reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-96 - Neighborhood Crime Prevention Act › Section 42-96-5. - Periodic review of contract performance; renegotiation and termination of contract.

§ 42-96-5. Periodic review of contract performance; renegotiation and termination of contract.
The commission shall, by regulation, provide for the review, at periodic intervals, which shall as far as possible be coincidental with payment periods, of the performance of organizations under their respective contracts with the commission. Reviews shall, among other things, be for the purposes of ascertaining the quality and quantity of the organization activities performed, the conformity of the organization to contract provisions and the financial integrity and efficiency of the organization. Contracts may be terminated by the director upon a finding of substantial non-performance or other breach by the organization, and contracts shall be modified and renegotiated, from time to time, in light of the actual performance, new or changed conditions, or otherwise.
History of Section.
P.L. 1985, ch. 383, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-96 - Neighborhood Crime Prevention Act › Section 42-96-6. - Technical services and assistance to organizations.

§ 42-96-6. Technical services and assistance to organizations.
The commission shall render to organizations those technical services and assistance that it may possess or as may be available to it to enable the organizations to comply with the intent and provisions of this chapter. The commission is authorized to take all steps necessary to encourage the formation, organization, and growth of new organizations. The commission may also contract with municipal and other public agencies and with private persons, firms, and corporations for the provision of technical services and assistance which may include: preparation and submission of proposals for entering into contracts with the director by qualifying organizations; preparation and submission of reports required under the contracts or regulations issued by the director by qualifying organizations; internal organization and management of the organization; recruitment and training of personnel of the organizations; preparation of plans and projects, negotiation of agreements, and compliance with requirements of programs in which organizations may become engaged in the course of their organization activities; and other technical advice or assistance relating to the performance or rendition of organization activities.
History of Section.
P.L. 1985, ch. 383, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-96 - Neighborhood Crime Prevention Act › Section 42-96-7. - Rules and regulations to be promulgated by the commission.

§ 42-96-7. Rules and regulations to be promulgated by the commission.
The commission shall issue and promulgate rules and regulations for the administration of this chapter, which shall include provisions concerning requirements as to eligibility for contracting with the commission; the form of applications for contracts; supervision and evaluation of organizations; reporting, budgeting, and record keeping requirements; provisions for renegotiation, modification, termination, extension, and renewal of contracts; provisions for technical services and assistance to organizations and any other matters not inconsistent with the purposes and provisions of this chapter that the commission shall deem necessary, proper, or appropriate. The commission shall cooperate with all applicants for funding as set forth in this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 1985, ch. 383, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-96 - Neighborhood Crime Prevention Act › Section 42-96-8. - Federal funds.

§ 42-96-8. Federal funds.
The commission and its director are authorized to take any action that is required to meet the requirements of the federal Justice Assistance Act (enacted October 1984) for federal assistance to organizations for the purposes of this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 1985, ch. 383, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-98 - Energy Facility Siting Act › Section 42-98-1. - Legislative findings.

§ 42-98-1. Legislative findings.
(a)
The general assembly recognizes that reasonably priced, reliable sources of energy are vital to the well-being and prosperity of the people of this state; that there are major issues of public health and safety and impact upon the environment related to the technologies and energy sources used in some facilities; that some energy facilities require a major commitment of funds and resources and require many years to build that the decision to permit or deny their construction will have long term impact on the economy of the state; that these decisions will affect the availability and cost of the energy; and that the evaluation of proposals must recognize and consider the need for these facilities in relation to the overall impact of the facilities upon public health and safety, the environment and the economy of the state;
(b)
The general assembly further finds that the authority to regulate many aspects of the issues involved in the siting of major energy facilities currently exists in a variety of agencies within the government of the state and the political subdivisions of the state; that there is overlapping jurisdiction among several state agencies in the siting of energy facilities; and that there is the potential for conflicting decisions being issued by the various agencies having authority over the different aspects of the siting of a major energy facility;
(c)
The jurisdiction of each state agency should be defined, and the role of each agency in energy siting should be delineated, to eliminate overlap and duplication and to insure that expeditious decisions are made within a time frame to be determined by law; and that in addition to the existing regulation, statewide and regional planning for energy resources and the assessment of our state’s need for energy should be on-going activities within Rhode Island;
(d)
There is need for a coordinated decision on any major energy facility; the technical expertise for this evaluation is available within existing agencies involved with the siting process; and
(e)
There is a need for coordinating and expediting the review of each state agency and that the authority and responsibility to perform that function should be established.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 531, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-98 - Energy Facility Siting Act › Section 42-98-3. - Definitions.

§ 42-98-3. Definitions.
(a)
“Agency” means any agency, council, board, or commission of the state or political subdivision of the state.
(b)
“Alteration” means a significant modification to a major energy facility, which, as determined by the board, will result in a significant impact on the environment, or the public health, safety, and welfare. Conversion from one type of fuel to another shall not be considered to be an “alteration.”
(c)
“Board” for purposes of this chapter refers to the siting board.
(d)
“Major energy facility” means facilities for the extraction, production, conversion, and processing of coal; facilities for the generation of electricity designed or capable of operating at a gross capacity of forty (40) megawatts or more; transmission lines of sixty-nine (69) Kv or over; facilities for the conversion, gasification, treatment, transfer, or storage of liquefied natural and liquefied petroleum gases; facilities for the processing, enrichment, storage, or disposal of nuclear fuels or nuclear byproducts; facilities for the refining of oil, gas, or other petroleum products; facilities of ten (10) megawatts or greater capacity for the generation of electricity by water power, and facilities associated with the transfer of oil, gas, and coal via pipeline; any energy facility project of the Rhode Island economic development corporation; the board may promulgate regulations to further define “major energy facility” to the extent further definition is required to carry out the purpose of this chapter, provided that any waste to energy facility shall not be deemed a major energy facility for the purposes of this chapter.
(e)
“Clean coal technology” means one of the technologies developed in the clean coal technology program of the United States Department of Energy, and shown to produce emissions levels substantially equal to those of natural gas fired power plants.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 531, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 321, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 439, § 2; P.L. 2001, ch. 145, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-98 - Energy Facility Siting Act › Section 42-98-4. - License required.

§ 42-98-4. License required.
No person shall site, construct, or alter a major energy facility within the state without first obtaining a license from the siting board pursuant to this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 531, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-98 - Energy Facility Siting Act › Section 42-98-5. - Board established.

§ 42-98-5. Board established.
(a)
There is established the siting board which shall be a part of state government. The siting board shall consist of three (3) members, as follows: the chairperson of the public utilities commission, who shall serve as chairperson of the siting board; the director of the department of environmental management; and the associate director of administration for planning. Any member of the board who recuses him or herself shall designate his or her own successor from his or her respective agency.
(b)
Each member of the board shall take an oath to administer the duties of office faithfully and impartially and that oath shall be filed in the office of the secretary of state.
(c)
The members of the board shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for their actual expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties. The board may engage any consultants or expert witnesses that it deems necessary to implement its statutory responsibilities; provided, however, that to the maximum extent possible, board staff be drawn from existing state agencies. The board shall select a coordinator to be responsible for the publication and distribution of all official minutes, reports, and documents and to further serve as director of the board staff, which shall be located at the division of public utilities and common carriers. The coordinator, under the direction of the chairperson, shall coordinate and expedite the work of the various agencies to ensure that decisions are made within the time frame established by this chapter.
(d)
A quorum shall consist of a majority of the board. A majority vote of the board shall be required for all actions, including licensing decisions; provided, however, one member of the board may conduct any hearings the board is authorized to conduct pursuant to this chapter.
(e)
The board shall maintain and grant free access to records and reports in its files to members of the public during normal working hours and shall permit copies of those records and reports to be made by interested members of the public at their expense; provided, however, that the board shall not permit disclosure, other than to another government agency for the sole purpose of rendering an advisory opinion, of any information obtained by or submitted to the board pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, upon a showing, satisfactory to the board, that the information is entitled to protection as trade secrets or as privileged, confidential, or proprietary information. No other governmental agency shall disclose any trade secrets or privileged, confidential, or proprietary information.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 531, § 1; P.L. 1988, ch. 39, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 309, § 5; P.L. 1992, ch. 457, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-98 - Energy Facility Siting Act › Section 42-98-6. - Holding over in office.

§ 42-98-6. Holding over in office.
When the term of office of a member of the siting board expires or otherwise terminates, and that person has participated in hearing all or a substantial part of the evidence in a proceeding before the board, that person shall remain a member of the siting board for the sole purpose of completing the hearing and deciding the matter pending and signing the findings, orders, and judgments in the proceeding. For these services, the person shall be paid necessary expenses as fixed by the siting board as composed following the expiration of that person’s term of office. For this purpose, a proceeding shall be deemed completed when the siting board enters its final decision therein regardless of whether that decision is or may be appealed to the supreme court and the case remanded to the siting board for further proceedings.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 531, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-98 - Energy Facility Siting Act › Section 42-98-7. - Powers and duties.

§ 42-98-7. Powers and duties.
(a)(1)
The siting board is the licensing and permitting authority for all licenses, permits, assents, or variances which, under any statute of the state or ordinance of any political subdivision of the state, would be required for siting, construction or alteration of a major energy facility in the state.
(2)
Any agency, board, council, or commission of the state or political subdivision of the state which, absent this chapter, would be required to issue a permit, license, assent, or variance in order for the siting, construction, or alteration of a major energy facility to proceed, shall sit and function at the direction of the siting board. These agencies shall follow the procedures established by statute, ordinance, and/or regulation provided for determining the permit, license, assent, or variance, but, instead of issuing the permit, license, assent, or variance, shall forward its findings from the proceeding, together with the record supporting the findings and a recommendation for final action, to the siting board.
(3)
Notwithstanding any provision in this chapter to the contrary, in those instances in which the department of environmental management exercises a permitting or licensing function under the delegated authority of federal law, including, but not limited to, the Federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq.), the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq.), and those state laws and regulations which implement those federal laws, the department of environmental management shall be the licensing and permitting authority. Moreover, the authority to issue licenses and permits delegated to the department of environmental management pursuant to chapter 1 of title 2 and to the coastal resources management council pursuant to chapter 23 of title 46, shall remain with those agencies, but in all other respects the department of environmental management and the coastal resources management council shall follow the procedures set forth in this chapter.
(b)
The siting board is authorized and empowered to summon and examine witnesses and to compel the production and examination of papers, books, accounts, documents, records, certificates, and other legal evidence that may be necessary for the determination of its jurisdiction and decision of any question before, or the discharge of any duty required by law of, the board.
(c)
The siting board is empowered to issue any orders, rules, or regulations as may be required to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.
(d)
The siting board shall, by regulation, determine the standards for intervention.
(e)
The siting board’s proceedings shall in all respects comply with the requirements of the Administrative Procedures Act, chapter 35 of this title, except where otherwise explicitly provided.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 531, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 454, § 1; P.L. 1993, ch. 422, § 15; P.L. 1994, ch. 14, § 15.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-98 - Energy Facility Siting Act › Section 42-98-9. - Applications — Procedures for review — Preliminary hearing.

§ 42-98-9. Applications — Procedures for review — Preliminary hearing.
(a)
Within sixty (60) days following the board’s docketing of an application the board shall, on not less than forty-five (45) days’ notice to all agencies, subdivisions of the state, and the public, convene a preliminary hearing on the application to determine the issues to be considered by the board in evaluating the application, and to designate those agencies of state government and of political subdivisions of the state which shall act at the direction of the board for the purpose of rendering advisory opinions on these issues, and to determine petitions for intervention.
(b)
The board shall consider as issues in every proceeding the ability of the proposed facility to meet the requirements of the laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances under which, absent this chapter, the applicant would be required to obtain a permit, license, variance, or assent. The agency of state government or of a political subdivision of the state which, absent this chapter, would have statutory authority to grant or deny the permit, license, variance, or assent, shall function at the direction of the board for hearing the issue and rendering an advisory opinion thereon.
(c)
The board shall limit the scope of any agency’s investigation where it finds that more than one agency has jurisdiction over a matter at issue in the licensing process. In these instances, the board shall determine which agency shall make the necessary findings on the issue after giving proper consideration to the expertise and resources available to each of the agencies involved.
(d)
The public utilities commission shall conduct an investigation in which the division of planning of the department of administration, the governor’s office of energy assistance and the division of public utilities and carriers shall participate and render an advisory opinion as to the need for the proposed facility.
(e)
The statewide planning program within the department of administration shall conduct an investigation and render an advisory opinion as to the socio-economic impact of the proposed facility and its construction and consistency with the state guide plan.
(f)
A decision of the board under this section shall be issued within thirty (30) days following the conclusion of the preliminary hearing and in any event within forty-five (45) days of the commencement of the hearing.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 531, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 309, § 5.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-98 - Energy Facility Siting Act › Section 42-98-9.1. - Public notice and hearings on construction projects in cities and towns affected.

§ 42-98-9.1. Public notice and hearings on construction projects in cities and towns affected.
(a)
Upon receiving a utility company application the board shall immediately notify, in writing, the councils of the towns and cities affected by the construction.
(b)
The board shall have at least one public hearing in each town or city affected prior to holding its own hearings and prior to taking final action on the application. All details of acceptance for filing in § 42-98-8(a)(1) — (a)(6) shall be presented at town or city hearings for public comment. When the subject of the application is a facility for the generation of electricity, or new facilities for the transmission of electricity, the town or city where the proposed facility would be located may request funding from the applicant to perform studies of the local environmental effects of the proposed facility. The expense of those studies shall not exceed the lesser of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) or one-tenth percent (.1%) of the estimated capital cost of the proposed facility located in such city or town. If the applicant contests the relevance of the requested study, or believes it to be redundant with studies already performed, the applicant may request a ruling from the board whether the study is necessary and reasonably expected to produce relevant information. The board’s ruling shall be conclusive and final, and shall not be the basis for an interlocutory appeal, injunction or otherwise delay the board’s processing of the application.
(c)
The applicant shall notify the citizens in towns and cities affected thirty (30) days prior to public meetings through local papers.
(d)
The applicant shall notify abutting land owners individually, in writing, thirty (30) days prior to the hearings, by certified mail, postage prepaid.
(e)
Public input shall be a part of the decision making process.
History of Section.
P.L. 1992, ch. 439, § 3; P.L. 1996, ch. 316, § 2; P.L. 2006, ch. 575, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 592, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 391, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-98 - Energy Facility Siting Act › Section 42-98-10. - Agency procedures — Advisory opinion.

§ 42-98-10. Agency procedures — Advisory opinion.
(a)
Each agency of the state or political subdivision of the state designated under § 42-98-9 shall proceed to consider the issue or issues consigned to it for review. Each agency shall conclude its consideration and issue its advisory opinion not more than six (6) months following its designation under § 42-98-9, or any lesser time that the board may require, or the right to exercise the function shall be forfeited to the board.
(b)
Advisory opinions issued by agencies designated under § 42-98-9 shall not be considered as final decisions of the agencies making the opinions, and shall not be subject to judicial review under § 42-35-15, or any other provision of the general laws.
(c)
Advisory opinions issued by zoning boards of review, building inspectors, or any other agency of a municipality designated under § 42-98-9 shall not be reviewable by the public utilities commission under § 39-1-30.
(d)
Failure or refusal of the applicant to provide requested information may be considered as grounds for recommending denial.
(e)
At the request of the siting board, the director of environmental management and the coastal resources management council shall give priority to the review of permits for energy facilities.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 531, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-98 - Energy Facility Siting Act › Section 42-98-12. - Appeals and judicial review.

§ 42-98-12. Appeals and judicial review.
(a)
The licensing decision issued by the siting board shall constitute the sole, final, binding, and determinative regulatory decision within the state for the purposes of siting, building, operating, or altering a major energy facility.
(b)
Any person aggrieved by a decision of the board may within ten (10) days from the date of ratification of the decision, obtain judicial review of the decision in the manner and according to the standards and procedures provided in chapter 5 of title 39.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 531, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-98 - Energy Facility Siting Act › Section 42-98-13. - Access to premises.

§ 42-98-13. Access to premises.
(a)
Members of the siting board, or agents of the board, while engaged in the performance of their duties, may at all reasonable times enter any premises, buildings, or other places belonging to, or controlled by, an applicant for a license under this chapter, and inspect the premises or any part of the premises. Reasonable notice of the inspection shall be given to the owner of the facility and a representative of the owner shall accompany the members of the board or its agent at all times during any inspection.
(b)
Any person obstructing, hindering, or in any way, causing to be obstructed or hindered, any board member or agent of the board, in the performance of his or her duties, or who shall refuse to permit any board member or agent of the board entrance into any premises, buildings, or other places belonging to, or controlled by an applicant, in the performance of his or her duties, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and fined not more than five hundred dollars ($500).
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 531, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-98 - Energy Facility Siting Act › Section 42-98-14. - Discovery.

§ 42-98-14. Discovery.
The filing of an application under this chapter constitutes consent by the applicant(s) and its (their) affiliates to the jurisdiction of this state for the purposes of discovery relevant to the application.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 531, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-98 - Energy Facility Siting Act › Section 42-98-15. - Exemption.

§ 42-98-15. Exemption.
The exercise of the powers granted by this chapter or the provisions thereof shall not apply to chapter 19 of title 23, and shall not apply to any matter over which any agency, department, or instrumentality of the federal government has exclusive jurisdiction or has jurisdiction concurrent with that of the state and has exercised that jurisdiction to the exclusion of regulation of the matter by the state.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 531, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-98 - Energy Facility Siting Act › Section 42-98-16. - Violations.

§ 42-98-16. Violations.
(a)
Failure to comply with any promulgated board rule, regulation, requirement or procedure for the licensing of energy facilities shall constitute grounds for suspension or dismissal, with or without prejudice in its discretion, of licensing proceedings, provided that the applicant shall have a reasonable opportunity to show cause for and remedy the lack of compliance.
(b)
Failure to comply with any provision, condition or limitation contained in a board license to site, build, or alter a major energy facility and/or failure to comply with a board cease and desist order and/or a board order to remedy a non-complying action shall be grounds for suspension or revocation of the license, and/or shall be punishable by a fine of not more than twenty thousand dollars ($20,000). Each day of continuing noncompliance shall be considered a separate violation and so punished.
(c)
The board may require the licensee to maintain those records as are reasonable and necessary to monitor compliance with license provisions, and shall have the authority to enter onto the property of licensees to investigate complaints of noncompliance and to perform routine inspections.
(d)
The board may designate officials or staff of any state agencies as its agents for the purposes of investigating complaints, performing routine maintenance functions and issuing written cease and desist orders.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 531, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 133, art. 44, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-98 - Energy Facility Siting Act › Section 42-98-18. - Liberal construction — Severability.

§ 42-98-18. Liberal construction — Severability.
The provisions of this chapter shall be construed liberally to effectuate its purposes. If any provision of this chapter or of any rule, regulation, or determination made under this chapter, or the application of this chapter to any person, agency, or circumstances, is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of the chapter, rule, regulation, or determination and the application of the provisions to other persons, agencies or circumstances shall not be affected by the invalidity. The invalidity of any section or sections or parts of any section or sections of this chapter shall not affect the validity of the remainder of the chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 531, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-98 - Energy Facility Siting Act › Section 42-98-19. - Applicability.

§ 42-98-19. Applicability.
(a)
This chapter shall take effect upon its passage and shall operate prospectively and shall not apply to any electric cogeneration energy facility capable of operating at a gross capacity of more than forty (40) megawatts but less than eighty (80) megawatts which, prior to May 30, 1990, has applied to the department of environmental management for an air quality permit or approval; provided, however, that, notwithstanding that application, this chapter shall apply to any facility capable, at any time, of operating at a gross capacity of eighty (80) megawatts or more.
(b)
The complete plans submitted pursuant to § 42-98-8 shall be the basis for determining jurisdiction under this section.
History of Section.
P.L. 1990, ch. 321, § 2; P.L. 1994, ch. 202, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 216, § 49.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-98 - Energy Facility Siting Act › Section 42-98-20. - Informational filings.

§ 42-98-20. Informational filings.
(a)
To assist the board in achieving the policy objectives set forth in § 42-98-2, the owners of any proposed energy facility, whether or not the facility qualified as a major energy facility, shall make an informational filing with the board at the time of first application to any other agency, board, council, or commission of the state or political subdivision of the state required to issue a permit, license, assent, or variance in order for the siting, construction, or alteration of the facility to proceed.
(b)
The informational filing shall contain at least the following:
(1)
Identification of the proposed owner(s) of the facility, including identification of all affiliates of the proposed owners, as the term is defined in § 39-3-27.
(2)
Detailed description of the proposed facility, including its function and operating characteristics, and complete plans as to all structures, including underground construction and transmission facilities, underground or aerial, associated with the proposed facility.
History of Section.
P.L. 1992, ch. 455, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-99 - Convention Center Authority Act › Section 42-99-2. - Legislative findings.

§ 42-99-2. Legislative findings.
It is hereby found that:
(1)
There is a serious shortage of suitable facilities for conventions and related exhibition, meeting, banquet, and other facilities customarily incident thereto, in the state;
(2)
Private enterprise alone is not able to provide the necessary facilities;
(3)
The public welfare and the further economic development and the prosperity of the state requires the establishment of these facilities and the financing thereof, as provided in this chapter; and
(4)
The facilities will be managed and operated with the greatest public benefit and at the least public cost if provision is made for leases, concessions, and other contracts with persons, firms, and corporations, as provided in this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 1987, ch. 455, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-99 - Convention Center Authority Act › Section 42-99-3. - Definitions.

§ 42-99-3. Definitions.
The following words and terms shall have the following respective meanings, unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
(1)
“Chief municipal officer” means:
(i)
If the municipality is a city, its mayor, or
(ii)
If the municipality is a town, the president of its town council.
(2)
“Convention center” means a facility used to house conventions, trade shows, exhibitions, displays, meetings, banquets, and other events, as well as facilities related thereto such as parking lots and garages, a civic center, connection walkways, hotels, and office buildings (including any retail facilities which are incidental to and located within any of the foregoing); provided, however, that any office building which is not a part of, or physically connected to, a hotel may not be financed by the issuance of bonds of the corporation.
(3)
“Corporation” means the corporation established by this act.
(4)
“Governor” means the governor of the state.
(5)
“Municipality” means the city or town within which the convention center and other facilities constructed, managed, or operated by the corporation is located.
(6)
“Project” means the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, improvement, development of, or any expenditure with respect to, any real or personal property for the corporation’s purposes.
(7)
“State” means the state of Rhode Island.
History of Section.
P.L. 1987, ch. 455, § 3; P.L. 1991, ch. 37, § 1; P.L. 2005, ch. 375, § 1; P.L. 2005, ch. 436, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-99 - Convention Center Authority Act › Section 42-99-5. - Transactions with the corporation.

§ 42-99-5. Transactions with the corporation.
Any municipality is authorized from time to time to sell or otherwise convey to the corporation any property held by the municipality and to lease from the corporation, or contract with the corporation with respect to any facilities, or any interest therein, held by the corporation under this chapter. The provisions of any other laws or ordinances, general, special or local, or of any rule or regulation of the state or the municipality, or of any municipal charter provision, restricting or regulating in any manner the power of the state or the municipality to lease (as lessee or lessor) or sell or convey property, real, personal, or mixed, shall not apply to leases and sales made pursuant to the authority conferred by this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 1987, ch. 455, § 5.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-99 - Convention Center Authority Act › Section 42-99-8. - Limitation of liability.

§ 42-99-8. Limitation of liability.
In any tort action against the corporation, any damages recovered therein shall not exceed the sum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000).
History of Section.
P.L. 1987, ch. 455, § 8.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-99 - Convention Center Authority Act › Section 42-99-11. - Trust funds.

§ 42-99-11. Trust funds.
All moneys received pursuant to the authority of this chapter, whether as proceeds from the sale of bonds or notes or as revenues, receipts, or income, shall be deemed to be trust funds to be held and applied solely as provided in the proceedings under which the bonds or notes are authorized. Any officer with whom, or any bank or trust company with which the moneys shall be deposited as trustee thereof, shall hold and apply the moneys for the purposes thereof, subject to any provisions as this chapter and the proceedings authorizing the bonds or notes of any issue or the trust agreement securing the bonds or notes may provide.
History of Section.
P.L. 1987, ch. 455, § 11.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-99 - Convention Center Authority Act › Section 42-99-12. - Pledge of the state.

§ 42-99-12. Pledge of the state.
The state does pledge to and agree with the holders of any notes or bonds issued by the corporation under this chapter that the state will not limit or alter the rights vested in the corporation to fulfill the terms of any agreements made with the holders thereof or in any way impair the rights and remedies of the holders until the notes and bonds, together with the interest thereon, with interest on any unpaid installments of interest, and all costs and expenses in connection with any action or proceeding by or on behalf of the holders, are fully met and discharged. The corporation is authorized to include this pledge and agreement with the holders of the notes or bonds.
History of Section.
P.L. 1987, ch. 455, § 12.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-99 - Convention Center Authority Act › Section 42-99-13. - Credit of state or municipality not pledged.

§ 42-99-13. Credit of state or municipality not pledged.
Obligations issued under the provisions of this chapter shall not be deemed to constitute a debt or liability or obligation of the state or of any political subdivision of the state, including the municipality, or a pledge of the faith and credit of the state or of any political subdivision, including the municipality, but shall be payable solely from the revenues or assets of the corporation. Each obligation issued under this chapter shall contain on the face of the obligation a statement to the effect that the corporation shall not be obligated to pay the obligation nor the interest on the obligation except from the revenues or assets pledged therefor and that neither the faith and credit nor the taxing power of the state or of any political subdivision of the obligation, including the municipality, is pledged to the payment of the principal of or the interest on the obligation.
History of Section.
P.L. 1987, ch. 455, § 13.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-99 - Convention Center Authority Act › Section 42-99-14. - Notes and bonds as legal investments.

§ 42-99-14. Notes and bonds as legal investments.
The notes and bonds of the corporation shall be legal investments in which all public officers and public bodies of this state, its political subdivisions, all municipalities and municipal subdivisions, all insurance companies and associations, and other persons carrying on an insurance business, all banks, bankers, banking institutions including savings and loan associations, building and loan associations, trust companies, savings banks and savings associations, investment companies and other persons carrying on a banking business, all administrators, guardians, executors, trustees and other fiduciaries, and all other persons whatsoever who are now or may hereafter be authorized to invest in bonds or in other obligations of the municipality or state, may properly and legally invest funds, including capital, in their control or belonging to them. The notes and bonds are also made securities which may properly and legally be deposited with and received by all public officers and bodies of the state or any agency or political subdivision of the state and all municipalities and public corporations for any purpose for which the deposit of bonds or other obligations of the state or municipality is now or may hereafter be authorized by law.
History of Section.
P.L. 1987, ch. 455, § 14.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-99 - Convention Center Authority Act › Section 42-99-15. - Dissolution.

§ 42-99-15. Dissolution.
(a)
Whenever the board of commissioners of the corporation shall by resolution determine that the purposes for which the corporation was formed have been substantially fulfilled and all bonds issued prior to this time by the corporation have been fully paid or adequate provision has been made for their payment, the board of commissioners shall file a written statement in the office of the secretary of state for their payment, which statement shall set forth:
(1)
That the board of commissioners of the corporation has, prior to this time, adopted a resolution to dissolve the corporation and that the resolution received the vote of the majority of the commissioners in office;
(2)
That all debts, obligations, and liabilities of the corporation have been paid and discharged or that adequate provision has been made for their payment;
(3)
That there are no suits pending against the corporation in any court, or that adequate provision has been made for the satisfaction of any judgment, order, or decree which may be entered against it in any pending suit.
(b)
Upon the filing of a written statement as required in this section, the existence of the corporation shall cease and title to all funds and properties owned by the corporation at that time of dissolution shall vest in and become the property of the state. Any filing required to be made with the secretary of state pursuant to this section may be made without the payment of a filing fee.
History of Section.
P.L. 1987, ch. 455, § 15; P.L. 1991, ch. 37, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-99 - Convention Center Authority Act › Section 42-99-16. - Tax exemption.

§ 42-99-16. Tax exemption.
(a)
Any bonds, notes or other obligations issued by the corporation under the provisions of this chapter, their transfer, and the income therefrom (including any profits made on the sale thereof), shall at all times be free from taxation by the state or any political subdivision or other instrumentality of the state, excepting estate taxes.
(b)
The exercise of the powers granted by this chapter will be in all respects for the benefit of the people of this state, the increase of their commerce, welfare, and prosperity and for the improvement of their health and living conditions and will constitute the performance of an essential governmental function, and the corporation shall not be required to pay any real and personal property taxes or assessments upon or in respect of the convention center, civic center, and public garage portion of the project, levied by the municipality or any other political subdivision of the state; provided, that the corporation shall make payments in lieu of real and personal property taxes and assessments to the municipality and any other political subdivisions with respect to the hotel, and office building portion of the project owned by the corporation and located in the municipality and any other political subdivisions during the times that the corporation derives revenue from the lease or operation of the hotel, and office building portion of the project. Those payments in lieu of taxes shall be in amounts agreed upon by the corporation and the municipality and any other political subdivisions. Failing that agreement, the amounts of those payments in lieu of taxes shall be determined by the corporation using a formula that shall reasonably ensure that those amounts approximate the average amount of real and personal property taxes due throughout the municipality or political subdivision with respect to facilities of a similar nature and size. In addition, the corporation shall not be required to pay any payments to the municipality and any other political subdivisions in the manner of a public safety payment for such services rendered to the corporation by the municipality and such subdivisions to the civic center; provided, nothing herein shall preclude the municipality and any other political subdivision from charging for contracted public safety services for events at the civic center.
History of Section.
P.L. 1987, ch. 455, § 16; P.L. 1991, ch. 37, § 1; P.L. 2005, ch. 375, § 1; P.L. 2005, ch. 436, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-99 - Convention Center Authority Act › Section 42-99-17. - Applicability of other laws.

§ 42-99-17. Applicability of other laws.
The corporation shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 2 of title 38 (“Access to Public Records”) and chapter 46 of this title (“Open Meetings”) and, in addition, the commissioners shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 14 of title 36 (“Code of Ethics”).
History of Section.
P.L. 1987, ch. 455, § 17; P.L. 1988, ch. 84, § 33.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-99 - Convention Center Authority Act › Section 42-99-18. - Minority business enterprise participation.

§ 42-99-18. Minority business enterprise participation.
(a)
The corporation shall carry out and comply with the policy of the state to support the fullest possible participation of firms owned and controlled by minorities and women (MBE) in all of its programs, contracts and purchase of goods and services in accordance with state law (chapter 14.1 of title 37 and “regulations governing participation by minority business enterprises in state funded and directed public construction projects, construction contracts and procurement contracts for goods and services”).
(b)
Further, the authority shall adopt and make a good faith effort to implement minimum utilization goals of twenty percent (20%) for MBE’s to function as retail vendors, concession owner/operators, and contractors within the completed convention center and its affiliated entities.
History of Section.
P.L. 1991, ch. 37, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-99 - Convention Center Authority Act › Section 42-99-19. - Affirmative employment opportunities.

§ 42-99-19. Affirmative employment opportunities.
The authority shall adopt workforce employment goals for the operation of the convention center and its affiliated entities, which considers the racial composition of the city of Providence as determined by the most recent national census data.
History of Section.
P.L. 1991, ch. 37, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 42-99-21.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-99 - Convention Center Authority Act › Section 42-99-20. - Purchases.

§ 42-99-20. Purchases.
The corporation shall be considered a public agency and subject to the provisions of chapter 2 of title 37 entitled: “State Purchases” to the extent that those provisions are not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 1993, ch. 203, § 2; P.L. 1993, ch. 431, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 42-99-22.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-99 - Convention Center Authority Act › Section 42-99-21. - Liberal construction.

§ 42-99-21. Liberal construction.
Neither this chapter nor anything contained in this chapter is or shall be construed as a restriction or limitation upon any powers, which the corporation might otherwise have under any laws of this state, and this chapter is cumulative to any powers. This chapter does and shall be construed to provide a complete, additional, and alternative method of doing things authorized by this chapter and shall be regarded as supplemental and additional to powers conferred by other laws. However, the issuance of bonds, notes, and other obligations of the corporations under the provisions of this chapter need not comply with the requirements of any other state law applicable to the issuance of bonds, notes, and other obligations and contracts for the acquisition of land and improvements on the land and for the construction of buildings and other improvements undertaken pursuant to this act need not comply with the provisions of any other state law applicable to contracts for the construction and acquisition of city or state owned property. No proceedings, notice, or approval shall be required for the issuance of any bonds, notes and other obligations or any instrument as security therefor, except as is provided in this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 1987, ch. 455, § 18; P.L. 1991, ch. 37, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 42-99-19.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-99 - Convention Center Authority Act › Section 42-99-22. - Severability.

§ 42-99-22. Severability.
The provisions of this chapter are severable, and if any of its provisions shall be held unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, the decision of the court shall not affect or impair any of the remaining provisions.
History of Section.
P.L. 1987, ch. 455, § 19; P.L. 1991, ch. 37, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 42-99-20.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-100 - State Poet › Section 42-100-1. - State poet.

§ 42-100-1. State poet.
The governor shall appoint a “state poet” to serve for a term of five (5) years at an annual salary of one thousand dollars ($1,000), and shall issue to the appointee a certificate upon which is designated the name of the appointee, the words, “state poet,” and the term of office set forth from beginning to ending month and year of service.
History of Section.
P.L. 1987, ch. 91, § 1.