chapter 11 of this title shall be equally divided between the complainant and the forest fire district in which the offense was committed, and all prosecutions shall be commenced within three (3) years after the commission of the offense and not afterwards.
History of Section.
G.L. 1956, § 2-12-18; P.L. 1970, ch. 124, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-12 - Forest Fires and Prevention › Section 2-12-19. - Enforcement and prosecutions.

§ 2-12-19. Enforcement and prosecutions.
It is the duty of the director of the department of environmental management or his or her duly authorized representative to enforce the provisions of this chapter and chapter 11 of this title and to prosecute any person, firm or corporation who, in his or her opinion, is guilty of the violation of any of the provisions of this chapter and in all prosecutions the director or his or her authorized representative is not required to enter into any recognizance or to give surety for costs. It is the duty of the attorney general to conduct the prosecution brought by the director under the provisions of this chapter and chapter 11 of this title.
History of Section.
G.L. 1956, § 2-12-19; P.L. 1970, ch. 124, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-12 - Forest Fires and Prevention › Section 2-12-20. - Civil liability of dump operator.

§ 2-12-20. Civil liability of dump operator.
Every person, firm, corporation or public agency who maintains a dump on owned, rented or leased property is liable in a civil action for the payment to the state or fire company for the expenses incurred by the fire chief or senior officer, or any other authorized forest fire official, in attending or suppressing forest fire as a result of burning in that dump and shall further be liable in civil action for any damage to another’s property by fire as a result of burning in that dump.
History of Section.
G.L. 1956, § 2-12-20; P.L. 1970, ch. 124, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-12 - Forest Fires and Prevention › Section 2-12-21. - Collection of fire suppression charges.

§ 2-12-21. Collection of fire suppression charges.
(a)
In lieu of any civil action that may be brought for the payment to the state or fire company for expenses incurred by a fire chief or senior officer, or authorized forest fire official in attending and suppressing a forest fire, the director of the department of environmental management, or his or her authorized representative, or the fire company jurisdiction or fire district in which the fire occurs, may submit to and collect from the person, firm, corporation or public agency causing the fire all charges for forest fire suppression costs. In the event those charges are submitted by a fire company or fire district to collect for suppression costs to any person, firm, corporation or public agency causing the fire, no payment shall be made by the state to the fire company or fire district as provided in §§ 2-11-6, 2-12-6 and 2-12-16. Within seven (7) days after the date of the fire, any fire chief of a fire company or fire district affected shall notify the director of the department of environmental management of his or her intention to submit suppression charges to any person, firm or corporation.
(b)
All suppression charges recovered by the department of environmental management shall be turned over to the general treasurer for the use of the state and a proper record shall be made of these suppression charges recovered.
History of Section.
G.L. 1956, § 2-12-21; P.L. 1970, ch. 124, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-13 - Northeastern Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact › Section 2-13-2. - Effective date as to future ratifications.

§ 2-13-2. Effective date as to future ratifications.
When the compact is ratified by any of the states of the United States that may legally join in the compact in accordance with the constitution and laws of that state or by any of the provinces of the dominion of Canada, in accordance with the laws of Canada, then the compact becomes operative and effective as between this state and that other state or states of the United States or provinces of the dominion of Canada.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2430, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 2-13-2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-13 - Northeastern Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact › Section 2-13-3. - Filing of notices of ratification and consent.

§ 2-13-3. Filing of notices of ratification and consent.
The original notice of ratification received from the governor or other authorized official of any state or province joining in the compact shall be filed with the official copy of the compact in the office of the secretary of state of this state, and the notice, if any, as may be received from the president or the congress of the United States, signifying the consent of the congress to the compact, shall be filed in the same manner.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2430, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 2-13-3.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-13 - Northeastern Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact › Section 2-13-4. - Appointment of commissioners.

§ 2-13-4. Appointment of commissioners.
The governor shall designate and appoint three (3) members, called commissioners, of the northeastern forest fire protection commission. One of those commissioners shall always be the director of environmental management or an officer holding an equivalent position who is responsible for forest fire control, the second shall be a state legislator who is a member of the Rhode Island commission on interstate cooperation, and the third shall be a citizen of the state designated by the governor as his or her responsible representative to serve at the pleasure of the governor.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2430, § 3; P.L. 1952, ch. 2962, § 1; impl. am. P.L. 1952, ch. 2973, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 2-13-4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-13 - Northeastern Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact › Section 2-13-5. - Compensation of commissioners.

§ 2-13-5. Compensation of commissioners.
Each member of the commission shall receive his or her expenses actually and necessarily incurred by him or her in the performance of his or her duties and ten dollars ($10.00) per day as compensation, except that any member of the commission employed by the state of Rhode Island shall receive his or her regular salary in lieu of the ten dollars ($10.00) per day compensation while performing his or her duties as commissioner.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2430, § 3; P.L. 1955, ch. 3493, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 2-13-5.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-13 - Northeastern Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact › Section 2-13-6. - Powers of commission.

§ 2-13-6. Powers of commission.
There is granted to the commission and the commissioners all powers provided for in the compact and all the powers necessary or incidental to the carrying out of the compact. All officers of the state of Rhode Island are authorized and directed to do all things necessary or incidental to the carrying out of the compact and it being declared to be the policy of the state of Rhode Island to perform and carry out the compact and to accomplish the purposes of the compact and to execute a compact on behalf of the state of Rhode Island with any one or more of the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont and with any other states of the United States or provinces of the dominion of Canada as may legally join in the compact.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2430, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 2-13-6.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-13 - Northeastern Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact › Section 2-13-7. - Forest fire plan.

§ 2-13-7. Forest fire plan.
The commission shall formulate and put into effect a forest fire plan and integrate the forest fire plan with the regional plan recommended by the compact commission. The plan shall include a reasonable effort to establish and maintain any adequate forest fire fighting services that are consistent with the requirements of the state and to make available those services to other signatory states consonant with maintaining reasonably safe protection to this state at all times.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2430, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 2-13-7.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-13 - Northeastern Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact › Section 2-13-8. - Commission’s powers supplemental.

§ 2-13-8. Commission’s powers supplemental.
Any powers granted to the commission shall be regarded as in aid of and supplemental to and in no case a limitation upon any of the powers vested in the commission by other laws of the state of Rhode Island or by the laws of the states signatory to the compact or by the congress or the terms of the compact.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2430, § 5; G.L. 1956, § 2-13-8.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-13 - Northeastern Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact › Section 2-13-9. - Fiscal accounts — Annual reports and recommendations.

§ 2-13-9. Fiscal accounts — Annual reports and recommendations.
The commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements and shall report to the governor and the legislature of the state of Rhode Island on or before the 10th day of January in each year, setting forth in detail the transactions conducted by it during the twelve (12) months preceding January 1st of that year and shall make recommendations for any legislative action deemed by it advisable, including amendments to the statutes of the state of Rhode Island which may be necessary to carry out the intent and purposes of the compact between the signatory states and the provinces of the dominion of Canada.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2430, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 2-13-9.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-13 - Northeastern Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact › Section 2-13-10. - Audit of commission’s books.

§ 2-13-10. Audit of commission’s books.
The controller of the state of Rhode Island is authorized and empowered from time to time to examine the accounts and books of the commission, including its receipts, disbursements and any other items referring to its financial standing that the controller deems proper and to report the results of that examination to the director of administration.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2430, § 6; impl. am. P.L. 1951, ch. 2727, art. 1, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 2-13-10.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-14 - Tree Wardens › Section 2-14-1. - “Tree warden” defined.

§ 2-14-1. “Tree warden” defined.
Wherever in this chapter the term “tree warden” is used, it means the tree warden appointed by any town or city as provided in §§ 2-14-2 and 2-14-3.
History of Section.
P.L. 1931, ch. 1763, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 225, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 2-14-1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-14 - Tree Wardens › Section 2-14-2. - Appointment by town council or city mayor.

§ 2-14-2. Appointment by town council or city mayor.
Every town council at its regular meeting in January of each year, and the mayor of every city on or before February 1 each year, shall appoint a tree warden who is, or who within six (6) months of his or her assuming office, becomes an arborist, licensed under chapter 19 of this title, to engage in the business or practice of all phases of tree care, including, but without limiting the generality to the planting, pruning, trimming, spraying, or repairing of fruit, shade, forest and ornamental trees and shrubs.
History of Section.
P.L. 1931, ch. 1763, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 225, § 1; impl. am. P.L. 1952, ch. 2973, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 2-14-2; P.L. 1962, ch. 150, § 1; P.L. 1966, ch. 173, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 149, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 259, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 317, § 1; P.L. 2000, ch. 78, § 1; P.L. 2000, ch. 450, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-14 - Tree Wardens › Section 2-14-3. - Term of office — Vacancies.

§ 2-14-3. Term of office — Vacancies.
A tree warden whose appointment is approved by the director of environmental management holds office until the first day of March in the year following his or her appointment and until his or her successor is appointed and approved as provided in § 2-14-2. Any vacancy that may occur in the office of the tree warden of any city or town, from any cause, shall be filled by the town council of the town or by the mayor of any city, as the case may be, by the appointment of some person to serve as tree warden for the remainder of the term, and the appointment is subject to the approval of the director. If the town council of any town, or the mayor of any city, fails within sixty (60) days to appoint a tree warden as required by § 2-14-2 and this section, the director shall appoint some resident of the town or city to act as tree warden until an appointment is made by the town council or the mayor, as the case may be, and approved by the director as provided in § 2-14-2.
History of Section.
P.L. 1931, ch. 1763, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 225, § 1; impl. am. P.L. 1952, ch. 2973, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 2-14-3.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-14 - Tree Wardens › Section 2-14-4. - Deputies — Compensation of warden and deputies.

§ 2-14-4. Deputies — Compensation of warden and deputies.
A tree warden may appoint any number of deputy tree wardens that he or she deems expedient and may at any time remove them from office. The tree warden and his or her deputies shall receive any compensation for their services that the town or city council may determine.
History of Section.
P.L. 1931, ch. 1763, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 225, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 2-14-4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-14 - Tree Wardens › Section 2-14-5. - Trees under control of warden — Entry on private property.

§ 2-14-5. Trees under control of warden — Entry on private property.
The tree warden in a town or city has the care and control of all trees and shrubs, in whole or in part within the limits of any public road or grounds and within the limits of his or her town or city, except those on roads under the control of the department of transportation and those in public parks or grounds which are under the jurisdiction and control of the department of environmental management or the park commission of any town or city. The tree warden may assume the care and control of trees or shrubs in any public park if requested, in writing, by the department of environmental management or the park commission of any city or town. The care and control extends to any limbs, roots or parts of trees and shrubs that extend or overhang the limits or bounds of any public road or grounds, and the tree warden, or his or her agent, or an authorized agent of the department of transportation, or an authorized agent of the department of environmental management, or an authorized agent of the park commission of any town or city, may enter upon private property when necessary to exercise care and control.
History of Section.
P.L. 1931, ch. 1763, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 225, § 2; impl. am. P.L. 1939, ch. 660, § 100; impl. am. P.L. 1952, ch. 2973, §§ 2, 4; G.L. 1956, § 2-14-5.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-14 - Tree Wardens › Section 2-14-6. - Town or city forest areas — Supervision by department of environmental management.

§ 2-14-6. Town or city forest areas — Supervision by department of environmental management.
The tree warden has charge of and is responsible for the management of all town or city forest areas, including the setting out of trees and the care and protection of the trees, except those areas specifically exempted in § 2-14-5. When the town or city council requests the department of environmental management to give general supervision over its town or city forests, the tree warden shall follow those recommendations and cooperate closely with the department.
History of Section.
P.L. 1931, ch. 1763, § 13; G.L. 1938, ch. 225, § 13; impl. am. P.L. 1952, ch. 2973, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 2-14-6.