reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-13 - Registered Public Obligations › Section 35-13-11. - Public records — Locations.

§ 35-13-11. Public records — Locations.
(a)
Records, with regard to the ownership of or security interests in registered public obligations, are not subject to inspection or copying under any law of this state relating to the right of the public to inspect or copy public records, notwithstanding any law to the contrary.
(b)
Registration records of the issuer may be maintained at such locations within or without this state as the issuer shall determine.
History of Section.
P.L. 1983, ch. 267, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-13 - Registered Public Obligations › Section 35-13-12. - Applicability of chapter.

§ 35-13-12. Applicability of chapter.
(a)
Unless at any time prior to or at original issuance of a registered public obligation the official or official body of the issuer determines otherwise, this chapter shall be applicable to that registered public obligation notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary. When this chapter is applicable, no contrary provision shall apply.
(b)
Nothing in this chapter limits or prevents the issuance of obligations in any other form or manner authorized by law.
(c)
Unless determined otherwise pursuant to subsection (a), the provisions of this chapter shall be applicable with respect to obligations which have, prior to May 18, 1983, been approved by vote, referendum, or hearing, authorizing or permitting the authorization of obligations in bearer and registered form, or in bearer form only, and these obligations need not be resubmitted for a further vote, referendum, or hearing, for the purpose of authorizing or permitting the authorization of registered public obligations pursuant to this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 1983, ch. 267, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-13 - Registered Public Obligations › Section 35-13-13. - Construction.

§ 35-13-13. Construction.
This chapter shall be construed in conjunction with the Uniform Commercial Code, title 6A, and the principles of contract law relative to the registration and transfer of obligations.
History of Section.
P.L. 1983, ch. 267, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-13 - Registered Public Obligations › Section 35-13-14. - Amendment or repeal.

§ 35-13-14. Amendment or repeal.
The state hereby covenants with the owners of any registered public obligations that it will not amend or repeal this chapter if the effect may be to impair the exemption from income taxation of interest on registered public obligations.
History of Section.
P.L. 1983, ch. 267, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-13 - Registered Public Obligations › Section 35-13-15. - Severability.

§ 35-13-15. Severability.
If any provision or the application of any provision of this chapter shall be invalid, this shall not affect the validity of other provisions or other applications, it hereby being declared that the provisions or the applications of this chapter are separable and this chapter would have been enacted with the invalid provision omitted or without the invalid application in any event.
History of Section.
P.L. 1983, ch. 267, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-14 - Financial Integrity and Accountability › Section 35-14-1. - Short title.

§ 35-14-1. Short title.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Financial Integrity and Accountability Act of 1986.”
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 287, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-14 - Financial Integrity and Accountability › Section 35-14-2. - Policy.

§ 35-14-2. Policy.
(a)
The legislature hereby finds that:
(1)
Fraud and errors in state programs are more likely to occur from a lack of sufficient internal control structures at state agencies;
(2)
Effective internal control structures provide the basic foundation upon which public accountability must be built;
(3)
An entity’s system of internal control structures consists of policies and procedures designed to provide management with reasonable assurance that the agency achieves its objectives and goals including:
(i)
Reliability of financial reporting;
(ii)
Compliance with applicable laws and regulations; and
(iii)
Effectiveness and efficiency of operations.
(4)
Internal control structures are necessarily dynamic and must be continuously evaluated and, where necessary, improved; and
(5)
Reports addressing the adequacy of the internal control structure of each state agency are necessary to enable the executive branch, the legislature, and the public to evaluate the agency’s performance of its public responsibilities and accountability.
(b)
The legislature declares that:
(1)
The management of each state agency is responsible for establishing and maintaining an adequate internal control structure and policies and procedures for financial reporting;
(2)
Each state agency shall perform an assessment and produce a report on the effectiveness of the internal control structure and procedures for financial reporting and, when detected, weaknesses must be promptly corrected; and
(3)
All levels of management of the state agencies must be involved in assessing and strengthening the systems of internal control structures to minimize fraud, errors, abuse, and waste of government funds.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 287, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 165, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 196, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-14 - Financial Integrity and Accountability › Section 35-14-3. - Agency responsibilities.

§ 35-14-3. Agency responsibilities.
State agency heads are responsible for the establishment and maintenance of a system or systems of internal accounting and administrative control within their agencies. This responsibility includes:
(1)
Documenting the system;
(2)
Communicating system requirements to employees; and
(3)
Assuring that the system is functioning as prescribed and is modified, as appropriate, for changes in conditions.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 287, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-14 - Financial Integrity and Accountability › Section 35-14-4. - Internal accounting controls.

§ 35-14-4. Internal accounting controls.
(a)
Internal accounting and administrative controls are the methods through which reasonable assurances can be given that measures adopted by state agency heads to safeguard assets, check the accuracy and reliability of accounting data, promote operational efficiency, and encourage adherence to prescribed managerial policies are being followed. The elements of a satisfactory system of internal accounting and administrative control shall include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1)
A plan of organization that provides segregation of duties appropriate for proper safeguarding of state agency assets;
(2)
A plan that limits access to state agency assets to authorized personnel who require these assets in the performance of their assigned duties;
(3)
A system of authorization and recordkeeping procedures adequate to provide effective accounting control over assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenditures;
(4)
An established system of practices to be followed in performance of duties and functions in each of the state agencies;
(5)
Personnel of a quality commensurate with their responsibilities; and
(6)
An effective system of internal review.
(b)
State agency heads shall follow these standards of internal accounting and administrative control in carrying out the requirements of this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 287, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-14 - Financial Integrity and Accountability › Section 35-14-5. - Definitions.

§ 35-14-5. Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1)
“Controller” means the state controller.
(2)
“Director” means the director of administration.
(3)
“Governor” means the governor of Rhode Island.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 287, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-14 - Financial Integrity and Accountability › Section 35-14-6. - Annual report.

§ 35-14-6. Annual report.
(a)
To ensure that the requirements of this chapter are fully complied with, the head of each agency shall prepare and submit a report on the adequacy of the agency’s systems of internal accounting and administrative control by December 31 of each year.
(b)
The report, including the state agency’s response to report recommendations, shall be signed by the head of the agency and addressed to the governor. Copies of the reports shall be forwarded to the legislature, the auditor general, and the director. Copies of these reports shall also be forwarded to the state library, where they shall be available for public inspection.
(c)
By January 1, 1987, the director, in consultation with the auditor general and the controller, shall establish a system of reporting and a general framework to guide the agencies in performing evaluations on their systems of internal accounting and administrative control. The director, in consultation with the auditor general and the controller, may modify the format for the report or the framework for conducting the evaluations from time to time as deemed necessary.
(d)
Any material inadequacy or material weakness in an agency’s systems of internal accounting and administrative control which prevents the head of the agency from stating that the agency’s systems of internal accounting and administrative control provided reasonable assurances that each of the objectives specified in § 35-14-4 was achieved shall be identified and the plans and schedule for correcting the inadequacy described in detail.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 287, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-15 - Savings Bond Program › Section 35-15-1. - Legislative findings.

§ 35-15-1. Legislative findings.
It is declared that, for the benefit of the people of the state, the conduct and increase of their commerce, the protection and enhancement of their welfare, the development of continued prosperity, and the improvement of their health and living conditions, it is essential that this and future generations be given the fullest opportunity to learn and to develop their intellectual skills and be given the fullest access to affordable housing. In order to achieve these ends it is important that Rhode Island citizens be provided with an investment opportunity to enhance their financial access to institutions of higher education and access to housing within this state. It is the intent of the general assembly to provide the people of the state with an alternative method of saving for the purpose of encouraging enrollment in institutions of higher education and for the purpose of encouraging the purchase of residential dwellings within the state.
History of Section.
P.L. 1988, ch. 426, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 54, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-15 - Savings Bond Program › Section 35-15-3. - Creation and duties of advisory board.

§ 35-15-3. Creation and duties of advisory board.
(a)
The state of Rhode Island savings bond advisory board is hereby created and established to perform the duties and exercise the powers listed in this section. Pursuant to the powers delegated to the department of the treasury, the department shall have the responsibility for supervising, organizing, and evaluating the advisory board and the savings bond program. The advisory board shall consist of the general treasurer, the commissioner of higher education, the director of administration, and the executive director of the Rhode Island housing and mortgage finance corporation or their respective designees, and four (4) additional members to be appointed as follows: the governor, the lieutenant governor, the president of the senate, and the speaker of the house of representatives shall each appoint one member. The governor, the lieutenant governor, president of the senate, and the speaker of the house of representatives shall select members on the basis of their knowledge, skill, and experience in the fields of business, education, housing, or finance. The general treasurer shall serve as chairperson of the advisory board, and the advisory board shall elect one of its members as vice-chairperson and another as secretary-treasurer. The appointed members of the advisory board first appointed shall serve for terms expiring on June 30, 1991, or until their successors have been appointed and have qualified. Following this determination, each member shall swear or solemnly affirm to administer the duties of office faithfully and impartially, indicating by date when the term of the member shall expire. Upon the expiration of the term of any appointed member, the successor member shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years or until a successor has been appointed and has qualified. Any vacancy shall be filled in the manner of the original appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term. The members shall receive no compensation for the performance of their duties, but each member shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in carrying out and performing their duties under this chapter.
(b)
The advisory board shall have the following responsibilities and duties:
(1)
To implement the Rhode Island savings bond program;
(2)
To the extent permitted by federal and state laws, to develop and conduct marketing and advertising campaigns for the savings bonds and other instruments;
(3)
To make recommendations to the governor, the general treasurer, and the budget office regarding the terms and conditions of the offering of savings bonds, including methods by which the offering may be conducted;
(4)
To advise the governor, the general treasurer, and the department of administration regarding minimum denominations, maturity dates, and increments of the savings bonds; and
(5)
To make reports to the general assembly annually.
History of Section.
P.L. 1988, ch. 426, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 54, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 180, § 73.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-15 - Savings Bond Program › Section 35-15-4. - Issuance and sales of savings bonds.

§ 35-15-4. Issuance and sales of savings bonds.
In order to provide the people of the state: (1) with access to institutions of higher education; and (2) the financial means to purchase residential housing; there shall be issued with all bonds of the state, authorized by the provisions of the general obligation bond acts, savings bonds in such amounts as determined by the general treasurer with the approval of the governor. Bonds to be issued and sold as savings bonds shall be designated by the governor and the general treasurer as “general obligation savings bonds” in the proceedings authorizing the issuance of the bonds, and shall be subject to all of the terms and provisions of the general obligation bond acts, except as provided in §§ 35-15-5 and 35-15-6 and except that savings bonds may bear interest payable at such time or times, and may be sold in such a manner, and as may be determined by the governor and the general treasurer. Savings bonds may be sold at a negotiated sale if the governor and general treasurer determine that a negotiated sale will result in either a more efficient and economic sale of the savings bonds or greater access to the savings bonds by residents in the state. If any savings bonds are sold at a negotiated sale, the underwriter or underwriters to which the bonds are sold shall, in the judgment of the general treasurer, have sufficient capability to make a broad distribution of the bonds to investors resident in the state. The aggregate original principal amount of the bonds will be the sole and exclusive test for determining whether general obligation bonds have been issued in the amounts approved by the vote of the people in the general obligation bond acts. In making these determinations, the interest component of the savings bonds shall be disregarded.
History of Section.
P.L. 1988, ch. 426, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 54, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 209, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-15 - Savings Bond Program › Section 35-15-5. - Security for savings bonds.

§ 35-15-5. Security for savings bonds.
Any savings bonds issued pursuant to this chapter shall be direct, general obligations of the state and subject to repayment as provided in the general obligation bond acts; provided, that in the proceedings of the governor and the general treasurer authorizing the issuance of the bonds, those officials may covenant on behalf of the state with or for the benefit of the holders of the bonds as to all matters deemed advisable by those officials, including the terms and conditions for creating and maintaining sinking funds, reserve funds, and such other special funds as may be created in those proceedings, separate and apart from all other funds and accounts of the state, and those officials may make such other covenants as may be deemed necessary or desirable to assure the prompt payment of the principal of and interest on those bonds when due.
History of Section.
P.L. 1988, ch. 426, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 54, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-15 - Savings Bond Program › Section 35-15-6. - Authorization of additional terms.

§ 35-15-6. Authorization of additional terms.
Notwithstanding any contrary provision of any general obligation bond act, the general treasurer, with the approval of the governor, is authorized and empowered to issue bonds in serial or term form in the name of and on behalf of the state, in amounts that will raise usable bond proceeds in an amount equal to the total amount for the projects authorized by the general obligation bond acts as has been approved by vote of the people.
History of Section.
P.L. 1988, ch. 426, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-16 - Revenue Estimating Conferences › Section 35-16-1. - Purpose and membership.

§ 35-16-1. Purpose and membership.
(a)
In order to provide for a more stable and accurate method of financial planning and budgeting and to facilitate the adoption of a balanced budget wherein appropriations and expenditures do not exceed anticipated revenues, as is required by the statutes and constitution of Rhode Island, it is hereby declared the intention of the legislature that there be a procedure for the determination of an official estimate of anticipated state revenues upon which the executive budget shall be based and beyond which appropriations by the legislature and expenditures by the state shall not exceed.
(b)
The budget office, the house fiscal advisor, and the senate fiscal advisor shall meet in regularly scheduled consensus revenue estimating conferences (R.E.C.). These conferences shall be open public meetings.
(c)
The chairpersonship of each regularly scheduled R.E.C. will rotate among the state budget officer, the house fiscal advisor, and the senate fiscal advisor, hereinafter referred to as principals. The schedule shall be arranged so that no chairperson shall preside over two (2) successive regularly scheduled conferences on the same subject.
(d)
Representatives of all state agencies, including by way of illustration, and not by way of limitation, the division of taxation, department of transportation, department of business regulation, department of health, and the office of general treasurer and any other state agency or board responsible for a revenue source under consideration by the R.E.C., are to participate in all conferences for which their input is germane.
History of Section.
P.L. 1990, ch. 65, art. 49, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 407, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 31, art. 19, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-16 - Revenue Estimating Conferences › Section 35-16-2. - Meetings.

§ 35-16-2. Meetings.
(a)
The principals of the R.E.C. shall meet within the first ten (10) days of May and November of each year.
(b)
The primary purpose of regularly scheduled conferences is to prepare economic forecasts and forecast revenue estimates and review current revenue collections under current tax law. The conference principals can agree, however, to address special legislation or special topics.
(c)
Prior to each R.E.C., the principals will determine the documentation and information necessary to support that conference.
(d)
No votes will be taken in the revenue estimating conferences. These are truly consensus conferences and all principals must agree and are bound to the conference recommendations.
History of Section.
P.L. 1990, ch. 65, art. 49, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 407, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 133, art. 60, § 1; P.L. 1995, ch. 370, art. 43, § 1; P.L. 1997, ch. 30, art. 1, § 12; P.L. 1998, ch. 31, art. 19, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-16 - Revenue Estimating Conferences › Section 35-16-3. - Additional meetings.

§ 35-16-3. Additional meetings.
(a)
Any time during a fiscal year that any principal feels that the recommendations of the revenue estimating conference are no longer valid, then that principal, with appropriate notice, may convene a revenue estimating conference. The principal requesting the additional conference shall be the chairperson for that conference.
(b)
If at any time during a fiscal year any participant feels that the recommendations of the revenue estimating conference are no longer valid with respect to their revenue sources then that participant has a duty to and shall notify each of the principals.
History of Section.
P.L. 1990, ch. 65, art. 49, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 407, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 31, art. 19, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-16 - Revenue Estimating Conferences › Section 35-16-4. - Impact meetings.

§ 35-16-4. Impact meetings.
(a)
The revenue estimating conference principals, along with the appropriate participants, will meet from time to time to compare current fiscal statistics with the most recent financial projection as required by § 35-3-1(a)(6). Any principal can call an impact meeting at any time.
(b)
Following each legislative session, the principals, along with the appropriate participants, shall meet and review all changes in tax legislation and shall amend the official recommendations of the revenue estimating conference accordingly.
History of Section.
P.L. 1990, ch. 65, art. 49, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 407, § 1; P.L. 2005, ch. 410, § 18.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-16 - Revenue Estimating Conferences › Section 35-16-5. - Staff support for meetings.

§ 35-16-5. Staff support for meetings.
(a)
The R.E.C. chairperson and his or her staff will be responsible for preparing and distributing work papers before each conference. Each participant and principal will be responsible for providing the chairperson with the appropriate materials for the work papers on a schedule determined by the chairperson. Failure to meet this schedule shall be grounds, at the chairperson’s option, to delay the conference.
(b)
Work papers will include a side by side comparison of the revenue scenarios advocated by each of the principals. This analysis and its side by side presentation will be completed in time to distribute to each R.E.C. party at least one full day prior to the scheduled meeting date.
(c)
The principals may request each participant to provide the R.E.C. chairperson and the remaining principals an independent revenue estimate and supporting information for each revenue source under the responsibility of the participant’s agency. This information should be provided on a schedule provided by the conference chairperson and will be included in the conference comparison report.
(d)
The principals may request that each participant shall notify the R.E.C. chairperson of any prospective administrative changes contemplated by their respective agency which will affect the cash flow of any revenue source under consideration.
(e)
For general revenue conferences, the principals shall adopt a consensus economic forecast upon which to base revenue estimates. The principals shall obtain the services of economists and economic forecast services as required for this purpose. The consensus economic forecast shall be available to each principal in a timely fashion for each principal to prepare revenue estimates.
History of Section.
P.L. 1990, ch. 65, art. 49, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 407, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 31, art. 19, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-16 - Revenue Estimating Conferences › Section 35-16-6. - Report of meetings.

§ 35-16-6. Report of meetings.
The chairperson will be the sole source of any public announcement of the results from the conference. The final report will be prepared by the chairperson and distributed to conference participants not later than five (5) working days after adjournment. The reports shall contain the following:
(1)
Tables showing the values of all relevant economic and demographic indicators;
(2)
A fiscal year breakdown of all general revenue receipts by source; and
(3)
A comparison of actual revenue collected with the revenue projections upon which the then current budget was based.
History of Section.
P.L. 1990, ch. 65, art. 49, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 407, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 133, art. 60, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-16 - Revenue Estimating Conferences › Section 35-16-7. - Two year budget cycle study.

§ 35-16-7. Two year budget cycle study.
The budget office, the house fiscal advisor, and the senate fiscal advisor along with the house and senate fiscal staff and legal counsel shall study the feasibility and benefits of adopting a two (2) year budget cycle, and shall report in writing to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the president of the senate on or before January 2, 1994. The report shall address not only the benefits, if any, but also any disadvantages and/or legal impediments, constitutional and/or statutory, to adopting such a budget cycle.
History of Section.
P.L. 1993, ch. 138, art. 86, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 180, § 74.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-17 - Medical Assistance and Public Assistance Caseload Estimating Conferences › Section 35-17-2. - Meetings.

§ 35-17-2. Meetings.
(a)
The principles of the C.E.C. shall meet within the first ten (10) days of May, and November of each year.
(b)
The primary purpose of regularly scheduled conferences is to forecast medical assistance and public assistance caseloads. The conference principals can agree, however, to address special legislation or special topics.
(c)
Prior to each caseload estimating conference, the principals will determine the documentation and information necessary to support that conference.
(d)
No votes will be taken in the caseload estimating conferences. These are truly consensus conferences and all principals must agree and are bound to the conference recommendations.
History of Section.
P.L. 1991, ch. 44, art. 54, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 133, art. 59, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 100, art. 20, § 1; P.L. 1997, ch. 30, art. 1, § 13.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-17 - Medical Assistance and Public Assistance Caseload Estimating Conferences › Section 35-17-3. - Additional meetings.

§ 35-17-3. Additional meetings.
(a)
Any time during a fiscal year that any principal feels that the recommendations of the caseload estimating conference are no longer valid, then that principal, with the appropriate notice, may convene a caseload estimating conference. The principal requesting the additional conference shall be the chairperson for that conference.
(b)
If at any time during a fiscal year any participant feels that the recommendations of the caseload estimating conference are no longer valid with respect to their caseload sources then that participant has a duty to and shall notify each of the principals. The secretary of the executive office of health and human services shall review the concerns of each participant and determine whether the problems are sufficient to request an additional conference.
History of Section.
P.L. 1991, ch. 44, art. 54, § 1; P.L. 2021, ch. 162, art. 3, § 6, effective July 6, 2021.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-17 - Medical Assistance and Public Assistance Caseload Estimating Conferences › Section 35-17-4. - Impact meetings.

§ 35-17-4. Impact meetings.
(a)
The caseload estimating conference principals, along with the appropriate participants, will meet from time to time to compare current caseload data with the most recent financial projections as required by § 35-3-1(6). Any principal can call an impact meeting at any time.
(b)
Following each legislative session, the principals, along with the appropriate participants, shall meet and review all changes in legislation affecting caseloads and shall amend the official recommendations of the caseload estimating conference accordingly.
History of Section.
P.L. 1991, ch. 44, art. 54, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-17 - Medical Assistance and Public Assistance Caseload Estimating Conferences › Section 35-17-5. - Staff support for meetings.

§ 35-17-5. Staff support for meetings.
The C.E.C. chairperson and his or her staff will be responsible for preparing and distributing work papers before each conference. Each participant and principal will be responsible for providing the chairperson with the appropriate materials for the work papers on a schedule determined by the chairperson. Failure to meet this schedule shall be grounds, at the chairperson’s option, to delay the conference.
History of Section.
P.L. 1991, ch. 44, art. 54, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-17 - Medical Assistance and Public Assistance Caseload Estimating Conferences › Section 35-17-6. - Report of meetings.

§ 35-17-6. Report of meetings.
The chairperson will be the sole source of any public announcement of the results from the conference. The final report will be prepared by the chairperson and distributed to conference participants not later than five (5) working days after adjournment.
History of Section.
P.L. 1991, ch. 44, art. 54, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 133, art. 59, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-18 - Public Corporation Debt Management › Section 35-18-5. - Existing obligations.

§ 35-18-5. Existing obligations.
Nothing in this chapter is intended to interfere with the obligations of the state or any public corporation under any trust agreement, financing lease, or other agreement in effect on, or with respect to any bonds or other obligations outstanding on, January 1, 1995.
History of Section.
P.L. 1994, ch. 148, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-20 - Public Corporation Financial Integrity and Accountability › Section 35-20-1. - Short title.

§ 35-20-1. Short title.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Public Corporation Financial Integrity and Accountability Act of 1995.”
History of Section.
P.L. 1995, ch. 86, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-20 - Public Corporation Financial Integrity and Accountability › Section 35-20-2. - Policy.

§ 35-20-2. Policy.
(a)
The legislature hereby finds that:
(1)
Fraud and errors in public and quasi-public programs are more likely to occur from a lack of sufficient internal control structures in the state-authorized public corporations.
(2)
Effective internal control structures provide the basic foundation upon which public accountability must be built.
(3)
An entity’s system of internal control structures consists of policies and procedures designed to provide management with reasonable assurance that the agency achieves its objectives and goals including:
(i)
Reliability of financial reporting;
(ii)
Compliance with applicable laws and regulations; and
(iii)
Effectiveness and efficiency of operations.
(4)
Internal control structures are necessarily dynamic and must be continuously evaluated and, where necessary, improved.
(5)
Reports addressing the adequacy of the internal control structure of each public corporation are necessary to enable the executive branch, the legislature, and the public to evaluate the corporation’s performance of its public and quasi-public responsibilities and accountability.
(b)
The legislature declares that:
(1)
The management of each public corporation is responsible for establishing and maintaining an adequate internal control structure and policies and procedures for financial reporting.
(2)
Each public corporation shall perform an assessment and produce a report on the effectiveness of the internal control structure and procedures for financial reporting and, when detected, control weaknesses must be promptly corrected.
(3)
All levels of management of the public corporation must be involved in assessing and strengthening the systems of internal control structures to minimize fraud, errors, abuse, and waste of public and quasi-public funds.
History of Section.
P.L. 1995, ch. 86, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 165, § 2; P.L. 2015, ch. 196, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-20 - Public Corporation Financial Integrity and Accountability › Section 35-20-3. - Corporation responsibilities.

§ 35-20-3. Corporation responsibilities.
The chairs and chief executive officers of public corporations are responsible for the establishment and maintenance of a system or systems of internal accounting and administrative control within their respective corporations. This responsibility includes documenting the system, communicating system requirements to employees, and assuring that the system is functioning as prescribed and is modified, as appropriate, for changes in conditions.
History of Section.
P.L. 1995, ch. 86, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-20 - Public Corporation Financial Integrity and Accountability › Section 35-20-4. - Internal accounting controls.

§ 35-20-4. Internal accounting controls.
(a)
Internal accounting and administrative controls are the methods through which reasonable assurances can be given that measures adopted by public corporations to safeguard assets, check the accuracy and reliability of accounting data, promote operational efficiency, and encourage adherence to prescribed managerial policies are being followed. The elements of a satisfactory system of internal accounting and administrative control, shall include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1)
A plan of organization that provides segregation of duties appropriate for proper safeguarding of public corporation assets.
(2)
A plan that limits access to public corporation assets to authorized personnel who require these assets in the performance of their assigned duties.
(3)
A system of authorization and recordkeeping procedures adequate to provide effective accounting control over assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenditures.
(4)
An established system of practices to be followed in performance of duties and functions in each of the public corporations.
(5)
Personnel of a quality commensurate with their responsibilities.
(6)
An effective system of internal review.
(b)
Public corporations shall follow these standards of internal accounting and administrative control in carrying out the requirements of this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 1995, ch. 86, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-20 - Public Corporation Financial Integrity and Accountability › Section 35-20-5. - Definitions.

§ 35-20-5. Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1)
“Controller” means the state controller of Rhode Island.
(2)
“Director” means the director of administration.
(3)
“Governor” means the governor of Rhode Island.
(4)
“Public corporation” means any body corporate and politic created or to be created pursuant to statute, including, without limitation, the Rhode Island industrial recreational building authority, the Rhode Island economic development corporation and any subsidiaries thereof, the Rhode Island industrial facilities corporation, the Rhode Island refunding bond authority, the Rhode Island health and educational building authority, the board of governors for higher education, the Rhode Island housing and mortgage finance corporation, the Rhode Island resource recovery corporation, the Rhode Island public transit authority, the Rhode Island student loan authority, the water resources board corporate, the Narragansett Bay water quality management district commission, the Rhode Island health and educational building corporation, the Rhode Island depositors economic protection corporation, the Rhode Island convention center authority, the Rhode Island turnpike and bridge authority, their successors and assigns. Cities, towns, and any corporation created by a city or town pursuant to statute, and fire and water districts, are not public corporations under this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 1995, ch. 86, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-20 - Public Corporation Financial Integrity and Accountability › Section 35-20-6. - Annual report.

§ 35-20-6. Annual report.
(a)
To ensure that the requirements of this section are fully complied with, each public corporation shall prepare and submit a report on the adequacy of the corporation’s systems of internal accounting and administration control by December 31 of each year.
(b)
The report, including the state agency’s response to report recommendations, shall be signed by the chairperson and/or the chief executive officer of the corporation and addressed to the governor. Copies of the reports shall be forwarded to both houses of the legislature, the auditor general, and the director. Copies of these reports shall also be forwarded to the state library where they shall be available for public inspection.
(c)
By September 30, 1995, the director, in consultation with the auditor general and the controller, shall establish a system of reporting and a general framework to guide the public corporations in performing evaluations on their systems of internal accounting and administrative control. The director, in consultation with the auditor general and the controller, may modify the format for the report or the framework for conducting the evaluations from time to time as deemed necessary.
(d)
Any material inadequacy or material weakness in systems of internal accounting and administrative control which prevents the chair and/or chief executive officer of the corporation from stating that the systems of internal accounting and administrative control provided reasonable assurance that each of the objectives specified above was achieved shall be identified and the plans and schedule for correcting the inadequacy described in detail.
(e)
The annual report of each public corporation shall also include financial statements relating to the operation, properties, income, expenditure, assets, and liabilities, including outstanding bonded indebtedness, of the corporation.
History of Section.
P.L. 1995, ch. 86, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-20 - Public Corporation Financial Integrity and Accountability › Section 35-20-7. - Subsidiaries prohibited.

§ 35-20-7. Subsidiaries prohibited.
(a)
Except as expressly authorized by law, no public corporation shall have the right to exercise or perform any of its powers and functions through any subsidiary or any other separate corporation or entity. Except as expressly authorized by law, no public corporation shall direct, require, or permit any of its directors, officers, or employees to create any subsidiary organizations.
(b)
In any case in which a public corporation is expressly authorized by law to create or to act through a subsidiary or other separate corporation or entity, no such subsidiary or other separate corporation or entity shall have the power to issue bonds, notes or other securities without the authorization of the legislature. In accordance herewith, university heights housing corporation for the purpose of financing and/or rehabilitating university heights and RIH equity corporation for the purpose of financing investments in low-income housing tax credit eligible properties, which are subsidiaries of Rhode Island housing and mortgage finance corporation are specifically authorized to issue debt for their corporate purposes. Provided, however, that nothing herein shall prohibit a wholly owned subsidiary of a public corporation from issuing notes or other evidences of indebtedness where the only payee or obligee on the instruments is the subsidiary’s parent public corporation; and provided further, however, that nothing herein shall prohibit a wholly owned subsidiary of a public corporation from issuing notes or other evidences of indebtedness in connection with its purchase or lease of business equipment or other personal property used by the subsidiary in the ordinary course of its usual and regular business.
History of Section.
P.L. 1995, ch. 86, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-20 - Public Corporation Financial Integrity and Accountability › Section 35-20-8. - Financial estimates for public corporations.

§ 35-20-8. Financial estimates for public corporations.
Itemized estimates of the financial needs of each public corporation shall be submitted by each chairperson or chief executive officer of a public corporation to the governor through the budget officer of the department of administration. The budget officer shall also provide copies of the estimates to the house fiscal advisor and the senate fiscal advisor.
History of Section.
P.L. 1998, ch. 31, art. 14, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-20 - Public Corporation Financial Integrity and Accountability › Section 35-20-9. - Financial Estimates for Public Corporations.

§ 35-20-9. Financial Estimates for Public Corporations.
Itemized estimates of the financial needs of each public corporation shall be submitted by each chairperson or chief executive officer of a public corporation to the governor through the budget officer of the department of administration. The estimate shall be in such form, and in such number of copies, and with such explanation as the budget officer may require. The budget officer shall also provide copies of the estimates to the house fiscal advisor and the senate fiscal advisor.
History of Section.
P.L. 1999, ch. 295, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-20 - Public Corporation Financial Integrity and Accountability › Section 35-20-10. - Personal use of public corporation credit cards prohibited.

§ 35-20-10. Personal use of public corporation credit cards prohibited.
(a)
It is unlawful for any employee of a public corporation, as defined in § 35-20-5(4), or his or her designee, to use or permit others to use corporation issued credit cards for personal use.
(b)
For purposes of this section, “Personal use” means any use the purpose of which is for personal enjoyment, private gain or advantage, or an outside endeavor not related to the business of the public corporation.
(c)
Any person who violates this section is liable for a civil penalty equal to three times the value of the unlawful use plus an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000). The penalty shall be assessed and recovered in a civil action brought in the name of the people of the state of Rhode Island by the attorney general. If two (2) or more persons are responsible for any violation, they are jointly and severally liable for the penalty. If the action is brought by the attorney general, the moneys recovered shall be paid into the general fund. Nothing in this section prevents the attorney general from pursuing criminal charges against any person who violates this section.
History of Section.
P.L. 2000, ch. 312, § 1; P.L. 2000, ch. 313, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-20 - Public Corporation Financial Integrity and Accountability › Section 35-20-11. - Policies and procedures for credit card use — Payment for food and beverages.

§ 35-20-11. Policies and procedures for credit card use — Payment for food and beverages.
The executive officers of any public corporation shall establish and implement policies and procedures regarding the use of corporation issued credit cards and the payment for food and beverages. The policies and procedures shall be consistent with the provisions of § 35-20-10 and the policies and procedures established by the state director of administration contained in the procedural handbook issued by the department of administration.
History of Section.
P.L. 2000, ch. 312, § 1; P.L. 2000, ch. 313, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-22 - Private Activity Bond Approval Act › Section 35-22-1. - Short title.

§ 35-22-1. Short title.
This act may be cited as the “Private Activity Bond Approval Act.”
History of Section.
P.L. 2011, ch. 350, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 391, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-22 - Private Activity Bond Approval Act › Section 35-22-2. - Public policy.

§ 35-22-2. Public policy.
It is the policy of the State of Rhode Island (the “State”) that in order to maintain an effective system of monitoring the use of federal subsidies within the state, facilities within the state proposed to be financed with bonds issued by an issuer that does not have jurisdiction over the location of those facilities including, but not limited to, issuers located outside of the state, must receive prior host approval from the governor of the state in accordance with this act.
History of Section.
P.L. 2011, ch. 350, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 391, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-22 - Private Activity Bond Approval Act › Section 35-22-3. - Definitions.

§ 35-22-3. Definitions.
“Host approval” means an approval by an applicable elected representative of a governmental unit, for purposes of section 147(f)(2)(A)(ii) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States of America, having jurisdiction over the area in which a facility is located that is to be financed with bonds issued by an issuer that does not have jurisdiction over the location of the facility.
History of Section.
P.L. 2011, ch. 350, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 391, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 35 - Public Finance › Chapter 35-22 - Private Activity Bond Approval Act › Section 35-22-4. - Qualification for facility requiring host approval.

§ 35-22-4. Qualification for facility requiring host approval.
(a)
Host approval shall not be granted unless and until the governor has received the items and information listed in subsection (b) of this section and has issued an approval as set forth in subsection (c) of this section.
(b)
The following items and information must be received by the governor:
(1)
A copy of the notice of public hearing pertaining to the facilities;
(2)
Minutes or another official record of the public hearing;
(3)
The maximum stated principal amount of the bonds;
(4)
A description of the facility, including its location;
(5)
A description of the plan of finance;
(6)
The name of the issuer of the bonds; and
(7)
The name of the initial owner or principal user of the facility.
(c)
If, and only if, the governor determines that the facility, its financing in accordance with the plan, and the items and information submitted under subsection (b) of this section are consistent with the laws and public policy of the state and are in the best interest of the state, then the governor shall issue a written approval under this section authorizing the governmental unit to grant its host approval in its discretion.
History of Section.
P.L. 2011, ch. 350, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 391, § 1.