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LC003615/SUB A

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2014 -- H 7133 SUBSTITUTE A

 

 


S T A T E      O F     R H O D E      I S L A N D

 

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

 

 

 

 

A N   A C T

 

RELATING TO MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE STATE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2015

 

 

 

 

Introduced By: Representative Raymond E. Gallison

 

Date Introduced: January 16, 2014

 

Referred To: House Finance

 

(Governor)

 

 

 

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

 

1      ARTICLE 1......... RELATING TO MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE SUPPORT OF

 

2                                 FY 2015

 

3      ARTICLE 2......... RELATING TO STATE AID

 

4      ARTICLE 3......... RELATING TO RESTRICTED RECEIPT ACCOUNTS

 

5      ARTICLE 4......... RELATING TO DEBT MANAGEMENT ACT JOINT RESOLUTIONS

 

6      ARTICLE 5......... RELATING TO CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

 

7      ARTICLE 6......... RELATING TO RESOURCE RECOVERY CORPORATION

 

8      ARTICLE 7......... RELATING TO REGIONAL GREENHOUSE GAS INITIATIVE ACT

 

9      ARTICLE 8......... RELATING TO UNDERGROUND ECONOMY AND EMPLOYEE

 

10                                 MISCLASSIFICATION ACT

 

11      ARTICLE 9......... RELATING TO GOVERNMENT REFORM

 

12      ARTICLE 10....... RELATING TO MAKING REVISED APPROPRIATIONS IN SUPPORT OF

 

13                                 FY 2014

 

14      ARTICLE 11....... RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT

 

15      ARTICLE 12....... RELATING TO REVENUES

 

16      ARTICLE 13....... RELATING TO STATE LOTTERY

 

17      ARTICLE 14....... RELATING TO GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION

 

18      ARTICLE 15....... RELATING TO HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


1      ARTICLE 16....... RELATING TO HEALTH CARE

 

2      ARTICLE 17....... RELATING TO HOSPITAL UNCOMPENSATED CARE

 

3      ARTICLE 18....... RELATING TO MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

 

4      ARTICLE 19....... RELATING TO MEDICAL ASSISTANCE RECOVERIES

 

5      ARTICLE 20....... RELATING TO BOARD OF EDUCATION

 

6      ARTICLE 21....... RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION

 

7      ARTICLE 22....... RELATING TO EDUCATION

 

8      ARTICLE 23....... RELATING TO EFFECTIVE DATE

 

 

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1                                                                ARTICLE 1


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2                RELATING TO MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE SUPPORT OF FY 2015

 

 

3                  SECTION 1. Subject to the conditions, limitations and restrictions hereinafter contained

 

4      in this act, the following general revenue amounts are hereby appropriated out of any money in

 

5      the treasury not otherwise appropriated to be expended during the fiscal year ending June 30,

 

6      2015. The amounts identified for federal funds and restricted receipts shall be made available

 

7      pursuant to section 35-4-22 and Chapter 41 of Title 42 of the Rhode Island General Laws. For the

 

8      purposes  and  functions  hereinafter  mentioned,  the  state  controller  is  hereby  authorized  and

 

9      directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of such sums or such

 

10      portions thereof as may be required from time to time upon receipt by him or her of properly

 

11      authenticated vouchers.

 

12      Administration

 

13      Central Management

 

14            General Revenues                                                                                               1,594,772

 

15            Office of Digital Excellence                                                                                  908,192

 

16                              Total Central Management                                                             2,502,964

 

17      Legal Services General Revenues                                                                             2,039,872

 

18      Accounts and Control General Revenues                                                                  3,973,748

 

19      Office of Management and Budget

 

20            General Revenues                                                                                               4,018,136

 

21            Restricted Receipts                                                                                                  61,374

 

22                              Total Office of Management and Budget                                       4,079,510

 

23      Purchasing

 

24            General Revenues                                                                                               2,670,956

 

25            Other Funds                                                                                                           308,496

 

26                              Total – Purchasing                                                                            2,979,452

 

27      Auditing General Revenues                                                                                       1,434,565

 

28      Human Resources

 

29            General Revenues                                                                                               7,830,548

 

30            Federal Funds                                                                                                        766,793


 

1

Restricted Receipts

461,639

 

2

 

Other Funds

 

1,547,079

 

3

 

Total Human Resources

 

10,606,059

 

4

 

Personnel Appeal Board General Revenues

 

75,216

 

5

 

Facilities Management

 

 

6

 

General Revenues

 

30,790,738

 

7

 

Federal Funds

 

1,155,237

 

8

 

Restricted Receipts

 

462,262

 

9

 

Other Funds

 

3,322,025

 

10

 

Total – Facilities Management

 

35,730,262

 

11

 

Capital Projects and Property Management General Revenues

 

1,252,875

 

12      Information Technology

 

13

 

General Revenues

 

19,377,273

 

14

 

Federal Funds

 

6,631,482

 

15

 

Restricted Receipts

 

4,099,027

 

16

 

Other Funds

 

3,701,511

 

17

 

Total Information Technology

 

33,809,293

 

18

 

Library and Information Services

 

 

19

 

General Revenues

 

881,464

 

20

 

Federal Funds

 

1,184,567

 

21

 

Restricted Receipts

 

653

 

22

 

Total – Library and Information Services

 

2,066,684

 

23

 

Planning

 

 

24

 

General Revenues

 

1,922,778

 

25

 

Federal Funds

 

12,561,957

 

26

 

Restricted Receipts

 

3,400,000

 

27

 

Other Funds

 

 

28

 

Federal Highway – PL Systems Planning

 

2,984,304

 

29

 

Air Quality Modeling

 

22,875

 

30

 

Total – Planning

 

20,891,914

 

31

 

General

 

 

32

 

General Revenues

 

 

33

 

Rhode Island Commerce Corporation

 

5,431,864

 

34

 

RICC – Airport Impact Aid

 

1,025,000


1                  Sixty percent (60%) of the first $1,000,000 appropriated for airport impact aid shall be

 

2      distributed to each airport serving more than 1,000,000 passengers based upon its percentage of

 

3      the total passengers served by all airports serving more than 1,000,000 passengers. Forty percent

 

4      (40%) of the first $1,000,000 shall be distributed based on the share of landings during the

 

5      calendar year 2014 at North Central Airport, Newport-Middletown Airport, Block Island Airport,

 

6      Quonset  Airport,  T.F.  Green  Airport  and  Westerly  Airport,  respectively.  The  Rhode  Island

 

7      Commerce Corporation shall make an impact payment to the towns or cities in which the airport

 

8      is located based on this calculation. Each community upon which any parts of the above airports

 

9      are located shall receive at least $25,000.

 

10                  RICC – EPScore (Research Alliance)                                                            1,150,000

 

11                  Innovative Matching Grants                                                                             500,000

 

12                  Miscellaneous Grants                                                                                       146,049

 

13                  Slater Centers of Excellence                                                                            150,000

 

14                  Torts Courts/Awards                                                                                     400,000

 

15                  Current Care/Health Information Exchange                                                     225,000

 

16                  I-195 Commission                                                                                           301,000

 

17                  RI Film and Television Office                                                                         310,312

 

18                  State Employees/Teachers Retiree Health Subsidy                                        2,321,057

 

19                  Resource Sharing and State Library Aid                                                        8,773,398

 

20                  Library Construction Aid                                                                              2,331,589

 

21            Federal Funds                                                                                                     4,345,555

 

22            Restricted Receipts                                                                                                421,500

 

23            Other Funds

 

24                  Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

25                              Statehouse Renovations                                                                    3,000,000

 

26                              DoIT Enterprise Operations Center                                                      250,000

 

27                              Cranston Street Armory                                                                    2,000,000

 

28                              Cannon Building                                                                                  440,000

 

29                              Zambarano Building Rehabilitation                                                     500,000

 

30                              Pastore Center Rehab DOA Portion                                                  3,150,000

 

31                              Old State House                                                                                1,445,000

 

32                              State Office Building                                                                        1,700,000

 

33                              Old Colony House                                                                               100,000

 

34                              William Powers Building                                                                   1,475,000


1                              Fire Code Compliance State Buildings                                                 500,000

 

2                              Pastore Center Fire Code Compliance                                               1,300,000

 

3                              Pastore Center Utility Systems Upgrade                                            2,600,000

 

4                              Replacement of Fueling Tanks                                                            300,000

 

5                              Environmental Compliance                                                                 200,000

 

6                              Big River Management Area                                                                120,000

 

7                              Pastore Center Building Demolition                                                  1,000,000

 

8                              Washington County Government Center                                             225,000

 

9                              Chapin Health Laboratory                                                                 1,250,000

 

10                              Pastore Center Parking                                                                         890,000

 

11                              Pastore Center Water Tanks                                                                 250,000

 

12                              Pastore Cottages Rehabilitation                                                            800,000

 

13                              Ladd Center Building Demolition                                                     2,100,000

 

14                              I-195 Commission                                                                               250,000

 

15                              RI Convention Center Authority                                                       1,000,000

 

16                              Dunkin Donuts Center                                                                      1,387,500

 

17                              Mathias                                                                                                800,000

 

18                              Pastore Center Power Plant                                                                  194,723

 

19                              Harrington Hall Renovations                                                             1,400,000

 

20                              McCoy Stadium                                                                                   150,000

 

21                              Veterans Memorial Auditorium                                                         1,370,099

 

22                              Virks Building Renovations                                                                 400,000

 

23                              Total General                                                                               60,379,646

 

24      Debt Service Payments

 

25            General Revenues                                                                                           168,805,031

 

26                  Out of the general revenue appropriations for debt service, the General Treasurer is

 

27      authorized to make payments for the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission loan up to the

 

28      maximum debt service due in accordance with the loan agreement.

 

29            Federal Funds                                                                                                     2,667,399

 

30            Restricted Receipts                                                                                            20,589,305

 

31            Other Funds

 

32                  Transportation Debt Service                                                                        26,828,667

 

33                  Investment Receipts Bond Funds                                                                  100,000

 

34                  COPS – DLT Building – TDI                                                                           271,653


1                              Total - Debt Service Payments                                                      219,262,055

 

2      Energy Resources

 

3            Federal Funds                                                                                                        524,775

 

4            Restricted Receipts                                                                                              5,215,426

 

5                              Total – Energy Resources                                                                 5,740,201

 

6      Rhode Island Health Benefits Exchange Federal Funds                                          23,433,222

 

7      Construction Permitting, Approvals and Licensing

 

8            General Revenues                                                                                               1,483,525

 

9            Restricted Receipts                                                                                              1,339,903

 

10                              Total Construction Permitting, Approvals and Licensing                2,823,428

 

11      Office of Diversity, Equity & Opportunity

 

12            General Revenues                                                                                                  777,197

 

13            Federal Funds                                                                                                          82,284

 

14                              Total Office of Diversity, Equity & Opportunity                              859,481

 

15      Statewide Personnel Adjustments

 

16            General Revenues                                                                                            (3,420,118)

 

17            Federal Funds                                                                                                   (1,859,816)

 

18            Restricted Receipts                                                                                              (402,343)

 

19            Other Funds                                                                                                     (2,603,414)

 

20                              Total – Statewide Personnel Adjustments                                       (8,285,691)

 

21                              Grand Total Administration                                                        425,654,756

 

22      Business Regulation

 

23      Central Management General Revenues                                                                   1,234,949

 

24      Banking Regulation

 

25            General Revenues                                                                                               1,514,260

 

26            Restricted Receipts                                                                                                  50,000

 

27                              Total Banking Regulation                                                               1,564,260

 

28      Securities Regulation

 

29            General Revenues                                                                                               1,009,651

 

30            Restricted Receipts                                                                                                    3,500

 

31                              Total – Securities Regulation                                                             1,013,151

 

32      Insurance Regulation

 

33            General Revenues                                                                                               3,883,238

 

34            Restricted Receipts                                                                                              1,294,012


1                              Total Insurance Regulation                                                            5,177,250

 

2      Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner

 

3            General Revenues                                                                                                  507,142

 

4            Federal Funds                                                                                                     2,021,830

 

5            Restricted Receipts                                                                                                  10,500

 

6                              Total Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner                      2,539,472

 

7      Board of Accountancy General Revenues                                                                     16,654

 

8      Commercial Licensing, Racing & Athletics

 

9            General Revenues                                                                                                  586,948

 

10            Restricted Receipts                                                                                                583,111

 

11                              Total Commercial Licensing, Racing & Athletics                           1,170,059

 

12      Boards for Design Professionals General Revenues                                                    260,635

 

13                              Grand Total Business Regulation                                                 12,976,430

 

14      Labor and Training

 

15      Central Management

 

16            General Revenues                                                                                                   93,361

 

17            Restricted Receipts                                                                                                337,854

 

18            Other Funds

 

19                  Rhode Island Capital Plan Fund

 

20                     Center General Building Roof                                                                      505,996

 

21                     Center General Asset Protection                                                                 1,500,000

 

22                              Total Central Management                                                             2,437,211

 

23      Workforce Development Services

 

24            General Funds                                                                                                     1,148,769

 

25            Federal Funds                                                                                                   23,892,612

 

26            Restricted Receipts                                                                                              9,644,795

 

27            Other Funds                                                                                                            75,000

 

28                              Total – Workforce Development Services                                      34,761,176

 

29      Workforce Regulation and Safety General Revenues                                                2,720,916

 

30      Income Support

 

31            General Revenues                                                                                               4,317,409

 

32            Federal Funds                                                                                                   18,291,060

 

33            Restricted Receipts

 

34                  Restricted Receipts                                                                                        2,146,562


1                  Job Development Fund                                                                               20,460,000

 

2            Other Funds

 

3                  Temporary Disability Insurance Fund                                                       198,485,516

 

4                  Employment Security Fund                                                                       218,620,120

 

5                              Total Income Support                                                                 462,320,667

 

6      Injured Workers Services Restricted Receipts                                                           8,951,372

 

7      Labor Relations Board General Revenues                                                                   388,648

 

8                              Grand Total – Labor and Training                                                 511,579,990

 

9      Department of Revenue

 

10      Director of Revenue General Revenues                                                                    1,122,100

 

11      Office of Revenue Analysis General Revenues                                                             564,334

 

12      Lottery Division Lottery Funds                                                                              342,306,302

 

13      Municipal Finance General Revenues                                                                      2,256,992

 

14      Taxation

 

15            General Revenues                                                                                             18,930,344

 

16            Federal Funds                                                                                                     1,294,330

 

17            Restricted Receipts                                                                                                878,210

 

18            Other Funds

 

19                  Motor Fuel Tax Evasion                                                                                    43,232

 

20                  Temporary Disability Insurance                                                                       952,454

 

21                              Total Taxation                                                                              22,098,570

 

22      Registry of Motor Vehicles

 

23            General Revenues                                                                                             18,826,844

 

24            Federal Funds                                                                                                     3,818,815

 

25            Restricted Receipts                                                                                              2,200,596

 

26                              Total Registry of Motor Vehicles                                                 24,846,255

 

27      State Aid

 

28            General Revenue

 

29                  Distressed Communities Relief Fund                                                          10,384,458

 

30                  Payment in Lieu of Tax Exempt Properties                                                 40,080,409

 

31                  Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Payments                                                           10,000,000

 

32                  Property Revaluation Program                                                                         633,209

 

33                  Municipal Aid                                                                                               5,000,000

 

34            Restricted Receipts                                                                                                922,013


1                              Total – State Aid                                                                             67,020,089

 

2                              Grand Total Revenue                                                                 460,214,642

 

3      Legislature

 

4            General Revenues                                                                                             36,429,671

 

5            Restricted Receipts                                                                                              1,587,079

 

6                              Grand Total – Legislature                                                                38,016,750

 

7      Lieutenant Governor

 

8            General Revenues                                                                                               1,015,084

 

9            Federal Funds                                                                                                          74,350

 

10                              Grand Total – Lieutenant Governor                                                  1,089,434

 

11      Secretary of State

 

12      Administration General Revenues                                                                             2,205,748

 

13      Corporations General Revenues                                                                               2,278,601

 

14      State Archives

 

15            General Revenues                                                                                                   69,266

 

16            Restricted Receipts                                                                                                514,752

 

17                              Total – State Archives                                                                          584,018

 

18      Elections & Civics General Revenues                                                                       1,636,292

 

19      State Library General Revenues                                                                                  521,178

 

20      Office of Public Information

 

21            General Revenues                                                                                                  626,118

 

22            Receipted Receipts                                                                                                  15,000

 

23            Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

24                 Charter Encasement                                                                                          500,000

 

25                              Total Office of Public Information                                                1,141,118

 

26                              Grand Total – Secretary of State                                                       8,366,955

 

27      General Treasurer

 

28      Treasury

 

29            General Revenues                                                                                               2,206,467

 

30            Federal Funds                                                                                                        270,861

 

31            Restricted Receipts                                                                                                  37,651

 

32            Other Funds

 

33                  Temporary Disability Insurance Fund                                                              220,608

 

34                              Total Treasury                                                                                2,735,587


1      State Retirement System

 

2            Restricted Receipts

 

3                  Admin Expenses State Retirement System                                                 9,308,412

 

4                  Retirement Treasury Investment Operations                                              1,265,045

 

5                  Defined Contribution Administration                                                              263,588

 

6                              Total – State Retirement System                                                      10,837,045

 

7      Unclaimed Property Restricted Receipts                                                                 19,712,197

 

8      Crime Victim Compensation Program

 

9            General Revenues                                                                                                  225,638

 

10            Federal Funds                                                                                                        599,477

 

11            Restricted Receipts                                                                                              1,131,949

 

12                              Total Crime Victim Compensation Program                                   1,957,064

 

13                              Grand Total General Treasurer                                                     35,241,893

 

14      Board of Elections

 

15            General Revenues

 

16                  General Revenues                                                                                         2,145,127

 

17                  Public Financing of General Elections                                                          2,000,000

 

18                              Grand Total Board of Elections                                                     4,145,127

 

19      Rhode Island Ethics Commission General Revenues                                               1,581,205

 

20      Office of Governor

 

21            General Revenues

 

22                  General Revenues                                                                                         4,277,562

 

23                  Contingency Fund                                                                                           250,000

 

24                              Grand Total Office of Governor                                                    4,527,562

 

25      Commission for Human Rights

 

26            General Revenues                                                                                               1,193,083

 

27            Federal Funds                                                                                                        287,096

 

28                              Grand Total Commission for Human Rights                                  1,480,179

 

29      Public Utilities Commission

 

30            Federal Funds                                                                                                         87,733

 

31            Restricted Receipts                                                                                             8,372,153

 

32                              Grand Total – Public Utilities Commission                                       8,459,886

 

33      Office of Health and Human Services

 

34      Central Management


1            General Revenues                                                                                             28,044,154

 

2            Federal Funds

 

3                  Federal Funds                                                                                             92,223,591

 

4                  Federal Funds Stimulus                                                                                 312,000

 

5            Restricted Receipts                                                                                              5,292,880

 

6                              Total Central Management                                                         125,872,625

 

7      Medical Assistance

 

8            General Revenue

 

9                  Managed Care                                                                                           297,696,087

 

10                  Hospitals                                                                                                   103,617,688

 

11                  Nursing Facilities                                                                                        81,024,113

 

12                  Home and Community Based Care                                                             24,069,223

 

13                  Other Services                                                                                             44,649,734

 

14                  Pharmacy                                                                                                    51,770,620

 

15                  Rhody Health                                                                                            273,995,508

 

16            Federal Funds

 

17                  Managed Care                                                                                           317,716,679

 

18                  Hospitals                                                                                                   102,962,352

 

19                  Nursing Facilities                                                                                        81,121,400

 

20                  Home and Community Based Care                                                             30,197,385

 

21                  Other Services                                                                                           552,234,966

 

22                  Pharmacy                                                                                                          32,003

 

23                  Rhody Health                                                                                            275,303,671

 

24                  Special Education                                                                                       19,000,000

 

25            Restricted Receipts                                                                                            10,615,000

 

26                              Total Medical Assistance                                                         2,266,006,429

 

27                              Grand Total Office of Health and Human Services                 2,391,879,054

 

28      Children, Youth, and Families

 

29      Central Management

 

30            General Revenues                                                                                               4,609,150

 

31            Federal Funds                                                                                                     2,269,607

 

32                              Total Central Management                                                             6,878,757

 

33      Children's Behavioral Health Services

 

34            General Revenues                                                                                               5,895,388


1            Federal Funds                                                                                                     5,828,492

 

2            Other Funds

 

3                  Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

4                     NAFI Center                                                                                                   21,494

 

5                     Groden Center Fire Towers                                                                        137,500

 

6                     Various Repairs and Improvements to Training School                             1,154,000

 

7                              Total Children's Behavioral Health Services                                13,036,874

 

8      Juvenile Correctional Services

 

9            General Revenue                                                                                              23,400,611

 

10            Federal Funds                                                                                                        271,588

 

11            Other Funds

 

12                  Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

13                    Thomas C. Slater Training School Generators                                               213,837

 

14                     Thomas C. Slater Training School Maintenance Building                             535,000

 

15                              Total Juvenile Correctional Services                                            24,421,036

 

16      Child Welfare

 

17            General Revenues

 

18                  General Revenues                                                                                     104,416,147

 

19                  18 to 21 Year Olds                                                                                      10,185,850

 

20            Federal Funds

 

21                  Federal Funds                                                                                             45,482,485

 

22                  18 – 21 Year Olds                                                                                         2,270,152

 

23                  Federal Funds Stimulus                                                                                 446,340

 

24            Restricted Receipts                                                                                              2,448,750

 

25            Other Funds

 

26                  RICAP - Fire Code Upgrades                                                                           850,000

 

27                              Total Child Welfare                                                                    166,099,724

 

28      Higher Education Incentive Grants General Revenues                                                200,000

 

29                              Grand Total Children, Youth, and Families                                210,636,391

 

30      Health

 

31      Central Management

 

32            General Revenues                                                                                                  481,489

 

33            Federal Funds                                                                                                     8,071,320

 

34            Restricted Receipts                                                                                              4,826,651


1                              Total Central Management                                                           13,379,460

 

2      State Medical Examiner

 

3            General Revenues                                                                                               1,931,511

 

4            Federal Funds                                                                                                        141,325

 

5                              Total – State Medical Examiner                                                        2,072,836

 

6      Environmental and Health Services Regulation

 

7            General Revenues                                                                                               9,251,095

 

8            Federal Funds                                                                                                     5,924,339

 

9            Restricted Receipts                                                                                              3,628,936

 

10                              Total – Environmental and Health Services Regulation                   18,804,370

 

11      Health Laboratories

 

12            General Revenues                                                                                               6,130,022

 

13            Federal Funds                                                                                                     1,718,714

 

14            Federal Funds Stimulus                                                                                          6,500

 

15                              Total Health Laboratories                                                               7,855,236

 

16      Public Health Information

 

17            General Revenues                                                                                               1,559,128

 

18            Federal Funds                                                                                                     2,066,331

 

19                              Total – Public Health Information                                                     3,625,459

 

20      Community and Family Health and Equity

 

21            General Revenues                                                                                               2,176,155

 

22            Federal Funds                                                                                                   40,748,562

 

23            Federal Funds Stimulus                                                                                    1,267,231

 

24            Restricted Receipts                                                                                            26,137,670

 

25                              Total Community and Family Health and Equity                         70,329,618

 

26      Infectious Disease and Epidemiology

 

27            General Revenues                                                                                               1,428,520

 

28            Federal Funds                                                                                                     5,150,071

 

29                              Total Infectious Disease and Epidemiology                                   6,578,591

 

30                              Grand Total Health                                                                     122,645,570

 

31      Human Services

 

32      Central Management

 

33            General Revenues                                                                                               4,692,120

 

34            Federal Funds                                                                                                     3,777,064


1            Restricted Receipts                                                                                                522,542

 

2                              Total Central Management                                                             8,991,726

 

3      Child Support Enforcement

 

4            General Revenues                                                                                               2,362,840

 

5            Federal Funds                                                                                                     5,877,595

 

6                              Total Child Support Enforcement                                                  8,240,435

 

7      Individual and Family Support

 

8            General Revenues                                                                                             24,327,801

 

9            Federal Funds                                                                                                  117,893,777

 

10            Federal Funds Stimulus                                                                                  10,571,598

 

11            Restricted Receipts                                                                                                340,431

 

12            Other Funds

 

13                  Rhode Island Capital Plan Fund

 

14                     Blind Vending Facilities                                                                                165,000

 

15                  Intermodal Surface Transportation Fund                                                       4,162,981

 

16                              Total Individual and Family Support                                          157,461,588

 

17      Veterans' Affairs

 

18            General Revenues                                                                                             20,274,566

 

19            Federal Funds                                                                                                     7,481,344

 

20            Restricted Receipts                                                                                                635,000

 

21                              Total Veterans' Affairs                                                                 28,390,910

 

22      Health Care Eligibility

 

23            General Revenues                                                                                               8,226,587

 

24            Federal Funds                                                                                                   11,774,391

 

25                              Total Health Care Eligibility                                                         20,000,978

 

26      Supplemental Security Income Program General Revenues                                   18,197,356

 

27      Rhode Island Works

 

28            General Revenues

 

29                  Child Care                                                                                                     9,668,635

 

30            Federal Funds                                                                                                   77,040,945

 

31                              Total Rhode Island Works                                                           86,709,580

 

32      State Funded Programs

 

33            General Revenues

 

34                  General Public Assistance                                                                             1,616,000


1      Of this appropriation, $210,000 shall be used for hardship contingency payments.

 

2            Federal Funds                                                                                                  300,692,138

 

3                              Total – State Funded Programs                                                      302,308,138

 

4      Elderly Affairs

 

5            General Revenues

 

6                  General Revenue                                                                                          6,195,226

 

7                  RIPAE                                                                                                               24,484

 

8                  Care and Safety of the Elderly                                                                               958

 

9            Federal Funds                                                                                                   12,223,967

 

10            Restricted Receipts                                                                                                299,336

 

11                              Total – Elderly Affairs                                                                    18,743,971

 

12                              Grand Total Human Services                                                     649,044,682

 

13      Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals

 

14      Central Management

 

15            General Revenues                                                                                                  970,823

 

16            Federal Funds                                                                                                        539,262

 

17                              Total Central Management                                                             1,510,085

 

18      Hospital and Community System Support

 

19            General Revenues                                                                                               1,594,280

 

20            Restricted Receipts                                                                                                934,379

 

21            Other Funds

 

22                  Rhode Island Capital Plan Fund

 

23                  Medical Center Rehabilitation                                                                       1,000,000

 

24                  Community Facilities Fire Code                                                                       400,000

 

25                              Total Hospital and Community System Support                             3,928,659

 

26      Services for the Developmentally Disabled

 

27            General Revenues                                                                                           111,028,105

 

28            Federal Funds                                                                                                  112,976,682

 

29            Restricted Receipts                                                                                              1,977,450

 

30            Other Funds

 

31                  Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

32                     DD Private Waiver                                                                                        507,286

 

33                     Regional Center Repair/Rehabilitation                                                          400,000

 

34                     MR Community Facilities/Access to Independence                                      500,000


1                              Total – Services for the Developmentally Disabled                       227,389,523

 

2      Behavioral Healthcare Services

 

3            General Revenues                                                                                               1,930,322

 

4            Federal Funds                                                                                                   14,581,527

 

5                  Substance Abuse Prevention Task Forces                                                        900,000

 

6                  NAMI of RI                                                                                                     128,000

 

7            Restricted Receipts                                                                                                125,000

 

8            Other Funds

 

9                  Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

10                     MH Community Facilities Repair                                                                  400,000

 

11                     MH Housing Development Thresholds                                                         800,000

 

12                     Substance Abuse Asset Production                                                               100,000

 

13                              Total Behavioral Healthcare Services                                           18,964,849

 

14      Hospital and Community Rehabilitative Services

 

15            General Revenues                                                                                             51,963,343

 

16            Federal Funds                                                                                                   52,031,533

 

17            Restricted Receipts                                                                                              6,571,834

 

18            Other Funds

 

19                  Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

20                     Zambarano Buildings and Utilities                                                                150,000

 

21                     BHDDH Administrative Buildings                                                             2,000,000

 

22                     MR Community Facilities                                                                             950,000

 

23                            Total - Hospital and Community Rehabilitative Services                113,666,710

 

24                            Grand Total Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities,

 

25                            and Hospitals                                                                                  365,459,826

 

26      Office of the Child Advocate

 

27            General Revenues                                                                                                  611,817

 

28            Federal Funds                                                                                                          50,000

 

29                            Grand Total Office of the Child Advocate                                         661,817

 

30      Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

 

31            General Revenues                                                                                                  394,279

 

32            Restricted Receipts                                                                                                  80,000

 

33                            Grand Total Com on Deaf and Hard of Hearing                                 474,279

 

34      Governor's Commission on Disabilities


1            General Revenues                                                                                                  358,275

 

2            Federal Funds                                                                                                        141,350

 

3            Restricted Receipts                                                                                                    9,177

 

4            Other Funds

 

5                RICAP - Handicapped Accessibility                                                               1,000,000

 

6                            Grand Total Governor's Commission on Disabilities                       1,508,802

 

7      Office of the Mental Health Advocate General Revenues                                         495,010

 

8      Elementary and Secondary Education

 

9      Administration of the Comprehensive Education Strategy

 

10            General Revenues                                                                                             20,418,574

 

11            Federal Funds

 

12                  Federal Funds                                                                                            192,750,465

 

13                  Federal Funds Stimulus                                                                              7,727,747

 

14                  RTTT LEA Share                                                                                          6,379,521

 

15            Restricted Receipts                                                                                              1,269,741

 

16                  HRIC Adult Education Grants                                                                       3,500,000

 

17            Other Funds

 

18            Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

19                  State-Owned Cranston                                                                                     400,000

 

20                  State-Owned Warwick                                                                                     950,000

 

21                  State-Owned Woonsocket                                                                             1,844,364

 

22                            Total Administration of the Comprehensive Education Strategy  235,240,412

 

23      Davies Career and Technical School

 

24            General Revenues                                                                                             12,240,174

 

25            Federal Funds

 

26                  Federal Funds                                                                                               1,319,532

 

27                  Federal Funds Stimulus                                                                                  42,099

 

28            Restricted Receipts                                                                                              4,050,538

 

29            Other Funds

 

30            Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

31                  Davies HVAC                                                                                               1,237,345

 

32                  Davies Asset Protection                                                                                   194,962

 

33                            Total Davies Career and Technical School                                    19,084,650

 

34      RI School for the Deaf


1            General Revenues                                                                                               5,929,824

 

2            Federal Funds                                                                                                        221,056

 

3            Federal Funds Stimulus                                                                                        55,514

 

4            Restricted Receipts                                                                                                558,248

 

5            Other Funds                                                                                                            59,000

 

6                            Total RI School for the Deaf                                                           6,823,642

 

7      Metropolitan Career and Technical School

 

8            General Revenues                                                                                             10,501,360

 

9            Other Funds

 

10            Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

11                  MET Asset Protection                                                                                      100,000

 

12                  MET School HVAC                                                                                      1,160,657

 

13                            Total Metropolitan Career and Technical School                           11,762,017

 

14      Education Aid

 

15            General Revenues                                                                                           759,595,856

 

16            Restricted Receipts                                                                                            17,575,445

 

17            Other Funds

 

18                  Permanent School Fund Education Aid                                                        300,000

 

19                            Total – Education Aid                                                                     777,471,301

 

20      Central Falls School District General Revenues                                                     39,036,247

 

21      Housing Aid General Revenues                                                                              67,949,504

 

22      Teachers' Retirement General Revenues                                                                89,529,396

 

23                            Grand Total – Elementary and Secondary Education                   1,246,897,169

 

24      Public Higher Education

 

25      Office of Postsecondary Commissioner

 

26            General Revenues                                                                                               4,566,270

 

27            Federal Funds                                                                                                     5,092,287

 

28                            Total Office of Postsecondary Commissioner                                 9,658,557

 

29      University of Rhode Island

 

30            General Revenue

 

31                  General Revenues                                                                                       69,292,680

 

32                  The  University  of  Rhode  Island  shall  maintain  tuition  charges  in  the  2014   2015

 

33      academic year at the same level as the 2013 2014 academic year. The University shall not

 

34      decrease internal student financial aid in the 2014 2015 academic year below the level of the


1      2013   2014  academic  year.  The  President  of  the  institution  shall  report,  prior  to  the

 

2      commencement of the 2014-2015 academic year, to the chair of the Rhode Island Board of

 

3      Education that such tuition charges and student aid levels have been achieved at the start of FY

 

4      2015 as prescribed above.

 

5                  Debt Service                                                                                               20,903,400

 

6                  State Crime Laboratory                                                                                 1,035,888

 

7            Other Funds

 

8                  University and College Funds                                                                   612,113,492

 

9                        Debt Dining Services                                                                           1,110,746

 

10                        Debt – Education and General                                                                3,180,567

 

11                        Debt Health Services                                                                              136,814

 

12                        Debt Housing Loan Funds                                                                 10,625,414

 

13                        Debt Memorial Union                                                                             314,538

 

14                        Debt Ryan Center                                                                                2,798,531

 

15                        Debt Alton Jones Services                                                                      103,078

 

16                        Debt – Parking Authority                                                                           949,029

 

17                        Debt – Sponsored Research                                                                        94,572

 

18                        Debt URI Energy Conservation                                                            2,460,718

 

19                  Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

20                     Asset Protection                                                                                         7,520,000

 

21                     Fire and Safety Protection                                                                          3,250,000

 

22                     Nursing Education Center                                                                             700,000

 

23                     Electric Substation                                                                                     7,000,000

 

24                            Total University of Rhode Island                                                 743,589,467

 

25                  Notwithstanding the provisions of section 35-3-15 of the general laws, all unexpended or

 

26      unencumbered balances as of June 30, 2015 relating to the University of Rhode Island are hereby

 

27      reappropriated to fiscal year 2016.

 

28      Rhode Island College

 

29            General Revenues

 

30                  General Revenues                                                                                       42,911,103

 

31                  Rhode Island College shall maintain tuition charges in the 2014 2015 academic year at

 

32      the same level as the 2013 2014 academic year. The College shall not decrease internal student

 

33      financial aid in the 2014 2015 academic year below the level of the 2013 2014 academic year.

 

34      The  President  of  the  institution  shall  report,  prior  to  the  commencement  of  the  2014-2015


1      academic year, to the chair of the Rhode Island Board of Education that such tuition charges and

 

2      student aid levels have been achieved at the start of FY 2015 as prescribed above.

 

3                  Debt Service                                                                                                 4,450,296

 

4            Other Funds

 

5                  University and College Funds                                                                   112,190,914

 

6                        Debt – Education and General                                                                   883,664

 

7                        Debt Housing                                                                                       2,054,108

 

8                        Debt Student Center and Dining                                                             172,600

 

9                        Debt Student Union                                                                                234,963

 

10                        Debt G.O. Debt Service                                                                       1,641,626

 

11                  Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

12                        Asset Protection                                                                                      2,963,548

 

13                        Infrastructure Modernization                                                                  3,871,317

 

14                            Total Rhode Island College                                                          171,374,139

 

15                  Notwithstanding the provisions of section 35-3-15 of the general laws, all unexpended or

 

16      unencumbered  balances  as  of  June  30,  2015  relating  to  Rhode  Island  College  are  hereby

 

17      reappropriated to fiscal year 2016.

 

18      Community College of Rhode Island

 

19            General Revenues

 

20                  General Revenues                                                                                       45,882,495

 

21                  The Community College of Rhode Island shall maintain tuition charges in the 2014

 

22      2015 academic year at the same level as the 2013 2014 academic year. The College shall not

 

23      decrease internal student financial aid in the 2014 2015 academic year below the level of the

 

24      2013   2014  academic  year.  The  President  of  the  institution  shall  report,  prior  to  the

 

25      commencement of the 2014-2015 academic year, to the chair of the Rhode Island Board of

 

26      Education that such tuition charges and student aid levels have been achieved at the start of FY

 

27      2015 as prescribed above.

 

28                  Debt Service                                                                                                 1,912,779

 

29            Restricted Receipts                                                                                                644,000

 

30            Other Funds

 

31                  University and College Funds                                                                   102,754,282

 

32                        Debt Bookstore                                                                                        27,693

 

33                        CCRI Debt Service Energy Conservation                                                807,475

 

34                  Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds


1                        Asset Protection                                                                                      2,138,305

 

2                        Knight Campus Renewal                                                                         2,000,000

 

3                            Total Community College of RI                                                   156,167,029

 

4      Notwithstanding  the  provisions  of  section  35-3-15  of  the  general  laws,  all  unexpended  or

 

5      unencumbered balances as of June 30, 2015 relating to the Community College of Rhode Island

 

6      are hereby reappropriated to fiscal year 2016.

 

7                            Grand Total – Public Higher Education                                      1,080,789,192

 

8      RI State Council on the Arts

 

9            General Revenues

 

10                  Operating Support                                                                                            428,501

 

11                  Grants                                                                                                           1,054,574

 

12            Federal Funds                                                                                                        799,348

 

13            Other Funds

 

14                  Art for Public Facilities                                                                                    632,536

 

15                            Grand Total RI State Council on the Arts                                         2,914,959

 

16      RI Atomic Energy Commission

 

17            General Revenues                                                                                                  913,197

 

18            Other Funds

 

19                  URI Sponsored Research                                                                                 257,977

 

20                  RICAP - RINSC Asset Protection                                                                     100,000

 

21                            Grand Total RI Atomic Energy Commission                                    1,271,174

 

22      RI Higher Education Assistance Authority

 

23            General Revenues

 

24                  Authority Operations and Other Grants                                                           147,000

 

25            Federal Funds

 

26                  Federal Funds                                                                                             10,680,967

 

27                  WaytoGoRI Portal                                                                                           650,000

 

28                  Guaranty Agency Reserve Fund                                                                   4,134,726

 

29      The $2,634,726 expended from the Guaranty Agency Reserve Fund shall be used for RIHEAA

 

30      need-based scholarships and grants.

 

31            Other Funds

 

32                  Tuition Savings Program Needs Based Grants and Work Opportunities     8,000,000

 

33                  Tuition Savings Program Administration                                                       334,268

 

34                            Grand Total RI Higher Education Assistance Authority                 23,946,961


1      RI Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission

 

2            General Revenues                                                                                               1,320,610

 

3            Federal Funds                                                                                                     2,183,588

 

4            Restricted Receipts                                                                                                434,910

 

5            Other Funds

 

6                  RIDOT Project Review                                                                                      70,868

 

7                  RICAP - Eisenhower House Asset Protection                                                1,900,000

 

8                            Grand Total RI Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission   5,909,976

 

9      Attorney General

 

10      Criminal

 

11            General Revenues                                                                                             14,475,192

 

12            Federal Funds                                                                                                     1,634,631

 

13            Restricted Receipts                                                                                            10,332,721

 

14                            Total Criminal                                                                                26,442,544

 

15      Civil

 

16            General Revenues                                                                                               4,816,217

 

17            Restricted Receipts                                                                                                917,187

 

18                            Total Civil                                                                                        5,733,404

 

19      Bureau of Criminal Identification General Revenues                                                1,542,124

 

20      General

 

21            General Revenues                                                                                               2,773,613

 

22            Other Funds

 

23                RICAP - Building Renovations and Repairs                                                      300,000

 

24                            Total General                                                                                   3,073,613

 

25                            Grand Total Attorney General                                                       36,791,685

 

26      Corrections

 

27      Central Management

 

28            General Revenues                                                                                               9,070,974

 

29            Federal Funds                                                                                                        117,996

 

30            Restricted Receipts                                                                                                344,240

 

31                            Total Central Management                                                               9,533,210

 

32      Parole Board

 

33            General Revenues                                                                                               1,275,799

 

34            Federal Funds                                                                                                          38,000


1                            Total – Parole Board                                                                           1,313,799

 

2      Custody and Security

 

3            General Revenues                                                                                           118,747,911

 

4            Federal Funds                                                                                                        810,713

 

5                            Total Custody and Security                                                          119,558,624

 

6      Institutional Support

 

7            General Revenues                                                                                             15,726,066

 

8            Other Funds

 

9                Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

10                      Asset Protection                                                                                        3,750,000

 

11                      Maximum General Renovations                                                               715,433

 

12                      General Renovations Women's                                                                    850,000

 

13                      Bernadette Guay Roof                                                                              1,203,112

 

14                      ISC Exterior Envelope and HVAC                                                            3,933,749

 

15                      Minimum Security Kitchen Expansion                                                     4,160,392

 

16                      Medium Infrastructure                                                                              4,833,931

 

17                      Dix Building Plumbing and Bathroom Renovations                                      80,821

 

18                            Total Institutional Support                                                             35,253,504

 

19      Institutional Based Rehab./Population Management

 

20            General Revenues                                                                                               8,972,305

 

21            Federal Funds                                                                                                        619,476

 

22            Restricted Receipts                                                                                                  29,164

 

23                            Total Institutional Based Rehab/Population Mgt.                             9,620,945

 

24      Healthcare Services General Revenues                                                                  18,916,896

 

25      Community Corrections

 

26            General Revenues                                                                                             15,035,529

 

27            Federal Funds                                                                                                          68,518

 

28            Restricted Receipts                                                                                                  25,475

 

29                            Total Community Corrections                                                        15,129,522

 

30                            Grand Total Corrections                                                               209,326,500

 

31      Judiciary

 

32      Supreme Court

 

33            General Revenues

 

34                  General Revenues                                                                                       26,220,642


1                  Defense of Indigents                                                                                     3,542,240

 

2            Federal Funds                                                                                                        151,954

 

3            Restricted Receipts                                                                                              2,465,781

 

4            Other Funds

 

5                  Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

6                      Judicial HVAC                                                                                            525,000

 

7                      Judicial Complexes Asset Protection                                                           825,000

 

8                            Total - Supreme Court                                                                      33,730,617

 

9      Judicial Tenure and Discipline General Revenues                                                      115,513

 

10      Superior Court

 

11            General Revenues                                                                                             22,144,027

 

12            Federal Funds                                                                                                          47,552

 

13            Restricted Receipts                                                                                                302,378

 

14                            Total – Superior Court                                                                      22,493,957

 

15      Family Court

 

16            General Revenues                                                                                             19,245,592

 

17            Federal Funds                                                                                                     1,709,741

 

18                            Total – Family Court                                                                         20,955,333

 

19      District Court

 

20            General Revenues                                                                                             11,508,535

 

21            Restricted Receipts                                                                                                292,802

 

22                            Total District Court                                                                        11,801,337

 

23      Traffic Tribunal General Revenues                                                                           8,760,119

 

24      Workers' Compensation Court Restricted Receipts                                                   7,712,640

 

25                            Grand Total Judiciary                                                                  105,569,516

 

26      Military Staff

 

27            General Revenues                                                                                               1,842,096

 

28            Federal Funds                                                                                                   14,779,178

 

29            Restricted Receipts                                                                                                442,800

 

30            Other Funds

 

31                  Rhode Island Capital Plan Fund

 

32                      Armory of Mounted Command Roof Replacement                                     300,000

 

33                      State Armories Fire Code Compliance                                                          10,000

 

34                      Asset Protection                                                                                           700,000


1                      Logistics/Maintenance Facilities Fire Code Compliance                                  5,000

 

2                      Benefit Street Arsenal Rehabilitation                                                           375,000

 

3                            Grand Total Military Staff                                                             18,454,074

 

4      Public Safety

 

5      Central Management

 

6            General Revenues                                                                                               1,176,284

 

7            Federal Funds                                                                                                     4,096,105

 

8            Restricted Receipts                                                                                                  20,000

 

9                            Total Central Management                                                               5,292,389

 

10      E-911 Emergency Telephone System General Revenues                                           5,428,479

 

11      State Fire Marshal

 

12            General Revenues                                                                                               2,746,455

 

13            Federal Funds                                                                                                          94,000

 

14            Restricted Receipts                                                                                                498,854

 

15            Other Funds

 

16                  Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

17                      Fire Academy                                                                                           1,934,500

 

18                      Quonset Development Corporation                                                               57,335

 

19                            Total – State Fire Marshal                                                                   5,331,144

 

20      Security Services General Revenues                                                                       21,751,650

 

21      Municipal Police Training Academy

 

22            General Revenues                                                                                                  245,379

 

23            Federal Funds                                                                                                        397,400

 

24                            Total Municipal Police Training Academy                                          642,779

 

25      State Police

 

26            General Revenues                                                                                             63,945,787

 

27            Federal Funds                                                                                                     2,306,770

 

28            Restricted Receipts                                                                                            12,345,000

 

29            Other Funds

 

30                  Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

31                      Barracks and Training                                                                               4,127,659

 

32                      Headquarters Repairs/Rehabilitation                                                            737,800

 

33                  Traffic Enforcement – Municipal Training                                                      134,500

 

34                  Lottery Commission Assistance                                                                    1,399,683


 

1

Airport Corporation

176,206

 

2

 

Road Construction Reimbursement

 

2,935,000

 

3

 

Total – State Police

 

88,108,405

 

4

 

Grand Total – Public Safety

 

126,554,846

 

5      Office of Public Defender

 

6

 

General Revenues

 

11,130,816

 

7

 

Federal Funds

 

248,864

 

8

 

Grand Total Office of Public Defender

 

11,379,680

 

9      Emergency Management

 

10            General Revenues                                                                                               1,959,858

 

11            Federal Funds                                                                                                   18,273,640

 

12            Restricted Receipts                                                                                                221,729

 

13            Other Funds

 

14                  Rhode Island Capital Plan Fund

 

15                      Hurricane Sandy Cleanup                                                                            167,000

 

16                            Grand Total – Emergency Management                                            20,622,227

 

17      Environmental Management

 

18      Office of the Director

 

19            General Revenues

 

20                  General Revenues                                                                                         5,020,153

 

21                  Permit Streamlining                                                                                           33,414

 

22            Federal Funds                                                                                                        150,000

 

23            Restricted Receipts                                                                                              2,884,372

 

24                            Total Office of the Director                                                             8,087,939

 

25      Natural Resources

 

26            General Revenues                                                                                             19,244,615

 

27            Federal Funds                                                                                                   21,348,128

 

28            Restricted Receipts                                                                                              4,138,036

 

29            Other Funds

 

30                  DOT Recreational Projects                                                                            1,114,278

 

31                  Blackstone Bikepath Design                                                                         2,059,795

 

32                  Transportation MOU                                                                                         78,579

 

33                  Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

34                      Dam Repair                                                                                              1,500,000


 

1

Fort Adams Rehabilitation

300,000

 

2

 

Fort Adams America's Cup

 

3,000,000

 

3

 

Recreational Facilities Improvements

 

3,500,000

 

4

 

Galilee Piers Upgrade

 

2,000,000

 

5

 

Newport Piers

 

100,000

 

6

 

World War II Facility

 

2,600,000

 

7

 

Blackstone Valley Bike Path

 

659,170

 

8

 

Rocky Point Acquisition/Renovations

 

3,400,000

 

9

 

Total Natural Resources

 

65,042,601

 

10      Environmental Protection

 

11            General Revenues                                                                                             11,241,923

 

12            Federal Funds                                                                                                   10,361,483

 

13            Restricted Receipts                                                                                              8,912,581

 

14            Other Funds

 

15                      Transportation MOU                                                                                   165,000

 

16                            Total – Environmental Protection                                                     30,680,987

 

17                            Grand Total – Environmental Management                                     103,811,527

 

18      Coastal Resources Management Council

 

19            General Revenues                                                                                               2,185,538

 

20            Federal Funds                                                                                                     1,774,143

 

21            Restricted Receipts                                                                                                250,000

 

22            Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

23                South Coast Restoration Project                                                                         450,000

 

24                Shoreline Change Beach SAMP                                                                         300,000

 

25                            Grand Total Coastal Resources Mgmt. Council                                4,959,681

 

26      Transportation

 

27      Central Management

 

28            Federal Funds                                                                                                     9,199,986

 

29            Other Funds

 

30                      Gasoline Tax                                                                                            1,770,720

 

31                            Total Central Management                                                             10,970,706

 

32      Management and Budget Other Funds Gasoline Tax                                                2,242,961

 

33      Infrastructure Engineering - GARVEE/Motor Fuel Tax Bonds

 

34            Federal Funds                                                                                                  325,726,490


1            Of  these  federal  funds,  $1,790,000 is  appropriated to  the  Public  Rail  Corporation from

 

2            CMAQ federal funds for the payment of liability insurance.

 

3            Federal Funds Stimulus                                                                                  17,188,279

 

4            Restricted Receipts                                                                                            12,352,761

 

5            Other Funds

 

6                      Gasoline Tax                                                                                          68,064,896

 

7                      Land Sale Revenue                                                                                 21,300,002

 

8                      Rhode Island Capital Funds

 

9                         RIPTA Land and Buildings                                                                       223,529

 

10                         Highway Project Match Plan                                                                27,650,000

 

11                            Total - Infrastructure Engineering – GARVEE                                472,505,957

 

12      Infrastructure Maintenance

 

13            Other Funds

 

14                      Gasoline Tax                                                                                          30,790,922

 

15                      Non-Land Surplus Property                                                                          10,000

 

16                      Outdoor Advertising                                                                                    150,000

 

17                      Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

18                         Maintenance Facilities Improvements                                                       500,000

 

19                         Salt Storage Facilities                                                                             1,000,000

 

20                         Portsmouth Facility                                                                                   500,000

 

21                         Maintenance Equipment Replacement                                                   2,500,000

 

22                         Train Station Maintenance and Repairs                                                    200,000

 

23                         Cooperative Maintenance Facility DOT/RIPTA                                        500,000

 

24                         Mass Transit Preliminary Conceptual Design                                            250,000

 

25                            Total Infrastructure Maintenance                                                   36,400,922

 

26                            Grand Total Transportation                                                          522,120,546

 

27      Statewide Totals

 

28            General Revenues                                                                                        3,445,950,836

 

29            Federal Funds                                                                                               3,086,759,793

 

30            Restricted Receipts                                                                                          282,305,536

 

31            Other Funds                                                                                                 1,962,443,788

 

32                            Statewide Grand Total                                                                  8,777,459,953

 

33                  SECTION  2.  Each  line  appearing  in  Section  1  of  this  Article  shall  constitute  an

 

34      appropriation.


1                  SECTION 3. Upon the transfer of any function of a department or agency to another

 

2      department or agency, the Governor is hereby authorized by means of executive order to transfer

 

3      or reallocate, in whole or in part, the appropriations and the full-time equivalent limits affected

 

4      thereby.

 

5                  SECTION 4. From the appropriation for contingency shall be paid such sums as may be

 

6      required at the discretion of the Governor to fund expenditures for which appropriations may not

 

7      exist. Such contingency funds may also be used for expenditures in the several departments and

 

8      agencies where appropriations are insufficient, or where such requirements are due to unforeseen

 

9      conditions or are non-recurring items of an unusual nature. Said appropriations may also be used

 

10      for the payment of bills incurred due to emergencies or to any offense against public peace and

 

11      property, in accordance with the provisions of Titles 11 and 45 of the General Laws of 1956, as

 

12      amended. All expenditures and transfers from this account shall be approved by the Governor.

 

13                  SECTION 5. The general assembly authorizes the state controller to establish the internal

 

14      service accounts shown below, and no other, to finance and account for the operations of state

 

15      agencies that provide services to other agencies, institutions and other governmental units on a

 

16      cost reimbursed basis. The purpose of these accounts is to ensure that certain activities are

 

17      managed in a businesslike manner, promote efficient use of services by making agencies pay the

 

18      full costs associated with providing the services, and allocate the costs of central administrative

 

19      services across all fund types, so that federal and other non-general fund programs share in the

 

20      costs of general government support. The controller is authorized to reimburse these accounts for

 

21      the  cost  of  work  or  services  performed  for  any  other  department  or  agency  subject  to  the

 

22      following expenditure limitations:

 

23            Account                                                                                                 Expenditure Limit

 

24            State Assessed Fringe Benefit Internal Service Fund                                           37,123,794

 

25            Administration Central Utilities Internal Service Fund                                        14,244,902

 

26            State Central Mail Internal Service Fund                                                              5,617,173

 

27            State Telecommunications Internal Service Fund                                                 4,080,029

 

28            State Automotive Fleet Internal Service Fund                                                     13,733,063

 

29            Surplus Property Internal Service Fund                                                                       2,500

 

30            Health Insurance Internal Service Fund                                                            250,127,757

 

31            Other Post-Employment Benefits Fund                                                               63,934,483

 

32            Capital Police Internal Service Fund                                                                     1,060,301


1            Secretary of State Record Center Internal Service Fund                                          882,436

 

2                  SECTION 6. The General Assembly may provide a written "statement of legislative

 

3      intent" signed by the chairperson of the House Finance Committee and by the chairperson of the

 

4      Senate Finance Committee to show the intended purpose of the appropriations contained in

 

5      Section 1 of this Article. The statement of legislative intent shall be kept on file in the House

 

6      Finance Committee and in the Senate Finance Committee.

 

7                  At least twenty (20) days prior to the issuance of a grant or the release of funds, which

 

8      grant or funds are listed on the legislative letter of intent, all department, agency and corporation

 

9      directors,  shall  notify  in  writing  the  chairperson  of  the  House  Finance  Committee  and  the

 

10      chairperson of the Senate Finance Committee of the approximate date when the funds are to be

 

11      released or granted.

 

12                  SECTION 7. Appropriation of Temporary Disability Insurance Funds -- There is hereby

 

13      appropriated pursuant to sections 28-39-5 and 28-39-8 of the Rhode Island General Laws all

 

14      funds required to be disbursed for the benefit payments from the Temporary Disability Insurance

 

15      Fund and Temporary Disability Insurance Reserve Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015.

 

16                  SECTION  8.  Appropriation  of  Employment  Security  Funds  --  There  is  hereby

 

17      appropriated pursuant to section 28-42-19 of the Rhode Island General Laws all funds required to

 

18      be disbursed for benefit payments from the Employment Security Fund for the fiscal year ending

 

19      June 30, 2015.

 

20                  SECTION 9. Appropriation of Lottery Division Funds There is hereby appropriated to

 

21      the Lottery Division any funds required to be disbursed by the Lottery Division for the purposes

 

22      of paying commissions or transfers to the prize fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015.

 

23                  SECTION 10. Departments and agencies listed below may not exceed the number of full-

 

24      time equivalent (FTE) positions shown below in any pay period. Full-time equivalent positions do

 

25      not include seasonal or intermittent positions whose scheduled period of employment does not

 

26      exceed twenty-six consecutive weeks or whose scheduled hours do not exceed nine hundred and

 

27      twenty-five  (925)  hours,  excluding  overtime,  in  a  one-year  period.  Nor  do  they  include

 

28      individuals  engaged  in  training,  the  completion  of  which  is  a  prerequisite  of  employment.

 

29      Provided, however, that the Governor or designee, Speaker of the House of Representatives or

 

30      designee,  and  the  President  of  the  Senate  or  designee  may  authorize  an  adjustment  to  any

 

31      limitation. Prior to the authorization, the State Budget Officer shall make a detailed written

 

32      recommendation to the Governor, the Speaker of the House, and the President of the Senate. A


1      Senate Fiscal Advisor.

 

2                  State employees whose funding is from non-state general revenue funds that are time

 

3      limited shall receive limited term appointment with the term limited to the availability of non-

 

4      state general revenue funding source.

 

5                                           FY 2015 FTE POSITION AUTHORIZATION

 

6      Departments and Agencies                                                                   Full-Time Equivalent

 

7            Administration                                                                                                          710.7

 

8            Business Regulation                                                                                                    94.0

 

9            Labor and Training                                                                                                    410.0

 

10            Revenue                                                                                                                    498.0

 

11            Legislature                                                                                                                 298.5

 

12            Office of the Lieutenant Governor                                                                               8.0

 

13            Office of the Secretary of State                                                                                  57.0

 

14            Office of the General Treasurer                                                                                  83.0

 

15            Board of Elections                                                                                                      11.0

 

16            Rhode Island Ethics Commission                                                                                12.0

 

17            Office of the Governor                                                                                               45.0

 

18            Commission for Human Rights                                                                                   14.5

 

19            Public Utilities Commission                                                                                        50.0

 

20            Office of Health and Human Services                                                                      184.0

 

21            Children, Youth, and Families                                                                                   670.5

 

22            Health                                                                                                                       491.3

 

23            Human Services                                                                                                        959.1

 

24            Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals                                1,422.4

 

25            Office of the Child Advocate                                                                                       6.0

 

26            Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing                                                             3.0

 

27            Governor's Commission on Disabilities                                                                        4.0

 

28            Office of the Mental Health Advocate                                                                          3.7

 

29            Elementary and Secondary Education                                                                       154.9

 

30            School for the Deaf                                                                                                    60.0

 

31            Davies Career and Technical School                                                                         126.0

 

32            Office of Postsecondary Commissioner                                                                      12.8

 

33      Provided  that  1.0  of  the  total  authorization  would  be  available  only  for  positions  that  are


1            University of Rhode Island                                                                                     2,456.5

 

2      Provided that 573.8 of the total authorization would be available only for positions that are

 

3      supported by third-party funds.

 

4            Rhode Island College                                                                                                923.6

 

5      Provided that  82.0  of the total authorization  would be  available only for positions  that are

 

6      supported by third-party funds.

 

7            Community College of Rhode Island                                                                        854.1

 

8      Provided that  94.0  of the total authorization  would be  available only for positions  that are

 

9      supported by third-party funds.

 

10            Rhode Island State Council on the Arts                                                                         6.0

 

11            RI Atomic Energy Commission                                                                                     8.6

 

12            Higher Education Assistance Authority                                                                       22.0

 

13            Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission                                                       16.6

 

14            Office of the Attorney General                                                                                 236.1

 

15            Corrections                                                                                                             1,419.0

 

16            Judicial                                                                                                                      726.3

 

17            Military Staff                                                                                                              85.0

 

18            Public Safety                                                                                                             633.2

 

19            Office of the Public Defender                                                                                    93.0

 

20            Emergency Management                                                                                             32.0

 

21            Environmental Management                                                                                      399.0

 

22            Coastal Resources Management Council                                                                     29.0

 

23            Transportation                                                                                                           752.6

 

24                  Total                                                                                                              15,082.0

 

25                  SECTION 11. The amounts reflected in this Article include the appropriation of Rhode

 

26      Island Capital Plan funds for fiscal year 2015 and supersede appropriations provided for FY 2015

 

27      within Section 11 of Article 1 of Chapter 144 of the P.L. of 2013.

 

28                  The following amounts are hereby appropriated out of any money in the State's Rhode

 

29      Island Capital Plan Fund not otherwise appropriated to be expended during the fiscal years ending

 

30      June 30, 2016, June 30, 2017, June 30, 2018, and June 30, 2019. These amounts supersede

 

31      appropriations provided within Section 11 of Article 1 of Chapter 144 of the P.L. of 2013. For the

 

32      purposes and functions hereinafter mentioned, the State Controller is hereby authorized and

 

33      directed to draw his or her orders upon the General Treasurer for the payment of such sums and

 

34      such portions thereof as may be required by him or her upon receipt of properly authenticated


 

1

vouchers.

 

 

2

 

 

Fiscal Year

 

Fiscal Year

 

Fiscal Year

 

Fiscal Year

 

3

 

 

Ending

 

Ending

 

Ending

 

Ending

 

4

 

Project

 

June 30, 2016

 

June 30, 2017

 

June 30, 2018

 

June 30, 2019

 

5

DOA-Big River Management Area

120,000

120,000

120,000

120,000

 

6

 

DOA-Cannon Building

 

150,000

 

150,000

 

300,000

 

300,000

 

7

 

DOA-Environmental Compliance

 

200,000

 

200,000

 

200,000

 

200,000

 

8

 

DOA-Fire Code Compliance

 

 

 

 

 

9

 

State Buildings

 

500,000

 

500,000

 

500,000

 

500,000

 

10

 

DOA-Old State House

 

800,000

 

800,000

 

0

 

0

 

11      DOA-Pastore Center Buildings

 

12            Demolition                             1,025,000         975,000            1,200,000                      0

 

13      DOA-Pastore Center - Fire Code

 

14            Compliance                               500,000          500,000              500,000             500,000

 

15      DOA-Pastore Medical Center

 

16            Rehab                                     2,300,000         650,000              250,000               50,000

 

17      DOA-Utilities Upgrades                1,400,000                   0                         0                        0

 

18      DOA- Statehouse Renovations     3,000,000       4,000,000           2,400,000         1,000,000

 

19      DOA-State Office Building             600,000       2,800,000                        0                        0

 

20      DOA-Washington County

 

21            Government Center                   475,000          350,000              350,000                       0

 

22      DOA-William Powers

 

23            Administration Building            180,000          925,000              440,000             500,000

 

24      DOA-Zambarano Utilities and

 

25            Infrastructure                            550,000       1,000,000              750,000             250,000

 

26      DLT-Center General Asset

 

27            Protection                               1,500,000       1,200,000           1,000,000                      0

 

28      DHS- Blind Vending Facilities        165,000          165,000              165,000             165,000

 

29      BHDDH-Eleanor Slater Hospital

 

30            Consolidation                                      0                    0           10,000,000        10,000,000

 

31      ELSEC-Davies School Asset

 

32            Protection                                  250,000          250,000              250,000             250,000

 

33      ELSEC-Met School Asset Protection 100,000       100,000              100,000                       0

 

34      ELSEC-Warwick Career and


1            Technical                                  950,000          600,000                        0                        0

 

2      ELSEC-Woonsocket Career and

 

3            Technical                                  808,088          300,000                        0                        0

 

4      Higher Ed-Asset Protection-CCRI  2,184,100    2,232,100           2,299,063         2,368,035

 

5      Higher Ed-Asset Protection-RIC   3,080,400       3,357,700           3,458,431         3,562,184

 

6      Higher Ed-Asset Protection-URI   5,482,900       7,856,000           8,030,000         8,200,000

 

7      Higher Ed-CCRI Knight Campus

 

8            Renewal                                 2,000,000       5,000,000         11,000,000                      0

 

9      Higher Ed-RIC Infrastructure

 

10            Modernization                        2,000,000       3,000,000           3,500,000         2,000,000

 

11      AG-Building Renovations and

 

12            Repairs                                      300,000          300,000              400,000            400,000

 

13      DOC-Asset Protection                  4,020,000       4,000,000           4,000,000         4,990,000

 

14      Judicial-Judicial Complexes Asset

 

15            Protection                                  850,000          875,000              950,000            950,000

 

16      Judicial-Judicial Complexes HVAC   750,000       900,000              900,000            900,000

 

17      Military Staff-Armory of Mounted

 

18            Commands                                357,500          550,000                        0                        0

 

19      Military Staff-Emergency

 

20            Management Building            1,500,000                    0                         0                        0

 

21      Military Staff-Asset Protection        700,000          700,000              700,000            700,000

 

22      DEM-Dam Repair                           750,000       1,000,000           1,550,000         1,500,000

 

23      DEM-Fort Adams Rehabilitation     125,000                    0                         0                        0

 

24      DEM-Fort Adams Sailing

 

25            Improvements                        1,400,000                    0                         0                        0

 

26      DEM-Newport Piers                        137,500          137,500                        0                        0

 

27      DEM-Recreation Facilities

 

28            Improvements                        2,850,000       2,250,000           1,500,000            500,000

 

29      DOT-Highway Projects Match

 

30            Plan                                      28,200,000    27,200,000         27,200,000        27,200,000

 

31      DOT-Maintenance Facilities

 

32            Asset Protection                        500,000          500,000              500,000            500,000

 

33      DOT-Salt Storage Facilities           1,000,000       1,000,000           1,000,000         1,000,000

 

34                  SECTION 12. Reappropriation of Funding for Rhode Island Capital Plan Fund Projects.


1       Any  unexpended  and  unencumbered  funds  from Rhode  Island  Capital  Plan  Fund  project

 

2      appropriations may be reappropriated at the recommendation of the Governor in the ensuing

 

3      fiscal year and made available for the same purpose. However, any such reappropriations are

 

4      subject to final approval by the General Assembly as part of the supplemental appropriations act.

 

5      Any unexpended funds of less than five hundred dollars ($500) shall be reappropriated at the

 

6      discretion of the State Budget Officer.

 

7                  SECTION 13. For the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2015, the Rhode Island Housing and

 

8      Mortgage Finance Corporation shall provide from its resources such sums as appropriate in

 

9      support of the Neighborhood Opportunities Program. The Corporation shall provide a report

 

10      detailing the amount of funding provided to this program, as well as information on the number

 

11      of units of housing provided as a result to the Director of Administration, the Chair of the

 

12      Housing Resources Commission, the Chair of the House Finance Committee, the Chair of the

 

13      Senate Finance Committee and the State Budget Officer.

 

14                  SECTION 14.   Notwithstanding any general laws to the contrary, the Office of the

 

15      Attorney General shall transfer $600,000 from the lead paint settlement to the Housing Resources

 

16      Commission restricted receipts account.

 

17                  SECTION 15. This article shall take effect as of July 1, 2014.

 

18

 

19

20

 

21

 

22


=======

art.002/6/002/5/002/4/002/3/002/2/002/1

=======

 

1                                                                ARTICLE 2

 

 

 

2                                                        RELATING TO STATE AID

 

 

 

3                  SECTION 1. Sections 45-13.2-4 and 45-13.2-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-13.2

 

4      entitled "Municipal Incentive Aid" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

5                  45-13.2-4. State Aid Incentive Program appropriated. There are hereby appropriated

 

6      funds for a state aid program entitled "Municipal Incentive Aid Program." For fiscal year 2014,

 

7      fiscal year 2015 and fiscal year 2016, the amount of five million dollars ($5,000,000) shall be

 

8      appropriated.,  and  an  amount  of  ten  million  dollars  ($10,000.000)  will  be  requested  for

 

9      appropriation for fiscal year 2015 and for fiscal year 2016. Municipal Incentive Aid shall be

 

10      administered and managed by the division of municipal finance within the department of revenue.

 

11                  45-13.2-6. Distributions. -- (a) Municipal Incentive Aid described in this chapter shall be

 

12      distributed to eligible municipalities on the basis of the most recent population estimate for each

 

13      municipality  as  a  share  of  the  total  state  population  reported  by  the  U.S.  Department  of

 

14      Commerce, Bureau of the Census  as of January 1 in the year of the payment. Such payments shall

 

15      be made to eligible communities in March  2014, March 2015, and March 2016 of each year to the

 

16      extent that funds are appropriated.

 

17                  (b) For fiscal year 2014, municipalities shall be eligible to receive aid under this chapter

 

18      if: (1) the municipality has no locally-administered pension; or (2) the municipality notified plan

 

19      participants, beneficiaries and others pursuant to chapter 45-65, and submitted to the state's

 

20      department of revenue a Funding Improvement Plan ("FIP"), pursuant to section 45-65-6, for

 

21      every locally-administered pension plan in that municipality, and each FIP had been approved by

 

22      the plan sponsor and the local governing body no later than June 1, 2013; or (3) there existed a

 

23      locally-administered pension plan(s) in that municipality, but either: (i) no FIP was required

 

24      pursuant to chapter 45-65; or (ii) a FIP is required pursuant to chapter 45-65, but, the due date for

 

25      the FIP submission is after the March payment of state aid.

 

26                  (c) For fiscal  years  year 2015  and 2016 and each fiscal year thereafter that municipal

 

27      incentive aid is distributed to eligible municipalities under this chapter, municipalities shall be

 

28      eligible to receive aid under this chapter, if: (1) the municipality has no locally-administered

 

29      pension;  or  (2) the  municipality has  transitioned  all locally-administered  pension  plans  into

 

30      MERS by June 30, 2014; or (3) the municipality had notified plan participants, beneficiaries and


1      others pursuant to chapter 45-65 and had submitted to the state's department of revenue a FIP,

 

2      pursuant to chapter 45-65, for every locally-administered pension plan and each submitted FIP

 

3      meets the guidelines of the Study Commission on Locally-Administered Pension Plans created

 

4      pursuant to section 45-65-8 or otherwise applicable guidelines or regulations and each FIP has

 

5      been approved by the plan sponsor and the local governing body; or (4) the municipality has

 

6      implemented the original recommended FIP or an amended FIP pursuant to chapter 45-65 within

 

7      one month after the close of the fiscal year and made the required funding payment (formerly

 

8      referred to as Annually Required Contribution, or ARC) in compliance with the municipality's

 

9      adopted FIP(s) and the funding guidelines established by the Pension Study Commission eighteen

 

10      (18) months after an actuary has certified that a locally administered plan is in critical status for a

 

11      plan year; and the FIPs are approved by the plan sponsor and the local governing body; or (5)

 

12      there existed a locally-administered pension plan in that municipality, but either: (i) no FIP was

 

13      required pursuant to chapter 45-65 and  either: (A) the municipality is funding one hundred

 

14      percent (100%) of its  required funding payment; Annually Required Contribution (ARC) or (B)

 

15      the municipality has a funded ratio of one hundred percent (100%) or greater; or (ii) FIP is

 

16      required  pursuant  to  chapter  45-65,  however,  the  due  date  for  the  FIP  submission  or

 

17      implementation is after the March payment of this municipal incentive aid.

 

18                  (d)  In any fiscal year that a municipality does not receive an appropriation under this

 

19      chapter, the amount that would have been allocated to the municipality will be distributed in the

 

20      month of May among the other eligible municipalities for that fiscal year, on the basis of the most

 

21      recent population estimate for each municipality as a share of the total state population reported

 

22      by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. For fiscal year 2014, and in any

 

23      year thereafter that a municipality is not eligible to receive a distribution under this chapter, the

 

24      distribution  that  said   municipality  would   have   received   had  it   been   eligible  shall  be

 

25      reappropriated to the immediately following fiscal year, at which time the amount reappropriated

 

26      shall  be  distributed  to  said  municipality  provided  that  said  municipality  has  satisfied  the

 

27      eligibility requirements of both the prior fiscal year and the then current fiscal year. In the event

 

28      that said municipality fails to satisfy the eligibility requirements for the prior and the then current

 

29      fiscal year by the time that eligibility to receive distributions in the next fiscal year is determined,

 

30      then the amount that would have been distributed to the municipality for said prior year will be

 

31      distributed in the month of May among the municipalities that received a distribution in the prior

 

32      fiscal year, with the share to be received by each municipality calculated in the same manner as


1      Aid" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

2                  45-13-5.1. General assembly appropriations in lieu of property tax from certain

 

3      exempt private and state properties. -- (a) In lieu of the amount of local real property tax on

 

4      real property owned by any private nonprofit institution of higher education, or any nonprofit

 

5      hospital  facility,  or  any  state  owned  and  operated  hospital,  veterans'  residential  facility,  or

 

6      correctional facility occupied by more than one hundred (100) residents which may have been or

 

7      will be exempted from taxation by applicable state law, exclusive of any facility operated by the

 

8      federal government, the state of Rhode Island, or any of its subdivisions, the general assembly

 

9      shall annually appropriate for payment to the several cities and towns in which the property lies a

 

10      sum equal to twenty-seven percent (27%) of all tax that would have been collected had the

 

11      property been taxable.

 

12                  (b) As used in this section, "private nonprofit institution of higher education" means any

 

13      institution engaged primarily in education beyond the high school level, the property of which is

 

14      exempt from property tax under any of the subdivisions, and "nonprofit hospital facility" means

 

15      any nonprofit hospital licensed by the state and which is used for the purpose of general medical,

 

16      surgical, or psychiatric care and treatment.

 

17                  (c) The grant payable to any municipality under the provision of this section shall be

 

18      equal to twenty-seven percent (27%) of the property taxes which, except for any exemption to

 

19      any institution of higher education or general hospital facility, would have been paid with respect

 

20      to that exempt real property on the assessment list in the municipality for the assessment date of

 

21      December 31, 1986 and with respect to such exempt real property appearing on an assessment list

 

22      in the municipality on succeeding assessment dates. Provided however that the grant paid for the

 

23      fiscal year ending June 30, 2008 shall be based upon the assessment list in the municipality as of

 

24      December 31, 2004.

 

25                  (d) The state budget offices shall include the amount of the annual grant in the state

 

26      budget for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 1988 and each fiscal year thereafter. The amount of

 

27      the annual grant payable to each municipality in any year in accordance with this section shall be

 

28      reduced proportionately in the event that the total of the annual grants in any year exceeds the

 

29      amount appropriated that year for the purposes of this section.

 

30                  (e) Distribution of appropriations shall be made by the state on or before July 31 of 1988

 

31      and each July 31 thereafter, and the payments may be counted as a receivable by any city or town

 

32      for a fiscal year ending the preceding June 30.

 

33                  (e) Distribution of appropriations shall be made by the state on July 31 in the year of

 

34      payment or on the date immediately following verified receipt of a municipality's assessment data


1      for the following fiscal year's payment, whichever is later.

 

2                   (f) Any act or omission by the state with respect to this chapter shall in no way diminish

 

3      the duty of any town or municipality to provide public safety or other ordinary services to the

 

4      properties or facilities of the type listed in subsection (a).

 

5                   (g) Provided, that payments authorized pursuant to this section shall be reduced pro rata,

 

6      for that period of time that the municipality suspends or reduces essential services to eligible

 

7      facilities. For the purposes of this section "essential services" include, but are not to be limited to,

 

8      police, fire and rescue.

 

9                  SECTION 3. This article shall take effect as of July 1, 2014 and section 1 of this article

 

10      shall apply retroactively to July 1, 2103.


 

 

 

 

 

1                                                                ARTICLE 3


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art.003/3/003/2/003/1

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2                                    RELATING TO RESTRICTED RECEIPT ACCOUNTS

 

 

 

3                  SECTION 1. Section 35-4-27 of the General Laws in Chapter 35-4 entitled "State Funds"

 

4      is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

5                  35-4-27.  Indirect  cost  recoveries  on  restricted  receipt  accounts.    Indirect  cost

 

6      recoveries of ten percent (10%) of cash receipts shall be transferred from all restricted receipt

 

7      accounts, to be recorded as general revenues in the general fund. However, there shall be no

 

8      transfer from cash receipts with restrictions received exclusively: (1) from contributions from

 

9      non-profit charitable organizations; (2) from the assessment of indirect cost recovery rates on

 

10      federal  grant  funds;  or  (3)  through  transfers  from  state  agencies  to  the  department  of

 

11      administration for the payment of debt service. These indirect cost recoveries shall be applied to

 

12      all accounts, unless prohibited by federal law or regulation, court order, or court settlement. The

 

13      following restricted receipt accounts shall not be subject to the provisions of this section:

 

14                  Executive Office of Health and Human Services

 

15                  Organ Transplant Fund

 

16                  HIV Care Grant Drug Rebates

 

17                  Department of Human Services

 

18                  Veterans' home Restricted account

 

19                  Veterans' home Resident benefits

 

20                  Pharmaceutical Rebates Account

 

21                  Demand Side Management Grants

 

22                  Organ transplant fund

 

23                  Veteran's Cemetery Memorial Fund

 

24                  Donations- New Veterans' Home Construction

 

25                  Department of Health

 

26                  Providence Water Lead Grant

 

27                  Pandemic medications and equipment account

 

28                  Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals

 

29                  Eleanor Slater non-Medicaid third-party payor account

 

30                  Hospital Medicare Part D Receipts


1                  RICLAS Group Home Operations

 

2                  Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

 

3                  Emergency and public communication access account

 

4                  Department of Environmental Management

 

5                  National heritage revolving fund

 

6                  Environmental response fund II

 

7                  Underground storage tanks registration fees

 

8                  Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission

 

9                  Historic preservation revolving loan fund

 

10                  Historic Preservation loan fund Interest revenue

 

11                  Department of Public Safety

 

12                  Forfeited property Retained

 

13                  Forfeitures Federal

 

14                  Forfeited property Gambling

 

15                  Donation – Polygraph and Law Enforcement Training

 

16                  Rhode Island State Firefighter's League Training Account

 

17                  Fire Academy Training Fees Account

 

18                  Attorney General

 

19                  Forfeiture of property

 

20                  Federal forfeitures

 

21                  Attorney General multi-state account

 

22                  Forfeited property Gambling

 

23                  Department of Administration

 

24                  Office of Management and Budget

 

25                  Information Technology Investment Fund

 

26                  Restore and replacement Insurance coverage

 

27                  Convention Center Authority rental payments

 

28                  Investment Receipts TANS

 

29                  Car Rental Tax/Surcharge-Warwick Share

 

30                  Housing Resources Commission Restricted Account

 

31                  Legislature

 

32                  Audit of federal assisted programs

 

33                  Department of Children, Youth and Families

 

34                  Children's Trust Accounts – SSI


1                  Military Staff

 

2                  RI Military Family Relief Fund

 

3                  RI National Guard Counterdrug Program

 

4                  Treasury

 

5                  Admin. Expenses – State Retirement System

 

6                  Retirement Treasury Investment Options

 

7                  Violent Crimes Compensation Refunds

 

8                  Treasury Research Fellowship

 

9                  Business Regulation

 

10                  Banking Division Reimbursement Account

 

11                  Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner Reimbursement Account

 

12                  Securities Division Reimbursement Account

 

13                  Commercial Licensing and Racing and Athletics Division Reimbursement Account

 

14                  Insurance Division Reimbursement Account

 

15                  Historic Preservation Tax Credit Account

 

16                  Judiciary

 

17                  Arbitration Fund Restricted Receipt Account

 

18                  Third Party Grants

 

19                  Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

 

20                  Statewide Student Transportation Services Account

 

21                  School for the Deaf Fee for Service Account

 

22                  Davies Career and Technical School Local Education Aid Account

 

23                  Department of Labor and Training

 

24                  Job Development Fund Title XII loans principal and interest

 

25                  Department of Transportation

 

26                  Rhode Island Highway Maintenance Account

 

27                  SECTION 2. Section 30-24-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 30-24 entitled "Rhode

 

28      Island Veterans' Home" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

29                  30-24-6. Acceptance of gifts   Veterans' home restricted account. (a) The director of

 

30      human services is hereby authorized and empowered to take and receive in the name of the state

 

31      any grant, devise, gift, or bequest of real or personal property that may be made for the use and

 

32      benefit of the Rhode Island veterans' home or the residents or purposes thereof. All money so

 

33      received, and all money received under the provisions of §§ 30-24-9 and 30-24-10, shall be paid

 

34      over to the general treasurer and shall be kept by him or her as a restricted account to be known as


1      the "veterans' home restricted account". Use of the "veterans' home restricted account" funds may

 

2      only be made upon prior approval of the house of representatives' finance committee and senate

 

3      finance committee. The director may sell and dispose of any real or personal property received

 

4      under this section, and any property received under § 30-24-9, and the proceeds of the sale shall

 

5      be paid over to the general treasurer to be made a part of the restricted account. The restricted

 

6      account shall be used for the improvement of social, recreational, and educational programs,

 

7      including the purchase of educational and recreational supplies and equipment for the welfare of

 

8      members and for operational expenses and capital improvements at the veterans' home and

 

9      veterans' cemetery, as deemed necessary by the director of human services.

 

10                  (b) [Deleted by P.L. 1999, ch. 11, section 5.]

 

11                  (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, there is hereby

 

12      established a restricted receipt account within the general fund of the state for the sole purpose of

 

13      the collection and disbursement of any grant, devise, gift, or bequest of real or personal property

 

14      that may be made for the use and benefit of the design, construction, and furnishing of a new

 

15      Rhode Island veterans home in Bristol. This account shall be known as "donations- new veterans'

 

16      home construction".

 

17                  SECTION 3. Chapter 42-7.2 of the General Laws entitled "Office of Health and Human

 

18      Services" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

 

19                  42-7.2-19. HIV Care Grant rebate account.   (a) There is hereby created within the

 

20      executive office of health and human services a restricted receipt account to be known as the HIV

 

21      Care Grant rebate account to receive and expend pharmaceutical rebates on HIV treatment and

 

22      prevention services.

 

23                  (b) All amounts deposited in the HIV Care Grant rebate account on or after July 1, 2014,

 

24      shall be exempt from the indirect cost recovery provisions of § 35-4-27.

 

25                  SECTION 4. This article shall take effect as of January 1, 2014.


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art.004/7/004/6/004/5/004/4/004/3/004/2/004/1

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1                                                                ARTICLE 4

 

 

 

2                        RELATING TO DEBT MANAGEMENT ACT JOINT RESOLUTIONS

 

 

 

3                  SECTION 1. This article consists of joint resolutions that are submitted pursuant to

 

4      Rhode Island General Laws § 35-18-1, et seq.

 

5                  SECTION 2 Garrahy Courthouse Parking Project.

 

6                  WHEREAS, given the prime geographic location of the Garrahy Courthouse surface

 

7      parking lot site and its current limitations to adequately serve the Courthouse and surrounding

 

8      buildings; and

 

9                  WHEREAS, given the results of   the Garrahy Courthouse Parking Garage Conceptual

 

10      Analysis presented to a Special Legislative Commission for the Garrahy Parking Garage in

 

11      January, 2014 which identifies development of the current site into a multi-level parking garage

 

12      as a way to alleviate parking demand in the area and to spur economic activity; and

 

13                  WHEREAS,  the  I-195  Redevelopment  District  Commission  (“Commission)  has  the

 

14      principal responsibility for developing the surplus land from the relocation of Interstate 195 (the

 

15      Link”) to promote economic development through the best use of nearby freed-up parcels; and

 

16                  WHEREAS, the Commission has indicated that adequate structured parking is essential

 

17      to the development of the Link and that authorization for construction of a garage will assist it in

 

18      attracting interest in parcels of land; and

 

19                  WHEREAS,  the  State  would  enter  into  an  agreement  with  the  Convention  Center

 

20      Authority to develop, construct and operate a garage on the Garrahy Courthouse parking lot site;

 

21      and

 

22                  WHEREAS, the project costs associated with the construction of a garage is estimated at

 

23      forty-five million dollars ($45,000,000) based on industry guidelines of $31,250 per parking

 

24      space for 1,250 spaces, plus costs for build out of retail space on the first floor and costs

 

25      associated with the financing. Debt service payments on the bonds are not expected to exceed

 

26      seventy-eight million five hundred thousand dollars ($78,500,000) in the aggregate based on an

 

27      average interest rate of six percent (6.0%), with annual debt service payments expected to be

 

28      approximately three  million,  nine  hundred  twenty-five  thousand  dollars ($3,925,000)  over a

 

29      twenty (20) year term, now, therefore be it

 

30                  RESOLVED, that the State is authorized to effectuate the development of the garage, to


1      lease  or  sell  the  surface  lot  adjacent  to  the  Garrahy  Courthouse  to  the  Convention  Center

 

2      Authority, to enter into a long-term parking lease for court employees and other state employees,

 

3      as appropriate, and to enter into appropriate agreements including financing arrangements that

 

4      would permit the development and operation of the garage by the Convention Center Authority;

 

5      and be it further

 

6                  RESOLVED, that no debt shall be issued by the Convention Center Authority until such

 

7      time that the Commission certifies to the State and the Authority that it has entered into at least

 

8      three (3) purchase and sale agreements for parcels of land under its control, excluding parcels 6, 8

 

9      and 9; and be it further

 

10                  RESOLVED, that the Department of Administration may advance from the Rhode Island

 

11      Capital Plan Fund (“Fund) an amount not to exceed five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000)

 

12      for preliminary architectural and engineering work on the planned garage, the sum of which shall

 

13      be repaid to the Fund upon issuance of the debt by the Convention Center Authority, and be it

 

14      further

 

15                  RESOLVED,  that  the  general  assembly  hereby  authorizes  the  Convention  Center

 

16      Authority to issue debt in accordance with its authority under Chapter 42-99 of the General Laws

 

17      in an amount not to exceed forty-five million dollars ($45,000,000) to finance the construction of

 

18      a parking garage at the current site of the Garrahy surface parking lot providing approximately

 

19      1,250 parking spaces and 13,800 square feet of retail space on the ground level; and further

 

20                  RESOLVED, that this Joint Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage by

 

21      this General Assembly; and further

 

22                  RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall apply to debt issued within five (5) years of the

 

23      date of passage of this Resolution.

 

24                  SECTION 3. Rhode Island Airport Corporation.

 

25                  WHEREAS, the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation is a public instrumentality of the

 

26      State of Rhode Island (the "State"), created by the General Assembly pursuant to Rhode Island

 

27      General Laws §§ 42-64-1 et seq. (as enacted, reenacted and amended, the "Act"); and

 

28                  WHEREAS, the Act declares, in part, that new industrial, manufacturing, recreational,

 

29      and commercial facilities are required to attract and house new industries and thereby reduce the

 

30      hazards of unemployment; and that unaided efforts of private enterprises have not met and cannot

 

31      meet the needs of providing those facilities due to problems encountered in assembling suitable

 

32      building sites, lack of adequate public service, unavailability of private capital for development,

 

33      and  the  inability  of  private  enterprise  alone  to  plan,  finance,  and  coordinate  industrial,

 

34      recreational, and commercial development; and


1                  WHEREAS, the Act further declares it to be the public policy of the state to furnish

 

2      proper and adequate airport facilities within the state and to encourage the integration of these

 

3      facilities so far as practicable; and

 

4                  WHEREAS, in furtherance of these goals, it is the policy of the state to retain existing

 

5      industries  and  to  induce,  encourage  and  attract  new  industries  through  the  acquisition,

 

6      construction,  reconstruction  and  rehabilitation  of  industrial,  manufacturing,  recreational,  and

 

7      commercial facilities, as well as transportation, residential, environmental, utility, public service,

 

8      institutional and civic and community facilities, and to develop sites for such facilities; and

 

9                  WHEREAS,  the  Act  has  empowered  the  Rhode  Island  Commerce  Corporation  to

 

10      establish subsidiary corporations to exercise its powers and functions, or any of them, and,

 

11      pursuant to such power, the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation has established the Rhode

 

12      Island Airport Corporation to plan, develop, construct, finance, manage, and operate airport

 

13      facilities in the state; and

 

14                  WHEREAS, the Act provides that the Rhode Island Airport Corporation shall have the

 

15      power  to  purchase,  take,  receive,  lease  or  otherwise  acquire,  own,  hold,  improve,  use  and

 

16      otherwise deal in and with, real or personal property, or any interest therein, wherever situated;

 

17      and

 

18                  WHEREAS, the Act also provides that the Rhode Island Airport Corporation shall have

 

19      the power to sell, mortgage, lease, exchange, transfer or otherwise dispose of or encumber any

 

20      project, (or in the case of a sale, to accept a purchase money mortgage in connection therewith) or

 

21      to grant options for any such purposes with respect to any real or personal property or interest

 

22      therein, all of the foregoing for such consideration as the Rhode Island Airport Corporation shall

 

23      determine. Any lease by the Rhode Island Airport Corporation to another party may be for such

 

24      part of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation's property, real or personal, for such period, upon

 

25      such terms or conditions, with or without an option on the part of the lessee to purchase any or all

 

26      of  the leased property for such consideration,  at  or after the  retirement  of all indebtedness

 

27      incurred by the Rhode Island Airport Corporation on account thereof, as the Rhode Island Airport

 

28      Corporation shall determine; and

 

29                  WHEREAS,  the Act authorizes the Rhode Island Commerce  Corporation  to borrow

 

30      money and issue bonds for any of its corporate purposes; and

 

31                  WHEREAS, pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws Sections 35-18-3 and 35-18-4, the

 

32      Rhode Island Commerce Corporation has requested the approval of the General Assembly of the

 

33      Rhode Island Commerce Corporation's issuance of airport revenue bonds (the "Bonds") for the

 

34      purpose of providing funds to the Rhode Island Airport Corporation for financing the various


1      capital  projects  including  by  way  of  example  and  not  limitation  runway  and  taxiway

 

2      improvements  and  facility  developments  on  the  premises,  the  provision  of  architectural,

 

3      engineering, surveying, construction management and other professional services necessary or

 

4      appropriate therefore, funding capitalized interest, costs of issuing the Bonds and related costs,

 

5      and the establishment of reserves for the project and the Bonds, including a debt service reserve

 

6      fund (the "Airport Project"); and

 

7                  WHEREAS, the financing of the Airport Project will be accomplished through one or

 

8      more loan agreements having the Rhode Island Airport Corporation as borrower, such agreement

 

9      or agreements to require that the Rhode Island Airport Corporation make loan payments in an

 

10      amount equal to the debt service on the Bonds.

 

11                  RESOLVED,  the  General  Assembly  hereby  approves  the  Rhode  Island  Commerce

 

12      Corporation's issuance of the Bonds (as defined below) and notes in anticipation thereof. The

 

13      Bonds will be special obligations of the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation payable exclusively

 

14      from loan repayments under a loan agreement with the Rhode Island Airport Corporation and

 

15      from Bond proceeds, funds, accounts, and properties and the proceeds thereof pledged therefor,

 

16      and thus the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation's maximum liability will be limited to loan

 

17      repayments received under the loan agreement and the aggregate amount of such other funds,

 

18      accounts, properties, and proceeds.

 

19                  RESOLVED, that the total amount of debt approved to be issued in the aggregate shall be

 

20      limited to not more than $60,000,000 (the "Bonds"). Total debt service on the Bonds is not

 

21      expected to exceed approximately $4,600,000 annually and approximately $135,000,000 in the

 

22      aggregate based on anticipated level annual payments, an estimated average interest rate of 6.25%

 

23      and a maturity of 30 years.

 

24                  RESOLVED,  the  General  Assembly  hereby  approves  the  Rhode  Island  Airport

 

25      Corporation's  entering  into  the  loan  agreements  described  above.  Payments  under  the  loan

 

26      agreements shall be derived exclusively from project revenues and such other proceeds, funds,

 

27      accounts, projects and the proceeds thereof as the Rhode Island Airport Corporation may pledge

 

28      therefor.

 

29                  RESOLVED,  the  Bonds  or  the  amounts  due  under  the  loan  agreements  shall  not

 

30      constitute indebtedness of the State or a debt for which the full faith and credit of the State is

 

31      pledged or a moral obligation thereof.

 

32                  RESOLVED, that this resolution shall apply to debt issued within two (2) years of the


1                  WHEREAS, the Rhode Island Depositors Economic Protection Corporation ("DEPCO"),

 

2      was created by the General Assembly pursuant to the Rhode Island General Laws § 42-116-1 et

 

3      seq.; and

 

4                  WHEREAS,  all  of  the  remaining  outstanding  DEPCO  Bonds  have  been  defeased

 

5      pursuant to various escrow agreements; and

 

6                  WHEREAS, because of declines m interest rates, certain of the remaining outstanding

 

7      DEPCO Bonds can be called and refunded with savings accruing to the State; and

 

8                  WHEREAS, DEPCO can no longer issue refunding bonds since it was dissolved and

 

9      terminated pursuant to the provisions of Rhode Island General Laws § 42-116-25; and

 

10                  WHEREAS,  the  Rhode  Island  Refunding  Bond  Authority  (the  "Refunding  Bond

 

11      Authority") was created by the General Assembly pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws § 35-

 

12      8.1-1 et seq., initially to authorize the refunding of certain State General Obligation Bonds that

 

13      could not otherwise be refunded without a new referendum; and

 

14                  WHEREAS, the General Assembly desires to authorize the Refunding Bond Authority to

 

15      refund certain DEPCO Bonds in order to accrue the benefits of savings to the State, now,

 

16      therefore, be it

 

17                  RESOLVED,  the  General Assembly approves  the  issuance  of  up  to  $35,000,000  in

 

18      Bonds by the Refunding Bond Authority (the "Bonds") to refund a portion of DEPCO's remaining

 

19      outstanding $138,835,000 Rhode Island Economic Protection Corporation Special Obligation

 

20      Refunding Bonds, 1992 Series B, and the Refunding Bond Authority is authorized to proceed

 

21      with the financing, provided that payment of the debt service on the Bonds shall be fully secured

 

22      by non-callable direct obligations of the United States of America, or non-callable obligations

 

23      fully guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United States of America, and

 

24                  RESOLVED, savings accruing from the refunding shall be transferred to and shall vest in

 

25      the State's sinking fund established under Rhode Island General Laws § 35-8-1 et seq. and as

 

26      provided in Rhode Island General Laws § 42-116-25, and

 

27                  RESOLVED, the Governor is authorized to enter into agreements with the Refunding

 

28      Bond Authority to effectuate the savings to the State. None of such agreements or the Bonds shall

 

29      constitute indebtedness of the State or a debt for which the full faith and credit of the State is

 

30      pledged or a moral obligation thereof, and

 

31                  RESOLVED, that this joint resolution shall take effect immediately upon passage by the

 

32      general assembly.


1                  35-8.1-8. General powers. -- To carry out the purposes of this chapter, the authority has

 

2      the power to:

 

3                   (1) Sue and be sued;

 

4                   (2) Adopt and have an official seal and alter the seal at its pleasure;

 

5                   (3) Make and alter bylaws, rules, and regulations for the conduct of its affairs and

 

6      business;

 

7                   (4) Maintain an office at such place or places within the state as it may determine;

 

8                   (5) Acquire, hold, use, and dispose of its revenue income, funds, and moneys;

 

9                   (6) Acquire, purchase, hold, and use any property, real, personal or mixed, tangible or

 

10      intangible, or any interest therein necessary or desirable for carrying out the purposes of the

 

11      authority, and to mortgage, lease, or sell any of the property; and (without limitation of the

 

12      foregoing) to lease as lessee, any property, real, personal, or mixed, or any interest therein to

 

13      lease as lessor to the federal government, the state, and any municipality any project of the

 

14      authority, and to sell, transfer, and convey to any lessee or to any other person upon such terms

 

15      and conditions and for such considerations as the authority shall determine.

 

16                  (7) Borrow money, issue its bonds, provide for and secure the payment thereof, and

 

17      provide for the rights of the holders thereof, and purchase, hold, and dispose of any of its bonds;

 

18                  (8) Lend money for its purposes, invest and reinvest its funds, and, at its option, take and

 

19      hold property, real or personal, as security for the payment of funds so loaned and invested,

 

20      except that at no time will the authority take and hold property of the state as security for the

 

21      payment of funds so loaned;

 

22                  (9) Accept, in furtherance of its purposes, appropriations, gifts, or grants of property,

 

23      funds, money, materials, labor, supplies, or services from the United States of America or the

 

24      state or any other state or agencies or departments thereof, or from any governmental unit or any

 

25      person, firm, or corporation, and to carry out the terms or provisions or make agreements with

 

26      respect to those appropriations, gifts, or grants, and to do any and all things necessary, useful,

 

27      desirable, or convenient in connection with the procurement, acceptance, or disposition of those

 

28      appropriations, gifts, or grants;

 

29                  (10) Do and perform any acts and things authorized by this chapter under, through, or by

 

30      means of its officers or consultants or by contracts with any person, firm, or corporation;

 

31                  (11) Make, enter into, and enforce all contracts or agreements necessary, convenient, or

 

32      desirable  for  the  purposes of  the  authority or  pertaining to  any loan  to  the state  or to  the

 

33      performance of its duties and execution or carrying out of any of its powers under this chapter;


1      enhancement arrangements with financial institutions as the authority shall deem advisable;

 

2                   (13) Invest any funds or moneys of the authority in the same manner as permitted for

 

3      investment of funds belonging to the state or held in the state treasury; and

 

4                   (14) Do all acts and things necessary, convenient, or desirable to carry out the powers

 

5      expressly granted or necessarily implied in this chapter;

 

6                   (15) Acquire by purchase, lease, or otherwise, and to construct, improve, equip, furnish,

 

7      maintain, repair, and operate projects, and to establish rules and regulations for the use of any

 

8      project;

 

9                   (16) Rent such space in such public facilities as from time to time may not be needed by

 

10      any governmental entity to any person for such other purposes as the authority may determine

 

11      and upon such terms and in such manner as the authority may determine;

 

12                  (17)  Employ,  in  its  discretion,  planning,  architectural,  or  engineering  consultants,

 

13      attorneys, accountants, construction, and financial experts, superintendents, managers, and such

 

14      other officers, employees and agents as may be necessary in its judgment, and to fix their

 

15      compensation;

 

16                  (18) Fix and revise from time to time, subject to the provisions of  this chapter, and to

 

17      charge and collect fees, rentals, and other charges for the use of the facilities of, or for the

 

18      services rendered by, the authority or projects thereof, at rates to be determined by the authority,

 

19      for the purpose of providing for the payment of the expenses of the authority, the acquisition,

 

20      construction,  improvement,  repair,  equipping,  furnishing,  maintenance,  and  operation  of  its

 

21      facilities and properties, the payment of the principal of and interest on its obligations, and to

 

22      fulfill the terms and provisions of any agreements made with the purchasers or holders of any

 

23      obligations;

 

24                  (19) Without limitation of the foregoing, to borrow money from, to receive, and accept

 

25      grants for or in aid of construction or acquisition of projects authorized under this chapter from,

 

26      and to enter into contracts, leases, or other transactions with, any federal agency; and to receive

 

27      and accept from the state or any municipality, and from any other source, aid or contributions of

 

28      either money, property, labor, or other things of  value, to be held, used, and applied only for the

 

29      purposes for which the grants and contributions may be made;

 

30                  (20) Combine for financing purposes any two (2) or more projects authorized to be

 

31      acquired or constructed under the provisions of this chapter;

 

32                  (21) Be a promoter, partner, member, owner, associate, or manager of any partnership,

 

33      condominium, or other enterprise or venture;

 

34                  (22) Acquire in the name of the authority by purchase or otherwise, on such terms and


1      conditions and in such manner as it may deem proper, or by the exercise of the rights of

 

2      condemnation in the manner hereinafter provided, such public or private lands, including public

 

3      parks, playgrounds, or reservations, or parts thereof or rights therein, rights of way, property,

 

4      rights, easements, and interests as it may deem necessary  for carrying out the provisions of this

 

5      chapter; provided, however, that all public property damaged in carrying out the powers granted

 

6      by this chapter shall be restored or repaired and placed in its original condition as nearly as

 

7      practicable.

 

8                  (23)(i) Issue bonds and notes of the type and for those projects and for those purposes

 

9      specified in any Joint Resolution of the general assembly enacted by the Rhode Island house of

 

10      representatives and the Rhode Island senate pursuant to section 18 of title 35 of the general laws

 

11      entitled "Rhode Island Public Corporation Debt Management Act," which project and purposes

 

12      specified in such Joint Resolution shall constitute a "project" within the meaning of this chapter;

 

13      and

 

14                  (ii) To enter into such agreements, to deliver such instruments, and to take such other

 

15      actions as it shall deem necessary or desirable to effectuate the financing of such project.

 

16                  SECTION 6. (a) The Tobacco Settlement Financing Corporation (the "Corporation"),

 

17      which was established pursuant to Rhode Island general laws chapter 42-133 (as amended and

 

18      supplemented,  the  "Tobacco  Settlement  Financing  Corporation  Act"),  is  authorized  to  raise

 

19      additional money pursuant to the Tobacco Settlement Financing Corporation Act through the

 

20      issuance of its bonds and to apply net bond proceeds:

 

21                  (i) For payment to the state of Rhode Island in an amount at least equal to twenty million

 

22      dollars ($20,000,000);

 

23                  (ii) For payment of the redemption price and/or the tender price of outstanding bonds of

 

24      the Corporation that are to be retired; and

 

25                  (iii) To establish reserves to secure the bonds, and pay the costs of issuance of the bonds

 

26      and  all  other  expenditures  of  the  Corporation  incident  to  and  necessary  to  carry  out  the

 

27      Corporation's purposes and powers.

 

28                  (b) To implement and effectuate the purposes of this act, the Governor, acting by and

 

29      through  state  general  officers,  state  departments,  agencies  and  the  Corporation,  is  hereby

 

30      authorized and empowered to:

 

31                  (1)  Effectuate  a  transaction  pursuant  to  the  provisions  of  the  Tobacco  Settlement

 

32      Financing Corporation Act, which authorizes and governs the issuance of Bonds, as such term is


1                  (2) Cooperate with the Corporation in the amendment of existing bond documentation,

 

2      which  actions by the  Corporation are  hereby authorized  in  order to carry out  the  purposes

 

3      described in this act, including facilitation of payment to the state of amounts in one or more

 

4      installments, as a current payment of the state's residual interest in and to the "state's tobacco

 

5      receipts", as such term is defined in the Tobacco Settlement Financing Corporation Act, including

 

6      disputed amounts withheld from payment to the state and subsequently released to the state;

 

7                  (3) Distribute the proceeds of amounts payable to the state pursuant to this act, provided

 

8      that  the  allocation  of  funds  shall  be  made  by the  general  assembly pursuant to  the  annual

 

9      appropriation process; and

 

10                  (4) Take such additional actions, or enter into such additional agreements, as may be

 

11      necessary or desirable to effectuate the purposes of this act.

 

12                  (c) The Tobacco Settlement Financing Trust, a fund established pursuant to section 42-

 

13      133-9, shall receive all amounts payable to the state pursuant to this act.

 

14                  SECTION 7. The Corporation shall make the following transfers from the Tobacco

 

15      Settlement Financing Trust:

 

16                  (1) Five million dollars ($5,000,000) to the state general fund;

 

17                  (2) Five million dollars ($5,000,000) to the municipal road and bridge revolving fund,

 

18      established pursuant to § 24-18-4 of the Rhode Island general laws; and

 

19                  (3) All remaining net bond proceeds to the information technology investment fund,

 

20      established pursuant to § 42-11-2.5 of the Rhode Island general laws.

 

21                  SECTION 8. Nursing Education Center for the University of Rhode Island College of

 

22      Nursing and the Rhode Island College School of Nursing in the South Street Power Station

 

23      Building (also referred to within as South Street Landing).

 

24                  WHEREAS, the University of Rhode Island (the "University") and Rhode Island College

 

25      (the "College") offer undergraduate, graduate, and certificate academic programs in Nursing

 

26      through the University's College of Nursing and the College's School of Nursing with teaching,

 

27      research, and outreach that benefits students seeking exceptional education and training in the

 

28      nursing profession, as well as Rhode Island medical institutions and patient care settings where

 

29      nurses practice; and

 

30                  WHEREAS,  the  Board  of  Governors  for  Higher  Education  supported  a  Nursing

 

31      Education  Center,  to  be  shared  by  the  University  and  the  College,  in  the  Board's  Capital

 

32      Improvement Program in FY 2010; and


1      requirements, specific sites, and comparative development methods for the project, resulting in

 

2      the completion of the "Feasibility Study for a Rhode Island Nursing Education Center" in May

 

3      2011; and

 

4                  WHEREAS, in that study, the University and the College examined both the Nursing

 

5      program needs to educate and train an increasing number of nurses to fulfill the future workforce

 

6      needs of the State and the conceptual design of a shared facility, including the availability of

 

7      technology rich, simulation-based instructional settings, preferably offering a "Smart Hospital"

 

8      configuration,  for  upper  class  undergraduate  and  graduate  nursing  education  in  the  former

 

9      Jewelry District in downtown Providence, Rhode Island. This would meet those needs as an

 

10      alternative  to  two  independent  projects  to  renovate  and  expand  existing  buildings  for  the

 

11      University's College of Nursing and the College's School of Nursing, proposed by both programs

 

12      independently in FY 2010 on their respective main campuses in Kingston, Rhode Island and in

 

13      Providence, Rhode Island; and

 

14                  WHEREAS, the location within the former Jewelry District was well supported for its

 

15      opportunities for collaboration and economic growth with proximity to the State's major medical

 

16      and hospital facilities, higher education institutions, access to multiple transportation modes, and

 

17      the State's and the City of Providence's desire to see development and business activity expand in

 

18      the area; and

 

19                  WHEREAS, during the 2013 General Assembly Session, an opportunity emerged for the

 

20      realization of the Nursing Education Center in a co-tenancy with Brown University as part of a

 

21      private developer lease project, led by Commonwealth Ventures of Boston, Massachusetts, for

 

22      the former South Street Power Station Building in the core of the former Jewelry District.

 

23      Nonbinding resolutions were issued individually by the House and the Senate during the 2013

 

24      Legislative Session, encouraging and supporting the efforts of the Board of Education and the

 

25      Department of Administration to locate a Nursing Education Center at the South Street Power

 

26      Station Building in Providence; and

 

27                  WHEREAS, the University, the College, and the Board of Education, together with the

 

28      Department  of  Administration,  have  worked  as  a  collective  team  in  the  evaluation  of  the

 

29      planning, design, and structure of the developer's project, and in negotiation of the financial and

 

30      legal terms of the Lease Agreement; and

 

31                  WHEREAS, the team, utilizing five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) in Rhode Island

 

32      Capital Plan Fund financing, dedicated for professional services support to the Nursing Education

 

33      Center in the budget for FY 2014, has been supported by legal counsel, an owners' agent project


1                  WHEREAS,  the  team  and  its  consultants  have  conducted  its  planning,  design  and

 

2      negotiating in consultation with Brown University; and

 

3                  WHEREAS,  at  a  meeting  duly  noticed  on  March  11,  2014,  the  State  Properties

 

4      Committee provided approval to negotiate a lease for the Nursing Education Center at the former

 

5      South Street Power Station Building; and

 

6                  WHEREAS, the Department of Administration has proposed a Lease (the "Proposed

 

7      Lease Agreement"), with a term of fifteen (15) years, with an option to extend the lease for a

 

8      period not to exceed two (2) years, for approximately one hundred thirty two thousand four

 

9      hundred forty-nine (132,449) square feet of space on the first, second, and a portion of the third

 

10      floor of the planned renovated and expanded former South Street Power Station Building for the

 

11      Nursing Education Center. The term of the Lease Agreement is anticipated to begin on July 1,

 

12      2016; and

 

13                  WHEREAS, the Proposed Lease Agreement would require the Board of Education to

 

14      pay:

 

15                  (1) Base Rent for the proportionate share of the core building design, renovation and

 

16      construction expenses of fourteen dollars ($14.00) per square foot, or one million eight hundred

 

17      fifty five thousand dollars ($1,855,000) annually during the first five (5) years of the lease term;

 

18                  (2) Tenant Improvement Rent for the anticipated cost of developer financing, design, and

 

19      construction of the Nursing Education Center space, presently estimated at eighteen dollars and

 

20      eighty-one cents ($18.81) per square foot per year, or an average of two million four hundred

 

21      ninety one thousand dollars ($2,491,000) annually for each year of the lease term, the exact

 

22      amount to be determined in accordance with a formula in the Lease Agreement; and

 

23                  (3)  Additional  Rent  for  the  proportionate  share  of  the  actual  building  operating,

 

24      maintenance, and metered utility expenses, estimated at twelve dollars and seventy-five cents

 

25      ($12.75) per square foot, or one million six hundred eighty nine thousand dollars ($1,689,000) for

 

26      the first year following the commencement of occupancy; and

 

27                  WHEREAS, the Base Rent under the Proposed Lease Agreement would increase to

 

28      fifteen dollars and twelve cents ($15.12) per square foot in years six (6) through ten (10), sixteen

 

29      dollars and thirty-three cents ($16.33) per square foot for years eleven (11) through fifteen (15),

 

30      and seventeen dollars and fifteen cents ($17.15) during the Option Period. During the Option

 

31      Period, the Tenant Improvement Rent would be reduced to zero dollars ($0.00). The Operating

 

32      Expense Rent and metered utilities would be adjusted annually, based on a reconciliation of

 

33      estimated costs and actual costs; and

 

34                  WHEREAS, the Proposed Lease Agreement provides that, during lease year six (6) and


1      after the end of lease year twelve (12), the Board of Education would have an option to purchase,

 

2      as a condominium unit, that portion of the building leased for the Nursing Education Center,

 

3      exercise of such option and the financing thereof subject to General Assembly approval; and

 

4                  WHEREAS, the State shall be responsible for paying the Base Rent and the Tenant

 

5      Improvement  Rent,  and  the  Board  of  Education  shall  fairly  apportion  the  Additional  Rent

 

6      between the University and the College; and

 

7                  WHEREAS, the Proposed Lease Agreement provides that no rent is payable until:

 

8                  (1) the renovation and construction of the South Street Landing Project is completed;

 

9                  (2) the developer has secured a certificate of occupancy for the Building, including

 

10      specifically the Nursing Education Center space; and

 

11                  (3) the Nursing Education Center space is determined to be completed according to the

 

12      project specifications and terms of the Proposed Lease Agreement; now, therefore, be it

 

13                  RESOLVED,   that  this   General   Assembly  hereby   approves   the   Proposed   Lease

 

14      Agreement for the Nursing Education Center for the space in the former South Street Power

 

15      Station Building for a term not to exceed seventeen (17) years and at a total cost not to exceed

 

16      thirty four million six hundred forty-one thousand dollars ($34,641,000) for the Base Rent; and an

 

17      amount not to exceed twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000), plus the applicable interest and

 

18      financing costs for the Tenant Improvement Rent; and Additional Rent for the proportionate share

 

19      of operating and maintenance expenses and metered utilities; and be it further

 

20                  RESOLVED, that this Joint Resolution shall take effect upon passage by the General

 

21      Assembly; and be it further

 

22                  RESOLVED, that the Secretary of State is hereby authorized and directed to transmit

 

23      duly certified copies of this resolution to the Governor, the Chair of the Board of Education, the

 

24      Director  of  Administration,  the  State  Budget  Officer,  and the  Chair  of the State  Properties

 

25      Committee.

 

26                  SECTION 9. Public Finance Debt Management Act Authorization for Alternative Direct

 

27      State Financing of the Cost of the Tenant Improvements for the Nursing Education Center as an

 

28      Alternative and Substitution for the Developer Financing Offered as part of the Lease Agreement.

 

29                  WHEREAS, the Department of Administration's Proposed Lease Agreement grants to the

 

30      Board of Education the right to finance the Tenant Improvements itself, without availing itself of

 

31      the provision of developer financing as contemplated in the Proposed Lease Agreement, if such

 

32      an alternative method is determined to be advantageous and in the best interest of Board of

 

33      Education and the State; and

 

34                  WHEREAS,  the  exercise  of  the  Board  of  Education's  option  to  finance  the  Tenant


1      Improvements will thereby eliminate Tenant Improvement Rent (encompassing construction and

 

2      design costs) during the term of the Proposed Lease Agreement, provided that the proceeds of

 

3      such financing are available to the developer no earlier than the rent commencement date in the

 

4      Proposed Lease Agreement which is when the renovation and construction of the South Street

 

5      Landing Project is completed and the developer has secured a certificate of occupancy for the

 

6      Building, including specifically the Nursing Education Center space, and the Nursing Education

 

7      Center space is determined to be completed according to the project specifications and terms of

 

8      the Proposed Lease Agreement and no later than six (6) months thereafter; and

 

9                  WHEREAS, the alternative Tenant Improvement project costs to be financed for the

 

10      Nursing Education Center are anticipated not to exceed twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000),

 

11      plus costs associated with the issuance o f such financing; and

 

12                  WHEREAS,  the  term  of  such  financing  would  not  exceed  fifteen  (15)  years,  with

 

13      provisions made in the structure of the financing to permit early payment of the outstanding

 

14      amount of such financing, if the option to purchase in the Proposed Lease Agreement is approved

 

15      and executed during either of the two (2) time periods when such an option is exercisable under

 

16      the Lease Agreement; and

 

17                  WHEREAS, because o f the use of Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credits applicable

 

18      to the Tenant Improvement work for the Nursing Education Center, taxable rate financing must

 

19      be employed at a rate not expected to exceed eight percent (8.0%); and

 

20                  WHEREAS, the resulting annual debt service associated with the state financing of the

 

21      Nursing Education Center is expected not to exceed three million eight hundred three thousand

 

22      dollars  ($3,803,000)  annually  and  forty  eight  million  two  hundred  four  thousand  dollars

 

23      ($48,204,000) for the duration of an up to fifteen (15) year term; now, therefore, be it

 

24                  RESOLVED, that the General Assembly hereby approves alternative financing not to

 

25      exceed twenty-five million five hundred thousand dollars ($25,500,000), including twenty-five

 

26      million  dollars  ($25,000,000)  for  the  estimated  Tenant  Improvement  Project Costs  and  five

 

27      hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) for the estimated cost of financing; and be it further

 

28                  RESOLVED, that this Joint Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage by

 

29      the General Assembly and shall be limited to debt issued prior to January 1, 2018.

 

30                  SECTION   10.   Public   Finance  Debt   Management  Act   Authorization   for   the

 

31      lease/purchase  of  Equipment,  Fixtures  and  Furnishings  Associated  with  the  occupancy  and

 

32      conduct  of  Nursing  Education  Programs  by  the  University  and  the  College  in  the  Nursing

 

33      Education Center spaces in the South Street Landing Project.

 

34                  WHEREAS, the University's College of Nursing and the College's Nursing School, and


1      personnel  from both  institutions  who  support  networking  and  instructional  technology  have

 

2      worked closely with the developer's architectural team on the complement and configuration of

 

3      the instructional, simulation, and practice lab configuration of spaces through the schematic

 

4      design  phase  of  the  Nursing  Education  Center  facilities,  with  the  objective  of  achieving  a

 

5      technology rich, realistic, high-caliber learning and training experience for nursing undergraduate

 

6      students, graduate students, and those practicing nurses seeking higher levels of certification and

 

7      training; and

 

8                  WHEREAS,  the  manner  in  which  the  facilities  are  furnished  and  equipped  is  an

 

9      extremely important aspect  of assuring that the  completed  and occupied  Nursing Education

 

10      Center exceeds the educational and training expectations of students and faculty when it opens

 

11      and into the future with opportunities for expanded use by other higher education institutions,

 

12      hospitals, and medical institutions for medical students, pharmacy students, physician assistant

 

13      students, medical technician trainees, as well as nurses in a simulated "Smart Hospital" physician

 

14      offices, and home care settings; and

 

15                  WHEREAS, the initial and continuing success of a teaching and learning center such as

 

16      this  is  highly  dependent  upon  the  quality  and  sophistication  of  the  equipment,  including

 

17      computerized mannequins, interactive audio/visual, realistic hospital beds with support systems,

 

18      and video recording systems to enable post training review and critique of experiential learning

 

19      experiences; fixtures; and furnishings that are acquired and deployed to outfit both the formal

 

20      teaching and simulation facilities, as well as the traditional classrooms, gathering, meeting and

 

21      faculty office spaces; and

 

22                  WHEREAS, architects and consultants on the developer's design team focusing on the

 

23      Nursing  Education  Center  have  provided  a  detailed  inventory  and  pricing  analysis  of  the

 

24      equipment,  fixtures,  and  furnishings,  on  a  room-by-room  basis,  recommended  to  meet  the

 

25      objectives of the shared Nursing Education Center; and

 

26                  WHEREAS,  the  investment  in  technology,  equipment,  fixtures  and  furnishings  is

 

27      projected to cost ten million fifty thousand dollars ($10,050,000) and the intent is to secure

 

28      lease/purchase financing through the issuance of certificates of participation in order to spread the

 

29      cost of that investment over ten (10) fiscal years, at an anticipated non-taxable interest rate

 

30      estimated not to exceed seven percent (7.0%); and

 

31                  WHEREAS, the resulting annual debt service associated with the state financing of the

 

32      technology,  equipment,  fixtures  and  furnishing  is  expected  not  to  exceed  one  million  four

 

33      hundred ninety-seven thousand dollars ($1,497,000) annually and fourteen million nine hundred

 

34      fifty thousand dollars ($14,950,000) for the duration of the term of financing; now, therefore, be


1                  RESOLVED, that the General Assembly hereby approves lease/purchase financing not to

 

2      exceed  ten  million  five  hundred  thousand  dollars  ($10,500,000),  including  ten  million  fifty

 

3      thousand dollars ($10,050,000) for the estimated cost of technology, equipment, fixtures and

 

4      furnishings  and  four  hundred  fifty  thousand  dollars  ($450,000)  for  the  estimated  cost  of

 

5      financing; and be it further

 

6                  RESOLVED, that this Joint Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage by

 

7      the General Assembly and shall be limited to debt issued prior to January I , 2018.

 

8                  SECTION 11. This article shall take effect upon passage.


 

 

 

 

 

1                                                                ARTICLE 5


=======

art.005/3/005/2/005/1

=======


 

 

 

2                                  RELATING TO CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

 

 

 

3                  SECTION 1. Proposition to be submitted to the people. -- At the general election to be

 

4      held on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November 2014, there shall be submitted to

 

5      the people for their approval or rejection the following proposition:

 

6                  "Shall the action of the general assembly, by an act passed at the January 2014 session,

 

7      authorizing the issuance of bonds, refunding bonds, and temporary notes of the state for the

 

8      capital projects and in the amount with respect to each such project listed below be approved, and

 

9      the issuance of bonds, refunding bonds, and temporary notes authorized in accordance with the

 

10      provisions of said act?"

 

11                           Project

 

12                  (1) Higher Education Facilities                                                             $125,000,000

 

13                  Approval of this question will allow the State of Rhode Island to issue general obligation

 

14      bonds, refunding bonds, and temporary notes in an amount not to exceed one hundred twenty-five

 

15      million dollars ($125,000,000) to construct a new College of Engineering building and undertake

 

16      supporting renovations. The new building will anchor the northwest corner of the Engineering

 

17      Quadrangle on the Kingston Campus and provide contemporary and state-of-the-art instructional

 

18      and research facilities. As part of this project, outdated engineering buildings will be taken out of

 

19      service and razed.

 

20                  (2) Creative and Cultural Economy                                                        $35,000,000

 

21                  Approval of this question will authorize the State of Rhode Island to issue general

 

22      obligation bonds, refunding bonds, and temporary notes in an amount not to exceed thirty-five

 

23      million dollars ($35,000,000) to fund capital preservation and renovation projects for public and

 

24      nonprofit artistic, performance centers, historic sites, museums and cultural art centers located

 

25      throughout the State of Rhode Island, to be allotted as follows:

 

26                  (a) Cultural Arts and the Economy Grant Program                                 $30,000,000

 

27                  Provide  funds  for  the  a  new  Cultural  Arts  and  the  Economy  Grant  program  to  be

 

28      administered  by  the  Rhode  Island  State  Council  on  the  Arts  for  capital  preservation  and

 

29      renovation projects for public and nonprofit artistic, performance centers and cultural art centers

 

30      located throughout the State of Rhode Island.


1                  1. Trinity Repertory Company                                                                 $4,647,750

 

2                  For the Lederer Theater and the Pell Chafee Performance Center, both in Providence,

 

3      used for performance facilities, educational instruction, production and administration, including

 

4      reimbursements of advances of up to $1,500,000 expended for ongoing fire code upgrades.

 

5                  2. Rhode Island Philharmonic                                                                  $2,390,250

 

6                  For the Carter Center for Music Education and Performance in East Providence, used for

 

7      music teaching, learning, performance and administration.

 

8                  3. Newport Performing Arts Center                                                          $4,216,800

 

9                  For  the  Opera  House  in  Newport  for  use  as  a  multi-cultural  performing  arts  and

 

10      educational facility.

 

11                  4. United Theater/Westerly Land Trust                                                    $2,369,440

 

12                  For  the  United  Theater  in  Westerly  for  use  as  space  for  performing  arts,  fine  arts

 

13      showcase, arts instruction, cinema, public television station and program administration.

 

14                  5. The Chorus of Westerly                                                                       $1,054,200

 

15                  For the George Kent Performance Hall in Westerly for music and arts performance,

 

16      teaching and rehearsal space, administrative and community function space.

 

17                  6. The Stadium Theater Conservatory in Woonsocket                             $2,108,400

 

18                  For  set  construction,  costuming,  rehearsal,  voice,  acting  and  dance  studios  and

 

19      administrative spaces.

 

20                  7. 2nd Story Theater                                                                                $1,054,200

 

21                  For performance venues in Warren, including concessions studio/classroom space, set

 

22      construction shop and administrative offices.

 

23                  8. AS220                                                                                                  $2,108,400

 

24                  For AS220's facilities in downtown Providence used for performing arts, dance studio,

 

25      youth and adult education, gallery and artist live/work space.

 

26                  9. WaterFire Providence                                                                           $3,162,600

 

27                  To   develop   a   27,000   square   foot   historic   warehouse   in   the   Valley/Olneyville

 

28      neighborhood into its headquarters, multi-use community arts center, visitor center, education

 

29      center and arts and creative industries incubator

 

30                  10. Other funds to be allocated by RISCA                                               $6,887,960

 

31                  For 1:1 matching grants to be allocated by the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts to

 

32      501(c)(3) nonprofit cultural organizations which lease or own their performance space, and for

 

33      RISCAs expenses in administering the program. In awarding such grants RISCA shall take into

 

34      account financial need, the availability or actual expenditure of matching funds for the projects,


1      available gifts or grants for projects, the amount square footage to be improved, the geographical

 

2      location and characteristics of audiences benefitted.

 

3                  (b) State Preservation Grants Program                                                      $5,000,000

 

4                  Provide funds to cities, towns and non-profit organizations to preserve, renovate and

 

5      improve public and nonprofit historic sites, museums, and cultural art centers located in historic

 

6      structures  in  the  State  of  Rhode  Island  to  be  administered  by  the  Rhode  Island  Historical

 

7      Preservation and Heritage Commission.

 

8                  (3) Mass Transit Hub Infrastructure                                                       $35,000,000

 

9                  Approval of this question will allow the State of Rhode Island to issue general obligation

 

10      bonds, refunding bonds, and temporary notes in an amount not to exceed thirty-five million

 

11      dollars ($35,000,000) to fund enhancements and renovations to mass transit hub infrastructure

 

12      throughout  the  State  of  Rhode  Island  to  improve  access  to  multiple  intermodal  sites,  key

 

13      transportation, healthcare, and other locations.

 

14                  (4) Clean Water, Open Space, and Healthy Communities                      $53,000,000

 

15                  Approval of this question will allow the State of Rhode Island to issue general obligation

 

16      bonds, refunding bonds, and temporary notes in an amount not to exceed fifty-three million

 

17      dollars ($53,000,000) for environmental and recreational purposes, to be allotted as follows:

 

18                  (a) Brownfield Remediation and Economic Development                       $5,000,000

 

19                  Provides up to eighty percent (80%) matching grants to public, private, and/or non-profit

 

20      entities for brownfield remediation projects.

 

21                  (b) Flood Prevention                                                                                $3,000,000

 

22                  To provide grants to public and/or non-profit entities for project design and construction

 

23      grants for repairing and/or removing dams, restoring and/or improving resiliency of vulnerable

 

24      coastal habitats, and restoring rivers and stream floodplains.

 

25                  (c) Farmland Acquisition                                                                         $3,000,000

 

26                  Provides funds to protect the states working farms.

 

27                  (d) Local Recreation Grants                                                                     $4,000,000

 

28                  Provides up to eighty percent (80%) matching grant funds to municipalities to acquire,

 

29      develop,  or  rehabilitate  local  recreational  facilities  to  meet  the  growing  needs  for  active

 

30      recreational facilities.

 

31                  (e) Roger Williams Park Zoo                                                                  $15,000,000

 

32                  Provides funds for improvements and renovations to the Roger Williams Park Zoo.

 

33                  (f) Roger Williams Park                                                                           $3,000,000

 

34                  Provides funds for improvements and renovations to the Roger Williams Park.


1                  (g) Clean Water Finance Agency                                                            $20,000,000

 

2                  Provides funds to finance water pollution abatement infrastructure projects.

 

3                  SECTION 2. Ballot labels and applicability of general election laws. -- The secretary

 

4      of state shall prepare and deliver to the state board of elections ballot labels for each of the

 

5      projects provided for in section 1 hereof with the designations "approve" or "reject" provided next

 

6      to the description of each such project to enable voters to approve or reject each such proposition.

 

7      The general election laws, so far as consistent herewith, shall apply to this proposition.

 

8                  SECTION 3. Approval of projects by people. -- If a majority of the people voting on

 

9      the proposition provided for in section 1 hereof shall vote to approve the proposition as to any

 

10      project provided for in section 1 hereof, said project shall be deemed to be approved by the

 

11      people. The authority to issue bonds, refunding bonds and temporary notes of the state shall be

 

12      limited to the aggregate amount for all such projects as set forth in the proposition provided for in

 

13      section 1 hereof which has been approved by the people.

 

14                  SECTION 4. Bonds for capital development program. -- The general treasurer is

 

15      hereby authorized and empowered with the approval of the governor and in accordance with the

 

16      provisions of this act, to issue from time to time capital development bonds in serial form in the

 

17      name and on behalf of the state in amounts as may be specified from time to time by the governor

 

18      in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the total amount for all projects approved by the

 

19      people and designated as "capital development loan of 2014 bonds" provided, however, that the

 

20      aggregate  principal  amount  of such capital  development  bonds  and  of any temporary notes

 

21      outstanding at any one time issued in anticipation thereof pursuant to section 7 hereof shall not

 

22      exceed the total amount for all such projects as have been approved by the people. All provisions

 

23      in this act relating to "bonds" shall also be deemed to apply to "refunding bonds".

 

24                  Capital  development  bonds  issued  under  this  act  shall  be  in  denominations  of  one

 

25      thousand dollars ($1,000) each, or multiples thereof, and shall be payable in any coin or currency

 

26      of the United States which at the time of payment shall be legal tender for public and private

 

27      debts. These capital development bonds shall bear such date or dates, mature at specified time or

 

28      times, but not beyond the end of the twentieth state fiscal year following the state fiscal year in

 

29      which they are issued, bear interest payable semi-annually at a specified rate or different or

 

30      varying rates, be payable at designated time or times at specified place or places, be subject to

 

31      expressed terms of redemption or recall, with or without premium, be in a form, with or without

 

32      interest  coupons  attached,  carry  such  registration,  conversion,  reconversion,  transfer,  debt

 

33      retirement, acceleration and other provisions as may be fixed by the general treasurer, with the

 

34      approval of the governor, upon each issue of such capital development bonds at the time of each


1      issue. Whenever the governor shall approve the issuance of such capital development bonds, he

 

2      or she shall certify approval to the secretary of state; the bonds shall be signed by the general

 

3      treasurer and countersigned by the manual or facsimile signature of the secretary of state and

 

4      shall bear the seal of the state or a facsimile thereof. The approval of the governor shall be

 

5      endorsed on each bond so approved with a facsimile of his or her signature.

 

6                  SECTION 5. Refunding bonds for 2014 capital development program. -- The general

 

7      treasurer  is  hereby  authorized  and  empowered,  with  the  approval  of  the  governor  and  in

 

8      accordance with the provisions of this act, to issue from time to time bonds to refund the 2014

 

9      capital development program bonds in the name and on behalf of the state, in amounts as may be

 

10      specified from time to time by the governor in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the

 

11      total amount approved by the people, to be designated as "capital development program loan of

 

12      2014 refunding bonds" (hereinafter "refunding bonds").

 

13                  The general treasurer with the approval of the governor shall fix the terms and form of

 

14      any refunding bonds issued under this act in the same manner as the capital development bonds

 

15      issued under this act, except that the refunding bonds may not mature more than twenty (20)

 

16      years from the date of original issue of the capital development bonds being refunded.

 

17                  The proceeds of the refunding bonds, exclusive of any premium and accrual interest and

 

18      net  the underwriters cost, and cost of bond insurance, shall, upon their receipt, be paid by the

 

19      general treasurer immediately to the paying agent for the capital development bonds which are to

 

20      be called and prepaid. The paying agent shall hold the refunding bond proceeds in trust until they

 

21      are applied to prepay the capital development bonds. While such proceeds are held in trust, they

 

22      may be invested for the benefit of the state in obligations of the United States of America or the

 

23      State of Rhode Island.

 

24                  If the general treasurer shall deposit with the paying agent for the capital development

 

25      bonds the proceeds of the refunding bonds or proceeds from other sources amounts that, when

 

26      invested in obligations of the United States or the State of Rhode Island, are sufficient to pay all

 

27      principal, interest, and premium, if any, on the capital development bonds until these bonds are

 

28      called for prepayment, then such capital development bonds shall not be considered debts of the

 

29      State of Rhode Island for any purpose from the date of deposit of such moneys with the paying

 

30      agent. The refunding bonds shall continue to be a debt of the state until paid.

 

31                  The term "bond" shall include "note", and the term "refunding bonds" shall include

 

32      "refunding notes" when used in this act.

 

33                  SECTION 6. Proceeds of capital development program. -- The general treasurer is

 

34      directed to deposit the proceeds from the sale of capital development bonds issued under this act,


1      exclusive of premiums and accrued interest and net the underwriters cost, and cost of bond

 

2      insurance, in one or more of the depositories in which the funds of the state may be lawfully kept

 

3      in  special accounts (hereinafter cumulatively referred  to as "such capital  development  bond

 

4      fund") appropriately designated for each of the projects set forth in section 1 hereof which shall

 

5      have been approved by the people to be used for the purpose of paying the cost of all such

 

6      projects so approved.

 

7                  All monies in the capital development bond fund shall be expended for the purposes

 

8      specified in the proposition provided for in section 1 hereof under the direction and supervision of

 

9      the director of administration (hereinafter referred to as "director"). The director or his or her

 

10      designee shall be vested with all power and authority necessary or incidental to the purposes of

 

11      this act, including but not limited to, the following authority:  (a) to acquire land or other real

 

12      property  or  any  interest,  estate  or  right  therein  as  may  be  necessary  or  advantageous  to

 

13      accomplish the purposes of this act; (b) to direct payment for the preparation of any reports, plans

 

14      and specifications, and relocation expenses and other costs such as for furnishings, equipment

 

15      designing, inspecting and engineering, required in connection with the implementation of any

 

16      projects  set  forth  in  section  1  hereof;  (c)  to  direct  payment  for  the  costs  of  construction,

 

17      rehabilitation,  enlargement,  provision  of  service  utilities,  and  razing  of  facilities,  and  other

 

18      improvements to land in connection with the implementation of any projects set forth in section 1

 

19      hereof; and (d) to direct payment  for the cost of equipment, supplies, devices, materials and labor

 

20      for repair, renovation or conversion of systems and structures as necessary for 2014 capital

 

21      development program bonds or notes hereunder from the proceeds thereof. No funds shall be

 

22      expended in excess of the amount of the capital development bond fund designated for each

 

23      project authorized in section 1 hereof. With respect to the bonds and temporary notes described in

 

24      section 1, the proceeds shall be used for the following purposes:

 

25                  Question 1 relating to bonds in the amount of one hundred twenty-five million dollars

 

26      ($125,000,000) to be provided to the University of Rhode Island to construct a state-of-the-art

 

27      College  of  Engineering building and for supporting renovations  and demolition of  outdated

 

28      engineering buildings at the University of Rhode Island Kingston Campus.

 

29                  Question 2 relating to bonds in the amount of thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) for

 

30      capital  preservation  and  renovation  projects  for  public  and  non-profit  artistic,  performance

 

31      centers, historic sites, museums and cultural arts centers to be allocated as follows:


1      renovation projects for public and nonprofit artistic, performance centers and cultural art centers

 

2      located throughout the State of Rhode Island.

 

3                  1. Trinity Repertory Company                                                                 $4,647,750

 

4                  For the Lederer Theater and the Pell Chafee Performance Center, both in Providence,

 

5      used for performance facilities, educational instruction, production and administration, including

 

6      reimbursements of advances of up to $1,500,000 expended for ongoing fire code upgrades.

 

7                  2. Rhode Island Philharmonic                                                                  $2,390,250

 

8                  For the Carter Center for Music Education and Performance in East Providence, used for

 

9      music teaching, learning, performance and administration.

 

10                  3. Newport Performing Arts Center                                                          $4,216,800

 

11                  For  the  Opera  House  in  Newport  for  use  as  a  multi-cultural  performing  arts  and

 

12      educational facility.

 

13                  4. United Theater/Westerly Land Trust                                                    $2,369,440

 

14                  For  the  United  Theater  in  Westerly  for  use  as  space  for  performing  arts,  fine  arts

 

15      showcase, arts instruction, cinema, public television station and program administration.

 

16                  5. The Chorus of Westerly                                                                       $1,054,200

 

17                  For the George Kent Performance Hall in Westerly for music and arts performance,

 

18      teaching and rehearsal space, administrative and community function space.

 

19                  6. The Stadium Theater Conservatory in Woonsocket                             $2,108,400

 

20                  For  set  construction,  costuming,  rehearsal,  voice,  acting  and  dance  studios  and

 

21      administrative spaces.

 

22                  7. 2nd Story Theater                                                                                $1,054,200

 

23                  For performance venues in Warren, including concessions studio/classroom space, set

 

24      construction shop and administrative offices.

 

25                  8. AS220                                                                                                  $2,108,400

 

26                  For AS220's facilities in downtown Providence used for performing arts, dance studio,

 

27      youth and adult education, gallery and artist live/work space.

 

28                  9. WaterFire Providence                                                                           $3,162,600

 

29                  To   develop   a   27,000   square   foot   historic   warehouse   in   the   Valley/Olneyville

 

30      neighborhood into its headquarters, multi-use community arts center, visitor center, education


1      RISCAs expenses in administering the program. In awarding such grants RISCA shall take into

 

2      account financial need, the availability or actual expenditure of matching funds for the projects,

 

3      available gifts or grants for projects, the amount square footage to be improved, the geographical

 

4      location and characteristics of audiences benefitted.

 

5                  (c) State Preservation Grants Program                                                      $5,000,000

 

6                  Provide funds to cities, towns and non-profit organizations to preserve, renovate and

 

7      improve public and nonprofit historic sites, museums, and cultural art centers located in historic

 

8      structures  in  the  State  of  Rhode  Island  to  be  administered  by  the  Rhode  Island  Historical

 

9      Preservation and Heritage Commission.

 

10                  Question 3 relating to bonds in the amount of thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) to

 

11      be  provided  to  the  Department  of  Transportation  to  provide  funding  for  enhancements  and

 

12      renovations to mass transit hub infrastructure throughout the State of Rhode Island to improve

 

13      access to multiple intermodal sites, key transportation, healthcare, and other locations.

 

14                  Question 4 relating to bonds in the amount of fifty-three million dollars ($53,000,000) for

 

15      Clean Water, Open Space, and Healthy Communities programs to be allocated as follows:

 

16                  (a) Brownfield Remediation for Economic Development                        $5,000,000

 

17                  Provides up to eighty percent (80%) matching grants to public, private, and/or non-profit

 

18      entities for brownfield remediation projects. Between 10,000 and 12,000 abandoned industrial

 

19      sites, referred to as “brownfields, lie idle in towns and cities across the state, much of it in prime

 

20      commercial or industrial locations within the states urban services boundaries established by

 

21      Land Use 2020. Cleanup, reinvestment and re-use of these sites creates and attracts jobs, protects

 

22      the urban environment, removes hazards, prevents sprawl, and reduces the cost of stormwater

 

23      flooding.

 

24                  (b) Flood Prevention                                                                                $3,000,000

 

25                  Provides grants to public and/or non-profit entities for project design and construction

 

26      grants for repairing and/or removing dams, restoring and/or improving resiliency of vulnerable

 

27      coastal habitats, and restoring rivers and stream floodplains. These funds are expected to leverage

 

28      significant matching funds to support local programs to improve community resiliency and public

 

29      safety in the face of increased flooding, major storm events, and environmental degradation.

 

30                  (c) Farmland Acquisition for Active Use                                                 $3,000,000


1      in  new  projects.  Funds  provided  under  this  section  may  also  be  used  for  the  purchase  of

 

2      development rights to farms by the Agricultural Preservation Commission.

 

3                  (d) Local Recreation Grants                                                                     $4,000,000

 

4                  Provides up to eighty percent (80%) matching grant funds to municipalities to acquire,

 

5      develop,  or  rehabilitate  local  recreational  facilities  to  meet  the  growing  needs  for  active

 

6      recreational facilities. All grant applications are evaluated and ranked by the State Recreation

 

7      Resources Review Committee.

 

8                  (e) Roger Williams Park Zoo                                                                  $15,000,000

 

9                  Provides funds to construct a new education center to meet the increased demand for

 

10      education programs; to renovate and convert the existing education center into a world class

 

11      reptile facility; for demolition of existing facilities and construction of a new tropical rainforest

 

12      building to house rare and endangered animals and event space; or for other improvements to the

 

13      Roger Williams Park Zoo.

 

14                  (f) Roger Williams Park                                                                           $3,000,000

 

15                  Provides  funds  for  construction  and  reconstruction  of  roads,  bridges,  sidewalks  and

 

16      walkway within Roger Williams Park.

 

17                  (g) Capital for Clean Water                                                                    $20,000,000

 

18                  Provides funds to be administered by the Clean Water Finance Agency to finance water

 

19      pollution abatement infrastructure projects. The Department of Environmental Management has

 

20      compiled  a  list  of  more  than  $1.8  billion  dollars  of  needed  clean  water  infrastructure

 

21      improvements from municipalities and the Narragansett Bay Commission. Projects range from

 

22      wastewater  treatment  upgrades  and  stormwater  quality  improvements  to  combined  sewer

 

23      overflow abatement projects.

 

24                  SECTION 7. Sale of bonds and notes. -- Any bonds or notes issued under the authority

 

25      of this act shall be sold from time to time at not less than the principal amount thereof, in such

 

26      mode  and  on  such  terms  and  conditions  as  the  general  treasurer,  with  the  approval  of  the

 

27      governor, shall deem to be for the best interests of the state.

 

28                  Any premiums and accrued interest, net of the cost of bond insurance and underwriters

 

29      discount, which may be received on the sale of the capital development bonds or notes shall

 

30      become part of the Municipal Road and Bridge Revolving Fund of the state, unless directed by

 

31      federal law or regulation to be used for some other purpose.


1      accordance with the terms thereof or otherwise to purchase them as the general treasurer, with the

 

2      approval of the governor, shall deem to be for the best interests of the state.

 

3                  Any bonds or notes issued under the provisions of this act and coupons on any capital

 

4      development bonds, if properly executed by the manual or facsimile signatures of officers of the

 

5      state in office on the date of execution shall be valid and binding according to their tenor,

 

6      notwithstanding that before the delivery thereof and payment therefor, any or all such officers

 

7      shall for any reason have ceased to hold office.

 

8                  SECTION 8. Bonds and notes to be tax exempt and general obligations of the state. -

 

9      - All bonds and notes issued under the authority of this act shall be exempt from taxation in the

 

10      state and shall be general obligations of the state, and the full faith and credit of the state is hereby

 

11      pledged for the due payment of the principal and interest on each of such bonds and notes as the

 

12      same shall become due.

 

13                  SECTION 9. Investment of moneys in fund. -- All moneys in the capital development

 

14      fund not immediately required for payment pursuant to the provisions of this act may be invested

 

15      by the investment commission, as established by chapter 35-10, pursuant to the provisions of such

 

16      chapter; provided, however, that the securities in which the capital development fund is invested

 

17      shall remain a part of the capital development fund until exchanged for other securities; and

 

18      provided further, that the income from investments of the capital development fund shall become

 

19      a part of the general fund of the state and shall be applied to the payment of debt service charges

 

20      of the state, unless directed by federal law or regulation to be used for some other purpose, or to

 

21      the  extent  necessary,  to  rebate  to  the  United  States  treasury  any  income  from  investments

 

22      (including gains from the disposition of investments) of proceeds of bonds or notes to the extent

 

23      deemed necessary to exempt (in whole or in part) the interest paid on such bonds or notes from

 

24      federal income taxation.

 

25                  SECTION 10. Appropriation. -- To the extent the debt service on these bonds is not

 

26      otherwise provided, a sum sufficient to pay the interest and principal due each year on bonds and

 

27      notes hereunder is hereby annually appropriated out of any money in the treasury not otherwise

 

28      appropriated.

 

29                  SECTION 11. Advances from general fund. -- The general treasurer is authorized from

 

30      time to time with the approval of the director and the governor, in anticipation of the issue of

 

31      notes or bonds under the authority of this act, to advance to the capital development bond fund for

 

32      the purposes specified in section 6 hereof, any funds of the state not specifically held for any

 

33      particular purpose; provided, however, that all advances made to the capital development bond

 

34      fund shall be returned to the general fund from the capital development bond fund forthwith upon


1      the receipt by the capital development fund of proceeds resulting from the issue of notes or bonds

 

2      to the extent of such advances.

 

3                  SECTION 12. Federal assistance and private funds. -- In carrying out this act, the

 

4      director, or his or her designee, is authorized on behalf of the state, with the approval of the

 

5      governor, to apply for and accept any federal assistance which may become available for the

 

6      purpose of this act, whether in the form of loan or grant or otherwise, to accept the provision of

 

7      any federal legislation therefor, to enter into, act and carry out contracts in connection therewith,

 

8      to act as agent for the federal government in connection therewith, or to designate a subordinate

 

9      so  to  act.  Where  federal  assistance  is  made  available,  the  project  shall  be  carried  out  in

 

10      accordance with applicable federal law, the rules and regulations thereunder and the contract or

 

11      contracts providing for federal assistance, notwithstanding any contrary provisions of state law.

 

12      Subject to the foregoing, any federal funds received for the purposes of this act shall be deposited

 

13      in the capital development bond fund and expended as a part thereof. The director or his or her

 

14      designee may also utilize any private funds that may be made available for the purposes of this

 

15      act.

 

16                  SECTION 13. Effective Date. -- Sections 1, 2, 3, 11, and 12 of this article shall take

 

17      effect upon passage. The remaining sections of this article shall take effect when and if the state

 

18      board of elections shall certify to the secretary of state that a majority of the qualified electors

 

19      voting on the propositions contained in section 1 hereof have indicated their approval of all or any

 

20      projects thereunder.


 

 

 

 

 

1                                                                ARTICLE 6


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art.006/2/006/1

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2                                RELATING TO RESOURCE RECOVERY CORPORATION

 

 

 

3                  SECTION 1. Section 23-19-13.5 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-19 entitled "Rhode

 

4      Island Resource Recovery Corporation" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

5                  23-19-13.5. Interim rates. -- The municipal tipping fee charged by the resource recovery

 

6      corporation shall be as follows:

 

7                  (1) Thirty-two dollars ($32.00) per ton from July 1, 2011 to June 30,  2014 2015, for any

 

8      municipality that recycles between zero percent (0%) and twenty-four and ninety-nine hundredths

 

9      percent (24.99%) of its solid waste at the Corporation's material recycling facility ("MRF") in

 

10      Johnston.

 

11                  (2) Thirty-one dollars ($31.00) per ton from July 1, 2011 to June 30,  2014 2015, for any

 

12      municipality that recycles between twenty-five percent (25%) and twenty-nine and ninety-nine

 

13      hundredths percent (29.99%) of its solid waste at the Corporation's ("MRF") in Johnston.

 

14                  (3) Thirty dollars ($30.00) per ton from July 1, 2011 to June 30,  2014  2015, for any

 

15      municipality  that  recycles  between  thirty  percent  (30%)  and  thirty-four  and  ninety-nine

 

16      hundredths percent (34.99%) of its solid waste at the Corporation's ("MRF") in Johnston.

 

17                  (4) Twenty-nine dollars ($29.00) per ton from July 1, 2011 to June 30,  2014 2015, for

 

18      any  municipality  that  recycles  thirty-five  percent  (35%)  or  more  of  its  solid  waste  at  the

 

19      Corporation's ("MRF") in Johnston.

 

20                  (5) The Corporation shall issue a rebate not later than September 1 of each year to those

 

21      municipalities qualifying for a year-end tipping fee adjustment according to the municipality's

 

22      actual recorded tonnage delivered to the MRF in Johnston, and in accordance with the provisions

 

23      of the municipality's current-year signed solid waste and recycling services agreement with the

 

24      corporation.

 

25                  (6) The corporation shall provide a rate plan with its proposed budget to be submitted to

 

26      the state on or before October 1, 2014 in accordance with § 23-19-37 of the Rhode Island general

 

27      laws.

 

28                  SECTION 2. This article shall take effect as of July 1, 2014.

 

29


 

 

 

 

 

1                                                                ARTICLE 7


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art.007/1

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2                         RELATING TO REGIONAL GREENHOUSE GAS INITIATIVE ACT

 

 

 

3                  SECTION  1.   Section  23-82-6   of  the  General  Laws  in  Chapter  23-82  entitled

 

4      "Implementation of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Act" is hereby amended to read as

 

5      follows:

 

6                  23-82-6. Use of auction or sale proceeds. -- (a) The proceeds from the auction or sale of

 

7      the allowances shall be used for the benefit of energy consumers through investment in the most

 

8      cost-effective available projects that can reduce long-term consumer energy demands and costs.

 

9      Such proceeds may be used only for the following purposes, in a proportion to be determined

 

10      annually by the office in consultation with the council and the board:

 

11                  (1) Promotion of cost-effective energy efficiency and conservation in order to achieve the

 

12      purposes of § 39-1-27.7;

 

13                  (2) Promotion of cost-effective renewable non-carbon emitting energy technologies in

 

14      Rhode Island as defined in § 39-26-5 and to achieve the purposes of chapter 39-26 entitled

 

15      "Renewable Energy Standard";

 

16                  (3) Cost-effective direct rate relief for consumers;

 

17                  (4) Direct rate relief for low-income consumers;

 

18                  (5) Reasonable compensation to an entity selected to administer the auction or sale; and

 

19                  (6) Reasonable costs of the department of environmental management and office of

 

20      energy  resources  in  administering  this  program,  as  well  as  other  climate  change,  energy

 

21      efficiency, and renewable program efforts of the department of environmental management and

 

22      office of energy resources, which shall not in any year exceed three hundred thousand dollars

 

23      ($300,000) or  five percent (5%)  ten percent (10%) of the proceeds from sale or auction of the

 

24      allowances, whichever is  less greater. Administrative funds not expended in any fiscal year shall

 

25      remain in the administrative account to be used as needed in subsequent years. The office of

 

26      energy resources shall have the ability to apply administrative funds not used in a fiscal year to

 

27      achieve the purpose of this section. The funds deposited into the administrative funds account

 

28      shall be exempt from the indirect cost recovery provisions of section 35-4-27.

 

29                  (b) Any interest earned on the funds so generated must be credited to the fund. Funds not

 

30      spent in any fiscal year shall remain in the fund to be used for future energy efficiency and carbon


1      reduction programs.

 

2                  (c) Annually, the office, in consultation with council and board, shall prepare a draft

 

3      proposal on how the proceeds from the allowances shall be allocated. The draft proposal shall be

 

4      designed  to  augment  and  coordinate  with  existing  energy  efficiency  and  renewable  energy

 

5      programs, and shall not propose use of auction proceeds for projects already funded under other

 

6      programs. The proposal for allocation of proceeds in subsections 23-82-6(1), (2) and (3) shall be

 

7      one  that  best  achieves  the  purposes  of  the  law,  namely,  lowering  carbon  emissions  and

 

8      minimizing costs to consumers over the long term. The office shall hold a public hearing and

 

9      accept   public   comment   on   the   draft   proposal   in   accordance   with   chapter   42-35   (the

 

10      "Administrative  Procedure  Act").  Once  the  proposal  is  final,  the  office  shall  authorize  the

 

11      disbursement of funds in accordance with the final plan.

 

12                  (d) The office shall prepare, in consultation with council and board, a report by April

 

13      15th of each year describing the implementation and operation of RGGI, the revenues collected

 

14      and the expenditures, including funds that were allocated to the energy efficiency and renewable

 

15      energy programs, and the individuals, businesses and vendors that received funding, made under

 

16      this  section,  the  statewide  energy  efficiency  and  carbon  reduction  programs,  and  any

 

17      recommendations  for  changes  to  law  relating  to  the  state's  energy  conservation  or  carbon

 

18      reduction efforts. The report shall be made public and be posted electronically on the website of

 

19      the office of energy resources and shall also be submitted to the general assembly.

 

20                  SECTION 2. This article shall take effect as of July 1, 2014.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Art7

RELATING TO REGIONAL GREENHOUSE GAS INITIATIVE ACT (Page -2-)


 

 

 

 

 

1                                                                ARTICLE 8


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2        RELATING TO UNDERGROUND ECONOMY AND EMPLOYEE MISCLASSIFICATION

3                                                                          ACT

 

 

 

4                  SECTION  1.  Title  42  of  the  General  Laws  entitled  "STATE  AFFAIRS  AND

 

5      GOVERNMENT" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

 

6                                                                  CHAPTER 155

 

7                 UNDERGROUND ECONOMY AND EMPLOYEE MISCLASSIFICATION ACT

 

8                  42-155-1. Short Title. -- This chapter shall be known as the "Underground Economy and

 

9      Employee Misclassification Act".

 

10                  42-155-2. Declaration of purpose. -- The general assembly finds and declares that this

 

11      state's  economy,  its  workers  and  its  businesses  are  harmed  by  the  existence  of  an  illegal

 

12      underground  economy  in  which  individuals  and  businesses  conceal  their  activities  from

 

13      government  licensing,  regulatory  and  taxing  authorities.  The  underground  economy  and,  in

 

14      particular, the practice of employee misclassification:

 

15                  (a) exploits vulnerable workers and deprives them of legal benefits and protections;

 

16                  (b) gives unlawful businesses an unfair competitive advantage over lawful businesses by

 

17      illegally driving down violators' taxes, wages, and other overhead costs;

 

18                  (c) defrauds the government of substantial tax revenues; and

 

19                  (d)  harms  consumers  who  suffer  at  the  hands  of  unlicensed  businesses  that  fail  to

 

20      maintain minimum levels of skills and knowledge.

 

21                  The creation of a task force has proven to be an effective mechanism for enhancing

 

22      interagency cooperation, information sharing, and the prosecution of violators.

 

23                  42-155-3. Task Force.-- There is hereby established a Task Force on the Underground

 

24      Economy  and  Employee  Misclassification.  The  Task  Force  shall  consist  of  the  following

 

25      members or their designees:

 

26                  (a) the director of labor and training or designee;

 

27                  (b) the tax administrator or designee;

 

28                  (c) the director of business regulation or designee;

 

29                  (d) the head of the workforce regulation and safety division or designee;

 

30                  (e) the attorney general or designee;


1                  (f) the commissioner of the department of public safety or designee; and

 

2                  (g) Chief Judge of the Workers' Compensation Court or designee.

 

3                  The director of labor and training shall chair the Task Force.

 

4                  42-155-4. Duties and Responsibilities. -- The Task Force shall coordinate joint efforts to

 

5      combat the underground economy and employee misclassification. The Task Force shall:

 

6                  (a)  Foster  voluntary  compliance  with  the  law  by  educating  business  owners  and

 

7      employees about applicable requirements;

 

8                  (b) Conduct joint, targeted investigations and enforcement actions against violators;

 

9                  (c) Protect the health, safety and benefit rights of workers; and

 

10                  (d) Restore competitive equality for law-abiding businesses.

 

11                  42-155-5. Sharing of Information. -- Notwithstanding any other law or regulation to the

 

12      contrary, the Task Force shall facilitate timely information sharing between and among Task

 

13      Force members, including the establishment of protocols by which participating agencies will

 

14      advise or refer to other agencies matters of potential investigative interest.

 

15                  44-155-6.  Annual  Report.--  No  later  than  March  15,  2015  and  every  March  15th

 

16      thereafter, the Task Force shall submit a report to the governor and the chairpersons of the house

 

17      finance committee and senate finance committee summarizing the Task Force's activities during

 

18      the preceding year. The report shall, without limitation:

 

19                  (a) Describe the Task Force's efforts and accomplishments during the year;

 

20                  (b) Identify any administrative or legal barriers impeding the more effective operation of

 

21      the Task Force, including any barriers to information sharing or joint action; and

 

22                  (c) Propose appropriate administrative, legislative, or regulatory changes to strengthen

 

23      the Task Force's operations and enforcement efforts and reduce or eliminate any barriers to those

 

24      efforts.

 

25                  SECTION 2. The article shall take effect upon passage.


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art.009/6/009/5/009/4/009/3/009/2/009/1

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1                                                                ARTICLE 9

 

 

 

2                                            RELATING TO GOVERNMENT REFORM

 

 

 

3                  SECTION 1. Section 35-6-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 35-6 entitled "Accounts and

 

4      Control" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

5                  35-6-1. Controller -- Duties in general. -- (a) Within the department of administration

 

6      there shall be a controller who shall be appointed by the director of administration pursuant to

 

7      chapter 4 of title 36. The controller shall be responsible for accounting and expenditure control

 

8      and shall be required to:

 

9                   (1) Administer a comprehensive accounting and recording system which will classify the

 

10      transactions of the state departments and agencies in accordance with the budget plan;

 

11                  (2)  Maintain  control  accounts  for  all  supplies,  materials,  and  equipment  for  all

 

12      departments and agencies except as otherwise provided by law;

 

13                  (3) Prescribe a financial, accounting, and cost accounting system for state departments

 

14      and agencies;

 

15                  (4) Preaudit all state receipts and expenditures;

 

16                  (5) Prepare financial statements required by the several departments and agencies, by the

 

17      governor, or by the general assembly;

 

18                  (6) Approve the orders drawn on the general treasurer; provided, that the preaudit of all

 

19      expenditures under authority of the legislative department and the judicial department by the state

 

20      controller shall be purely ministerial, concerned only with the legality of the expenditure and

 

21      availability of the funds, and in no event shall the state controller interpose his or her judgment

 

22      regarding the wisdom or expediency of any item or items of expenditure;

 

23                  (7) Prepare and timely file, on behalf of the state, any and all reports required by the

 

24      United States, including, but not limited to, the internal revenue service, or required by any

 

25      department or agency of the state, with respect to the state payroll; and

 

26                  (8) Prepare a preliminary closing statement for each fiscal year. The controller shall

 

27      forward the statement to the chairpersons of the house finance committee and the senate finance

 

28      committee, with copies to the house fiscal advisor and the senate fiscal and policy advisor, by

 

29      September 1 following the fiscal year ending the prior June 30 or thirty (30) days after enactment

 

30      of the appropriations act, whichever is later. The report shall include but is not limited to:


1                   (i) A report of all revenues received by the state in the completed fiscal year, together

 

2      with the estimates adopted for that year as contained in the final enacted budget, and together

 

3      with all deviations between estimated revenues and actual collections. The report shall also

 

4      include cash collections and accrual adjustments;

 

5                   (ii)  A  comparison  of  actual  expenditures  with  each  of  the  actual  appropriations,

 

6      including supplemental appropriations and other adjustments provided for in the Rhode Island

 

7      General Laws;

 

8                   (iii) A statement of the opening and closing surplus in the general revenue account; and

 

9                   (iv) A statement of the opening surplus, activity, and closing surplus in the state budget

 

10      reserve and cash stabilization account and the state bond capital fund.

 

11                  (b)  The  controller  shall  provide  supporting  information  on  revenues,  expenditures,

 

12      capital projects, and debt service upon request of the house finance committee chairperson, senate

 

13      finance committee chairperson, house fiscal advisor, or senate fiscal and policy advisor.

 

14                  (c) Upon issuance of the audited annual financial statement, the controller shall provide a

 

15      report of the differences between the preliminary financial report and the final report as contained

 

16      in the audited annual financial statement.

 

17                  (d) Upon issuance of the audited financial statement, the controller shall transfer all

 

18      general revenues received in the completed fiscal year net of transfer to the state budget reserve

 

19      and cash stabilization account as required by section 35-3-20 in excess of those estimates adopted

 

20      for that year as contained in the final enacted budget to the employees' retirement system of the

 

21      state of Rhode Island as defined in section 36-8-2.

 

22                  (e) The controller shall create a special fund not part of the general fund and shall

 

23      deposit  amounts  equivalent  to  all  deferred  contributions  under  this  act  into  that  fund.  Any

 

24      amounts remaining in the fund on June 15, 2010, shall be transferred to the general treasurer who

 

25      shall transfer such amounts into the retirement system as appropriate.

 

26                  (f) The controller shall implement a direct deposit payroll system for state employees.

 

27                  (i) There shall be no service charge of any type paid by the state employee at any time

 

28      which shall decrease the net amount of the employee's salary deposited to the financial institution

 

29      of the personal choice of the employee as a result of the use of direct deposit.

 

30                  (ii) Employees hired after September 30, 2014, shall participate in the direct deposit

 

31      system. At the time the employee is hired, the employee shall identify a financial institution that

 

32      will serve as a personal depository agent for the employee.

 

33                  (iii) No later than June 30, 2016, each employee hired before September 30, 2014, who is

 

34      not a participant in the direct deposit system, shall identify a financial institution that will serve as


1      a personal depository agent for the employee.

 

2                  (iv)   The   controller   shall   promulgate   rules   and   regulations   as   necessary   for

 

3      implementation and administration of the direct deposit system, which shall include limited

 

4      exceptions to required participation.

 

5                  SECTION 2. Section 36-7-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 36-7 entitled "Federal Old-

 

6      Age and Survivors' Insurance" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

7                  36-7-2. Definitions. -- For the purposes of §§ 36-7-1 36-7-31, 36-7-33.1, and 36-7-35,

 

8      the following terms shall have the meanings indicated unless different meanings are clearly

 

9      expressed or required by the context:

 

10                  (1) "Agency of the state" shall mean:

 

11                  (i) All departments, divisions, agencies, and instrumentalities of the state which are not

 

12      juristic entities, legally separate and distinct from the state;

 

13                  (ii) Civilian employees of the Rhode Island national guard; or

 

14                  (iii)  Any  instrumentality  of  the  state  such  as  fire  districts,  water  districts,  water

 

15      authorities, sewer commissions and authorities, housing authorities, or other instrumentality of

 

16      the state which are a juristic entity and legally separate and distinct from the state and if the

 

17      employees of the instrumentality are not by virtue of their relation to juristic entity employees of

 

18      the state. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, examples of those agencies would be

 

19      the Kent County water authority, the Providence housing authority, the Blackstone Valley sewer

 

20      district commission, and other like instrumentalities of the state.

 

21                  (2) "City or town" shall mean:

 

22                  (i) Any city or town of the state of Rhode Island, inclusive of any department, division,

 

23      agency, board, commission, or bureau thereof;

 

24                  (ii) Any instrumentality of a city or town which is a juristic entity and legally separate

 

25      and distinct from the city or town and if its employees are not by virtue of their relation to the

 

26      juristic entity employees of the city or town; or

 

27                  (iii) Any instrumentality of two or more citizens and/or towns which is a juristic entity as

 

28      provided in subdivision (ii) hereof.

 

29                  (3) "IRC" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

30                  (4) "Coverage group" shall mean:

 

31                  (i)  All  employees  of  the  state  other  than  those  engaged  in  performing  service  in

 

32      connection with a proprietary function;

 

33                  (ii) All employees of a city or town other than those engaged in performing service in

 

34      connection with a single proprietary function;


1                  (iii) All employees of the state engaged in performing service in connection with a single

 

2      proprietary function;

 

3                  (iv) All employees of an agency of the state;

 

4                  (v)  All  employees  of  a  city or  town  of the  state engaged  in  performing service  in

 

5      connection with a single proprietary function. If under the preceding sentence an employee would

 

6      be included in more than one coverage group by reason of the fact that he or she performs service

 

7      in connection with two (2) or more proprietary functions or in connection with both a proprietary

 

8      function and a nonproprietary function, he or she shall be included in only one coverage group.

 

9      The determination of the coverage group in which the employee shall be included shall be made

 

10      in such manner as may be specified in the agreement. Members of retirement systems shall

 

11      constitute separate coverage groups as provided in § 36-7-10.

 

12                  (5) "Employee" shall mean any officer or employee of any city, town, or agency of the

 

13      state receiving salaries or wages for employment.

 

14                  (6) "Employment" shall mean any service performed by an employee for wages as a

 

15      member of a coverage group as herein defined, including service of an emergency nature, service

 

16      in any class or classes of elective positions and service in part-time positions, but excluding the

 

17      following:

 

18                  (i) Service in a position the compensation for which is on a fee basis;

 

19                  (ii) Service performed by election officials or election workers for calendar year 2003 in

 

20      which the remuneration paid for that service is less than one thousand two hundred fifty dollars

 

21      ($1,250), and for each calendar year after 2003 in which the remuneration paid is less than the

 

22      adjusted amount in accordance with section 218(c)(8)(B) of the Social Security Act;

 

23                  (iii) Service which under the federal Social Security Act may not be included in an

 

24      agreement between the state and the secretary entered into under this chapter;

 

25                  (iv) Service which, in the absence of an agreement entered into under §§ 36-7-1 36-7-

 

26      31, would constitute "employment" as defined in the federal Social Security Act. Service which

 

27      under the federal Social Security Act may be included in an agreement only upon certification by

 

28      the governor in accordance with § 218(d)(3) of the federal Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. §

 

29      418(d)(3), shall be included in the term "employment" if and when the governor issues, with

 

30      respect to that service, a certificate to the secretary, pursuant to § 36-7-19.

 

31                  (B) Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, if pursuant to § 141 of P.L. 92-603, 42 U.S.C.

 

32      § 418, the state agreement with the federal government referred to in § 36-7-3 is modified

 

33      appropriately at any time prior to January 1, 1974, the term "employment" with respect to any

 

34      coverage group specified in the modification shall, effective after the effective date specified in


1      the modification, include services in designated part-time positions but not services performed in

 

2      the employ of a school, college, or university by a student who is enrolled and regularly attending

 

3      classes at that school, college, or university.

 

4                  (7) "FARP" shall mean the FICA Alternative Retirement Income Security Program as

 

5      described in § 36-7-33.1.

 

6                  (8)  "FARP-eligible  employee"  shall  mean  any  part-time,  seasonal,  or  temporary

 

7      employee of the state of Rhode Island who is ineligible for participation in the Employees'

 

8      Retirement System of Rhode Island.

 

9                  (9) "FARP part-time employee" shall mean an employee of the state of Rhode Island who

 

10      works  less than twenty (20) hours or less per week, in accordance with IRC standards.

 

11                  (10)  "Federal  Insurance  Contributions  Act"  or  "FICA"  shall  mean  subchapter  A  of

 

12      chapter 9 of the federal Internal Revenue Code of 1939, subchapters A and B of chapter 21 of the

 

13      federal Internal Revenue Code of 1954, and subchapters A and B of chapter 21 of the federal

 

14      Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as those codes have been and may from time to time be amended;

 

15      and the term "employee tax" shall mean the tax imposed by § 1400 of the code of 1939, § 3101 of

 

16      the code of 1954, and § 3101 of the code of 1986.

 

17                  (11) "Federal Social  Security Act", 42  U.S.C. §  301  et  seq., shall  mean the  act  of

 

18      congress approved August 14, 1935, officially cited as the "Social Security Act", including any

 

19      amendments   thereto,   and   any   regulations,   directives,   or   requirements   interpretative   or

 

20      implementive thereof.

 

21                  (12) "Part-time  employment" shall  mean  any employment  by those  who work on  a

 

22      regularly scheduled basis regardless of hours.

 

23                  (13) "Retirement board" shall mean the retirement board as provided in chapter 8 of this

 

24      title.

 

25                  (14) "Secretary", except when used in the title "secretary of the treasury", shall mean the

 

26      secretary of health and human services and any individual to whom the secretary of health and

 

27      human services has delegated any of his or her functions under the federal Social Security Act, 42

 

28      U.S.C. § 301 et seq., with respect to coverage under that act of employees of states and their

 

29      political subdivisions.

 

30                  (15) "Sick pay" shall mean the amount of any payment (including any amount paid by an

 

31      employer for insurance or annuities, or into a fund to provide for any sick pay) made to, or on

 

32      behalf of, an employee or any of his or her dependents under a plan or system established by an

 

33      employer  which  makes  provision for his employees generally (or for  his  or her  employees

 

34      generally and their dependents) or for a class or classes of his employees (or for a class or classes


1      of his employees and their dependents), on account of sickness or accident disability.

 

2                  (16) "State" shall mean the state of Rhode Island.

 

3                  (17) "Wages" or "salaries" shall mean all compensation received by an employee for

 

4      employment as defined herein, including the cash value of all remuneration received by an

 

5      employee in any medium other than cash, except that this term shall not include that part of the

 

6      remuneration  which,  even  if  it  were  for  "employment"  within  the  meaning  of  the  Federal

 

7      Insurance Contributions Act, 26 U.S.C. § 3101 et seq., would not constitute "wages" within the

 

8      meaning of that act.

 

9                  SECTION 3. Sections 37-2.3-3 and 37-2.3-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 37-2.3

 

10      entitled "Government Oversight and Fiscal Accountability Review Act" are hereby amended to

 

11      read as follows:

 

12                  37-2.3-3. Definitions. -- As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the

 

13      following meanings:

 

14                  (1) "Agency" includes any executive office, department, division, board, commission, or

 

15      other office or officer in the executive branch of the government.

 

16                  (2) "Person" includes an individual, institution, federal, state, or local governmental

 

17      entity, or any other public or private entity.

 

18                  (3) "Private contractor employee" includes a worker directly employed by a private

 

19      contractor, as defined in this section, as well as an employee of a subcontractor or an independent

 

20      contractor that provides supplies or services to a private contractor.

 

21                  (4) "Privatization or privatization contract" means an agreement or combination or series

 

22      of agreements by which a non-governmental person or entity agrees with an agency to provide

 

23      services expected to result in a fiscal year expenditure of at least one hundred fifty thousand

 

24      dollars ($150,000)  (as of July 1 each year, the amount shall increase to reflect increases in the

 

25      consumer price index calculated by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics for all urban

 

26      consumers  nationally  during  the  most  recent  twelve  (12)  month  period  for  which  data  are

 

27      available or more), which would contract services which are substantially similar to and in

 

28      replacement of work normally performed by an employee of an agency  as of June 30, 2007.

 

29                  "Privatization" or "privatization contract" excludes:

 

30                  (i) Contracts resulting from an emergency procurement;

 

31                  (ii) Contracts with a term of one hundred eighty (180) days or less on a non-recurring

 

32      basis;

 

33                  (iii) Contracts to provide highly specialized or technical services not normally provided

 

34      by state employees;


1                   (iv) Any subsequent contract which: (a) renews or rebids a prior privatization contract

 

2      which existed before June 30, 2007; or (b) renews or rebids a privatization contract that was

 

3      subject to the provisions of this statute after its enactment; and

 

4                   (v) An agreement to provide legal services or management consulting services.

 

5                   (5)  "Privatization  contractor"  is  any   vendor,  contractor,  consultant,  subcontractor,

 

6      independent contractor or private business owner that contracts with a state agency to perform

 

7      services in accordance with the definition of a "privatization contract."

 

8                   (6) "Services" includes, with respect to a private contractor, all aspects of the provision

 

9      of services provided by a private contractor pursuant to a privatization contract, or any services

 

10      provided by a subcontractor of a private contractor.

 

11                  37-2.3-4. Fiscal monitoring of privatization contracts. -- Each private contractor shall

 

12      file a copy of each executed subcontract or amendment to the subcontract with the agency, which

 

13      shall maintain the subcontract or amendment as a public record, as defined in the access to public

 

14      records act.

 

15                  (1) Audits. - Privatization contracts shall be subject to audit or review, as defined by the

 

16      American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, by the office of the auditor general at the

 

17      discretion of the auditor general. Any audit or review shall be conducted in compliance with

 

18      generally accepted auditing standards.

 

19                  (2) Access. - All privatization contracts shall include a contract provision specifying

 

20      language that provides public access to the complete contract.

 

21                  (3) Fiscal accountability. - As part of the budgetary process, each state agency shall

 

22      provide an addendum to  include in their submitted budget request  a listing of all privatization

 


23      contracts   for  the  prior,  current  and  subsequent  fiscal  years.


;  the  name  of  each  contractor,


 

24      subcontractor, duration of the contract provided and services provided; the total cost of each

 

25      contract(s) for the prior year; and the projected number of privatization service contracts for the

 

26      current and upcoming year, the total cost of each contract(s) for the prior year; the estimated costs

 

27      of each contract(s) for the current and upcoming year. The addendum for each agency shall also

 

28      contain a summary of contracted private contractor employees for each contract, reflected as full-

 

29      time equivalent positions, their hourly wage rate, and the number of private contractor employees

 

30      and consultants for the current and previous fiscal year. For the prior fiscal year, the listing shall

 

31      include the name of each contractor; a description of the services provided; the amount expended

 

32      for the fiscal year; the positions employed by title, if applicable; and the hourly wage paid by

 

33      position, if applicable. For the current and upcoming fiscal years, the listing shall include the

 

34      name of each contractor, if known at the time the listing is prepared; a description of the services


1      to be provided; the amount budgeted for the contract in each fiscal year; the positions to be

 

2      employed by title, if known and applicable; and the hourly wage to be paid by position, if known

 

3      and applicable. Positions shall be reflected as full-time equivalent positions. The listings shall be

 

4      published annually online at the state's transparency portal or an equivalent website, available for

 

5      public inspection, no later than December 1 of each year.

 

6                  SECTION 4. Section 42-90-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-90 entitled "Disclosure

 

7      of Names of State Government Consultants" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

8                  42-90-1.  Public  disclosure  required.  --  (a)  All  departments,  commissions,  boards,

 

9      councils, other agencies in the government of the state and public corporations shall  annually

 

10      prepare  and  submit  to  the   secretary  of  state  quarterly  a  budget  office  by  October  1  a  list

 

11      containing:

 

12                  (1) The name of any person  privatization contractor, or vendor who performed legal,

 

13      medical, accounting, engineering, or any other professional, technical or consultant service to the

 

14      department, commission, board, council, agency or public corporation on a contractual basis

 

15      during the previous  quarter fiscal year; and

 

16                  (2) The amount of compensation received by each consultant during the previous  quarter

 

17      fiscal year.

 

18                  (b) All departments, commissions, boards, councils, other agencies in the government of

 

19      the state and public corporations shall prepare and submit to the  secretary of state budget office

 

20      on an annual basis by October 1 a contracting report containing:

 

21                  (1)   Digital/Electronic  copies   Copies  of  all  contracts  or  agreements  by  which  a

 

22      nongovernmental  person  or  entity  agrees  with  the  department,  commission,  board,  council,

 

23      agency  or  public  corporation  to  provide  services,  valued  at   one  hundred  thousand  dollars

 

24      ($100,000) one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or more, which are substantially similar

 

25      to  and  in   lieu  of  services  heretofore  provided,  in  whole  or  in  part,  by  regular  employees

 

26      replacement of work normally performed by an employee of the department, commission, board,

 

27      council, agency or public corporation; and.

 

28                  (2) A budget analysis of each contract reported pursuant to this subsection containing the

 

29      cost of each contract for the prior, current and next year; and the number of private contractor

 

30      employees reflected as full-time equivalent positions with their hourly wage rate, and costs of

 

31      benefits for each job classification for the current and previous year.

 

32                  (c) The  secretary of state budget office shall  compile, publish, and make available for

 

33      public inspection all lists and contracting reports prepared in accordance with this chapter  post

 

34      electronic/digital copies of all contracts and reports online using the state's transparency portal or


1      an equivalent website, available for public inspection, annually no later than December 1 of each

 

2      year.

 

3                  SECTION 5. Section 39-21.1-14 of the General Laws in Chapter 39-21.1 entitled "911

 

4      Emergency Telephone Number Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

5                  39-21.1-14. Funding. -- (a) A monthly surcharge of one dollar ($1.00) is hereby levied

 

6      upon each residence and business telephone line or trunk or path and data, telephony, Internet,

 

7      Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) wireline, line, trunk or path in the state including PBX

 

8      trunks and centrex equivalent trunks and each line or trunk serving, and upon each user interface

 

9      number or extension number or similarly identifiable line, trunk, or path to or from a digital

 

10      network (such as, but not exclusive of, integrated services digital network (ISDN), Flexpath or

 

11      comparable  digital  private  branch  exchange,  or  connecting  to  or  from a  customer-based  or

 

12      dedicated telephone switch site (such as, but not exclusive of, a private branch exchange (PBX)),

 

13      or connecting to or from a customer-based or dedicated central office (such as, but not exclusive

 

14      of,  a centrex system but exclusive  of trunks and lines  provided to wireless communication

 

15      companies) that can access to, connect with or interface with the Rhode Island E-911 Uniform

 

16      Emergency   Telephone   System   (RI   E-911).   The   surcharge   shall   be   billed   by   each

 

17      telecommunication services provider at the inception of services and shall be payable to the

 

18      telecommunication services provider by the subscriber of the services. A monthly surcharge of

 

19      one dollar ($1.00) is hereby levied effective July 1, 2002, on each wireless instrument, device or

 

20      means  including prepaid, cellular, telephony,  Internet, Voice Over  Internet  Protocol (VoIP),

 

21      satellite, computer, radio, communication, data or data only wireless lines or any other wireless

 

22      instrument, device or means which has access to, connects with, or activates or interfaces or any

 

23      combination thereof with the E 9-1-1 Uniform Emergency Telephone System. The surcharge

 

24      shall be in addition to the surcharge collected under section 39-1-62 and shall be billed by each

 

25      telecommunication services provider and shall be payable to the telecommunication services

 

26      provider by the subscriber. Prepaid wireless telecommunications services shall not be included in

 

27      this act, but shall be governed by chapter 21.2 of title 39. The E-911 Uniform Emergency

 

28      Telephone System shall establish, by rule or regulation an appropriate funding mechanism to

 

29      recover from the general body of ratepayers this surcharge.

 

30                  (b) The amount of the surcharge shall not be subject to the tax imposed under chapter 18

 

31      of title 44 nor be included within the telephone common carrier's gross earnings for the purpose

 

32      of computing the tax under chapter 13 of title 44.

 

33                  (c) Each telephone common carrier and each telecommunication services provider shall

 

34      establish a special account to which it shall deposit on a monthly basis the amounts collected as a


1      surcharge under this section.

 

2                   (d)  The  money  collected  by  each  telecommunication  services  provider  shall  be

 

3      transferred  within  sixty (60)  days  after  its inception  of  wireline,  wireless, prepaid,  cellular,

 

4      telephony, Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP), satellite, computer, Internet, or communications

 

5      services in this state and every month thereafter, to the division of taxation, together with the

 

6      accrued  interest  and  shall be  deposited  in  the  general  fund  as  general  revenue.  :  provided,

 

7      however, that beginning July 1, 2015, ten (10) percent of such money collected shall be deposited

 

8      in the Information Technology Investment Fund established pursuant to § 42-11-2.5. Any money

 

9      not transferred in accordance with this paragraph shall be assessed interest at the rate set forth in

 

10      section 44-1-7 from the date the money should have been transferred.

 

11                  (e) Every billed subscriber-user shall be liable for any surcharge imposed under this

 

12      section until it has been paid to the telephone common carrier or telecommunication services

 

13      provider. Any surcharge shall be added to and may be stated separately in the billing by the

 

14      telephone common carrier or telecommunication services provider and shall be collected by the

 

15      telephone common carrier or telecommunication services provider.

 

16                  (f)  Each  telephone  common  carrier  and  telecommunication  services  provider  shall

 

17      annually provide the E 9-1-1 uniform emergency telephone system division or any other agency

 

18      that may replace it, with a list of amounts uncollected together with the names and addresses of

 

19      its   subscriber-users  who   can   be   determined   by   the   telephone  common   carrier   or

 

20      telecommunication services provider to have not paid the surcharge.

 

21                  (g) Included within, but not limited to, the purposes for which the money collected may

 

22      be used are rent, lease, purchase, improve, construct, maintenance, repair, and utilities for the

 

23      equipment and site or sites occupied by the E 9-1-1  uniform emergency telephone system;

 

24      salaries, benefits, and other associated personnel costs; acquisition, upgrade or modification of

 

25      PSAP equipment to be capable of receiving E 9-1-1 information, including necessary computer

 

26      hardware,  software,  and  data  base  provisioning,  addressing,  and  non-recurring  costs  of

 

27      establishing emergency services; network development, operation and maintenance; data-base

 

28      development, operation, and maintenance; on-premise equipment maintenance and operation;

 

29      training emergency service personnel regarding use of E 9-1-1; educating consumers regarding

 

30      the operations, limitations, role and responsible use of E 9-1-1; reimbursement to telephone

 

31      common carriers or telecommunication services providers of rates or recurring costs associated

 

32      with any services, operation, administration or maintenance of E 9-1-1 services as approved by

 

33      the  division;  reimbursement  to  telecommunication  services  providers  or  telephone  common

 

34      carriers of other costs associated with providing E 9-1-1 services, including the cost of the design,


1      development, and implementation of equipment or software necessary to provide E 9-1-1 service

 

2      information to PSAP's, as approved by the division.

 

3                   (h) [Deleted by P.L. 2000, ch. 55, art. 28, section 1.]

 

4                   (i) Nothing in this section shall be construed to constitute rate regulation of wireless

 

5      communication  services  carriers,  nor  shall  this  section  be  construed  to  prohibit  wireless

 

6      communication services carriers from charging subscribers for any wireless service or feature.

 

7                   (j) [Deleted by P.L. 2006, ch. 246, art. 4, section 1_.

 

8                  SECTION  6.  Section  42-11-2.5  of  the  General  Laws  in  Chapter  42-11  entitled

 

9      "Department of Administration" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

10                  42-11-2.5. Information technology investment fund. -- (a) All sums from the sale of

 

11      any land and the buildings and improvements thereon, and other real property title to which is

 

12      vested  in  the  state  except  as  provided  in  subsection  37-7-15(b)  shall  be  transferred  to  an

 

13      Information Technology Investment Fund restricted receipt account that is hereby established.

 

14      This  fund  shall  consist  of  such  sums  from  the  sale  of  any  land  and  the  buildings  and

 

15      improvements thereon, and other real property title to which is vested in the state except as

 

16      provided in subsection 37-7-15(b), as well as a share of E-911 Uniform Emergency Telephone

 

17      System surcharge revenues collected under the provisions of § 39-21.1-14. This fund may also

 

18      consist of such sums as the state may from time to time appropriate, as well as money received

 

19      from  the  disposal  of  information  technology  equipment,  loan,  interest  and  service  charge

 

20      payments from benefiting state agencies, as well as interest earnings, money received from the

 

21      federal government, gifts, bequest, donations, or to otherwise from any public or private source.

 

22      Any such funds shall be exempt from the indirect cost recovery provisions of section 35-4-27.

 

23                  (b)  This  fund  shall  be  used  for  the  purpose  of  acquiring  information  technology

 

24      improvements, including, but not limited to, hardware, software, consulting services, and ongoing

 

25      maintenance and upgrade contracts for state departments and agencies.

 

26                  (c)  The  division  of  information  technology  of  the  Rhode  Island  department  of

 

27      administration shall adopt rules and regulations consistent with the purposes of this chapter and

 

28      chapter 35 of title 42, in order to provide for the orderly and equitable disbursement of funds from

 

29      this account.

 

30                  SECTION 7. Sections 1 through 4 shall take effect upon passage and sections 5 and 6

 

31      shall take effect as of July 1, 2014.

 

32


=======

art.010/8/010/7/010/6/010/5/010/4/010/3/010/2/010/1

=======

 

1                                                              ARTICLE 10

 

 

 

2             RELATING TO MAKING REVISED APPROPRIATIONS IN SUPPORT OF FY 2014

 

 

 

3                  SECTION 1. Subject to the conditions, limitations and restrictions hereinafter contained

 

4      in this act, the following general revenue amounts are hereby appropriated out of any money in

 

5      the treasury not otherwise appropriated to be expended during the fiscal year ending June 30,

 

6      2014. The amounts identified for federal funds and restricted receipts shall be made available

 

7      pursuant to section 35-4-22 and Chapter 41 of Title 42 of the Rhode Island General Laws. For the

 

8      purposes  and  functions  hereinafter  mentioned,  the  state  controller  is  hereby  authorized  and

 

9      directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of such sums or such

 

10      portions thereof as may be required from time to time upon receipt by him or her of properly

 

11      authenticated vouchers.

 

12                                                                                              FY 2014             FY 2014             FY 2014

 

13                                                                                               Enacted              Change                   Final

 

14      Administration

 

15      Central Management

 

16            General Revenues                                                    2,111,597               229,878          2,341,475

 

17                  Office of Digital Excellence                                  810,441                   5,099             815,540

 

18            Federal Funds                                                              194,591             (194,591)                       0

 

19                        Total - Central Management                          3,116,629                 40,386          3,157,015

 

20      Legal Services General Revenues                                   1,948,683               364,033          2,312,716

 

21      Accounts and Control General Revenues                        3,966,422             (228,883)          3,737,539

 

22      Office of Management and Budget

 

23            General Revenues                                                    4,049,888             (233,988)          3,815,900

 

24            Restricted Receipts                                                      481,303             (165,364)             315,939

 

25                        Total Office of Management and Budget   4,531,191             (399,352)          4,131,839

 

26      Purchasing

 

27            General Revenues                                                    2,689,542                 93,779          2,783,321

 

28            Federal Funds                                                              193,710             (115,403)              78,307

 

29            Other Funds                                                                360,814               (45,523)             315,291

 

30                        Total – Purchasing                                        3,244,066               (67,147)          3,176,919


 

1

Auditing General Revenues

1,344,585

(8,331)

1,336,254

 

2

 

Human Resources

 

 

 

 

3

 

General Revenues

 

8,329,216

 

(317,831)

 

8,011,385

 

4

 

Federal Funds

 

808,123

 

(80,589)

 

727,534

 

5

 

Restricted Receipts

 

469,283

 

(36,684)

 

432,599

 

6

 

Other Funds

 

1,580,772

 

(49,414)

 

1,531,358

 

7

 

Total - Human Resources

 

11,187,394

 

(484,518)

 

10,702,876

 

8

 

Personnel Appeal Board General Revenues

 

75,036

 

0

 

75,036

 

9

 

Facilities Management

 

 

 

 

10

 

General Revenues

 

32,198,875

 

(1,920,548)

 

30,278,327

 

11

 

Federal Funds

 

925,630

 

206,048

 

1,131,678

 

12

 

Restricted Receipts

 

616,083

 

(163,194)

 

452,889

 

13

 

Other Funds

 

3,696,513

 

(441,380)

 

3,255,133

 

14

 

Total – Facilities Management

 

37,437,101

 

(2,319,074)

 

35,118,027

 

15

 

Capital Projects and Property Management

 

 

 

 

16

 

General Revenues

 

1,240,545

 

23,888

 

1,264,433

 

17

 

Information Technology

 

 

 

 

18

 

General Revenues

 

19,293,222

 

(514,943)

 

18,778,279

 

19

 

Federal Funds

 

7,135,490

 

(613,302)

 

6,522,188

 

20

 

Restricted Receipts

 

5,370,582

 

(234,387)

 

5,136,195

 

21

 

Other Funds

 

2,182,024

 

611,114

 

2,793,138

 

22

 

Total Information Technology

 

33,981,318

 

(751,518)

 

33,229,800

 

23

 

Library and Information Services

 

 

 

 

24

 

General Revenues

 

1,007,465

 

(4,060)

 

1,003,405

 

25

 

Federal Funds

 

1,183,126

 

186,031

 

1,369,157

 

26

 

Restricted Receipts

 

1,694

 

(1,041)

 

653

 

27

 

Total - Library and Information Services

 

2,192,285

 

180,930

 

2,373,215

 

28

 

Planning

 

 

 

 

29

 

General Revenues

 

4,701,094

 

(17,377)

 

4,683,717

 

30

 

Federal Funds

 

10,935,098

 

4,094,745

 

15,029,843

 

31

 

Other Funds

 

 

 

 

32

 

Federal Highway – PL Systems Planning

 

5,039,312

 

(1,311,824)

 

3,727,488

 

33

 

Air Quality Modeling

 

0

 

22,875

 

22,875

 

34

 

Total - Planning

 

20,675,504

 

2,788,419

 

23,463,923


1      General

 

2             General Revenues

 

3             Economic Development Corporation

 

4             Rhode Island Commerce Corporation                      4,545,572                         0           4,545,572

 

5             EDC RICC Airport Corporation Impact Aid          1,025,000                         0           1,025,000

 

6                  Sixty percent (60%) of the first one million dollars ($1,000,000) appropriated for airport

 

7      impact  aid  shall  be  distributed  to  each  airport  serving  more  than  one  million  (1,000,000)

 

8      passengers based upon its percentage of the total passengers served by all airports serving more

 

9      than 1,000,000 passengers. Forty percent (40%) of the first one million dollars ($1,000,000) shall

 

10      be distributed based on the share of landings during the calendar year 2013 at North Central

 

11      Airport, Newport-Middletown Airport, Block Island Airport, Quonset Airport, T.F. Green Airport

 

12      and  Westerly  Airport,  respectively.  The   Economic  Development  Corporation  Rhode  Island

 

13      Commerce Corporation shall make an impact payment to the towns or cities in which the airport

 

14      is located based on this calculation. Each community upon which any parts of the above airports

 

15      are located shall receive at least twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000).

 

16                  EDC RICC EPScore (Research Alliance)         1,150,000                         0           1,150,000

 

17                  Innovative Matching Grants                                   500,000                          0              500,000

 

18                  Miscellaneous Grants                                             146,049                          0              146,049

 

19                  Slater Centers of Excellence                               1,000,000                         0           1,000,000

 

20                  Torts Courts                                                        400,000                          0              400,000

 

21                  Current Care/Health Information Exchange           450,000                          0              450,000

 

22                  I-195 Commission                                                 501,000               674,679          1,175,679

 

23                  RI Film and Television Office                               310,747                 (1,782)             308,965

 

24                  State Employees/Teachers Retiree Health Subsidy 2,321,057                     0           2,321,057

 

25                  Resource Sharing and State Library Aid              8,773,398                         0           8,773,398

 

26                  Library Construction Aid                                    2,500,666                         0           2,500,666

 

27            Federal Funds                                                           4,345,555                         0           4,345,555

 

28            Restricted Receipts                                                      421,500             2,217,068          2,638,568

 

29            Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

30                  Statehouse Renovations                                      1,879,000             (256,532)          1,622,468

 

31                  DoIT Enterprise Operations Center                        250,000               106,350             356,350

 

32                  Cranston Street Armory                                      1,650,000          (1,550,000)            100,000

 

33                  Cannon Building                                                    650,000               (46,013)             603,987

 

34                  Zambarano Building Rehabilitation                     1,530,000                 63,080          1,593,080


 

1

Pastore Center Rehab DOA Portion

1,155,000

1,362,000

2,517,000

 

2

 

Old State House

 

500,000

 

32,000

 

532,000

 

3

 

State Office Building

 

715,000

 

108,936

 

823,936

 

4

 

Old Colony House

 

175,000

 

187,605

 

362,605

 

5

 

William Powers Building

 

2,700,000

 

(200,000)

 

2,500,000

 

6

 

Fire Code Compliance State Buildings

 

500,000

 

(500,000)

 

0

 

7

 

Pastore Center Fire Code Compliance

 

1,691,596

 

(1,043,051)

 

648,545

 

8

 

Pastore Center Utility Systems Upgrade

 

2,745,789

 

(1,645,789)

 

1,100,000

 

9

 

Replacement of Fueling Tanks

 

300,000

 

350,000

 

650,000

 

10

 

Environmental Compliance

 

200,000

 

(46,000)

 

154,000

 

11

 

Big River Management Area

 

180,000

 

105,811

 

285,811

 

12

 

Pastore Center Building Demolition

 

2,400,000

 

(1,063,123)

 

1,336,877

 

13

 

Washington County Government Center

 

612,000

 

(152,000)

 

460,000

 

14

 

Veterans Memorial Auditorium

 

5,298,789

 

246,016

 

5,544,805

 

15

 

Chapin Health Laboratory

 

1,725,000

 

(1,425,000)

 

300,000

 

16

 

Pastore Center Parking

 

300,000

 

300,884

 

600,884

 

17

 

Pastore Center Water Tanks

 

300,000

 

0

 

300,000

 

18

 

Board of Elections New Location

 

1,250,000

 

(1,250,000)

 

0

 

19

 

Pastore Cottages Rehabilitation

 

800,000

 

(177,672)

 

622,328

 

20

 

Ladd Center Building Demolition

 

1,500,000

 

(491,792)

 

1,008,208

 

21

 

I-195 Commission

 

250,000

 

30,789

 

280,789

 

22

 

RI Convention Center Authority

 

1,000,000

 

58,531

 

1,058,531

 

23

 

Dunkin Donuts Center

 

925,000

 

0

 

925,000

 

24

 

Mathias

 

1,600,000

 

(350,000)

 

1,250,000

 

25

 

Pastore Center Power Plant

 

1,600,000

 

164,516

 

1,764,516

 

26

 

Virks

 

1,000,000

 

(700,000)

 

300,000

 

27

 

Harrington Hall Renovations

 

1,000,000

 

180,000

 

1,180,000

 

28

 

Veterans Land Purchase

 

4,150,000

 

(188,000)

 

3,962,000

 

29                  Provided that the cost for the land purchase shall not exceed $70.00 per square foot.

 

30

 

Health Laboratory Feasibility Study

 

0

 

124,393

 

124,393

 

31

 

Zambarano Wood Chip Boiler

 

0

 

32,838

 

32,838

 

32

 

Total General

 

70,922,718

 

(4,741,258)

 

66,181,460

 

33

 

Debt Service Payments

 

 

 

 

34

 

General Revenues

 

157,387,801

 

(3,476,802)

 

153,910,999


1                  Of the general revenue appropriation for debt service, two million five hundred thousand

 

2      dollars ($2,500,000) is appropriated for transfer to the Capital Reserve Fund of the  EDC RICC

 

3      Job Creation Guaranty program.

 

4             Federal Funds                                                           2,759,328               (91,929)          2,667,399

 

5             Restricted Receipts                                                   2,131,275               (46,026)          2,085,249

 

6             Other Funds

 

7                  Transportation Debt Service                              30,369,820               116,868        30,486,688

 

8                  Investment Receipts Bond Funds                        100,000                          0              100,000

 

9                  COPS - DLT Building TDI                                  278,848                 (7,195)             271,653

 

10                        Total - Debt Service Payments                  193,027,072          (3,505,084)      189,521,988

 

11      Energy Resources

 

12            Federal Funds                                                              590,080               (18,915)             571,165

 

13            Federal Funds Stimulus                                         5,150,000               560,235          5,710,235

 

14            Restricted Receipts                                                   5,459,477               233,062          5,692,539

 

15                        Total – Energy Resources                           11,199,557               774,382        11,973,939

 

16      Rhode Island Health Benefits Exchange Federal Funds                             28,348,926       24,079,750          52,428,676

 

17      Construction Permitting, Approvals and Licensing

 

18            General Revenues                                                    1,421,350                (4,775)          1,416,575

 

19            Restricted Receipts                                                   1,408,159               (12,172)          1,395,987

 

20                        Total Construction Permitting, Approvals and

 

21                              Licensing                                                2,829,509               (16,947)          2,812,562

 

22      Statewide Personnel Adjustments

 

23            General Revenues                                                  (1,398,040)             3,834,452          2,436,412

 

24            Federal Funds                                                           (379,988)             1,516,875          1,136,887

 

25            Restricted Receipts                                                   (446,548)               676,848             230,300

 

26            Other Funds                                                              (342,628)             2,031,490          1,688,862

 

27                        Total – Personnel Savings                          (2,567,204)             8,059,665          5,492,461

 

28                        Grand Total Administration                    428,701,337           23,789,341      452,490,678

 

29      Business Regulation

 

30      Central Management General Revenues                         1,197,671                 23,727          1,221,398

 

31      Banking Division

 

32            General Revenues                                                    1,715,225             (247,531)          1,467,694

 

33            Restricted Receipts                                                      125,000               (50,000)              75,000

 

34                        Total Banking Division                              1,840,225             (297,531)          1,542,694


1      Securities Regulation

 

2             General Revenues                                                       980,090               (44,942)             935,148

 

3             Restricted Receipts                                                       15,000                (11,500)                3,500

 

4                        Total - Securities Regulation                            995,090               (56,442)             938,648

 

5      Insurance Regulation

 

6             General Revenues                                                    3,767,883               (59,931)          3,707,952

 

7             Restricted Receipts                                                   1,345,584               (62,844)          1,282,740

 

8                        Total - Insurance Regulation                         5,113,467             (122,775)          4,990,692

 

9      Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner

 

10            General Revenues                                                       542,180               (42,005)             500,175

 

11            Federal Funds                                                           1,747,589            2,210,905          3,958,494

 

12            Restricted Receipts                                                       10,500                          0               10,500

 

13                        Total Office of the Health Insurance

 

14                        Commissioner                                               2,300,269            2,168,900          4,469,169

 

15      Board of Accountancy General Revenues                           81,034                (64,380)              16,654

 

16      Commercial Licensing, Racing & Athletics

 

17            General Revenues                                                       707,941             (123,246)             584,695

 

18            Restricted Receipts                                                      500,329                 56,287             556,616

 

19                        Total - Commercial Licensing, Racing &

 

20                              Athletics                                                  1,208,270               (66,959)          1,141,311

 

21      Board for Design Professionals General Revenues           253,854                   2,360             256,214

 

22                        Grand Total - Business Regulation              12,989,880            1,586,900        14,576,780

 

23      Labor and Training

 

24      Central Management

 

25            General Revenues                                                       118,760               (27,682)              91,078

 

26            Restricted Receipts                                                      342,730               244,280             587,010

 

27            Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

28                  Center General Building Roof                                         0                751,412             751,412

 

29                  Center General Asset Protection                            702,000             (376,931)             325,069

 

30                        Total - Central Management                          1,163,490               591,079          1,754,569

 

31      Workforce Development Services

 

32            General Funds                                                          1,250,000             (500,825)             749,175

 

33            Federal Funds                                                         22,942,484            6,974,518        29,917,002

 

34            Restricted Receipts                                                   9,134,984            3,327,267        12,462,251


 

1

Other Funds

0

40,250

40,250

 

2

Total - Workforce Development Services

33,327,468

9,841,210

43,168,678

 

3

 

Workforce Regulation and Safety General Revenues

 

3,002,408

 

2,325

 

3,004,733

 

4

 

Income Support

 

 

 

 

5

 

General Revenues

 

4,299,157

 

17,344

 

4,316,501

 

6

 

Federal Funds

 

17,957,752

 

11,059,374

 

29,017,126

 

7

 

Federal Funds Stimulus UI

 

54,810,000

 

(14,677,519)

 

40,132,481

 

8

 

Restricted Receipts

 

2,008,358

 

138,480

 

2,146,838

 

9

 

Job Development Fund

 

22,500,000

 

8,605,360

 

31,105,360

 

10

 

Other Funds

 

 

 

 

11

 

Temporary Disability Insurance Fund

 

172,549,295

 

8,513,122

 

181,062,417

 

12

 

Employment Security Fund

 

271,329,801

 

(29,212,784)

 

242,117,017

 

13                        Total - Income Support                              545,454,363        (15,556,623)      529,897,740

 

14      Injured Workers Services Restricted Receipts                 9,139,647             (198,616)          8,941,031

 

15      Labor Relations Board General Revenues                         393,736                 (7,204)             386,532

 

16                        Grand Total - Labor and Training              592,481,112          (5,327,829)      587,153,283

 

17      Department of Revenue

 

18      Director of Revenue General Revenues                           1,222,847             (161,184)          1,061,663

 

19      Office of Revenue Analysis General Revenues                   528,721                 (8,284)             520,437

 

20      Lottery Division

 

21            Lottery Funds                                                       245,451,858          89,310,926      334,762,784

 

22            Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

23                  Lottery Building Renovations                                          0                 306,750             306,750

 

24                        Total – Lottery Division                            245,451,858          89,617,676      335,069,534

 

25      Municipal Finance General Revenues                            2,351,173             (451,580)          1,899,593

 

26      Taxation

 

27            General Revenues                                                  18,027,851             (642,343)        17,385,508

 

28            Federal Funds                                                           1,261,962                 23,582          1,285,544

 

29            Restricted Receipts                                                      849,626                  22,433             872,059

 

30            Other Funds

 

31                  Motor Fuel Tax Evasion                                          43,232                          0               43,232

 

32                  Temporary Disability Insurance                             916,617                  29,364             945,981

 

33                        Total Taxation                                          21,099,288             (566,964)        20,532,324

 

34      Registry of Motor Vehicles


 

1

General Revenues

18,895,421

(631,625)

18,263,796

 

2

 

Federal Funds

 

1,786,689

 

(1,226,042)

 

560,647

 

3

 

Restricted Receipts

 

14,763

 

0

 

14,763

 

4

 

Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

 

 

 

5

 

Safety & Emissions Lift Replacement

 

150,000

 

150,000

 

300,000

 

6

 

Total Registry of Motor Vehicles

 

20,846,873

 

(1,707,667)

 

19,139,206

 

7

 

State Aid

 

 

 

 

8

 

General Revenue

 

 

 

 

9

 

Distressed Communities Relief Fund

 

10,384,458

 

0

 

10,384,458

 

10

 

Payment in Lieu of Tax Exempt Properties

 

35,080,409

 

0

 

35,080,409

 

11

 

Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Payments

 

10,000,000

 

0

 

10,000,000

 

12

 

Property Revaluation Program

 

516,615

 

(55,999)

 

460,616

 

13

 

Municipal Aid

 

5,000,000

 

0

 

5,000,000

 

14

 

Restricted Receipts

 

957,497

 

(48,514)

 

908,983

 

15

 

Total – State Aid

 

61,938,979

 

(104,513)

 

61,834,466

 

16

 

Grand Total Revenue

 

353,439,739

 

86,617,484

 

440,057,223

 

17      Legislature

 

18            General Revenues                                                  36,186,933            2,467,284        38,654,217

 

19            Restricted Receipts                                                   1,604,615               (36,615)          1,568,000

 

20                        Grand Total – Legislature                            37,791,548            2,430,669        40,222,217

 

21      Lieutenant Governor

 

22            General Revenues                                                       986,890               (40,389)             946,501

 

23            Federal Funds                                                           1,108,488               485,836          1,594,324

 

24            Restricted Receipts                                                                0                 135,000             135,000

 

25                        Grand Total - Lieutenant Governor               2,095,378               580,447          2,675,825

 

26      Secretary of State

 

27      Administration General Revenues                                   2,078,542               130,070          2,208,612

 

28      Corporations General Revenues                                     2,152,424               104,404          2,256,828

 

29      State Archives

 

30            General Revenues                                                       131,705               (30,564)             101,141

 

31            Restricted Receipts                                                      449,931                  56,482             506,413

 

32                        Total - State Archives                                      581,636                  25,918             607,554

 

33      Elections & Civics

 

34            General Revenues                                                    1,162,821             (324,015)             838,806


1             Federal Funds                                                                       0                   50,163              50,163

 

2                        Total – Elections & Civics                             1,162,821             (273,852)             888,969

 

3      State Library General Revenues                                        611,318               (93,230)             518,088

 

4      Office of Public Information

 

5             General Revenues                                                       361,023                133,071             494,094

 

6             Restricted Receipts                                                         5,000                   8,431               13,431

 

7                        Total Office of Public Information               366,023                141,502             507,525

 

8                        Grand Total – Secretary of State                   6,952,764                 34,812          6,987,576

 

9      General Treasurer

 

10      Treasury

 

11            General Revenues                                                    2,471,194             (112,024)          2,359,170

 

12            Federal Funds                                                             293,099               (21,821)             271,278

 

13            Restricted Receipts                                                       40,000                      246               40,246

 

14            Other Funds

 

15                  Temporary Disability Insurance Fund                    228,923               (18,646)             210,277

 

16                        Total Treasury                                            3,033,216             (152,245)          2,880,971

 

17      State Retirement System

 

18            Restricted Receipts

 

19                  Admin Expenses - State Retirement System      10,256,532             (421,569)          9,834,963

 

20                  Retirement - Treasury Investment Operations     1,162,562             (112,654)          1,049,908

 

21                  Defined Contribution Administration                 246,971                   8,918             255,889

 

22                        Total - State Retirement System                   11,666,065             (525,305)        11,140,760

 

23      Unclaimed Property Restricted Receipts                       18,559,092            3,954,270        22,513,362

 

24      Crime Victim Compensation Program

 

25            General Revenues                                                       183,498                  14,649             198,147

 

26            Federal Funds                                                             837,323             (257,572)             579,751

 

27            Restricted Receipts                                                   1,128,267               275,045          1,403,312

 

28                        Total - Crime Victim Compensation Program  2,149,088              32,122          2,181,210

 

29                        Grand Total General Treasurer                 35,407,461            3,308,842        38,716,303

 

30      Board of Elections

 

31            General Revenues                                                    1,589,361                   (467)           1,588,894

 

32

Public Financing of General Elections

150,000

0

150,000


1      Office of Governor

 

2             General Revenues                                                    4,193,513             (310,867)          3,882,646

 

3

Contingency Fund

250,000

0

250,000

 

4                        Grand Total Office of Governor                4,443,513             (310,867)          4,132,646

 

5      Commission for Human Rights

 

6             General Revenues                                                    1,150,785                (4,719)          1,146,066

 

7             Federal Funds                                                              308,638                   8,729             317,367

 

8                        Grand Total - Commission for Human Rights  1,459,423               4,010          1,463,433

 

9      Public Utilities Commission

 

10            Federal Funds                                                               90,574                          0               90,574

 

11            Federal Funds Stimulus                                              76,244                  38,238             114,482

 

12            Restricted Receipts                                                   8,253,475                 60,396          8,313,871

 

13                        Grand Total - Public Utilities Commission    8,420,293                 98,634          8,518,927

 

14      Office of Health and Human Services

 

15      Central Management

 

16            General Revenues                                                  27,699,190          (1,178,767)        26,520,423

 

17            Federal Funds                                                         88,057,656           12,334,944      100,392,600

 

18            Federal Funds Stimulus                                            537,780                          0              537,780

 

19            Restricted Receipts                                                      982,284               (15,215)             967,069

 

20                        Total Central Management                     117,276,910           11,140,962      128,417,872

 

21      Medical Assistance

 

22            General Revenues

 

23                  Managed Care                                                 281,682,858            9,218,938      290,901,796

 

24                  Hospitals                                                         107,499,737          (6,994,958)      100,504,779

 

25                  Of this amount, $5,482,009 is for the outpatient upper payment limit reimbursement.

 

26                  Nursing Facilities                                             179,263,818        (40,582,218)      138,681,600

 

27                  Home and Community Based Care                   48,645,073          (8,518,673)        40,126,400

 

28                  Other Services                                                   44,013,672             (646,389)        43,367,283

 

29                  Pharmacy                                                          51,721,344             (111,818)        51,609,526

 

30                  Rhody Health                                                  100,701,958           54,960,885      155,662,843

 

31                  Affordable Care Act Transition Program            2,000,000          (1,000,000)          1,000,000

 

32            Federal Funds


1                  Of this amount, $5,570,428 is for the outpatient upper payment limit reimbursement.

 

2                  Nursing Facilities                                             182,155,169        (41,236,769)      140,918,400

 

3                  Home and Community Based Care                   49,429,970          (8,656,370)        40,773,600

 

4                  Other Services                                                 150,655,199           84,791,474      235,446,673

 

5                  Pharmacy                                                               243,742             (476,421)          (232,679)

 

6                  Rhody Health                                                  101,617,845           57,919,312      159,537,157

 

7                  Special Education                                             19,000,000                         0         19,000,000

 

8             Restricted Receipts                                                   9,015,000            2,571,044        11,586,044

 

9                        Total - Medical Assistance                     1,750,658,222         101,664,681   1,852,322,903

 

10                        Grand Total Office of Health and

 

11                        Human Services                                     1,867,935,132         112,805,643   1,980,740,775

 

12      Children, Youth, and Families

 

13      Central Management

 

14            General Revenues                                                    4,911,020             (297,451)          4,613,569

 

15            Federal Funds                                                           2,155,735               107,297          2,263,032

 

16            Restricted Receipts                                                       34,991                (34,991)                       0

 

17                        Total - Central Management                          7,101,746             (225,145)          6,876,601

 

18      Children's Behavioral Health Services

 

19            General Revenues                                                    4,491,441            2,073,802          6,565,243

 

20            Federal Funds                                                           5,572,682            1,465,666          7,038,348

 

21            Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

22                  NAFI Center                                                          280,000               114,806             394,806

 

23                  Mt. Hope Building Facade                                     275,000             (275,000)                       0

 

24                  Various Repairs and Improvements to YDC                    0                355,000             355,000

 

25                        Total - Children's Behavioral Health

 

26                        Services                                                      10,619,123            3,734,274        14,353,397

 

27      Juvenile Correctional Services

 

28            General Revenues                                                  26,877,697          (2,372,381)        24,505,316

 

29            Federal Funds                                                              330,645               (30,031)             300,614

 

30            Federal Funds Stimulus                                                4,270                  22,109              26,379

 

31            Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

32                  Thomas C. Slater Training School

 

33                  Maintenance Building                                            535,000             (535,000)                       0


1                        Total - Juvenile Correctional Services         27,747,612          (2,649,533)        25,098,079

 

2      Child Welfare

 

3

General Revenues

105,380,058

117,199

105,497,257

 

4                  18 to 21 Year Olds                                            11,116,775             (296,585)        10,820,190

 

5             Federal Funds                                                         46,003,996            1,660,586        47,664,582

 

6                  18 to 21 Year Olds                                              2,239,970             (493,973)          1,745,997

 

7             Federal Funds Stimulus                                            385,107                 61,233             446,340

 

8             Restricted Receipts                                                   2,579,179             (130,429)          2,448,750

 

9             Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

10                  Fire Code Upgrades                                               500,000             (450,000)              50,000

 

11                        Total - Child Welfare                                168,205,085               468,031      168,673,116

 

12      Higher Education Incentive Grants General Revenues      200,000                          0              200,000

 

13                        Grand Total - Children, Youth, and Families213,873,566         1,327,627      215,201,193

 

14      Health

 

15      Central Management

 

16            General Revenues                                                       544,959               (64,650)             480,309

 

17            Federal Funds                                                           8,645,598             (877,478)          7,768,120

 

18            Restricted Receipts                                                   4,239,580                   3,774          4,243,354

 

19                        Total - Central Management                        13,430,137             (938,354)        12,491,783

 

20      State Medical Examiner

 

21            General Revenues                                                    2,365,037             (510,236)          1,854,801

 

22            Federal Funds                                                              163,940               (22,604)             141,336

 

23                        Total - State Medical Examiner                     2,528,977             (532,840)          1,996,137

 

24      Environmental and Health Services Regulation

 

25            General Revenues                                                    9,491,266             (149,084)          9,342,182

 

26            Federal Funds                                                           5,856,356               539,335          6,395,691

 

27            Restricted Receipts                                                   4,199,254             (610,785)          3,588,469

 

28                        Total - Environmental and Health Services

 

29                        Regulation                                                   19,546,876             (220,534)        19,326,342

 

30      Health Laboratories

 

31            General Revenues                                                    6,199,240             (132,018)          6,067,222

 

32            Federal Funds                                                           1,492,480               706,450          2,198,930

 

33            Federal Funds Stimulus                                                      0                    6,500                 6,500

 

34                        Total - Health Laboratories                           7,691,720               580,932          8,272,652


1      Public Health Information

 

2             General Revenues                                                    1,524,091                 13,552          1,537,643

 

3             Federal Funds                                                              847,574             1,857,068          2,704,642

 

4             Federal Funds Stimulus                                              97,959                  76,067             174,026

 

5                        Total – Public Health Information                 2,469,624            1,946,687          4,416,311

 

6      Community and Family Health and Equity

 

7             General Revenues                                                    2,448,286               107,470          2,555,756

 

8             Federal Funds                                                         41,420,480          (2,821,236)        38,599,244

 

9             Federal Funds - Stimulus                                             382,645               633,582          1,016,227

 

10            Restricted Receipts                                                 26,194,072          (1,020,877)        25,173,195

 

11            Other Funds

 

12                  Safe and Active Commuting                                   35,310                  93,752             129,062

 

13                        Total Community and Family Health

 

14                        and Equity                                                  70,480,793          (3,007,309)        67,473,484

 

15      Infectious Disease and Epidemiology

 

16            General Revenues                                                    1,735,122             (113,977)          1,621,145

 

17            Federal Funds                                                           3,097,510            1,793,208          4,890,718

 

18            Restricted Receipts                                                                0                    5,995                 5,995

 

19                        Total Infectious Disease and Epidemiology   4,832,632        1,685,226          6,517,858

 

20                        Grand Total Health                                 120,980,759             (486,192)      120,494,567

 

21      Human Services

 

22      Central Management

 

23            General Revenues                                                    5,543,121               (54,037)          5,489,084

 

24            Federal Funds                                                           5,244,172             (380,637)          4,863,535

 

25            Restricted Receipts                                                      414,962               107,580             522,542

 

26                        Total - Central Management                        11,202,255             (327,094)        10,875,161

 

27      Child Support Enforcement

 

28            General Revenues                                                    2,370,212                (6,365)          2,363,847

 

29            Federal Funds                                                           6,095,358             (153,076)          5,942,282

 

30                        Total Child Support Enforcement              8,465,570             (159,441)          8,306,129

 

31      Individual and Family Support

 

32            General Revenues                                                  20,922,405            1,859,608        22,782,013

 

33            Federal Funds                                                       133,591,509          (1,957,130)      131,634,379

 

34            Federal Funds Stimulus                                                      0            11,748,163       11,748,163


1             Restricted Receipts                                                   7,352,671          (7,012,240)            340,431

 

2             Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

3                  Blind Vending Facilities                                         165,000                  18,083             183,083

 

4             Intermodal Surface Transportation Fund                  4,165,364               567,561          4,732,925

 

5             Food Stamp Bonus Funding                                        150,000                259,338             409,338

 

6                        Total - Individual and Family Support       166,346,949            5,483,383      171,830,332

 

7      Veterans' Affairs

 

8             General Revenues                                                  20,993,993          (1,382,658)        19,611,335

 

9             Federal Funds                                                           7,678,815               996,747          8,675,562

 

10            Restricted Receipts                                                   1,467,376               266,764          1,734,140

 

11                        Total - Veterans' Affairs                              30,140,184             (119,147)        30,021,037

 

12      Health Care Eligibility

 

13            General Revenues                                                    8,141,377             (307,812)          7,833,565

 

14            Federal Funds                                                         11,060,155             (794,912)        10,265,243

 

15                        Total - Health Care Eligibility                      19,201,532          (1,102,724)        18,098,808

 

16      Supplemental Security Income Program

 

17            General Revenues                                                  18,234,514               164,586        18,399,100

 

18      Rhode Island Works

 

19            General Revenues - Child Care                                9,668,635                         0           9,668,635

 

20            Federal Funds                                                         80,298,745          (4,837,073)        75,461,672

 

21                              Total Rhode Island Works                  89,967,380          (4,837,073)        85,130,307

 

22      State Funded Programs

 

23            General Revenues

 

24

General Public Assistance

1,906,800

(11,388)

1,895,412

 

25            Of this appropriation, $210,000 shall be used for hardship contingency payments.

 

26            Federal Funds                                                       298,637,602            2,360,464      300,998,066

 

27                        Total - State Funded Programs                   300,544,402            2,349,076      302,893,478

 

28      Elderly Affairs

 

29            General Revenues                                                    5,522,367               303,972          5,826,339

 

30                  RIPAE                                                                   174,484             (174,484)                       0

 

31                  Care and Safety of the Elderly                                  1,287                    (329)                    958

 

32                  Federal Funds                                                    11,761,746               243,182        12,004,928

 

33                  Restricted Receipts                                                527,491             (313,839)             213,652

 

34                        Total – Elderly Affairs                                17,987,375                 58,502        18,045,877


1                        Grand Total - Human Services                  662,090,161            1,510,068      663,600,229

 

2      Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals

 

3      Central Management

 

4             General Revenues                                                       816,045                159,398             975,443

 

5             Federal Funds                                                             429,446                119,963             549,409

 

6                        Total - Central Management                          1,245,491               279,361          1,524,852

 

7      Hospital and Community System Support

 

8             General Revenues                                                    1,592,216               (12,399)          1,579,817

 

9             Restricted Receipts                                                      734,152                182,570             916,722

 

10            Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

11                  Medical Center Rehabilitation                                925,000             (362,000)             563,000

 

12                  Community Facilities Fire Code                             325,000                  75,000             400,000

 

13                        Total - Hospital and Community System

 

14                              Support                                                   3,576,368             (116,829)          3,459,539

 

15      Services for the Developmentally Disabled

 

16            General Revenues                                                 109,467,984               519,665      109,987,649

 

17            Federal Funds                                                       112,094,959               815,775      112,910,734

 

18            Restricted Receipts                                                   1,652,750               306,700          1,959,450

 

19            Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

20                  DD Private Waiver                                                 225,431               (40,866)             184,565

 

21                  Regional Center Repair/Rehabilitation                   400,000               (50,000)             350,000

 

22                  MR Community Facilities/Access to Independence   500,000         (100,011)             399,989

 

23                        Total - Services for the Developmentally

 

24

Disabled

224,341,124

1,451,263

225,792,387

 

25

Behavioral Healthcare Services

 

 

26

 

General Revenues

 

39,670,207

 

(294,255)

 

39,375,952

 

27

 

Federal Funds

 

53,105,582

 

4,107,101

 

57,212,683

 

28

 

Federal Funds Stimulus

 

232,500

 

(232,500)

 

0

 

29

 

Restricted Receipts

 

125,000

 

0

 

125,000

 

30

 

Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

 

 

 

31

 

MH Community Facilities Repair

 

225,000

 

95,000

 

320,000

 

32

 

MH Housing Development-Thresholds

 

800,000

 

0

 

800,000

 

33

 

Substance Abuse Asset Production

 

125,000

 

(25,000)

 

100,000

 

34

 

Total Behavioral Healthcare Services

 

94,283,289

 

3,650,346

 

97,933,635


1      Hospital and Community Rehabilitative Services

 

2             General Revenues                                                  50,544,930          (1,373,975)        49,170,955

 

3             Federal Funds                                                         51,897,236          (2,669,009)        49,228,227

 

4             Restricted Receipts                                                   4,884,970            1,665,298          6,550,268

 

5             Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

6                  Zambarano Buildings and Utilities                         150,000                          0              150,000

 

7                  Hospital Consolidation                                        3,000,000          (1,400,000)          1,600,000

 

8                  BHDDH Administrative Buildings                      3,000,000               140,000          3,140,000

 

9                  MR Community Facilities                                      925,000                 89,831          1,014,831

 

10                        Total - Hospital and Community

 

11                              Rehabilitative Services                        114,402,136          (3,547,855)      110,854,281

 

12                        Grand Total Behavioral Healthcare,

 

13                        Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals                                437,848,408  1,716,286                            439,564,694

 

14      Office of the Child Advocate

 

15            General Revenues                                                       608,651               (33,174)             575,477

 

16            Federal Funds                                                               39,997                  10,003              50,000

 

17                        Grand Total Office of the Child Advocate   648,648               (23,171)             625,477

 

18      Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

 

19            General Revenues                                                       391,609                 (2,342)             389,267

 

20            Restricted Receipts                                                       80,000                          0               80,000

 

21                        Grand Total Com. on Deaf and Hard of

 

22                        Hearing                                                            471,609                 (2,342)             469,267

 

23      Governor's Commission on Disabilities

 

24            General Revenues                                                       357,711                 (1,359)             356,352

 

25            Federal Funds                                                              129,989                 26,341             156,330

 

26            Restricted Receipts                                                       10,365                    5,565               15,930

 

27            Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

28                  Accessibility to Disability Service Providers          247,938             (247,938)                       0

 

29                  Accessibility Fire Safety Renovations                    115,833             (115,833)                       0

 

30                  Accessibility to Higher Education                          593,500             (593,500)                       0

 

31                  Handicapped Accessibility                                              0                550,000             550,000

 

32                        Grand Total - Governor's Commission on

 

33                        Disabilities                                                    1,455,336             (376,724)          1,078,612

 

34      Office of the Mental Health Advocate General Revenues                             486,144            (2,428) 483,716


1      Elementary and Secondary Education

 

2      Administration of the Comprehensive Education Strategy

 

3             General Revenues                                                  19,826,703             (737,487)        19,089,216

 

4             Federal Funds                                                       192,856,736            5,787,982      198,644,718

 

5             Federal Funds Stimulus                                       19,956,823          (3,015,906)        16,940,917

 

6             RTTT LEA Share                                                    11,022,400               210,345        11,232,745

 

7             Restricted Receipts                                                   1,400,286             (216,874)          1,183,412

 

8             HRIC Adult Education Grants                                  3,800,000                         0           3,800,000

 

9             Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

10                  State-Owned Cranston                                           872,583                          0              872,583

 

11                  State-Owned East Providence                                175,000                          0              175,000

 

12                  State-Owned Warwick                                           500,000                 35,040             535,040

 

13                  State-Owned Woonsocket                                   1,575,000          (1,375,000)            200,000

 

14                        Total Administration of the Comprehensive

 

15                              Education Strategy                              251,985,531               688,100      252,673,631

 

16      Davies Career and Technical School

 

17            General Revenues                                                  12,792,048                         0         12,792,048

 

18            Federal Funds                                                           1,384,139               (16,880)          1,367,259

 

19            Federal Funds Stimulus                                            123,877                 42,137             166,014

 

20            Restricted Receipts                                                   2,564,848               353,003          2,917,851

 

21            Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

22                  Davies HVAC                                                        830,271               192,265          1,022,536

 

23                  Davies Asset Protection                                           95,000             1,131,038          1,226,038

 

24                  Davies School Roof Repairs                                            0                330,000             330,000

 

25                        Total - Davies Career and Technical School   17,790,183        2,031,563        19,821,746

 

26      RI School for the Deaf

 

27            General Revenues                                                    6,070,194             (165,622)          5,904,572

 

28            Federal Funds                                                              281,867                 24,488             306,355

 

29            Federal Funds Stimulus                                            120,812                 45,732             166,544

 

30            Restricted Receipts                                                      300,000               233,629             533,629

 

31            Other Funds                                                                          0                  59,000              59,000

 

32                        Total - RI School for the Deaf                      6,772,873               197,227          6,970,100

 

33      Metropolitan Career and Technical School

 

34            General Revenues                                                  11,085,049                         0         11,085,049


1             Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

2                  MET School East Bay                                         2,580,000            2,902,642          5,482,642

 

3                  MET Asset Protection                                            100,000                          0             100,000

 

4                  MET School HVAC                                               833,333                506,010          1,339,343

 

5                        Total Metropolitan Career and Technical

 

6                        School                                                         14,598,382            3,408,652        18,007,034

 

7      Education Aid

 

8             General Revenues                                                 724,892,567              (75,078)      724,817,489

 

9             Restricted Receipts                                                 19,593,382          (1,434,382)        18,159,000

 

10            Permanent School Fund Education Aid                    300,000               (59,000)             241,000

 

11                        Total – Education Aid                               744,785,949          (1,568,460)      743,217,489

 

12      Central Falls School District General Revenues           38,399,591                         0         38,399,591

 

13      Housing Aid General Revenues                                     69,949,504          (2,286,468)        67,663,036

 

14      Teachers' Retirement General Revenues                       81,691,253          (1,144,667)        80,546,586

 

15                        Grand Total - Elementary and Secondary

 

16                        Education                                               1,225,973,266            1,325,947   1,227,299,213

 

17      Public Higher Education

 

18      Office of Higher Education

 

19            General Revenues                                                    4,994,523                (3,951)          4,990,572

 

20            Federal Funds                                                           6,190,306          (1,158,112)          5,032,194

 

21                        Total - Office of Higher Education             11,184,829          (1,162,063)        10,022,766

 

22      University of Rhode Island

 

23            General Revenues

 

24

General Revenues

64,086,076

(122,375)

63,963,701

 

25                  The  University  of  Rhode  Island  shall  maintain  tuition  charges  in  the  2013   2014

 

26      academic year at the same level as the 2012 2013 academic year. The University shall not

 

27      decrease internal student financial aid in the 2013 2014 academic year below the level of the

 

28      2012   2013  academic  year.  The  President  of  the  institution  shall  report,  prior  to  the

 

29      commencement of the 2013 2014 academic year, to the chair of the Rhode Island Board of

 

30      Education that such tuition charges and student aid levels have been achieved at the start of FY

 

31      2014 as prescribed above.

 

32                  Debt Service                                                      20,585,263             (399,479)        20,185,784

 

33                  State Crime Lab                                                   1,027,327                (3,781)          1,023,546

 

34            University and College Funds


 

1

University and College Funds

600,530,024

5,674,407

606,204,431

 

2

 

Debt Dining Services

 

1,160,911

 

(45,246)

 

1,115,665

 

3

 

Debt – Education and General

 

3,304,053

 

(122,041)

 

3,182,012

 

4

 

Debt Health Services

 

152,595

 

(16,413)

 

136,182

 

5

 

Debt Housing Loan Funds

 

11,049,281

 

(362,824)

 

10,686,457

 

6

 

Debt Memorial Union

 

301,628

 

3,980

 

305,608

 

7

 

Debt Ryan Center

 

2,798,704

 

5,367

 

2,804,071

 

8

 

Debt Alton Jones Services

 

115,305

 

157

 

115,462

 

9

 

Debt - Parking Authority

 

1,040,836

 

(95,810)

 

945,026

 

10

 

Debt – Sponsored Research

 

100,238

 

(16,201)

 

84,037

 

11

 

Debt – Energy Conservation

 

2,905,496

 

(501,296)

 

2,404,200

 

12            Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

13

 

Asset Protection

 

7,357,500

 

0

 

7,357,500

 

14

 

Fire and Safety Protection

 

10,100,000

 

0

 

10,100,000

 

15

 

Nursing Education Center

 

2,500,000

 

(700,000)

 

1,800,000

 

16

 

New Chemistry Building

 

0

 

703,810

 

703,810

 

17

 

Fire Arts Center Advanced Planning

 

0

 

55,231

 

55,231

 

18

 

Biotechnology Center

 

0

 

270,220

 

270,220

 

19

 

Total University of Rhode Island

 

729,115,237

 

4,327,706

 

733,442,943

 

20                  Notwithstanding the provisions of section 35-3-15 of the general laws, all unexpended or

 

21      unencumbered balances as of June 30, 2014 relating to the University of Rhode Island are hereby

 

22      reappropriated to fiscal year 2015.

 

23      Rhode Island College

 

24            General Revenues

 

25                  General Revenues                                             39,004,298             (114,389)        38,889,909

 

26                  Rhode Island College shall maintain tuition charges in the 2013 2014 academic year at

 

27      the same level as the 2012 2013 academic year. The College shall not decrease internal student

 

28      financial aid in the 2013 2014 academic year below the level of the 2012 2013 academic year.

 

29      The President of the institution shall report, prior to the commencement of the 2013 2014

 

30      academic year, to the chair of the Rhode Island Board of Education that such tuition charges and

 

31      student aid levels have been achieved at the start of FY 2014 as prescribed above.

 

32

Debt Service

3,887,576

(333,351)

3,554,225

 

33            Other Funds

 

34

University and College Funds

110,482,163

(279,282)

110,202,881


 

1

Debt – Education and General

886,640

0

886,640

 

2

 

Debt Housing

 

2,050,004

 

0

 

2,050,004

 

3

 

Debt Student Center and Dining

 

172,078

 

0

 

172,078

 

4

 

Debt Student Union

 

234,113

 

0

 

234,113

 

5

 

Debt G.O. Debt Service

 

1,638,017

 

0

 

1,638,017

 

6            Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

7

 

Asset Protection

 

2,843,250

 

407,491

 

3,250,741

 

8

 

Infrastructure Modernization

 

5,000,000

 

(1,000,000)

 

4,000,000

 

9

 

New Art Center Advanced Planning

 

0

 

103,162

 

103,162

 

10                        Total Rhode Island College                    166,198,139          (1,216,369)      164,981,770

 

11                  Notwithstanding the provisions of section 35-3-15 of the general laws, all unexpended or

 

12      unencumbered  balances  as  of  June  30,  2014  relating  to  Rhode  Island  College  are  hereby

 

13      reappropriated to fiscal year 2015.

 

14      Community College of Rhode Island

 

15            General Revenues

 

16                  General Revenues                                             44,589,076             (155,790)        44,433,286

 

17                  The Community College of Rhode Island College shall maintain tuition charges in the

 

18      2013 2014 academic year at the same level as the 2012 2013 academic year. The Community

 

19      College shall not decrease internal student financial aid in the 2013 2014 academic year below

 

20      the level of the 2012 2013 academic year. The President of the institution shall report, prior to

 

21      the commencement of the 2013 2014 academic year, to the chair of the Rhode Island Board of

 

22      Education that such tuition charges and student aid levels have been achieved at the start of FY

 

23      2014 as prescribed above.

 

24                  Debt Service                                                       1,839,656                         0           1,839,656

 

25            Restricted Receipts                                                      702,583                          0              702,583

 

26            Other Funds

 

27                  University and College Funds                         100,333,007            2,102,805      102,435,812

 

28                  Debt Bookstore                                                    28,443                          0               28,443

 

29                  CCRI Debt Service Energy Conservation         1,289,480             (483,555)             805,925

 

30            Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

31                  Asset Protection                                                  2,093,500                         0           2,093,500

 

32                  Knight Campus Renewal                                       125,000                          0              125,000

 

33                        Total Community College of RI             151,000,745            1,463,460      152,464,205

 

34                  Notwithstanding the provisions of section 35-3-15 of the general laws, all unexpended or


1      unencumbered balances as of June 30, 2014 relating to the Community College of Rhode Island

 

2      are hereby reappropriated to fiscal year 2015.

 

3                        Grand Total – Public Higher Education  1,057,498,950            3,412,734   1,060,911,684

 

4      RI State Council on the Arts

 

5             General Revenues

 

6                  Operating Support                                                  423,973               (18,039)             405,934

 

7                  Grants                                                                    911,657                 (7,083)             904,574

 

8             Federal Funds                                                              797,329                   (649)             796,680

 

9             Other Funds

 

10                  Arts for Public Facilities                                        632,536                          0              632,536

 

11                        Grand Total - RI State Council on the Arts    2,765,495               (25,771)          2,739,724

 

12      RI Atomic Energy Commission

 

13            General Revenues                                                       861,710                 (4,940)             856,770

 

14            Federal Funds                                                              267,044             (206,320)              60,724

 

15            Other Funds

 

16                  URI Sponsored Research                                       257,977                          0              257,977

 

17            Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

18                  RINSC Asset Protection                                          50,000                          0               50,000

 

19                        Grand Total - RI Atomic Energy Commission 1,436,731          (211,260)          1,225,471

 

20      RI Higher Education Assistance Authority

 

21            General Revenues

 

22                  Needs Based Grants and Work Opportunities     4,134,726                 51,597          4,186,323

 

23                  Authority Operations and Other Grants                 147,000                          0              147,000

 

24            Federal Funds                                                         13,274,020             (957,506)        12,316,514

 

25            Other Funds

 

26                  Tuition Savings Program Needs Based Grants 8,800,000             (800,000)          8,000,000

 

27                  Tuition Savings Program Administration             407,989               (77,907)             330,082

 

28                        Grand Total RI Higher Education

 

29                        Assistance Authority                                   26,763,735          (1,783,816)        24,979,919

 

30      RI Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission

 

31            General Revenues                                                    1,357,510               (16,714)          1,340,796

 

32            Federal Funds                                                              609,949             1,565,473          2,175,422

 

33            Restricted Receipts                                                      454,491                   3,329             457,820

 

34            Other Funds


1                  RIDOT – Project Review                                         84,999                (16,310)              68,689

 

2             Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

3                  Eisenhower House Asset Protection                    1,000,000             (820,000)             180,000

 

4                        Grand Total RI Historical Preservation

 

5                        and Heritage Commission                             3,506,949               715,778          4,222,727

 

6      Attorney General

 

7      Criminal

 

8             General Revenues                                                  14,446,868             (240,216)        14,206,652

 

9             Federal Funds                                                           1,619,532            1,202,380          2,821,912

 

10            Restricted Receipts                                                   4,440,620           10,880,185       15,320,805

 

11                        Total Criminal                                          20,507,020           11,842,349       32,349,369

 

12      Civil

 

13            General Revenues                                                    4,985,425               348,534          5,333,959

 

14            Restricted Receipts                                                      632,970                   2,900             635,870

 

15                        Total Civil                                                  5,618,395               351,434          5,969,829

 

16      Bureau of Criminal Identification

 

17            General Revenues                                                    1,503,119                 21,106          1,524,225

 

18            Federal Funds                                                                        0                    7,178                 7,178

 

19                        Total Bureau of Criminal Identification     1,503,119                 28,284          1,531,403

 

20      General

 

21            General Revenues                                                    2,721,567                   9,391          2,730,958

 

22            Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

23                  Building Renovations and Repairs                          50,000                191,805             241,805

 

24                        Total General                                             2,771,567               201,196          2,972,763

 

25                        Grand Total - Attorney General                  30,400,101           12,423,263       42,823,364

 

26      Corrections

 

27      Central Management

 

28            General Revenues                                                    9,077,039             (877,921)          8,199,118

 

29            Federal Funds                                                               45,094                609,684             654,778

 

30            Federal Funds Stimulus                                              10,770                (10,770)                       0

 

31                        Total Central Management                         9,132,903             (279,007)          8,853,896

 

32      Parole Board

 

33            General Revenues                                                    1,354,433               (76,812)          1,277,621

 

34            Federal Funds                                                               38,000                          0               38,000


1                        Total – Parole Board                                     1,392,433               (76,812)          1,315,621

 

2      Custody and Security

 

3             General Revenues                                                 115,418,407            2,311,770      117,730,177

 

4             Federal Funds                                                              761,526               210,013             971,539

 

5                        Total Custody and Security                    116,179,933            2,521,783      118,701,716

 

6      Institutional Support

 

7             General Revenues                                                  15,728,306               198,384        15,926,690

 

8             Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

9                  Asset Protection                                                  3,000,000            1,292,068          4,292,068

 

10                  Maximum General Renovations                       1,100,000               778,624          1,878,624

 

11                  General Renovations Womens                        1,000,000             (133,143)             866,857

 

12                  Bernadette Guay Roof                                        1,165,000          (1,075,000)              90,000

 

13                  ISC Exterior Envelope and HVAC                      4,000,000          (3,559,673)            440,327

 

14                  Minimum Security Kitchen Expansion                2,485,392          (2,435,392)              50,000

 

15                  Medium Infrastructure                                        4,719,359          (4,319,359)            400,000

 

16                  Womens Bathroom Renovations                                    0                116,148             116,148

 

17                  D-Building State Match Reintegration C                       0                220,022             220,022

 

18                        Total - Institutional Support                        33,198,057          (8,917,321)        24,280,736

 

19      Institutional Based Rehab./Population Management

 

20            General Revenues                                                    9,129,775                 75,133          9,204,908

 

21            Federal Funds                                                              794,918               (12,853)             782,065

 

22            Federal Funds Stimulus                                              64,394                (64,311)                     83

 

23            Restricted Receipts                                                       29,758                    (894)               28,864

 

24                        Total Institutional Based Rehab/Pop/Mgt.   10,018,845             (2,925)        10,015,920

 

25      Healthcare Services General Revenues                        19,639,269             (215,609)        19,423,660

 

26      Community Corrections

 

27            General Revenues                                                  15,031,969             (162,101)        14,869,868

 

28            Federal Funds                                                               73,986                  43,267             117,253

 

29            Restricted Receipts                                                       35,132                    2,157               37,289

 

30                        Total Community Corrections                  15,141,087             (116,677)        15,024,410

 

31                        Grand Total Corrections                         204,702,527          (7,086,568)      197,615,959

 

32      Judiciary

 

33      Supreme Court

 

34            General Revenues                                                  26,221,542               (99,073)        26,122,469


 

1

Defense of Indigents

3,562,240

(20,000)

3,542,240

 

2

 

Federal Funds

 

272,163

 

(81,512)

 

190,651

 

3

 

Restricted Receipts

 

3,356,909

 

51,563

 

3,408,472

 

4

 

Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

 

 

 

5

 

Judicial HVAC

 

425,000

 

197,271

 

622,271

 

6

 

Judicial Complexes Asset Protection

 

650,000

 

182,719

 

832,719

 

7

 

Murray Judicial Complex Cell Block

 

440,000

 

290,293

 

730,293

 

8

 

Total - Supreme Court

 

34,927,854

 

521,261

 

35,449,115

 

9

 

Judicial Tenure and Discipline General Revenues

 

115,627

 

(573)

 

115,054

 

10

 

Superior Court

 

 

 

 

11

 

General Revenues

 

22,294,581

 

(364,700)

 

21,929,881

 

12

 

Federal Funds

 

94,205

 

44,956

 

139,161

 

13

 

Restricted Receipts

 

306,723

 

(4,345)

 

302,378

 

14

 

Total - Superior Court

 

22,695,509

 

(324,089)

 

22,371,420

 

15

 

Family Court

 

 

 

 

16

 

General Revenues

 

18,851,385

 

141,452

 

18,992,837

 

17

 

Federal Funds

 

2,257,880

 

(177,109)

 

2,080,771

 

18

 

Total - Family Court

 

21,109,265

 

(35,657)

 

21,073,608

 

19

 

District Court

 

 

 

 

20

 

General Revenues

 

12,545,634

 

(423,287)

 

12,122,347

 

21

 

Restricted Receipts

 

297,822

 

(5,020)

 

292,802

 

22

 

Total - District Court

 

12,843,456

 

(428,307)

 

12,415,149

 

23

 

Traffic Tribunal General Revenues

 

8,090,350

 

490,228

 

8,580,578

 

24

 

Workers' Compensation Court Restricted Receipts

 

7,842,060

 

(7,530)

 

7,834,530

 

25

 

Grand Total Judiciary

 

107,624,121

 

215,333

 

107,839,454

 

26      Military Staff

 

27      National Guard

 

28            General Revenues                                                    1,361,037               315,776          1,676,813

 

29            Federal Funds                                                         14,816,306             (322,293)        14,494,013

 

30            Restricted Receipts                                                      300,000                263,000             563,000

 

31            Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

32                  AMC – Roof Replacement                                    280,000             (140,000)             140,000

 

33                  State Armories Fire Code Compliance                     20,250                  14,750              35,000

 

34                  Federal Armories Fire Code Compliance                 20,250               (16,150)                4,100


 

1

Asset Protection

775,000

(132,102)

642,898

 

2

 

Logistics/Maintenance Facilities Fire Code Comp.

 

12,500

 

(2,500)

 

10,000

 

3

 

Benefit Street Arsenal Rehabilitation

 

800,000

 

(375,000)

 

425,000

 

4

 

Hurricane Sandy Cleanup

 

1,500,000

 

88,702

 

1,588,702

 

5

 

Command Center Readiness Addition

 

0

 

168,458

 

168,458

 

6

 

Emergency Management Building

 

0

 

29,643

 

29,643

 

7

 

Burrillville Regional Training Institute

 

0

 

30,290

 

30,290

 

8

 

Camp Fogarty Amory Roof

 

0

 

406,367

 

406,367

 

9                        Total - National Guard                                19,885,343               328,941        20,214,284

 

10      Emergency Management

 

11            General Revenues                                                    2,508,946             (620,722)          1,888,224

 

12            Federal Funds                                                         20,062,446            6,773,663        26,836,109

 

13            Restricted Receipts                                                      700,779             (492,721)             208,058

 

14                        Total - Emergency Management                  23,272,171            5,660,220        28,932,391

 

15                        Grand Total - Military Staff                        43,157,514            5,989,161        49,146,675

 

16      Public Safety

 

17      Central Management

 

18            General Revenues                                                    1,240,692              (55,255)          1,185,437

 

19            Federal Funds                                                           4,032,164               682,295          4,714,459

 

20            Federal Funds Stimulus                                              73,809                          0               73,809

 

21            Restricted Receipts                                                            850                  19,150              20,000

 

22                        Total Central Management                         5,347,515               646,190          5,993,705

 

23      E-911 Emergency Telephone System General Revenues 5,488,731               (44,435)          5,444,296

 

24      State Fire Marshal

 

25            General Revenues                                                    2,894,425             (168,764)          2,725,661

 

26            Federal Funds                                                                        0                521,668             521,668

 

27            Restricted Receipts                                                      277,338               131,417             408,755

 

28            Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

29                  Fire Academy                                                        800,000             (583,500)             216,500

 

30            Quonset Development Corp                                         55,303                        64               55,367

 

31                        Total - State Fire Marshal                              4,027,066               (99,115)          3,927,951

 

32      Security Services General Revenues                             21,814,553          (1,018,213)        20,796,340

 

33      Municipal Police Training Academy

 

34            General Revenues                                                       293,022               (56,618)             236,404


 

1

Federal Funds

269,151

21,249

290,400

 

2

 

Restricted Receipts

 

0

 

60,000

 

60,000

 

3

 

Total - Municipal Police Training Academy

 

562,173

 

24,631

 

586,804

 

4

 

State Police

 

 

 

 

5

 

General Revenues

 

64,630,376

 

(754,641)

 

63,875,735

 

6

 

Federal Funds

 

1,780,411

 

3,208,609

 

4,989,020

 

7

 

Federal Funds Stimulus

 

0

 

155,000

 

155,000

 

8

 

Restricted Receipts

 

12,475,000

 

(110,000)

 

12,365,000

 

9

 

Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

 

 

 

10

 

Barracks and Training

 

1,409,743

 

(1,152,426)

 

257,317

 

11

 

Headquarters Repairs/Rehabilitation

 

500,000

 

(292,000)

 

208,000

 

12

 

Parking Area Improvements

 

225,000

 

137,967

 

362,967

 

13

 

HQ Expansion

 

210,000

 

227,044

 

437,044

 

14

 

Statewide Microwave Tower Installations

 

0

 

21,377

 

21,377

 

15

 

Traffic Enforcement - Municipal Training

 

130,150

 

4,350

 

134,500

 

16

 

Lottery Commission Assistance

 

1,558,727

 

(249,498)

 

1,309,229

 

17

 

Airport Corporation

 

240,304

 

(51,155)

 

189,149

 

18

 

Road Construction Reimbursement

 

3,078,000

 

(143,000)

 

2,935,000

 

19

 

Total - State Police

 

86,237,711

 

1,001,627

 

87,239,338

 

20

 

Grand Total – Public Safety

 

123,477,749

 

510,685

 

123,988,434

 

21      Office of Public Defender

 

22

 

General Revenues

 

11,034,686

 

(174,275)

 

10,860,411

 

23

 

Federal Funds

 

291,996

 

(34,910)

 

257,086

 

24

 

Grand Total - Office of Public Defender

 

11,326,682

 

(209,185)

 

11,117,497

 

25      Environmental Management

 

26      Office of the Director

 

27

General Revenues

4,575,920

(95,543)

4,480,377

 

28

Permit Streamlining

33,414

0

33,414

 

29

 

Federal Funds

 

150,000

 

0

 

150,000

 

30

 

Federal Funds Stimulus

 

0

 

355,000

 

355,000

 

31

 

Restricted Receipts

 

2,929,180

 

394,800

 

3,323,980

 

32

 

Total Office of the Director

 

7,688,514

 

654,257

 

8,342,771

 

33      Natural Resources

 

34

 

General Revenues

 

18,718,638

 

(360,012)

 

18,358,626


 

1

Federal Funds

27,119,465

(911,571)

26,207,894

 

2

 

Restricted Receipts

 

6,594,688

 

72,630

 

6,667,318

 

3

 

Other Funds

 

 

 

 

4

 

DOT Recreational Projects

 

370,428

 

1,244,927

 

1,615,355

 

5

 

Blackstone Bikepath Design

 

2,060,087

 

0

 

2,060,087

 

6

 

Transportation MOU

 

78,579

 

0

 

78,579

 

7

 

Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

 

 

 

8

 

Dam Repair

 

1,300,000

 

0

 

1,300,000

 

9

 

Fort Adams Rehabilitation

 

500,000

 

(400,000)

 

100,000

 

10

 

Fort Adams Americas Cup

 

3,883,558

 

(2,000,000)

 

1,883,558

 

11

 

Recreational Facilities Improvements

 

3,390,000

 

(600,000)

 

2,790,000

 

12

 

Galilee Piers Upgrade

 

2,696,307

 

(944,997)

 

1,751,310

 

13

 

Newport Piers

 

250,000

 

(200,000)

 

50,000

 

14

 

World War II Facility

 

2,600,000

 

(2,600,000)

 

0

 

15

 

Blackstone Valley Bike Path

 

596,000

 

(505,170)

 

90,830

 

16

 

Natural Resources Office/Visitor’s Center

 

1,800,000

 

(1,523,560)

 

276,440

 

17

 

Rocky Point Acquisition/Renovations

 

2,500,000

 

(2,400,000)

 

100,000

 

18

 

Total - Natural Resources

 

74,457,750

 

(11,127,753)

 

63,329,997

 

19      Environmental Protection

 

20

 

General Revenues

 

11,428,346

 

(164,643)

 

11,263,703

 

21

 

Federal Funds

 

11,122,266

 

(434,824)

 

10,687,442

 

22

 

Restricted Receipts

 

8,557,647

 

352,505

 

8,910,152

 

23

 

Other Funds

 

 

 

 

24

 

Transportation MOU

 

165,000

 

0

 

165,000

 

25

 

Retrofit Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicles

 

2,760,000

 

(2,500,000)

 

260,000

 

26

 

Total - Environmental Protection

 

34,033,259

 

(2,746,962)

 

31,286,297

 

27

 

Grand Total - Environmental

 

 

 

 

28

 

Management

 

116,179,523

 

(13,220,458)

 

102,959,065

 

29      Coastal Resources Management Council

 

30            General Revenues                                                    2,174,331               (15,595)          2,158,736

 

31            Federal Funds                                                           1,754,919               (91,186)          1,663,733

 

32            Federal Funds Stimulus                                            405,674                146,548             552,222

 

33            Restricted Receipts                                                      374,982             (124,982)             250,000

 

34                        Grand Total - Coastal Resources Mgmt.


1                        Council                                                         4,709,906               (85,215)          4,624,691

 

2      Transportation

 

3      Central Management

 

4             Federal Funds                                                         11,307,723                 92,264        11,399,987

 

5             Other Funds

 

6                  Gasoline Tax                                                       1,455,983               237,729          1,693,712

 

7                        Total Central Management                       12,763,706               329,993        13,093,699

 

8      Management and Budget

 

9             Other Funds

 

10

Gasoline Tax

1,549,669

616,312

2,165,981

 

11                        Total Management and Budget                   1,549,669               616,312          2,165,981

 

12      Infrastructure Engineering – GARVEE/Motor Fuel Tax Bonds

 

13            Federal Funds                                                       293,587,942          37,317,619      330,905,561

 

14            Of these federal funds, $1,790,000 is appropriated to the Public Rail Corporation from

 

15      CMAQ federal funds for the payment of liability insurance.

 

16            Federal Funds Stimulus                                         6,865,921            5,856,068        12,721,989

 

17            Restricted Receipts                                                   8,010,496          (1,141,546)          6,868,950

 

18            Other Funds

 

19                  Gasoline Tax                                                     53,061,714                 76,284        53,137,998

 

20                  Land Sale Revenue                                           14,809,264          (5,709,183)          9,100,081

 

21            Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

22                  RIPTA - Land and Buildings                                  104,000                115,261             219,261

 

23                  Highway Project Match Plan                             21,135,000        (13,398,640)          7,736,360

 

24                        Total Infrastructure Engineering

 

25                        GARVEE/Motor Fuel Tax Bonds              397,574,337          23,115,863      420,690,200

 

26      Infrastructure Maintenance

 

27            Other Funds

 

28                  Gasoline Tax                                                     42,251,075            1,653,457        43,904,532

 

29                  Non-Land Surplus Property                                   125,000               (75,000)              50,000

 

30                  Outdoor Advertising                                              175,000                150,000             325,000

 

31            Rhode Island Capital Plan Funds

 

32                  Maintenance Facilities Improvements                    776,210             (285,956)             490,254

 

33                  Salt Storage Facilities                                           1,500,000             (828,565)             671,435

 

34                  Portsmouth Facility                                             1,835,000          (1,335,000)            500,000


 

1

Maintenance Equipment Replacement

1,000,000

1,000,000

2,000,000

 

2

 

Train Station Maintenance and Repairs

 

100,000

 

(2,126)

 

97,874

 

3

 

RIPTA - Cooperative Maintenance Facility

 

600,000

 

(600,000)

 

0

 

4

 

Cherry Hill/Lincoln Facility

 

0

 

481,007

 

481,007

 

5

 

East Providence Facility

 

0

 

150,000

 

150,000

 

6

 

Maintenance Facility Fire Alarms

 

0

 

17,187

 

17,187

 

7

 

Total Infrastructure Maintenance

 

48,362,285

 

325,004

 

48,687,289

 

8

 

Grand Total Transportation

 

460,249,997

 

24,387,172

 

484,637,169

 

9

 

Statewide Totals

 

 

 

 

10

 

General Revenues

 

3,359,755,123

 

(7,356,564)

 

3,352,398,559

 

11

 

Federal Funds

 

2,717,673,430

 

210,814,247

 

2,928,487,677

 

12

 

Restricted Receipts

 

255,035,912

 

23,677,581

 

278,713,493

 

13

 

Other Funds

 

1,880,597,557

 

28,502,015

 

1,909,099,572

 

14

 

Statewide Grand Total

 

8,213,062,022

 

255,637,279

 

8,468,699,301

 

15                  SECTION  2.  Each  line  appearing  in  Section  1  of  this  Article  shall  constitute  an

 

16      appropriation.

 

17                  SECTION 3. The general assembly authorizes the state controller to establish the internal

 

18      service accounts shown below, and no other, to finance and account for the operations of state

 

19      agencies that provide services to other agencies, institutions and other governmental units on a

 

20      cost reimbursed basis. The purpose of these accounts is to ensure that certain activities are

 

21      managed in a businesslike manner, promote efficient use of services by making agencies pay the

 

22      full costs associated with providing the services, and allocate the costs of central administrative

 

23      services across all fund types, so that federal and other non-general fund programs share in the

 

24      costs of general government support. The controller is authorized to reimburse these accounts for

 

25      the  cost  of  work  or  services  performed  for  any  other  department  or  agency  subject  to  the

 

26      following expenditure limitations:

 

27                                                                                              FY 2014               FY 2014           FY 2014

 

28                              Account                                                    Enacted                Change                 Final

 

29      State Assessed Fringe Benefit Internal Service Fund     33,644,675            2,053,134        35,697,809

 

30      Administration Central Utilities Internal Service Fund   20,253,728          (6,015,271)        14,238,457

 

31      State Central Mail Internal Service Fund                         5,336,633               183,170          5,519,803

 

32      State Telecommunications Internal Service Fund            4,084,660               (31,222)          4,053,438

 

33      State Automotive Fleet Internal Service Fund                13,668,556             (263,198)        13,405,358

 

34      Surplus Property Internal Service Fund                                 2,500                          0                 2,500


 

1

Health Insurance Internal Service Fund

250,127,757

0

250,127,757

 

2

 

Other Post-Employment Benefits Fund

 

 

 

 

3

 

Retired State Employees

 

49,727,160

 

(518,377)

 

49,208,783

 

4

 

Retired Higher Education Employees

 

2,536,462

 

0

 

2,536,462

 

5

 

Retired Teachers

 

7,531,279

 

0

 

7,531,279

 

6

 

Retired State Police

 

3,073,102

 

0

 

3,073,102

 

7

 

Retired Legislators

 

772,532

 

0

 

772,532

 

8

 

Retired Judges

 

931,493

 

0

 

931,493

 

9

 

Capital Police Internal Service Fund

 

872,233

 

147,688

 

1,019,921

 

10

 

Corrections Central Distribution Center Internal

 

 

 

 

11

 

Service Fund

 

6,701,947

 

569,518

 

7,271,465

 

12

 

Correctional Industries Internal Service Fund

 

8,341,086

 

(750,581)

 

7,590,505

 

13

 

Secretary of State Record Center Internal Service Fund

 

869,457

 

(3,166)

 

866,291

 

14                  SECTION 4. Departments and agencies listed below may not exceed the number of full-

 

15      time equivalent (FTE) positions shown below in any pay period. Full-time equivalent positions do

 

16      not include seasonal or intermittent positions whose scheduled period of employment does not

 

17      exceed twenty-six consecutive weeks or whose scheduled hours do not exceed nine hundred and

 

18      twenty-five  (925)  hours,  excluding  overtime,  in  a  one-year  period.  Nor  do  they  include

 

19      individuals  engaged  in  training,  the  completion  of  which  is  a  prerequisite  of  employment.

 

20      Provided, however, that the Governor or designee, Speaker of the House of Representatives or

 

21      designee,  and  the  President  of  the  Senate  or  designee  may  authorize  an  adjustment  to  any

 

22      limitation. Prior to the authorization, the State Budget Officer shall make a detailed written

 

23      recommendation to the Governor, the Speaker of the House, and the President of the Senate. A

 

24      copy of the recommendation and authorization to adjust shall be transmitted to the chairman of

 

25      the House Finance Committee, Senate Finance Committee, the House Fiscal Advisor and the

 

26      Senate Fiscal Advisor.

 

27                  State employees whose funding is from non-state general revenue funds that are time

 

28      limited shall receive limited term appointment with the term limited to the availability of non-

 

29      state general revenue funding source.

 

30                                           FY 2014 FTE POSITION AUTHORIZATION

 

31      Departments and Agencies                                                            Full-Time Equivalent

 

32      Administration                                                                                                   720.7

 

33      Business Regulation                                                                                             94.0

 

34      Labor and Training                                                                                   392.0  410.0


 

1

Revenue

492.0

 

2

 

Legislature

 

298.5

 

3

 

Office of the Lieutenant Governor

 

8.0

 

4

 

Office of the Secretary of State

 

57.0

 

5

 

Office of the General Treasurer

 

83.0

 

6

 

Board of Elections

 

11.0

 

7

 

Rhode Island Ethics Commission

 

12.0

 

8

 

Office of the Governor

 

45.0

 

9

 

Commission for Human Rights

 

14.5

 

10

 

Public Utilities Commission

 

49.0

 

11

 

Office of Health and Human Services

 

184.0

 

12

 

Children, Youth, and Families

 

670.5

 

13

 

Health

 

494.1  491.1

 

14

 

Human Services

 

959.1

 

15

 

Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals

 

1,423.4  1,422.4

 

16

 

Office of the Child Advocate

 

6.0

 

17

 

Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

 

3.0

 

18

 

Governor's Commission on Disabilities

 

4.0

 

19

 

Office of the Mental Health Advocate

 

3.7

 

20

 

Elementary and Secondary Education

 

171.4

 

21

 

School for the Deaf

 

60.0

 

22

 

Davies Career and Technical School

 

126.0

 

23

 

Office of Higher Education

 

13.8  12.8

 

24                  Provided that 1.0 of the total authorization would be available only for positions that are

 

25      supported by third-party funds.

 

26      University of Rhode Island                                                                             2,456.5

 

27                  Provided that  593.2 of the total authorization would be available only for positions that

 

28      are supported by third-party funds.

 

29      Rhode Island College                                                                                         923.6

 

30                  Provided that 82.0 of the total authorization would be available only for positions that are

 

31      supported by third-party funds.

 

32      Community College of Rhode Island                                                                 854.1

 

33                  Provided that  100.0 of the total authorization would be available only for positions that

 

34      are supported by third-party funds.


1      Rhode Island State Council on the Arts                                                                 6.0

 

2      RI Atomic Energy Commission                                                                             8.6

 

3      Higher Education Assistance Authority                                                               23.0

 

4      Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission                                                16.6

 

5      Office of the Attorney General                                                                          233.1

 

6      Corrections                                                                                                     1,419.0

 

7      Judicial                                                                                                              726.3

 

8      Military Staff                                                                                                     117.0

 

9      Public Safety                                                                                            645.2 634.2

 

10      Office of the Public Defender                                                                             93.0

 

11      Environmental Management                                                                              399.0

 

12      Coastal Resources Management Council                                                             29.0

 

13      Transportation                                                                                          772.6 752.6

 

14      Total                                                                                              15,118.3 15,100.3

 

15                  SECTION  5.  Notwithstanding  any  public  laws  to  the  contrary,  three  million,  three

 

16      hundred twenty thousand, nine hundred seventy nine dollars ($3,320,979) of bond premium

 

17      deposited  into  the  Rhode  Island  Capital  Plan  Fund  in  FY  2014  shall  be  transferred  to  the

 

18      Municipal Road and Bridge Revolving Fund on or before June 30, 2014.

 

19                  SECTION  6.  Notwithstanding  any  general  laws  to  the  contrary,  the  Department  of

 

20      Administration shall transfer nine hundred twenty-five thousand, four hundred nineteen dollars

 

21      ($925,419)  from the  Restoration  and  Replacement   Insurance  Coverage  Restricted  Receipt

 

22      account to the State General Fund on or before June 30, 2014.

 

23                  SECTION 7. This Article shall take effect upon passage.


 

 

 

 

 

1                                                              ARTICLE 11


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art.011/5/011/4/011/3/011/2/011/1

=======


 

 

 

2                                                     RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT

 

 

 

3                  SECTION  1.  Section  28-42-84  of  the  General  Laws  in  Chapter  28-42  entitled

 

4      "Employment Security General Provisions" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

5                  28-42-84. Job development fund  Disbursements  Unexpended balance. -- (a) The

 

6      moneys in the job development fund shall be used for the following purposes:

 

7                  (1) To reimburse the department of labor and training for the loss of any federal funds

 

8      resulting from the collection and maintenance of the fund by the department;

 

9                  (2) To make refunds of contributions erroneously collected and deposited in the fund;

 

10                  (3) To pay any administrative expenses incurred by the department of labor and training

 

11      associated with the collection of the contributions for employers paid pursuant to § 28-43-8.5, and

 

12      any other administrative expenses associated with the maintenance of the fund, including the

 

13      payment of all premiums upon bonds required pursuant to § 28-42-85;

 

14                  (4) To provide for job training, counseling and assessment services, and other related

 

15      activities and services. Services  will include, but  are  not limited  to,  research,  development,

 

16      coordination,   and   training   activities   to   promote   workforce   development   and   business

 

17      development as established by the human resource investment council;

 

18                  (5) To support the state's job training for economic development;

 

19                  (6)(i) Beginning January 1, 2001, two hundredths of one percent (0.02%) out of the

 

20      twenty-one hundredths of one percent (0.21%) job development assessment paid pursuant to §

 

21      28-43-8.5 shall be used to support necessary core services in the unemployment insurance and

 

22      employment services programs operated by the department of labor and training; and

 

23                  (ii) Beginning January 1, 2011 and ending in tax year 2015, two hundredths of one

 

24      percent  (0.02%)  out  of  the  fifty-  one  hundredths  of  one  percent  (0.51%)  job  development

 

25      assessment paid pursuant to § 28-43-8.5 shall be used to support necessary core services in the

 

26      unemployment insurance and employment services programs operated by the department of labor

 

27      and training; and

 

28                  (7) Beginning January 1, 2011 and ending in tax year  2015  2014, three tenths of one

 

29      percent  (0.3%)  out  of  the  fifty-one  hundredths  of  one  percent  (0.51%)  job  development

 

30      assessment paid pursuant to §  28-43.8.5  28-43-8.5 shall be deposited into a restricted receipt


1      account to be used solely to pay the principal and/or interest due on Title XII advances received

 

2      from the federal government in accordance with the provisions of Section 1201 of the Social

 

3      Security Act; provided, however, that if the federal Title XII loans are repaid through a state

 

4      revenue bond or other financing mechanism, then these funds may also be used to pay the

 

5      principal and/or interest that accrues on that debt. Any remaining funds in the restricted receipt

 

6      account, after the outstanding principal and interest due has been paid, shall be transferred to the

 

7      employment security fund for the payment of benefits.

 

8                  (b) The general treasurer shall pay all vouchers duly drawn by the council upon the fund,

 

9      in any amounts and in any manner that the council may prescribe. Vouchers so drawn upon the

 

10      fund shall be referred to the controller within the department of administration. Upon receipt of

 

11      those vouchers, the controller shall immediately record and sign them and shall promptly transfer

 

12      those signed vouchers to the general treasurer. Those expenditures shall be used solely for the

 

13      purposes specified in this section and its balance shall not lapse at any time but shall remain

 

14      continuously available for expenditures consistent with this section. The general assembly shall

 

15      annually appropriate the funds contained in the fund for the use of the human resource investment

 

16      council and, in addition, for the use of the department of labor and training effective July 1, 2000,

 

17      and for the payment of the principal and interest due on federal Title XII loans beginning July 1,

 

18      2011; provided, however, that if the federal Title XII loans are repaid through a state revenue

 

19      bond or other financing mechanism, then the funds may also be used to pay the principal and/or

 

20      interest that accrues on that debt.

 

21                  SECTION  2.  Section  28-43-8.5  of  the  General  Laws  in  Chapter  28-43  entitled

 

22      "Employment Security - Contributions" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

23                  28-43-8.5. Job development assessment. -- For the tax years 2011 through 2014, each

 

24      employer subject to this chapter shall be required to pay a job development assessment of fifty-

 

25      one hundredths of one percent (0.51%) of that employer's taxable payroll, in addition to any other

 

26      payment which that employer is required to make under any other provision of this chapter;

 

27      provided,  that  the  assessment  shall  not  be  considered  as  part  of  the  individual  employer's

 

28      contribution rate  for the purpose  of  determining the  individual  employer's  balancing charge

 

29      pursuant to section 28-43-9; provided, further, upon full repayment of any outstanding principal

 

30      and/or interest due on Title XII advances received from the federal government in accordance

 

31      with the provisions of section 1201 of the Social Security Act, including any principal and/or

 

32      interest that accrues on debt from a state revenue bond or other financing mechanism used to

 

33      repay the Title XII advances, then the job development assessment shall be reduced to twenty-one

 

34      hundredths of one percent (0.21%) beginning the tax quarter after the full repayment occurs. The


1      tax rate for all employers subject to the contribution provisions of chapters 42 -- 44 of this title

 

2      shall be reduced by twenty-one hundredths of one percent (0.21%). For tax year  2015  and

 

3      subsequent  years,  each  employer  subject  to  this  chapter  shall  be  required  to  pay  a  job

 

4      development assessment of  fifty-one hundredths of one percent (0.51%) twenty-one hundredths

 

5      of one percent (0.21%) of that employer's taxable payroll, in addition to any other payment which

 

6      that employer is required to make under any other provision of this chapter; provided, that the

 

7      assessment shall not be considered as part of the individual employer's contribution rate for the

 

8      purpose of determining the individual employer's balancing charge pursuant to section 28-43-9.

 

9      The tax rate for all employers subject to contribution provisions of chapter 42 44 of this title

 

10      shall  be  reduced  by  twenty-one  hundredths  of  one  percent  (0.21%).   However,  upon  full

 

11      repayment of any outstanding principal and/or interest due on Title XII advances received from

 

12      the federal government in accordance with the provisions of section 1201 of the Social Security

 

13      Act, including any principal and/or interest that accrues on debt from a state revenue bond or

 

14      other financing mechanism used to repay the Title XII advances, then the job development

 

15      assessment shall be reduced to twenty-one hundredths of one percent (0.21%) beginning the tax

 

16      quarter after the full repayment occurs.

 

17                  SECTION  3.  Section  28-42-18  of  the  General  Laws  in  Chapter  28-42  entitled

 

18      "Employment Security - General Provisions" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

19                  28-42-18. Establishment of fund. -- (a) There is created the employment security fund,

 

20      to be administered by the director without liability on the part of the state beyond the amounts

 

21      paid into and earned by the fund. This fund shall consist of:

 

22                  (1) All contributions paid pursuant to sections 28-43-16 -- 28-43-22;

 

23                  (2) All other moneys paid into and received by the fund;

 

24                  (3) Property and securities acquired by and through the use of moneys belonging to the

 

25      fund;

 

26                  (4) Interest earned upon the money belonging to the fund; and

 

27                  (5) All money credited to this state's account in the unemployment trust fund pursuant to

 

28      42 U.S.C. section 1103.

 

29                  (6) Advances from the general fund, authorized by the governor and the director of

 

30      administration, for the purpose of repaying loans outstanding from the federal government  or for

 

31      paying unemployment insurance benefits due to avoid borrowing from the federal government in

 

32      a given fiscal year. However, all such advances made to the fund shall be repaid to the general

 

33      fund, with interest as determined by the general treasurer, within the same fiscal year.

 

34                  (b) All moneys in the fund shall be mingled and undivided.


1                  SECTION 4. Chapter 28-12 of the General Laws entitled "Minimum Wages" is hereby

 

2      amended by adding thereto the following section:

 

3                  28-12-25. Uniformity. No municipality shall establish, mandate, or otherwise require

 

4      an employer to pay a minimum wage to its employees, other than the state or federal mandated

 

5      minimum wage, or to apply a state or federal minimum wage law to wages statutorily exempt

 

6      from a state or federal minimum wage requirement.

 

7                  SECTION 5. This article shall take effect upon passage.

 

8


=======

art.012/9/012/8/012/7/012/6/012/5/012/4/012/3/012/2/012/1

=======

 

1                                                              ARTICLE 12

 

 

 

2                                                        RELATING TO REVENUES

 

 

 

3                  SECTION 1. Chapter 31-3-6.1 of the General Laws entitled "Registration of Vehicles" is

 

4      hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

 

5                  31-3-6.1.1. Denial of registration- Denial of transfer of registration -- Failure to file

 

6      tax returns and/or pay taxes. -- (a) On or before October 31 in each year and at least quarterly

 

7      thereafter, the tax administrator shall furnish the division of motor vehicles, with a list the names,

 

8      addresses and social security numbers of persons who have neglected or refused to file a tax

 

9      return(s)  and/or  to  pay  any  tax  administered  by  the  tax  administrator  and  that  there  is  no

 

10      administrative or appellate review pending regarding such tax matter.

 

11                  (b) Thereafter, the tax administrator, at the times and in the manner mutually agreed to by

 

12      the tax administrator and the administrator of the division of motor vehicles, shall furnish to the

 

13      division of motor vehicles the names, addresses and social security numbers of those persons

 

14      whose names appear on that list but who have subsequently filed all required returns and paid all

 

15      required taxes, interest and attendant penalties in full or entered into a time payment agreement

 

16      satisfactory to the tax administrator. Upon receipt of said information, said names, addresses and

 

17      social security numbers of said persons shall be removed from the list.

 

18                  (c) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall not register any motor

 

19      vehicle or transfer the registration of any motor vehicle for any person whose name appears on a

 

20      list provided by the tax administrator pursuant to subsection (a) above until all state taxes, interest

 

21      and attendant penalties have been paid in full and the payment has been certified to the division

 

22      of motor vehicles by the tax administrator.

 

23                  (d) If the person thereafter files an overdue return and/or remits past taxes due or enters

 

24      into a satisfactory time payment agreement with respect to any and all returns due and taxes

 

25      payable, the tax administrator shall, within five (5) business days of the person's request, provide

 

26      the division of motor vehicles with a certificate of good standing specified in § 5-76-5. Within

 

27      five (5) business days of receiving such a certificate, the division of motor vehicles shall register

 

28      or transfer the person's registration.

 

29                  (e) If a person files an overdue return and/or remits past due taxes in order to register a

 

30      motor vehicle or transfer the registration of a motor vehicle, said late filing and/or payment shall


1      not be an admission of a violation of any criminal tax statute regarding late filing and/or late

 

2      payment. The tax administrator shall not refer such person to the attorney general for prosecution

 

3      based solely upon said late filing and/or payment of past due taxes.

 

4                  SECTION 2. Chapter 44-30 of the General Laws entitled "Personal Income Tax" is

 

5      hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

 

6                  44-30-100. Lookup table to report use tax on personal income tax return. -- (a) When

 

7      reporting the amount of use tax obligation on the Rhode Island personal income return, the

 

8      taxpayer shall list either the actual amount (from books, records, and other sources), or an amount

 

9      using a lookup table established by the tax administrator.

 

10                  (b) Establishment of lookup table. (1) The tax administrator shall create the lookup table

 

11      with reference to a taxpayer's federal adjusted gross income (AGI) as listed on the Rhode Island

 

12      personal income tax return before modifications, adjustments, or other changes. To determine the

 

13      amount of use tax from the lookup table, the taxpayer shall multiply 0.0008 by the amount of the

 

14      taxpayer's  federal  AGI  as  listed  on  the  Rhode  Island  personal  income  tax  return  before

 

15      modifications, adjustments, or other changes.

 

16                  (2)  The  AGI  income  ranges  within  the  lookup  table  shall  be  adjusted  by  the  tax

 

17      administrator by December 31 of each calendar year by the percentage, if any, by which the

 

18      Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) as of the close of the 12-month period

 

19      ending on August 31 of that year, exceeds the CPI-U as of the close of the 12-month period

 

20      ending on August 31 of the immediately preceding year. For purposes of the annual calculation,

 

21      the tax administrator shall be free to substitute an inflation index which is substantially similar to

 

22      the CPI-U.

 

23                  (3) If a taxpayer uses the lookup table, the taxpayer shall list on the return not only the

 

24      result from the lookup table, but also the actual amount of each single purchase whose purchase

 

25      price equals or exceeds one thousand dollars ($1,000).

 

26                  (4) Instructions for the personal income tax form shall indicate that the use of the lookup

 

27      table as described in this section is, for the taxpayer, a "safe harbor" alternative to listing the

 

28      actual amount of the taxpayer's use tax obligation.

 

29                  (c) When completing and filing a Rhode Island personal income tax return, the taxpayer

 

30      shall check a box attesting to the amount of use tax listed on the return. The tax administrator

 

31      shall direct computer software providers to require the taxpayer or the taxpayer's preparer to

 

32      proactively  check  the  box;  software  providers  shall  not  program  an  automatically  checked

 

33      attestation box.

 

34                  (d) The tax administrator shall make clear on personal income tax forms and instructions


1      that use tax is typically due on internet, mail-order, and catalog out-of-state purchases.

 

2                  SECTION 3. Title 44 of the General Laws entitled "TAXATION" is hereby amended by

 

3      adding thereto the following chapter:

 

4                                                                   CHAPTER 69

 

5                 COMPLIANCE OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES WITH STATE INCOME TAX ACT

 

6                  44-69-1.  Short  title.  --  This  chapter  shall  be  known  as  the  "Public  Employee  Tax

 

7      Compliance Act".

 

8                  44-69-1. Definitions. -- (a) "Appointing authority" means the person or group of persons

 

9      having the power by virtue of the constitution, a state statute, or lawfully delegated authority to

 

10      make appointments.

 

11                  (b) "Employee" or "state or public employee" means an elected official, appointed officer

 

12      or employee of any political subdivision of this state.

 

13                  (c) "State agency" means any office, department, board, commission or institution of the

 

14      executive, legislative, higher education or judicial branch of state government.

 

15                  (d)  "Political  subdivision"  means  any  office,  department,  board,  commission  or

 

16      institution of the executive, legislative, education, or, public safety, or judicial branch of any city,

 

17      town, or school district within the state.

 

18                  44-69-3.  Administration.  --  (a)  The  department  of  administration  and  all  political

 

19      subdivisions shall, not later than August 1, 2014, and August 1 of each year thereafter, provide to

 

20      the tax administrator a list of all public employees as of the preceding July 1 and such identifying

 

21      information as may be required by the tax administrator. Such list and information shall be used

 

22      by the tax administrator exclusively for the purpose of collection of income taxes due to the state

 

23      of Rhode Island.

 

24                  (b) The tax administrator shall, not later than December 1, 2014, and December 1 of each

 

25      year thereafter, notify any public employee who is not in compliance with the income tax laws of

 

26      this state. Such notification shall include:

 

27                  (1) A statement that the employee will be subject to mandatory garnishment of wages by

 

28      the state controller, unless the taxpayer is deemed by the tax administrator to be in compliance

 

29      with the income tax laws of this state;

 

30                  (2) The reasons that the taxpayer is considered to be out of compliance with the income

 

31      tax laws of this state, including a statement of the amount of any tax, penalties and interest due, or

 

32      a list of the tax years for which income tax returns have not been filed, as required by law;

 

33                  (3) An explanation of the rights of the taxpayer and the procedures which must be

 

34      followed by the taxpayer in order to come into compliance with the income tax laws of this state;


1      and

 

2                  (4) Such other information as may be deemed necessary by the tax administrator.

 

3                  (c) A public employee who has entered into and is abiding by a payment agreement, or

 

4      who has requested relief as an innocent spouse, which request is pending or has been granted,

 

5      shall be deemed to be in compliance with the state income tax laws for purposes of this section.

 

6                  (d) If the tax administrator notifies a public employee who is not in compliance with the

 

7      income tax laws of this state as required in this section and such public employee does not

 

8      respond to such notification or fails to come into compliance with the income tax laws of this

 

9      state after an assessment has been made final or after the Tax Administrator determines that every

 

10      reasonable effort has been made to assist the public employee to come into compliance with the

 

11      income tax laws of this state, the tax administrator shall so notify the state controller or political

 

12      subdivision, which shall commence mandatory garnishment of the public employee's wages and

 

13      shall notify the state employee of the reason for such action. If a public employee, who has been

 

14      previously reported by the tax administrator to a state agency or the political subdivision as being

 

15      out of compliance, comes into compliance, the tax administrator shall immediately notify the

 

16      state controller or the political subdivision. Neither a state agency or the political subdivision nor

 

17      an appointing authority shall be held liable for any action with respect to a public employee

 

18      pursuant to the provisions of this section.

 

19                  SECTION 4. Section 44-33-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 44-33 entitled "Property

 

20      Tax Relief" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

21                  44-33-3. Definitions. -- As used in this chapter:

 

22                  (1) "Claimant" means a homeowner or renter,  sixty-five (65) years of age or older,

 

23      and/or disabled, who has filed a claim under this chapter and was domiciled in this state for the

 

24      entire calendar year for which he or she files a claim for relief under this chapter. In the case of

 

25      claim for rent constituting property taxes accrued, the claimant shall have rented property during

 

26      the preceding year for which he or she files for relief under this chapter. Claimant shall not mean

 

27      or include any person claimed as a dependent by any taxpayer under the Internal Revenue Code

 

28      of the United States, 26 U.S.C. section 1 et seq. When two (2) individuals of a household are able

 

29      to meet the qualifications for a claimant, they may determine between themselves as to who the

 

30      claimant is. If they are unable to agree, the matter is referred to the tax administrator and his or

 

31      her decision is final. If a homestead is occupied by two (2) or more individuals, and more than

 

32      one individual is able to qualify as a claimant, and some or all of the qualified individuals are not

 

33      related, the individuals may determine among themselves as to who the claimant is. If they are

 

34      unable to agree, the matter is referred to the tax administrator, and his or her decision is final.


1                   (2) "Disabled" means those persons who are receiving a social security disability benefit.

 

2                   (3) "Gross rent"  means rental paid in cash or its equivalent solely for the right of

 

3      occupancy of a homestead, exclusive of charges for any utilities, services, furniture, furnishings,

 

4      or personal property appliances furnished by the landlord as a part of the rental agreement. If the

 

5      landlord and tenant have not dealt with each other at arm's length, and the tax administrator is

 

6      satisfied that the gross rent charged was excessive, he or she may adjust the gross rent to a

 

7      reasonable amount for purposes of this chapter. "Gross rent" includes the rental of space paid to a

 

8      landlord for parking of a mobile home, or docking or mooring a houseboat, exclusive of any

 

9      charges for utilities, services, furniture, furnishings, or personal appliances furnished by the

 

10      landlord as a part of the rental. Twenty percent (20%) of the annual gross rental plus the space

 

11      rental fees paid during the year are the annual "property taxes accrued."

 

12                  (4) "Homestead" means the dwelling, whether owned or rented, and so much of the land

 

13      surrounding it, not exceeding one acre, as is reasonably necessary for use of the dwelling as a

 

14      home, and may consist of a part of the multi-dwelling or multi-purpose building and a part of the

 

15      land upon which it is built ("owned" includes a vendee in possession under a land contract and

 

16      one or more joint tenants or tenants in common). It does not include personal property such as

 

17      furniture, furnishings, or appliances, but a mobile home or a houseboat may be a homestead.

 

18                  (5) "Household" means one or more persons occupying a dwelling unit and living as a

 

19      single nonprofit housekeeping unit. "Household" shall not include bona fide lessees, tenants, or

 

20      roomers, and boarders on contract.

 

21                  (6) "Household income" means all income received by all persons of a household in a

 

22      calendar year while members of the household.

 

23                  (7) "Income" means the sum of federal adjusted gross income as defined in the Internal

 

24      Revenue Code of the United States, 26 U.S.C. section 1 et seq., and all non-taxable income

 

25      including, but not limited to, the amount of capital gains excluded from adjusted gross income,

 

26      alimony,  support  money,  non-taxable  strike  benefits,  cash  public  assistance  and  relief  (not

 

27      including  relief  granted  under  this  chapter),  the  gross  amount  of  any  pension  or  annuity

 

28      (including Railroad Retirement Act (see 45 U.S.C. section 231 et seq.) benefits, all payments

 

29      received under the federal Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. section 301 et seq., state unemployment

 

30      insurance laws, and veterans' disability pensions (see 38 U.S.C. section 301 et seq.), non-taxable

 

31      interest  received  from  the  federal  government  or  any  of  its  instrumentalities,  workers'

 

32      compensation, and the gross amount of "loss of time" insurance. It shall not include gifts from

 

33      nongovernmental sources, or surplus foods or other relief in kind supplied by a public or private

 

34      agency.  For  the  purpose  of  this  chapter,  the  calculation  of  "income"  shall  not  include  any


1      deductions for rental losses, business losses, capital losses, exclusion for foreign income, and any

 

2      losses received from pass-through entities.

 

3                   (8) "Property taxes accrued" means property taxes (exclusive of special assessments,

 

4      delinquent interest, and charges for service) levied on a claimant's homestead in this state in 1977

 

5      or any calendar year thereafter. If a homestead is owned by two (2) or more persons or entities as

 

6      joint tenants or tenants in common, and one or more persons or entities are not a member of

 

7      claimant's  household,  "property  taxes  accrued"  is  that  part  of  property  taxes  levied  on  the

 

8      homestead which reflects the ownership percentage of the claimant and his or her household. For

 

9      purposes of this subdivision, property taxes are "levied" when the tax roll is certified by the city

 

10      or town assessor. When a homestead is sold during the calendar year of the levy, the "property

 

11      taxes accrued" for the seller and buyer is the amount of the tax levy prorated to each in the

 

12      closing agreement pertaining to the sale of the homestead or, if not provided for in the closing

 

13      agreement, the tax levy is prorated between seller and buyer based upon the delivery date of the

 

14      deed of conveyance. When a household owns and occupies two (2) or more homesteads in the

 

15      same calendar year, "property taxes accrued" is the sum of the prorated taxes attributable to the

 

16      household for each of the homesteads. If the household owns and occupies the homestead for the

 

17      part of the calendar year and rents a household for part of the calendar year, it may include both

 

18      the proration of taxes on the homestead owned and "rent constituting property taxes accrued"

 

19      with respect to the months the homestead is rented, in computing the amount of the claim. All

 

20      prorations are made on the basis of the gross tax levy after all exemptions. If a homestead is an

 

21      integral part of a larger unit such as a farm, or a multi-purpose or multi-dwelling building,

 

22      property taxes accrued is that percentage of the total property taxes accrued as the value of the

 

23      homestead is of the total value. For the purposes of this subdivision, "unit" refers to the parcel of

 

24      property covered by a single tax statement of which the homestead is a part.

 

25                  (9) "Rent constituting property taxes accrued" means twenty percent (20%) of the gross

 

26      rent actually paid in cash or its equivalent in any calendar year by a claimant and his or her

 

27      household solely for the right of occupancy of their Rhode Island homestead in the calendar year,

 

28      and which rent constitutes the basis, in the succeeding calendar year, of a claim for relief under

 

29      this chapter by the claimant, but shall not include any part of the rent paid for occupancy of

 

30      premises which are legally exempt from the payment of property taxes.

 

31                  SECTION 5. Section 44-25-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 44-25 entitled "Real Estate

 

32      Conveyance Tax" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

33                  44-25-1. Tax imposed -- Payment -- Burden. -- (a) There is imposed, on each deed,

 

34      instrument, or writing by which any lands, tenements, or other realty sold is granted, assigned,


1      transferred, or conveyed to, or vested in, the purchaser or purchasers, or any other person or

 

2      persons, by his or her or their direction, when the consideration paid exceeds one hundred dollars

 

3      ($100), a tax at the rate of  two dollars ($2.00) two dollars and thirty cents ($2.30) for each five

 

4      hundred dollars ($500) or fractional part of it which is paid for the purchase of the property

 

5      (inclusive of the value of any lien or encumbrance remaining at the time of sale), which tax is

 

6      payable at the time of making, execution, delivery, acceptance or presenting for recording of the

 

7      instrument. In the absence of an agreement to the contrary, the tax shall be paid by the grantor.

 

8                   (b) In the event no consideration is actually paid for the lands, tenements, or realty, the

 

9      instrument of conveyance shall contain a statement to the effect that the consideration is such that

 

10      no documentary stamps are required.

 

11                  (c) The tax administrator shall contribute to the distressed community relief program the

 

12      sum of thirty cents ($.30) per  two dollars ($2.00) two dollars and thirty cents ($2.30) of the face

 

13      value of the stamps to be distributed pursuant to section 45-13-12., and to the housing resources

 

14      commission restricted receipts account the sum of thirty cents ($.30) per two dollars and thirty

 

15      cents ($2.30) of the face value of the stamps. Funds will be administered by the department of

 

16      administration, office of housing and community development, through the housing resources

 

17      commission. The state shall retain sixty cents ($.60) for state use. The balance of the tax shall be

 

18      retained by the municipality collecting the tax. Provided, however, in fiscal years 2004 and 2005,

 

19      from the proceeds of this tax, the tax administrator shall deposit as general revenues the sum of

 

20      ninety cents ($.90) per  two dollars ($2.00) two dollars and thirty cents ($2.30) of the face value of

 

21      the stamps. The balance of the tax is retained by the municipality collecting the tax.

 

22                  SECTION 6. Section 42-128-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-128 entitled "Rhode

 

23      Island Housing Resources Act of 1998" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

24                  42-128-2. Rhode Island housing resources agency created. -- There is created within

 

25      the executive department a housing resources agency with the following purposes, organization,

 

26      and powers:

 

27                  (1) Purposes:

 

28                  (i) To provide coherence to the housing programs of the state of Rhode Island and its

 

29      departments, agencies, commissions, corporations, and subdivisions.

 

30                  (ii) To provide for the integration and coordination of the activities of the Rhode Island

 

31      housing and mortgage finance corporation and the Rhode Island housing resources commission.

 

32                  (2) Coordinating committee -- Created -- Purposes and powers:

 

33                  (i) The coordinating committee of the housing resources agency shall be comprised of

 

34      the chairperson of the Rhode Island housing and mortgage finance corporation, the chairperson of


1      the Rhode Island housing resources commission, the director of the department of administration,

 

2      or the designee of the director, and the executive director of the Rhode Island housing and

 

3      mortgage  finance  corporation.  The  chairperson  of  the  Rhode  Island  housing  resources

 

4      commission shall be chairperson of the coordinating committee.

 

5                   (ii) The coordinating committee shall develop and shall implement, with the approval of

 

6      the  Rhode  Island  housing  and  mortgage  finance  corporation  and  the  Rhode  Island  housing

 

7      resources  commission,  a  memorandum  of  agreement  describing  the  fiscal  and  operational

 

8      relationship between the Rhode Island housing and mortgage finance corporation and the Rhode

 

9      Island housing resources commission and shall define which programs of federal assistance will

 

10      be  applied  for  on  behalf  of  the  state  by  the  Rhode  Island  housing  and  mortgage  finance

 

11      corporation and the Rhode Island housing resources commission.

 

12                  (3) There is hereby established a restricted receipt account within the general fund of the

 

13      state. Funds from this account shall be used to provide for the lead hazard abatement program,

 

14      housing rental subsidy, and homeless prevention assistance and housing retention assistance.

 

15                  SECTION 7. Section 44-30-2.6 of the General Laws in Chapter 44-30 entitled "Personal

 

16      Income Tax" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

17                  44-30-2.6. Rhode Island taxable income -- Rate of tax. -- (a) "Rhode Island taxable

 

18      income" means federal taxable income as determined under the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C.

 

19      section 1 et seq., not including the increase in the basic standard deduction amount for married

 

20      couples filing joint returns as provided in the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of

 

21      2003 and the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA), and as

 

22      modified by the modifications in section 44-30-12.

 

23                  (b)  Notwithstanding  the  provisions  of  sections  44-30-1  and  44-30-2,  for  tax  years

 

24      beginning on or after January 1, 2001, a Rhode Island personal income tax is imposed upon the

 

25      Rhode Island taxable income of residents and nonresidents, including estates and trusts, at the rate

 

26      of twenty-five and one-half percent (25.5%) for tax year 2001, and twenty-five percent (25%) for

 

27      tax year 2002 and thereafter of the federal income tax rates, including capital gains rates and any

 

28      other special rates for other types of income, except as provided in section 44-30-2.7, which were

 

29      in effect immediately prior to enactment of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation

 

30      Act of 2001 (EGTRRA); provided, rate schedules shall be adjusted for inflation by the tax

 

31      administrator  beginning  in  taxable  year  2002  and  thereafter  in  the  manner  prescribed  for

 

32      adjustment by the commissioner of Internal Revenue in 26 U.S.C. section 1(f). However, for tax

 

33      years beginning on or after January 1, 2006, a taxpayer may elect to use the alternative flat tax

 

34      rate provided in section 44-30-2.10 to calculate his or her personal income tax liability.


1                  (c) For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2001, if a taxpayer has an alternative

 

2      minimum tax for federal tax purposes, the taxpayer shall determine if he or she has a Rhode

 

3      Island alternative minimum tax. The Rhode Island alternative minimum tax shall be computed by

 

4      multiplying the federal tentative minimum tax without allowing for the increased exemptions

 

5      under the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 (as redetermined on federal

 

6      form 6251 Alternative Minimum Tax-Individuals) by twenty-five and one-half percent (25.5%)

 

7      for tax year 2001, and twenty-five percent (25%) for tax year 2002 and thereafter, and comparing

 

8      the product to the Rhode Island tax as computed otherwise under this section. The excess shall be

 

9      the taxpayer's Rhode Island alternative minimum tax.

 

10                  (1) For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2005 and thereafter the exemption

 

11      amount for alternative minimum tax, for Rhode Island purposes, shall be adjusted for inflation by

 

12      the tax administrator in the manner prescribed for adjustment by the commissioner of Internal

 

13      Revenue in 26 U.S.C. section 1(f).

 

14                  (2) For the period January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007, and thereafter, Rhode

 

15      Island taxable income shall be determined by deducting from federal adjusted gross income as

 

16      defined in 26 U.S.C. section 62 as modified by the modifications in section 44-30-12 the Rhode

 

17      Island itemized deduction amount and the Rhode Island exemption amount as determined in this

 

18      section.

 

19                  (A) Tax imposed.

 

20                  (1) There is hereby imposed on the taxable income of married individuals filing joint

 

21      returns and surviving spouses a tax determined in accordance with the following table:

 

22                  If taxable income is:                            The tax is:

 

23                  Not over $53,150                                3.75% of taxable income

 

24                  Over $53,150 but not over $128,500  $1,993.13   plus   7.00%   of   the   excess   over

 

25      $53,150

 

26                  Over $128,500 but not over $195,850 $7,267.63   plus   7.75%   of   the   excess   over

 

27      $128,500

 

28                  Over $195,850 but not over $349,700 $12,487.25  plus  9.00%  of  the  excess  over

 

29      $195,850

 

30                  Over $349,700                                    $26,333.75  plus  9.90%  of  the  excess  over

 

31      $349,700

 

32                  (2) There is hereby imposed on the taxable income of every head of household a tax

 

33      determined in accordance with the following table:

 

34                  If taxable income is:                            The tax is:


1                  Not over $42,650                                3.75% of taxable income

 

2                  Over $42,650 but not over $110,100  $1,599.38   plus   7.00%   of   the   excess   over

 

3      $42,650

 

4                  Over $110,100 but not over $178,350 $6,320.88   plus   7.75%   of   the   excess   over

 

5      $110,100

 

6                  Over $178,350 but not over $349,700 $11,610.25  plus  9.00%  of  the  excess  over

 

7      $178,350

 

8                  Over $349,700                                    $27,031.75  plus  9.90%  of  the  excess  over

 

9      $349,700

 

10                  (3) There is hereby imposed on the taxable income of unmarried individuals (other than

 

11      surviving spouses and heads of households) a tax determined in accordance with the following

 

12      table:

 

13                  If taxable income is:                            The tax is:

 

14                  Not over $31,850                                3.75% of taxable income

 

15                  Over $31,850 but not over $77,100    $1,194.38   plus   7.00%   of   the   excess   over

 

16      $31,850

 

17                  Over $77,100 but not over $160,850  $4,361.88   plus   7.75%   of   the   excess   over

 

18      $77,100

 

19                  Over $160,850 but not over $349,700 $10,852.50  plus  9.00%  of  the  excess  over

 

20      $160,850

 

21                  Over $349,700                                    $27,849.00  plus  9.90%  of  the  excess  over

 

22      $349,700

 

23                  (4) There is hereby imposed on the taxable income of married individuals filing separate

 

24      returns and bankruptcy estates a tax determined in accordance with the following table:

 

25                  If taxable income is:                            The tax is:

 

26                  Not over $26,575                                3.75% of taxable income

 

27                  Over $26,575 but not over $64,250    $996.56 plus 7.00% of the excess over $26,575

 

28                  Over $64,250 but not over $97,925    $3,633.81   plus   7.75%   of   the   excess   over

 

29      $64,250

 

30                  Over $97,925 but not over $174,850  $6,243.63   plus   9.00%   of   the   excess   over

 

31      $97,925

 

32                  Over $174,850                                    $13,166.88  plus  9.90%  of  the  excess  over

 

33      $174,850

 

34                  (5) There is hereby imposed a taxable income of an estate or trust a tax determined in


1      accordance with the following table:

 

2                  If taxable income is:                            The tax is:

 

3                  Not over $2,150                                  3.75% of taxable income

 

4                  Over $2,150 but not over $5,000        $80.63 plus 7.00% of the excess over $2,150

 

5                  Over $5,000 but not over $7,650        $280.13 plus 7.75% of the excess over $5,000

 

6                  Over $7,650 but not over $10,450      $485.50 plus 9.00% of the excess over $7,650

 

7                  Over $10,450                                      $737.50 plus 9.90% of the excess over $10,450

 

8                  (6) Adjustments for inflation.

 

9                  The dollars amount contained in paragraph (A) shall be increased by an amount equal to:

 

10                  (a) Such dollar amount contained in paragraph (A) in the year 1993, multiplied by;

 

11                  (b) The cost-of-living adjustment determined under section (J) with a base year of 1993;

 

12                  (c) The cost-of-living adjustment referred to in subparagraph (a) and (b) used in making

 

13      adjustments to the nine percent (9%) and nine and nine tenths percent (9.9%) dollar amounts shall

 

14      be determined under section (J) by substituting "1994" for "1993."

 

15                  (B) Maximum capital gains rates

 

16                  (1) In general

 

17                  If a taxpayer has a net capital gain for tax years ending prior to January 1, 2010, the tax

 

18      imposed by this section for such taxable year shall not exceed the sum of:

 

19                  (a) 2.5 % of the net capital gain as reported for federal income tax purposes under section

 

20      26 U.S.C. 1(h)(1)(a) and 26 U.S.C. 1(h)(1)(b).

 

21                  (b) 5% of the net capital gain as reported for federal income tax purposes under 26 U.S.C.

 

22      1(h)(1)(c).

 

23                  (c) 6.25% of the net capital gain as reported for federal income tax purposes under 26

 

24      U.S.C. 1(h)(1)(d).

 

25                  (d) 7% of the net capital gain as reported for federal income tax purposes under 26 U.S.C.

 

26      1(h)(1)(e).

 

27                  (2) For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2010 the tax imposed on net capital

 

28      gain shall be determined under subdivision 44-30-2.6(c)(2)(A).

 

29                  (C) Itemized deductions.

 

30                  (1) In general

 

31                  For  the  purposes  of section  (2) "itemized  deductions"  means  the  amount  of federal

 

32      itemized deductions as modified by the modifications in section 44-30-12.

 

33                  (2) Individuals who do not itemize their deductions

 

34                  In the case of an individual who does not elect to itemize his deductions for the taxable


1      year, they may elect to take a standard deduction.

 

2                  (3) Basic standard deduction.

 

3                  The Rhode Island standard deduction shall be allowed in accordance with the following

 

4      table:

 

5                  Filing status                                                                  Amount

 

6                  Single                                                                           $5,350

 

7                  Married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er)             $8,900

 

8                  Married filing separately                                              $4,450

 

9                  Head of Household                                                     $7,850

 

10                  (4) Additional standard deduction for the aged and blind.

 

11                  An additional standard deduction shall be allowed for individuals age sixty-five (65) or

 

12      older or blind in the amount of $1,300 for individuals who are not married and $1,050 for

 

13      individuals who are married.

 

14                  (5) Limitation on basic standard deduction in the case of certain dependents.

 

15                  In the case of an individual to whom a deduction under section (E) is allowable to another

 

16      taxpayer, the basic standard deduction applicable to such individual shall not exceed the greater

 

17      of:

 

18                  (a) $850;

 

19                  (b) The sum of $300 and such individual's earned income;

 

20                  (6) Certain individuals not eligible for standard deduction.

 

21                  In the case of:

 

22                  (a) A married individual filing a separate return where either spouse itemizes deductions;

 

23                  (b) Nonresident alien individual;

 

24                  (c) An estate or trust;

 

25                  The standard deduction shall be zero.

 

26                  (7) Adjustments for inflation.

 

27                  Each dollars amount contained in paragraphs (3), (4) and (5) shall be increased by an

 

28      amount equal to:

 

29                  (a)  Such  dollar  amount  contained  in  paragraphs  (3),  (4)  and  (5)  in  the  year  1988,

 

30      multiplied by

 

31                  (b) The cost-of-living adjustment determined under section (J) with a base year of 1988.

 

32                  (D) Overall limitation on itemized deductions

 

33                  (1) General rule.

 

34                  In the case of an individual whose adjusted gross income as modified by section 44-30-12


1      exceeds the applicable amount, the amount of the itemized deductions otherwise allowable for the

 

2      taxable year shall be reduced by the lesser of:

 

3                  (a) Three percent (3%) of the excess of adjusted gross income as modified by section 44-

 

4      30-12 over the applicable amount; or

 

5                  (b) Eighty percent (80%) of the amount of the itemized deductions otherwise allowable

 

6      for such taxable year.

 

7                  (2) Applicable amount.

 

8                  (a) In general.

 

9                  For purposes of this section, the term "applicable amount" means $156,400 ($78,200 in

 

10      the case of a separate return by a married individual)

 

11                  (b) Adjustments for inflation.

 

12                  Each dollar amount contained in paragraph (a) shall be increased by an amount equal to:

 

13                  (i) Such dollar amount contained in paragraph (a) in the year 1991, multiplied by

 

14                  (ii) The cost-of-living adjustment determined under section (J) with a base year of 1991.

 

15                  (3) Phase-out of Limitation.

 

16                  (a) In general.

 

17                  In the case of taxable year beginning after December 31, 2005, and before January 1,

 

18      2010, the reduction under section (1) shall be equal to the applicable fraction of the amount which

 

19      would be the amount of such reduction.

 

20                  (b) Applicable fraction.

 

21                  For purposes of paragraph (a), the applicable fraction shall be determined in accordance

 

22      with the following table:

 

23                  For taxable years beginning in                                     The applicable fraction is

 

24                  calendar year

 

25                  2006 and 2007                                                            2/3

 

26                  2008 and 2009                                                            1/3

 

27                  (E) Exemption amount

 

28                  (1) In general.

 

29                  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the term "exemption amount" mean

 

30      $3,400.

 

31                  (2) Exemption amount disallowed in case of certain dependents.

 

32                  In the case of an individual with respect to whom a deduction under this section is

 

33      allowable to another taxpayer for the same taxable year, the exemption amount applicable to such

 

34      individual for such individual's taxable year shall be zero.


1                  (3) Adjustments for inflation.

 

2                  The dollar amount contained in paragraph (1) shall be increased by an amount equal to:

 

3                  (a) Such dollar amount contained in paragraph (1) in the year 1989, multiplied by

 

4                   (b) The cost-of-living adjustment determined under section (J) with a base year of 1989.

 

5      (4) Limitation.

 

6                  (a) In general.

 

7                  In the case of any taxpayer whose adjusted gross income as modified for the taxable year

 

8      exceeds the threshold amount shall be reduced by the applicable percentage.

 

9                  (b) Applicable percentage.

 

10                  In the case of any taxpayer whose adjusted gross income for the taxable year exceeds the

 

11      threshold amount, the exemption amount shall be reduced by two (2) percentage points for each

 

12      $2,500 (or fraction thereof) by which the taxpayer's adjusted gross income for the taxable year

 

13      exceeds the threshold amount. In the case of a married individual filing a separate return, the

 

14      preceding sentence shall be applied by substituting "$1,250" for "$2,500." In no event shall the

 

15      applicable percentage exceed one hundred percent (100%).

 

16                  (c) Threshold Amount.

 

17                  For the purposes of this paragraph, the term "threshold amount" shall be determined with

 

18      the following table:

 

19                  Filing status                                                                  Amount

 

20                  Single                                                                           $156,400

 

21                  Married filing jointly of qualifying widow(er)             $234,600

 

22                  Married filing separately                                              $117,300

 

23                  Head of Household                                                     $195,500

 

24                  (d) Adjustments for inflation.

 

25                  Each dollars amount contain in paragraph (b) shall be increased by an amount equal to:

 

26                                (i) Such dollar amount contained in paragraph (b) in the year 1991, multiplied

 

27                                by

 

28                                (ii) The cost-of-living adjustment determined under section (J) with a base year

 

29                                of 1991.

 

30                                (5) Phase-out of Limitation.

 

31                                (a) In general.

 

32                                In the case of taxable years beginning after December 31, 2005, and before

 

33                                January 1, 2010, the reduction under section 4 shall be equal to the applicable

 

34                                fraction of the amount which would be the amount of such reduction.


1                                (b) Applicable fraction.

 

2                                For the purposes of paragraph (a), the applicable fraction shall be determined in

 

3                                accordance with the following table:

 

4                  For taxable years beginning in                                     The applicable fraction is

 

5                  calendar year

 

6                  2006 and 2007                                                            2/3

 

7                  2008 and 2009                                                            1/3

 

8                    (F) Alternative minimum tax

 

9                  (1) General rule. - There is hereby imposed (in addition to any other tax imposed by this

 

10      subtitle) a tax equal to the excess (if any) of:

 

11                  (a) The tentative minimum tax for the taxable year, over

 

12                  (b) The regular tax for the taxable year.

 

13                  (2) The tentative minimum tax for the taxable year is the sum of:

 

14                  (a) 6.5 percent of so much of the taxable excess as does not exceed $175,000, plus

 

15                  (b) 7.0 percent of so much of the taxable excess above $175,000.

 

16                  (3)  The  amount  determined  under  the  preceding  sentence  shall  be  reduced  by  the

 

17      alternative minimum tax foreign tax credit for the taxable year.

 

18                  (4) Taxable excess. - For the purposes of this subsection the term "taxable excess" means

 

19      so much of the federal alternative minimum taxable income as modified by the modifications in

 

20      section 44-30-12 as exceeds the exemption amount.

 

21                  (5) In the case of a married individual filing a separate return, subparagraph (2) shall be

 

22      applied by substituting "$87,500" for $175,000 each place it appears.

 

23                  (6) Exemption amount.

 

24                  For purposes of this section "exemption amount" means:

 

25                  Filing status                                                                  Amount

 

26                  Single                                                                           $39,150

 

27                  Married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er)             $53,700

 

28                  Married filing separately                                              $26,850

 

29                  Head of Household                                                     $39,150

 

30                  Estate or trust                                                               $24,650

 

31                  (7) Treatment of unearned income of minor children

 

32                  (a) In general.

 

33                  In the case of a minor child, the exemption amount for purposes of section (6) shall not

 

34      exceed the sum of:


1                   (i) Such child's earned income, plus

 

2                  (ii) $6,000.

 

3                  (8) Adjustments for inflation.

 

4                  The dollar amount contained in paragraphs (6) and (7) shall be increased by an amount

 

5      equal to:

 

6                  (a) Such dollar amount contained in paragraphs (6) and (7) in the year 2004, multiplied

 

7      by

 

8                  (b) The cost-of-living adjustment determined under section (J) with a base year of 2004.

 

9                  (9) Phase-out.

 

10                  (a) In general.

 

11                  The exemption amount of any taxpayer shall be reduced (but not below zero) by an

 

12      amount equal to twenty-five percent (25%) of the amount by which alternative minimum taxable

 

13      income of the taxpayer exceeds the threshold amount.

 

14                  (b) Threshold amount.

 

15                  For purposes of this paragraph, the term "threshold amount" shall be determined with the

 

16      following table:

 

17                  Filing status                                                                  Amount

 

18                  Single                                                                           $123,250

 

19                  Married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er)             $164,350

 

20                  Married filing separately                                              $82,175

 

21                  Head of Household                                                     $123,250

 

22                  Estate or Trust                                                              $82,150

 

23                   (c) Adjustments for inflation

 

24                  Each dollar amount contained in paragraph (9) shall be increased by an amount equal to:

 

25                  (i) Such dollar amount contained in paragraph (9) in the year 2004, multiplied by

 

26                  (ii) The cost-of-living adjustment determined under section (J) with a base year of 2004.

 

27                  (G) Other Rhode Island taxes

 

28                  (1) General rule. - There is hereby imposed (in addition to any other tax imposed by this

 

29      subtitle) a tax equal to twenty-five percent (25%) of:

 

30                  (a) The Federal income tax on lump-sum distributions.

 

31                  (b) The Federal income tax on parents' election to report child's interest and dividends.

 

32                  (c) The recapture of Federal tax credits that were previously claimed on Rhode Island

 

33      return.

 

34                  (H) Tax for children under 18 with investment income


1                  (1) General rule. - There is hereby imposed a tax equal to twenty-five percent (25%) of:

 

2                  (a) The  Federal  tax  for  children  under  the  age  of  18  with  investment  income.            (I)

 

3      Averaging of farm income

 

4                  (1) General rule. - At the election of an individual engaged in a farming business or

 

5      fishing business, the tax imposed in section 2 shall be equal to twenty-five percent (25%) of:

 

6                   (a) The Federal averaging of farm income as determined in IRC section 1301.

 

7                  (J) Cost-of-living adjustment

 

8                  (1) In general.

 

9                  The cost-of-living adjustment for any calendar year is the percentage (if any) by which:

 

10                  (a) The CPI for the preceding calendar year exceeds

 

11                  (b) The CPI for the base year.

 

12                  (2) CPI for any calendar year.

 

13                  For purposes of paragraph (1), the CPI for any calendar year is the average of the

 

14      Consumer Price Index as of the close of the twelve (12) month period ending on August 31 of

 

15      such calendar year.

 

16                  (3) Consumer Price Index

 

17                  For purposes of paragraph (2), the term "consumer price index" means the last consumer

 

18      price index for all urban consumers published by the department of labor. For purposes of the

 

19      preceding sentence, the revision of the consumer price index which is most consistent with the

 

20      consumer price index for calendar year 1986 shall be used.

 

21                  (4) Rounding.

 

22                  (a) In general.

 

23                  If any increase determined under paragraph (1) is not a multiple of $50, such increase

 

24      shall be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $50.

 

25                  (b) In the case of a married individual filing a separate return, subparagraph (a) shall be

 

26      applied by substituting "$25" for $50 each place it appears.

 

27                  (K) Credits against tax. - For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2001, a taxpayer

 

28      entitled to any of the following federal credits enacted prior to January 1, 1996 shall be entitled to

 

29      a credit against the Rhode Island tax imposed under this section:

 

30                  (1) [Deleted by P.L. 2007, ch. 73, art. 7, section 5].

 

31                  (2) Child and dependent care credit;

 

32                  (3) General business credits;

 

33                  (4) Credit for elderly or the disabled;

 

34                  (5) Credit for prior year minimum tax;


1                  (6) Mortgage interest credit;

 

2                  (7) Empowerment zone employment credit;

 

3                  (8) Qualified electric vehicle credit.

 

4                  (L) Credit against tax for adoption. - For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2006,

 

5      a taxpayer entitled to the federal adoption credit shall be entitled to a credit against the Rhode

 

6      Island  tax imposed  under this  section if the adopted  child  was  under the care, custody,  or

 

7      supervision of the Rhode Island department of children, youth and families prior to the adoption.

 

8                  (M) The credit shall be twenty-five percent (25%) of the aforementioned federal credits

 

9      provided there shall be no deduction based on any federal credits enacted after January 1, 1996,

 

10      including  the  rate  reduction  credit  provided  by  the  federal  Economic  Growth  and  Tax

 

11      Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA). In no event shall the tax imposed under this section be

 

12      reduced to less than zero. A taxpayer required to recapture any of the above credits for federal tax

 

13      purposes shall determine the Rhode Island amount to be recaptured in the same manner as

 

14      prescribed in this subsection.

 

15                  (N) Rhode Island earned income credit

 

16                  (1) In general.

 

17                  A taxpayer entitled to a federal earned income credit shall be allowed a Rhode Island

 

18      earned income credit equal to  twenty-five percent (25%) ten percent (10%) of the federal earned

 

19      income credit. Such credit shall not exceed the amount of the Rhode Island income tax.

 

20                  (2) Refundable portion.

 

21                  In the event the Rhode Island earned income credit allowed under section (J) exceeds the

 

22      amount of Rhode Island income tax, a refundable earned income credit shall be allowed.

 

23                  (a) For purposes of paragraph (2) refundable earned income credit means  fifteen percent

 

24      (15%)  one hundred percent (100%) of the amount by which the Rhode Island earned income

 

25      credit exceeds the Rhode Island income tax.

 

26                  (O) The tax administrator shall recalculate and submit necessary revisions to paragraphs

 

27      (A) through (J) to the general assembly no later than February 1, 2010 and every three (3) years

 

28      thereafter for inclusion in the statute.

 

29                  (3) For the period January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011, and thereafter, "Rhode

 

30      Island taxable income" means federal adjusted gross income as determined under the Internal

 

31      Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. 1 et seq., and as modified for Rhode Island purposes pursuant to

 

32      section 44-30-12 less the amount of Rhode Island Basic Standard Deduction allowed pursuant to

 

33      subparagraph 44-30-2.6(c)(3)(B), and less the amount of personal exemption allowed pursuant of

 

34      subparagraph 44-30-2.6(c)(3)(C).


1                  (A) Tax imposed.

 

2                  (I) There is hereby imposed on the taxable income of married individuals filing joint

 

3      returns,  qualifying  widow(er),  every  head  of  household,  unmarried  individuals,  married

 

4      individuals filing separate returns and bankruptcy estates, a tax determined in accordance with the

 

5      following table:

 

6                  Over                But not over    Pay + Excess                on the amount over

 

7                  $ 0 -                 $ 55,000          $ 0 + 3.75%                 $ 0

 

8                  55,000 - 125,000                     2,063 + 4.75%             55,000

 

9                  125,000 -                                 5,388 + 5.99%             125,000

 

10                   (II) There is hereby imposed on the taxable income of an estate or trust a tax determined

 

11      in accordance with the following table:

 

12                  Over                But not over     Pay + % on Excess      on the amount over

 

13                  $ 0 -                 $ 2,230            $ 0 + 3.75%                 $ 0

 

14                  2,230 -             7,022               84 + 4.75%                  2,230

 

15                  7,022 -                                     312 + 5.99%                7,022

 

16                   (B) Deductions:  (I) Rhode Island Basic Standard Deduction.  Only the Rhode Island

 

17      standard deduction shall be allowed in accordance with the following table:

 

18                  Filing status:                                                                 Amount

 

19                  Single                                                                           $7,500

 

20                  Married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er)             $15,000

 

21                  Married filing separately                                              $7,500

 

22                  Head of Household                                                     $11,250

 

23                  (II)  Nonresident  alien  individuals,  estates  and  trusts  are  not  eligible  for  standard

 

24      deductions.

 

25                  (III) In the case of any taxpayer whose adjusted gross income, as modified for Rhode

 

26      Island purposes pursuant to section 44-30-12, for the taxable year exceeds one hundred seventy-

 

27      five  thousand  dollars  ($175,000),  the  standard  deduction  amount  shall  be  reduced  by  the

 

28      applicable percentage. The term "applicable percentage" means twenty (20) percentage points for

 

29      each five thousand dollars ($5,000) (or fraction thereof) by which the taxpayer's adjusted gross

 

30      income for the taxable year exceeds one hundred seventy-five thousand dollars ($175,000).

 

31                  (C) Exemption Amount:

 

32                  (I) The term "exemption amount" means three thousand five hundred dollars ($3,500)

 

33      multiplied by the number of exemptions allowed for the taxable year for federal income tax

 

34      purposes.


1                  (II)  Exemption  amount  disallowed  in  case  of  certain  dependents.  In  the  case  of  an

 

2      individual with respect to whom a deduction under this section is allowable to another taxpayer

 

3      for  the  same  taxable  year,  the  exemption  amount  applicable  to  such  individual  for  such

 

4      individual's taxable year shall be zero.

 

5                  (D) In the case of any taxpayer whose adjusted gross income, as modified for Rhode

 

6      Island purposes pursuant to section 33-30-12, for the taxable year exceeds one hundred seventy-

 

7      five thousand dollars ($175,000), the exemption amount shall be reduced by the applicable

 

8      percentage. The term "applicable percentage" means twenty (20) percentage points for each five

 

9      thousand dollars ($5,000) (or fraction thereof) by which the taxpayer's adjusted gross income for

 

10      the taxable year exceeds one hundred seventy-five thousand dollars ($175,000).

 

11                  (E) Adjustment for inflation. - The dollar amount contained in subparagraphs 44-30-

 

12      2.6(c)(3)(A), 44-30-2.6(c)(3)(B) and 44-30-2.6(c)(3)(C) shall be increased annually by an amount

 

13      equal to:

 

14                  (I)   Such   dollar   amount   contained   in   subparagraphs   44-30-2.6(c)(3)(A),   44-30-

 

15      2.6(c)(3)(B)  and  44-30-2.6(c)(3)(C)  adjusted  for  inflation  using  a  base  tax  year  of  2000,

 

16      multiplied by;

 

17                  (II) The cost-of-living adjustment with a base year of 2000.

 

18                  (III) For the purposes of this section the cost-of-living adjustment for any calendar year is

 

19      the percentage (if any) by which the consumer price index for the preceding calendar year

 

20      exceeds the consumer price index for the base year. The consumer price index for any calendar

 

21      year is the average of the consumer price index as of the close of the twelve (12) month period

 

22      ending on August 31, of such calendar year.

 

23                  (IV) For the purpose of this section the term "consumer price index" means the last

 

24      consumer price index for all urban consumers published by the department of labor. For the

 

25      purpose of this section the revision of the consumer price index which is most consistent with the

 

26      consumer price index for calendar year 1986 shall be used.

 

27                  (V)  If  any  increase  determined  under  this  section  is  not  a  multiple  of  fifty  dollars

 

28      ($50.00), such increase shall be rounded to the next lower multiple of fifty dollars ($50.00). In the

 

29      case of a married individual filing separate return, if any increase determined under this section is

 

30      not a multiple of twenty-five dollars ($25.00), such increase shall be rounded to the next lower

 

31      multiple of twenty-five dollars ($25.00).

 

32                  (E) Credits against tax.

 

33                  (I) Notwithstanding any other provisions of Rhode Island Law, for tax years beginning on

 

34      or after January 1, 2011, the only credits allowed against a tax imposed under this chapter shall be


1      as follows:

 

2                  (a) Rhode Island Earned Income Credit: Credit shall be allowed for earned income credit

 

3      pursuant to subparagraph 44-30-2.6(c)(2)(N).

 

4                  (b) Property Tax Relief Credit: Credit shall be allowed for property tax relief as provided

 

5      in section 44-33-1 et seq.

 

6                  (c) Lead Paint Credit: Credit shall be allowed for residential lead abatement income tax

 

7      credit as provided in section 44-30.3-1 et seq.

 

8                  (d) Credit for income taxes of other states. - Credit shall be allowed for income tax paid

 

9      to other states pursuant to section 44-30-74.

 

10                  (e) Historic Structures Tax Credit: Credit shall be allowed for historic structures tax

 

11      credit as provided in section 44-33.2-1 et seq.

 

12                  (f) Motion Picture Productions Tax Credit: Credit shall be allowed for motion picture

 

13      production tax credit as provided in section 44-31.2-1 et seq.

 

14                  (g) Child and Dependent Care: Credit shall be allowed for twenty-five percent (25%) of

 

15      the federal child and dependent care credit allowable for the taxable year for federal purposes;

 

16      provided, however, such credit shall not exceed the Rhode Island tax liability.

 

17                  (h) Tax credits for contributions to Scholarship Organizations: Credit shall be allowed for

 

18      contributions to scholarship organizations as provided in section 44-62 et seq.

 

19                  (i) Credit for tax withheld. - Wages upon which tax is required to be withheld shall be

 

20      taxable as if no withholding were required, but any amount of Rhode Island personal income tax

 

21      actually deducted and withheld in any calendar year shall be deemed to have been paid to the tax

 

22      administrator on behalf of the person from whom withheld, and the person shall be credited with

 

23      having paid that amount of tax for the taxable year beginning in that calendar year. For a taxable

 

24      year of less than twelve (12) months, the credit shall be made under regulations of the tax

 

25      administrator.

 

26                  (2) Except as provided in section 1 above, no other state and federal tax credit shall be

 

27      available to the taxpayers in computing tax liability under this chapter.

 

28                  SECTION  8.  Chapter  44-19  of  the  General  Laws  entitled  "Sales  and  Use  Taxes  -

 

29      Enforcement and Collection" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

 

30                  44-19-42. Sales suppression devices -- Definitions and applicability. -- (a) As used in

 

31      this section:

 

32                  (1) Automated sales suppression device," also known as a "zapper," means a software

 

33      program, carried on a memory stick or removable compact disc, accessed through an Internet

 

34      link, or accessed through any other means, that falsities transaction data, transaction reports, or


1      any other electronic records of electronic cash registers and other point-of-sale systems.

 

2                  (2)  "Electronic  cash  register"  means  a  device  that  keeps  a  register  or  supporting

 

3      documents through the means of an electronic device or computer system designed to record

 

4      transaction data for the purpose of computing, compiling, or processing retail sales transaction

 

5      data in any manner.

 

6                  (3)"Phantom-ware"  means  a  hidden  programming  option,  whether  preinstalled  or

 

7      installed at a later time, embedded in the operating system of an electronic cash register or

 

8      hardwired into the electronic cash register that:

 

9                  (i) Can be used to create a virtual second till; or

 

10                  (ii) May eliminate or manipulate transaction records.

 

11                  (4) "Transaction data" includes items purchased by a customer, the price for each item. A

 

12      taxability determination for each item, a segregated tax amount for each of the taxed items, the

 

13      amount of cash or credit tendered, the net amount returned to the customer in change, the date

 

14      and time of the purchase, the name, address, and identification number of the vendor, and the

 

15      receipt or invoice number of the transaction.

 

16                  (5)"Transaction reports" means a report documenting, but not limited to, the sales, taxes

 

17      collected, media totals, and discount voids at an electronic cash register that is printed on cash

 

18      register tape at the end of a day or shift, or a report documenting every action at an electronic

 

19      cash register that is stored electronically.

 

20                  (b) A person shall not knowingly sell, purchase, install, transfer or possess an automated

 

21      sales suppression device or phantom-ware.

 

22                  (c) Any person who violates subdivision (b) of this section shall be guilty of a felony and,

 

23      upon conviction, shall be subject to a fine not exceeding fifty-thousand dollars ($50,000) or

 

24      imprisonment not exceeding five (5) years, or both.

 

25                  (d) In addition, a person who violates subdivision (b) of this section shall be liable to the

 

26      state for:

 

27                  (1) All taxes, interest, and penalties due as the result of the person's use of an automated

 

28      sales suppression device or phantom-ware; and

 

29                  (2) All profits associated with the person's sale of an automated sales suppression device

 

30      or phantom-ware.

 

31                  (e) An automated sales suppression device or phantom-ware and any device containing

 

32      such device or software shall be deemed contraband and shall be subject to seizure by the tax

 

33      administrator or by a law enforcement officer when directed to do so by the tax administrator.

 

34                  (f) Safe harbor. A person shall not be subject to prosecution under Rhode Island general


1      laws § 44-19-4 2, if by October 1, 20 14, the person:

 

2                  (1) Notifies the division of taxation of the person's possession of an automated sales

 

3      suppression device;

 

4                  (2) Provides any information requested by the division of taxation, including transaction

 

5      records, software specifications, encryption keys, passwords, and other data; and

 

6                  (3) Corrects any underreported sales tax records and fully pays the division of taxation

 

7      any amounts previously owed.

 

8                  (g) This section shall not be construed to limit the person's civil or criminal liability under

 

9      any other provision of law.

 

10                  SECTION 9. Section 44-18-30 of the General Laws in Chapter 44-18 entitled "Sales and

 

11      Use Taxes - Liability and Computation" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

12                  44-18-30. Gross receipts exempt from sales and use taxes. -- There are exempted from

 

13      the taxes imposed by this chapter the following gross receipts:

 

14                  (1) Sales and uses beyond constitutional power of state. - From the sale and from the

 

15      storage, use, or other consumption in this state of tangible personal property the gross receipts

 

16      from the sale of which, or the storage, use, or other consumption of which, this state is prohibited

 

17      from taxing under the Constitution of the United States or under the constitution of this state.

 

18                  (2) Newspapers.

 

19                  (i) From the sale and from the storage, use, or other consumption in this state of any

 

20      newspaper.

 

21                  (ii) "Newspaper" means an unbound publication printed on newsprint, which contains

 

22      news,  editorial  comment,  opinions, features,  advertising matter,  and  other  matters of  public

 

23      interest.

 

24                  (iii) "Newspaper" does not include a magazine, handbill, circular, flyer, sales catalog, or

 

25      similar item unless the item is printed for and distributed as a part of a newspaper.

 

26                  (3) School meals. - From the sale and from the storage, use, or other consumption in this

 

27      state  of  meals  served  by  public,  private,  or  parochial  schools,  school  districts,  colleges,

 

28      universities, student organizations, and parent teacher associations to the students or teachers of a

 

29      school, college, or university whether the meals are served by the educational institutions or by a

 

30      food service or management entity under contract to the educational institutions.

 

31                  (4) Containers.

 

32                  (i) From the sale and from the storage, use, or other consumption in this state of:

 

33                  (A) Non-returnable containers, including boxes, paper bags, and wrapping materials

 

34      which are biodegradable and all bags and wrapping materials utilized in the medical and healing


1      arts, when sold without the contents to persons who place the contents in the container and sell

 

2      the contents with the container.

 

3                   (B) Containers when sold with the contents if the sale price of the contents is not

 

4      required to be included in the measure of the taxes imposed by this chapter.

 

5                   (C) Returnable containers when sold with the contents in connection with a retail sale of

 

6      the contents or when resold for refilling.

 

7                   (ii) As used in this subdivision, the term "returnable containers" means containers of a

 

8      kind customarily returned by the buyer of the contents for reuse. All other containers are "non-

 

9      returnable containers."

 

10                  (5) (i) Charitable, educational, and religious organizations. - From the sale to as in

 

11      defined in this section, and from the storage, use, and other consumption in this state or any other

 

12      state of the United States of America of tangible personal property by hospitals not operated for a

 

13      profit, "educational institutions" as defined in subdivision (18) not operated for a profit, churches,

 

14      orphanages, and other institutions or organizations operated exclusively for religious or charitable

 

15      purposes, interest free loan associations not operated for profit, nonprofit organized sporting

 

16      leagues and associations and bands for boys and girls under the age of nineteen (19) years, the

 

17      following vocational student organizations that are state chapters of national vocational students

 

18      organizations: Distributive Education Clubs of America, (DECA); Future Business Leaders of

 

19      America, phi beta lambda (FBLA/PBL); Future Farmers of America (FFA); Future Homemakers

 

20      of  America/Home  Economics  Related  Occupations  (FHA/HERD);  and  Vocational  Industrial

 

21      Clubs of America (VICA), organized nonprofit golden age and senior citizens clubs for men and

 

22      women, and parent teacher associations.

 

23                  (ii) In the case of contracts entered into with the federal government, its agencies or

 

24      instrumentalities, this state or any other state of the United States of America, its agencies, any

 

25      city, town, district, or other political subdivision of the states, hospitals not operated for profit,

 

26      educational institutions not operated for profit, churches, orphanages, and other institutions or

 

27      organizations  operated  exclusively  for  religious  or  charitable  purposes,  the  contractor  may

 

28      purchase such materials and supplies (materials and/or supplies are defined as those which are

 

29      essential to the project) that are to be utilized in the construction of the projects being performed

 

30      under the contracts without payment of the tax.

 

31                  (iii)  The  contractor  shall  not  charge  any  sales  or  use  tax  to  any  exempt  agency,

 

32      institution, or organization but shall in that instance provide his or her suppliers with certificates

 

33      in the form as determined by the division of taxation showing the reason for exemption; and the

 

34      contractor's records must substantiate the claim for exemption by showing the disposition of all


1      property so purchased. If any property is then used for a nonexempt purpose, the contractor must

 

2      pay the tax on the property used.

 

3                   (6) Gasoline. - From the sale and from the storage, use, or other consumption in this state

 

4      of: (i) gasoline and other products taxed under chapter 36 of title 31, and (ii) fuels used for the

 

5      propulsion of airplanes.

 

6                   (7) Purchase for manufacturing purposes.

 

7                   (i)  From the  sale  and from the  storage,  use,  or  other  consumption in  this state  of

 

8      computer  software,  tangible  personal  property,  electricity,  natural  gas,  artificial  gas,  steam,

 

9      refrigeration, and water, when the property or service is purchased for the purpose of being

 

10      manufactured  into a  finished  product for resale,  and  becomes  an  ingredient,  component,  or

 

11      integral part of the manufactured, compounded, processed, assembled, or prepared product, or if

 

12      the property or service is consumed in the process of manufacturing for resale computer software,

 

13      tangible personal property, electricity, natural gas, artificial gas, steam, refrigeration, or water.

 

14                  (ii) "Consumed" means destroyed, used up, or worn out to the degree or extent that the

 

15      property cannot be repaired, reconditioned, or rendered fit for further manufacturing use.

 

16                  (iii) "Consumed" includes mere obsolescence.

 

17                  (iv)  "Manufacturing"  means  and  includes  manufacturing,  compounding,  processing,

 

18      assembling, preparing, or producing.

 

19                  (v) "Process of manufacturing" means and includes all production operations performed

 

20      in the producing or processing room, shop, or plant, insofar as the operations are a part of and

 

21      connected with the manufacturing for resale of tangible personal property, electricity, natural gas,

 

22      artificial gas, steam, refrigeration, or water and all production operations performed insofar as the

 

23      operations are a part of and connected with the manufacturing for resale of computer software.

 

24                  (vi) "Process of manufacturing" does not mean or include administration operations such

 

25      as general office operations, accounting, collection, sales promotion, nor does it mean or include

 

26      distribution  operations  which  occur  subsequent  to  production  operations,  such  as  handling,

 

27      storing, selling, and transporting the manufactured products, even though the administration and

 

28      distribution operations are performed by or in connection with a manufacturing business.

 

29                  (8) State and political subdivisions. - From the sale to, and from the storage, use, or other

 

30      consumption by, this state, any city, town, district, or other political subdivision of this state.

 

31      Every  redevelopment  agency  created  pursuant  to  chapter  31  of  title  45  is  deemed  to  be  a

 

32      subdivision of the municipality where it is located.

 

33                  (9) Food and food ingredients. - From the sale and storage, use, or other consumption in

 

34      this state of food and food ingredients as defined in section 44-18-7.1(l).


1                   For the purposes of this exemption "food and food ingredients" shall not include candy,

 

2      soft  drinks,  dietary  supplements,  alcoholic  beverages,  tobacco,  food  sold  through  vending

 

3      machines or prepared food (as those terms are defined in section 44-18-7.1, unless the prepared

 

4      food is:

 

5                   (i) Sold by a seller whose primary NAICS classification is manufacturing in sector 311,

 

6      except sub-sector 3118 (bakeries);

 

7                   (ii) Sold in an unheated state by weight or volume as a single item;

 

8                   (iii) Bakery items, including bread, rolls, buns, biscuits, bagels, croissants, pastries,

 

9      donuts, danish, cakes, tortes, pies, tarts, muffins, bars, cookies, tortillas; and

 

10                  is not sold with utensils provided by the seller, including plates, knives, forks, spoons,

 

11      glasses, cups, napkins, or straws.

 

12                  (10) Medicines, drugs and durable medical equipment.   - From the sale and from the

 

13      storage, use, or other consumption in this state, of;

 

14                  (i) "Drugs" as defined in section 44-18-7.1(h)(i), sold on prescriptions, medical oxygen,

 

15      and insulin whether or not sold on prescription. For purposes of this exemption drugs shall not

 

16      include over-the-counter drugs and grooming and hygiene products as defined in section 44-18-

 

17      7.1(h)(iii).

 

18                  (ii) Durable medical equipment as defined in section 44-18-7.1(k) for home use only,

 

19      including, but not limited to, syringe infusers, ambulatory drug delivery pumps, hospital beds,

 

20      convalescent  chairs,  and  chair  lifts.  Supplies  used  in  connection  with  syringe  infusers  and

 

21      ambulatory drug delivery pumps which are sold on prescription to individuals to be used by them

 

22      to dispense or administer prescription drugs, and related ancillary dressings and supplies used to

 

23      dispense or administer prescription drugs shall also be exempt from tax.

 

24                  (11) Prosthetic devices and mobility enhancing equipment.  - From the sale and from the

 

25      storage, use, or other consumption in this state, of prosthetic devices as defined in section 44-18-

 

26      7.1(t), sold on prescription, including but not limited to, artificial limbs, dentures, spectacles and

 

27      eyeglasses, and artificial eyes; artificial hearing devices and hearing aids, whether or not sold on

 

28      prescription  and  mobility enhancing equipment  as defined in  section  44-18-7.1(p)  including

 

29      wheelchairs, crutches and canes.

 

30                  (12) Coffins, caskets, and burial garments. - From the sale and from the storage, use, or

 

31      other consumption in this state of coffins or caskets, and shrouds or other burial garments which

 

32      are ordinarily sold by a funeral director as part of the business of funeral directing.

 

33                  (13) Motor vehicles sold to nonresidents.

 

34                  (i) From the sale, subsequent to June 30, 1958, of a motor vehicle to a bona fide


1      nonresident of this state who does not register the motor vehicle in this state, whether the sale or

 

2      delivery of the motor vehicle is made in this state or at the place of residence of the nonresident.

 

3      A motor vehicle sold to a bona fide nonresident whose state of residence does not allow a like

 

4      exemption to its nonresidents is not exempt from the tax imposed under section 44-18-20. In that

 

5      event the bona fide nonresident pays a tax to Rhode Island on the sale at a rate equal to the rate

 

6      that would be imposed in his or her state of residence not to exceed the rate that would have been

 

7      imposed under section 44-18-20. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, a licensed motor

 

8      vehicle dealer shall add and collect the tax required under this subdivision and remit the tax to the

 

9      tax administrator under the provisions of chapters 18 and 19 of this title. When a Rhode Island

 

10      licensed motor vehicle dealer is required to add and collect the sales and use tax on the sale of a

 

11      motor vehicle to a bona fide nonresident as provided in this section, the dealer in computing the

 

12      tax takes into consideration the law of the state of the nonresident as it relates to the trade-in of

 

13      motor vehicles.

 

14                  (ii) The tax administrator, in addition to the provisions of sections 44-19-27 and 44-19-

 

15      28,  may  require  any  licensed  motor  vehicle  dealer  to  keep  records  of  sales  to  bona  fide

 

16      nonresidents as the tax administrator deems reasonably necessary to substantiate the exemption

 

17      provided in this subdivision, including the affidavit of a licensed motor vehicle dealer that the

 

18      purchaser of the motor vehicle was the holder of, and had in his or her possession a valid out of

 

19      state motor vehicle registration or a valid out of state driver's license.

 

20                  (iii) Any nonresident who registers a motor vehicle in this state within ninety (90) days

 

21      of the date of its sale to him or her is deemed to have purchased the motor vehicle for use,

 

22      storage, or other consumption in this state, and is subject to, and liable for the use tax imposed

 

23      under the provisions of section 44-18-20.

 

24                  (14) Sales in public buildings by blind people. - From the sale and from the storage, use,

 

25      or other consumption in all public buildings in this state of all products or wares by any person

 

26      licensed under section 40-9-11.1.

 

27                  (15) Air and water pollution control facilities. - From the sale, storage, use, or other

 

28      consumption in this state of tangible personal property or supplies acquired for incorporation into

 

29      or used and consumed in the operation of a facility, the primary purpose of which is to aid in the

 

30      control of the pollution or contamination of the waters or air of the state, as defined in chapter 12

 

31      of title 46 and chapter 25 of title 23, respectively, and which has been certified as approved for

 

32      that  purpose  by  the  director  of  environmental  management.  The  director  of  environmental

 

33      management may certify to a portion of the tangible personal property or supplies acquired for

 

34      incorporation into those facilities or used and consumed in the operation of those facilities to the


1      extent that that portion has as its primary purpose the control of the pollution or contamination of

 

2      the waters or air of this state. As used in this subdivision, "facility" means any land, facility,

 

3      device, building, machinery, or equipment.

 

4                   (16) Camps. - From the rental charged for living quarters, or sleeping or housekeeping

 

5      accommodations at camps or retreat houses operated by religious, charitable, educational, or

 

6      other organizations and associations mentioned in subdivision (5), or by privately owned and

 

7      operated summer camps for children.

 

8                   (17) Certain institutions. - From the rental charged for living or sleeping quarters in an

 

9      institution licensed by the state for the hospitalization, custodial, or nursing care of human beings.

 

10                  (18) Educational institutions. - From the rental charged by any educational institution for

 

11      living quarters, or sleeping or housekeeping accommodations or other rooms or accommodations

 

12      to any student or teacher necessitated by attendance at an educational institution. "Educational

 

13      institution" as used in this section means an institution of learning not operated for profit which is

 

14      empowered to confer diplomas, educational, literary, or academic degrees, which has a regular

 

15      faculty, curriculum, and organized body of pupils or students in attendance throughout the usual

 

16      school year, which keeps and furnishes to students and others records required and accepted for

 

17      entrance to schools of secondary, collegiate, or graduate rank, no part of the net earnings of which

 

18      inures to the benefit of any individual.

 

19                  (19) Motor vehicle and adaptive equipment for persons with disabilities.

 

20                  (i) From the sale of: (A) special adaptations, (B) the component parts of the special

 

21      adaptations, or (C) a specially adapted motor vehicle; provided, that the owner furnishes to the

 

22      tax administrator an affidavit of a licensed physician to the effect that the specially adapted motor

 

23      vehicle is necessary to transport a family member with a disability or where the vehicle has been

 

24      specially adapted to meet the specific needs of the person with a disability. This exemption

 

25      applies to not more than one motor vehicle owned and registered for personal, noncommercial

 

26      use.

 

27                  (ii) For the purpose of this subsection the term "special adaptations" includes, but is not

 

28      limited to: wheelchair lifts; wheelchair carriers; wheelchair ramps; wheelchair securements; hand

 

29      controls; steering devices; extensions, relocations, and crossovers of operator controls; power-

 

30      assisted  controls;  raised  tops  or  dropped  floors;  raised  entry  doors;  or  alternative  signaling

 

31      devices to auditory signals.

 

32                  (iii) From the sale of: (a) special adaptations, (b) the component parts of the special

 

33      adaptations,  for  a  "wheelchair  accessible  taxicab"  as  defined  in  section  39-14-1  and/or  a

 

34      "wheelchair accessible public motor vehicle" as defined in section 39-14.1-1.


1                   (iv) For the purpose of this subdivision the exemption for a "specially adapted motor

 

2      vehicle" means a use tax credit not to exceed the amount of use tax that would otherwise be due

 

3      on the motor vehicle, exclusive of any adaptations. The use tax credit is equal to the cost of the

 

4      special adaptations, including installation.

 

5                   (20) Heating fuels. - From the sale and from the storage, use, or other consumption in

 

6      this state of every type of fuel used in the heating of homes and residential premises.

 

7                   (21) Electricity and gas. - From the sale and from the storage, use, or other consumption

 

8      in this state of electricity and gas furnished for domestic use by occupants of residential premises.

 

9                   (22) Manufacturing machinery and equipment.

 

10                  (i) From the sale and from the storage, use, or other consumption in this state of tools,

 

11      dies, and molds, and machinery and equipment (including replacement parts), and related items to

 

12      the extent used in an industrial plant in connection with the actual manufacture, conversion, or

 

13      processing of tangible personal property, or to the extent used in connection with the actual

 

14      manufacture, conversion or processing of computer software as that term is utilized in industry

 

15      numbers 7371, 7372, and 7373 in the standard industrial classification manual prepared by the

 

16      technical committee on industrial classification, office of statistical standards, executive office of

 

17      the president, United States bureau of the budget, as revised from time to time, to be sold, or that

 

18      machinery and equipment used in the furnishing of power to an industrial manufacturing plant.

 

19      For  the  purposes  of  this  subdivision,  "industrial  plant"  means  a  factory  at  a  fixed  location

 

20      primarily engaged in the manufacture, conversion, or processing of tangible personal property to

 

21      be sold in the regular course of business;

 

22                  (ii) Machinery and equipment and related items are not deemed to be used in connection

 

23      with  the  actual  manufacture,  conversion,  or  processing  of  tangible  personal  property,  or  in

 

24      connection with the actual manufacture, conversion or processing of computer software as that

 

25      term is utilized in industry numbers 7371, 7372, and 7373 in the standard industrial classification

 

26      manual  prepared  by the technical  committee  on  industrial  classification,  office  of  statistical

 

27      standards, executive office of the president, United States bureau of the budget, as revised from

 

28      time to time, to be sold to the extent the property is used in administration or distribution

 

29      operations;

 

30                  (iii) Machinery and equipment and related items used in connection with the actual

 

31      manufacture,  conversion,  or  processing  of  any  computer  software  or  any  tangible  personal

 

32      property which is not to be sold and which would be exempt under subdivision (7) or this

 

33      subdivision if purchased from a vendor or machinery and equipment and related items used

 

34      during any manufacturing, converting or processing function is exempt under this subdivision


1      even if that operation, function, or purpose is not an integral or essential part of a continuous

 

2      production flow or manufacturing process;

 

3                   (iv) Where a portion of a group of portable or mobile machinery is used in connection

 

4      with the actual manufacture, conversion, or processing of computer software or tangible personal

 

5      property to be sold, as previously defined, that portion, if otherwise qualifying, is exempt under

 

6      this  subdivision  even  though  the  machinery  in  that  group  is  used  interchangeably  and  not

 

7      otherwise identifiable as to use.

 

8                   (23) Trade-in value of motor vehicles. - From the sale and from the storage, use, or other

 

9      consumption in this state of so much of the purchase price paid for a new or used automobile as is

 

10      allocated for a trade-in allowance on the automobile of the buyer given in trade to the seller, or of

 

11      the  proceeds  applicable  only  to  the  automobile  as  are  received  from  the  manufacturer  of

 

12      automobiles for the repurchase of the automobile whether the repurchase was voluntary or not

 

13      towards  the  purchase  of  a  new  or  used  automobile  by  the  buyer.  For  the  purpose  of  this

 

14      subdivision, the word "automobile" means a private passenger automobile not used for hire and

 

15      does not refer to any other type of motor vehicle.

 

16                  (24) Precious metal bullion.

 

17                  (i) From the sale and from the storage, use, or other consumption in this state of precious

 

18      metal bullion, substantially equivalent to a transaction in securities or commodities.

 

19                  (ii) For purposes of this subdivision, "precious metal bullion" means any elementary

 

20      precious metal which has been put through a process of smelting or refining, including, but not

 

21      limited to, gold, silver, platinum, rhodium, and chromium, and which is in a state or condition

 

22      that its value depends upon its content and not upon its form.

 

23                  (iii) The term does not include fabricated precious metal which has been processed or

 

24      manufactured for some one or more specific and customary industrial, professional, or artistic

 

25      uses.

 

26                  (25) Commercial vessels. - From sales made to a commercial ship, barge, or other vessel

 

27      of fifty (50) tons burden or over, primarily engaged in interstate or foreign commerce, and from

 

28      the repair, alteration, or conversion of the vessels, and from the sale of property purchased for the

 

29      use of the vessels including provisions, supplies, and material for the maintenance and/or repair

 

30      of the vessels.

 

31                  (26) Commercial fishing vessels. - From the sale and from the storage, use, or other

 

32      consumption in this state of vessels and other water craft which are in excess of five (5) net tons

 

33      and which are used exclusively for "commercial fishing", as defined in this subdivision, and from

 

34      the repair, alteration, or conversion of those vessels and other watercraft, and from the sale of


1      property  purchased  for  the  use  of  those  vessels  and  other  watercraft  including  provisions,

 

2      supplies, and material for the maintenance and/or repair of the vessels and other watercraft and

 

3      the boats nets, cables, tackle, and other fishing equipment appurtenant to or used in connection

 

4      with the commercial fishing of the vessels and other watercraft. "Commercial fishing" means the

 

5      taking or the attempting to take any fish, shellfish, crustacea, or bait species with the intent of

 

6      disposing of them for profit or by sale, barter, trade, or in commercial channels. The term does

 

7      not include subsistence fishing, i.e., the taking for personal use and not for sale or barter; or sport

 

8      fishing; but shall include vessels and other watercraft with a Rhode Island party and charter boat

 

9      license issued by the department of environmental management pursuant to section 20-2-27.1

 

10      which meet the following criteria: (i) the operator must have a current U.S.C.G. license to carry

 

11      passengers for hire; (ii) U.S.C.G. vessel documentation in the coast wide fishery trade; (iii)

 

12      U.S.C.G. vessel documentation as to proof of Rhode Island home port status or a Rhode Island

 

13      boat registration to prove Rhode Island home port status; (iv) the vessel must be used as a

 

14      commercial passenger carrying fishing vessel to carry passengers for fishing. The vessel must be

 

15      able to demonstrate that at least fifty percent (50%) of its annual gross income derives from

 

16      charters or provides documentation of a minimum of one hundred (100) charter trips annually; (v)

 

17      the vessel must have a valid Rhode Island party and charter boat license. The tax administrator

 

18      shall implement the provisions of this subdivision by promulgating rules and regulations relating

 

19      thereto.

 

20                  (27) Clothing and footwear. - From the sales of articles of clothing, including footwear,

 

21      intended to be worn or carried on or about the human body for sales prior to October 1, 2012.

 

22      Effective October 1, 2012, the exemption will apply to the sales of articles of clothing, including

 

23      footwear, intended to be worn or carried on or about the human body up to two hundred and fifty

 

24      dollars ($250) of the sales price per item. For the purposes of this section, "clothing or footwear"

 

25      does not include clothing accessories or equipment or special clothing or footwear primarily

 

26      designed for athletic activity or protective use as these terms are defined in section 44-18-7.1(f).

 

27      In recognition of the work being performed by the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Governing

 

28      Board, upon passage of any federal law which authorizes states to require remote sellers to collect

 

29      and remit sales and use taxes, this unlimited exemption will apply as it did prior to October 1,

 

30      2012. The unlimited exemption on sales of clothing and footwear shall take effect on the date that

 

31      the state requires remote sellers to collect and remit sales and use taxes.

 

32                  (28) Water for residential use. - From the sale and from the storage, use, or other

 

33      consumption  in  this  state  of  water  furnished  for  domestic  use  by  occupants  of  residential

 

34      premises.


1                   (29) Bibles. - [Unconstitutional; see Ahlburn v. Clark, 728 A.2d 449 (R.I. 1999); see

 

2      Notes to Decisions.]From the sale and from the storage, use, or other consumption in the state of

 

3      any canonized scriptures of any tax-exempt nonprofit religious organization including, but not

 

4      limited to, the Old Testament and the New Testament versions.

 

5                   (30) Boats.

 

6                   (i) From the sale of a boat or vessel to a bona fide nonresident of this state who does not

 

7      register the boat or vessel in this state, or document the boat or vessel with the United States

 

8      government at a home port within the state, whether the sale or delivery of the boat or vessel is

 

9      made in this state or elsewhere; provided, that the nonresident transports the boat within thirty

 

10      (30) days after delivery by the seller outside the state for use thereafter solely outside the state.

 

11                  (ii) The tax administrator, in addition to the provisions of sections 44-19-17 and 44-19-

 

12      28,  may  require  the  seller  of  the  boat  or  vessel  to  keep  records  of  the  sales  to  bona  fide

 

13      nonresidents as the tax administrator deems reasonably necessary to substantiate the exemption

 

14      provided in this subdivision, including the affidavit of the seller that the buyer represented

 

15      himself or herself to be a bona fide nonresident of this state and of the buyer that he or she is a

 

16      nonresident of this state.

 

17                  (31) Youth activities equipment. - From the sale, storage, use, or other consumption in

 

18      this state of items for not more than twenty dollars ($20.00) each by nonprofit Rhode Island

 

19      eleemosynary organizations, for the purposes of youth activities which the organization is formed

 

20      to sponsor and support; and by accredited elementary and secondary schools for the purposes of

 

21      the schools or of organized activities of the enrolled students.

 

22                  (32) Farm equipment. - From the sale and from the storage or use of machinery and

 

23      equipment used directly for commercial farming and agricultural production; including, but not

 

24      limited to, tractors, ploughs, harrows, spreaders, seeders, milking machines, silage conveyors,

 

25      balers, bulk milk storage tanks, trucks with farm plates, mowers, combines, irrigation equipment,

 

26      greenhouses and greenhouse coverings, graders and packaging machines, tools and supplies and

 

27      other farming equipment, including replacement parts, appurtenant to or used in connection with

 

28      commercial  farming  and  tools  and  supplies  used  in  the  repair  and  maintenance  of  farming

 

29      equipment. "Commercial farming" means the keeping or boarding of five (5) or more horses or

 

30      the production within this state of agricultural products, including, but not limited to, field or

 

31      orchard crops, livestock, dairy, and poultry, or their products, where the keeping, boarding, or

 

32      production provides at least two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) in annual gross sales to

 

33      the operator, whether an individual, a group, a partnership, or a corporation for exemptions issued

 

34      prior to July 1, 2002; for exemptions issued or renewed after July 1, 2002, there shall be two (2)


1      levels. Level I shall be based on proof of annual gross sales from commercial farming of at least

 

2      twenty-five hundred dollars ($2,500) and shall be valid for purchases subject to the exemption

 

3      provided in this subdivision except for motor vehicles with an excise tax value of five thousand

 

4      dollars  ($5,000)  or  greater;  Level  II  shall  be  based  on  proof  of  annual  gross  sales  from

 

5      commercial farming of at least ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or greater and shall be valid for

 

6      purchases subject to the exemption provided in this subdivision including motor vehicles with an

 

7      excise tax value of five thousand dollars ($5,000) or greater. For the initial issuance of the

 

8      exemptions, proof of the requisite amount of annual gross sales from commercial farming shall be

 

9      required for the prior year; for any renewal of an exemption granted in accordance with this

 

10      subdivision at either Level I or Level II, proof of gross annual sales from commercial farming at

 

11      the  requisite  amount  shall  be  required  for  each  of  the  prior  two  (2)  years.  Certificates  of

 

12      exemption issued or renewed after July 1, 2002, shall clearly indicate the level of the exemption

 

13      and be valid for four (4) years after the date of issue. This exemption applies even if the same

 

14      equipment  is  used  for  ancillary  uses,  or  is  temporarily  used  for  a  non-farming  or  a  non-

 

15      agricultural purpose, but shall not apply to motor vehicles acquired after July 1, 2002, unless the

 

16      vehicle is a farm vehicle as defined pursuant to section 31-1-8 and is eligible for registration

 

17      displaying farm plates as provided for in section 31-3-31.

 

18                  (33) Compressed air. - From the sale and from the storage, use, or other consumption in

 

19      the state of compressed air.

 

20                  (34) Flags. - From the sale and from the storage, consumption, or other use in this state

 

21      of United States, Rhode Island or POW-MIA flags.

 

22                  (35) Motor vehicle and adaptive equipment to certain veterans. - From the sale of a

 

23      motor vehicle and adaptive equipment to and for the use of a veteran with a service-connected

 

24      loss of or the loss of use of a leg, foot, hand, or arm, or any veteran who is a double amputee,

 

25      whether  service  connected or  not.  The  motor  vehicle  must  be  purchased  by and  especially

 

26      equipped for use by the qualifying veteran. Certificate of exemption or refunds of taxes paid is

 

27      granted under rules or regulations that the tax administrator may prescribe.

 

28                  (36) Textbooks. - From the sale and from the storage, use, or other consumption in this

 

29      state of textbooks by an "educational institution" as defined in subdivision (18) of this section and

 

30      as well as any educational institution within the purview of section 16-63-9(4) and used textbooks

 

31      by any purveyor.

 

32                  (37) Tangible personal property and supplies used in on-site hazardous waste recycling,

 

33      reuse, or treatment. - From the sale, storage, use, or other consumption in this state of tangible

 

34      personal property or supplies used or consumed in the operation of equipment, the exclusive


1      function of which is the recycling, reuse, or recovery of materials (other than precious metals, as

 

2      defined in subdivision (24)(ii) of this section) from the treatment of "hazardous wastes", as

 

3      defined in section 23-19.1-4, where the "hazardous wastes" are generated in Rhode Island solely

 

4      by the same taxpayer and where the personal property is located at, in, or adjacent to a generating

 

5      facility of the taxpayer in Rhode Island. The taxpayer shall procure an order from the director of

 

6      the department of environmental management certifying that the equipment and/or supplies as

 

7      used, or consumed, qualify for the exemption under this subdivision. If any information relating

 

8      to secret processes or methods of manufacture,  production, or treatment is disclosed to the

 

9      department of environmental management only to procure an order, and is a "trade secret" as

 

10      defined in section 28-21-10(b), it is not open to public inspection or publicly disclosed unless

 

11      disclosure is required under chapter 21 of title 28 or chapter 24.4 of title 23.

 

12                  (38) Promotional and product literature of boat manufacturers. - From the sale and from

 

13      the  storage,  use,  or  other  consumption  of  promotional  and  product  literature  of  boat

 

14      manufacturers shipped to points outside of Rhode Island which either: (i) accompany the product

 

15      which is sold, (ii) are shipped in bulk to out of state dealers for use in the sale of the product, or

 

16      (iii) are mailed to customers at no charge.

 

17                  (39) Food items paid for by food stamps. - From the sale and from the storage, use, or

 

18      other consumption in this state of eligible food items payment for which is properly made to the

 

19      retailer in the form of U.S. government food stamps issued in accordance with the Food Stamp

 

20      Act of 1977, 7 U.S.C. section 2011 et seq.

 

21                  (40) Transportation charges. - From the sale or hiring of motor carriers as defined in

 

22      section 39-12-2(l) to haul goods, when the contract or hiring cost is charged by a motor freight

 

23      tariff filed with the Rhode Island public utilities commission on the number of miles driven or by

 

24      the number of hours spent on the job.

 

25                  (41)  Trade-in  value  of  boats.  -  From  the  sale  and  from  the  storage,  use,  or  other

 

26      consumption in this state of so much of the purchase price paid for a new or used boat as is

 

27      allocated for a trade-in allowance on the boat of the buyer given in trade to the seller or of the

 

28      proceeds applicable only to the boat as are received from an insurance claim as a result of a stolen

 

29      or damaged boat, towards the purchase of a new or used boat by the buyer.

 

30                  (42)  Equipment  used  for  research  and  development.  - From the  sale  and  from the

 

31      storage, use, or other consumption of equipment to the extent used for research and development

 

32      purposes by a qualifying firm. For the purposes of this subdivision, "qualifying firm" means a

 

33      business for which the use of research and development equipment is an integral part of its

 

34      operation, and "equipment" means scientific equipment, computers, software, and related items.


1                   (43) Coins. - From the sale and from the other consumption in this state of coins having

 

2      numismatic or investment value.

 

3                   (44) Farm structure construction materials. - Lumber, hardware and other materials used

 

4      in the new construction of farm structures, including production facilities such as, but not limited

 

5      to, farrowing sheds, free stall and stanchion barns, milking parlors, silos, poultry barns, laying

 

6      houses, fruit and vegetable storages, rooting cellars, propagation rooms, greenhouses, packing

 

7      rooms, machinery storage, seasonal farm worker housing, certified farm markets, bunker and

 

8      trench silos, feed storage sheds, and any other structures used in connection with commercial

 

9      farming.

 

10                  (45)   Telecommunications   carrier   access   service.           -   Carrier   access   service   or

 

11      telecommunications service when purchased by a telecommunications company from another

 

12      telecommunications company to facilitate the provision of telecommunications service.

 

13                  (46) Boats or vessels brought into the state exclusively for winter storage, maintenance,

 

14      repair or sale.  - Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 44-18-10, 44-18-11, 44-18-20, the tax

 

15      imposed by section 44-18-20 is not applicable for the period commencing on the first day of

 

16      October in any year to and including the 30th day of April next succeeding with respect to the use

 

17      of any boat or vessel within this state exclusively for purposes of: (i) delivery of the vessel to a

 

18      facility in this state for storage, including dry storage and storage in water by means of apparatus

 

19      preventing ice damage to the hull, maintenance, or repair; (ii) the actual process of storage,

 

20      maintenance, or repair of the boat or vessel; or (iii) storage for the purpose of selling the boat or

 

21      vessel.

 

22                  (47)  Jewelry  display  product.  -  From  the  sale  and  from  the  storage,  use,  or  other

 

23      consumption in this state of tangible personal property used to display any jewelry product;

 

24      provided, that title to the jewelry display product is transferred by the jewelry manufacturer or

 

25      seller and that the jewelry display product is shipped out of state for use solely outside the state

 

26      and is not returned to the jewelry manufacturer or seller.

 

27                  (48) Boats or vessels generally. - Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, the tax

 

28      imposed by sections 44-18-20 and 44-18-18 shall not apply with respect to the sale and to the

 

29      storage, use, or other consumption in this state of any new or used boat. The exemption provided

 

30      for in this subdivision does not apply after October 1, 1993, unless prior to October 1, 1993, the

 

31      federal ten percent (10%) surcharge on luxury boats is repealed.

 

32                  (49)   Banks   and   Regulated   investment                                                              companies   interstate   toll-free   calls.                                                 -

 

33      Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, the tax imposed by this chapter does not apply to

 

34      the furnishing of interstate and international, toll-free terminating telecommunication service that


1      is used directly and exclusively by or for the benefit of an eligible company as defined in this

 

2      subdivision; provided, that an eligible company employs on average during the calendar year no

 

3      less than five hundred (500) "full-time equivalent employees", as that term is defined in section

 

4      42-64.5-2. For purposes of this section, an "eligible company" means a "regulated investment

 

5      company" as that term is defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C. section 1 et

 

6      seq., or a corporation to the extent the service is provided, directly or indirectly, to or on behalf of

 

7      a regulated investment company, an employee benefit plan, a retirement plan or a pension plan or

 

8      a state chartered bank.

 

9                   (50) Mobile and manufactured homes generally. - From the sale and from the storage,

 

10      use, or other consumption in this state of mobile and/or manufactured homes as defined and

 

11      subject to taxation pursuant to the provisions of chapter 44 of title 31.

 

12                  (51) Manufacturing business reconstruction materials.

 

13                  (i) From the sale and from the storage, use or other consumption in this state of lumber,

 

14      hardware, and other building materials used in the reconstruction of a manufacturing business

 

15      facility which suffers a disaster, as defined in this subdivision, in this state. "Disaster" means any

 

16      occurrence, natural or otherwise, which results in the destruction of sixty percent (60%) or more

 

17      of an operating manufacturing business facility within this state. "Disaster" does not include any

 

18      damage resulting from the willful act of the owner of the manufacturing business facility.

 

19                  (ii) Manufacturing business facility includes, but is not limited to, the structures housing

 

20      the production and administrative facilities.

 

21                  (iii) In the event a manufacturer has more than one manufacturing site in this state, the

 

22      sixty percent (60%) provision applies to the damages suffered at that one site.

 

23                  (iv)  To  the  extent  that  the  costs  of  the  reconstruction  materials  are  reimbursed  by

 

24      insurance, this exemption does not apply.

 

25                  (52) Tangible personal property and supplies used in the processing  or preparation of

 

26      floral products and floral arrangements. - From the sale, storage, use, or other consumption in this

 

27      state of tangible personal property or supplies purchased by florists, garden centers, or other like

 

28      producers  or  vendors  of  flowers,  plants,  floral  products,  and  natural  and  artificial  floral

 

29      arrangements which are ultimately sold with flowers, plants, floral products, and natural and

 

30      artificial  floral  arrangements  or  are  otherwise  used  in  the  decoration,  fabrication,  creation,

 

31      processing,  or  preparation  of  flowers,  plants,  floral  products,  or  natural  and  artificial  floral

 

32      arrangements, including descriptive labels, stickers, and cards affixed to the flower, plant, floral

 

33      product or arrangement, artificial flowers, spray materials, floral paint and tint, plant shine, flower

 

34      food, insecticide and fertilizers.


1                   (53)  Horse  food  products.  -  From  the  sale  and  from  the  storage,  use,  or  other

 

2      consumption in this state of horse food products purchased by a person engaged in the business of

 

3      the boarding of horses.

 

4                   (54) Non-motorized recreational vehicles sold to nonresidents.

 

5                   (i) From the sale, subsequent to June 30, 2003, of a non-motorized recreational vehicle to

 

6      a bona fide nonresident of this state who does not register the non-motorized recreational vehicle

 

7      in this state, whether the sale or delivery of the non-motorized recreational vehicle is made in this

 

8      state or at the place of residence of the nonresident; provided, that a non-motorized recreational

 

9      vehicle sold to a bona fide nonresident whose state of residence does not allow a like exemption

 

10      to its nonresidents is not exempt from the tax imposed under section 44-18-20; provided, further,

 

11      that in that event the bona fide nonresident pays a tax to Rhode Island on the sale at a rate equal

 

12      to the rate that would be imposed in his or her state of residence not to exceed the rate that would

 

13      have been imposed under section 44-18-20. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, a

 

14      licensed non-motorized recreational vehicle dealer shall add and collect the tax required under

 

15      this subdivision and remit the tax to the tax administrator under the provisions of chapters 18 and

 

16      19 of this title. Provided, that when a Rhode Island licensed non-motorized recreational vehicle

 

17      dealer is required to add and collect the sales and use tax on the sale of a non-motorized

 

18      recreational vehicle to a bona fide nonresident as provided in this section, the dealer in computing

 

19      the tax takes into consideration the law of the state of the nonresident as it relates to the trade-in

 

20      of motor vehicles.

 

21                  (ii) The tax administrator, in addition to the provisions of sections 44-19-27 and 44-19-

 

22      28, may require any licensed non-motorized recreational vehicle dealer to keep records of sales to

 

23      bona fide nonresidents as the tax administrator deems reasonably necessary to substantiate the

 

24      exemption  provided  in  this  subdivision,  including  the  affidavit  of  a  licensed  non-motorized

 

25      recreational vehicle dealer that the purchaser of the non-motorized recreational vehicle was the

 

26      holder of, and had in his or her possession a valid out-of-state non-motorized recreational vehicle

 

27      registration or a valid out-of-state driver's license.

 

28                  (iii) Any nonresident who registers a non-motorized recreational vehicle in this state

 

29      within ninety (90) days of the date of its sale to him or her is deemed to have purchased the non-

 

30      motorized recreational vehicle for use, storage, or other consumption in this state, and is subject

 

31      to, and liable for the use tax imposed under the provisions of section 44-18-20.

 

32                  (iv) "Non-motorized recreational vehicle" means any portable dwelling designed and

 

33      constructed to be used as a temporary dwelling for travel, camping, recreational, and vacation use

 

34      which is eligible to be registered for highway use, including, but not limited to, "pick-up coaches"


1      or "pick-up campers," "travel trailers," and "tent trailers" as those terms are defined in chapter 1

 

2      of title 31.

 

3                   (55) Sprinkler and fire alarm systems in existing buildings. - From the sale in this state of

 

4      sprinkler and fire alarm systems, emergency lighting and alarm systems, and from the sale of the

 

5      materials  necessary  and  attendant  to  the  installation  of  those  systems,  that  are  required  in

 

6      buildings and occupancies existing therein in July 2003, in order to comply with any additional

 

7      requirements for such buildings arising directly from the enactment of the Comprehensive Fire

 

8      Safety Act of 2003, and that are not required by any other provision of law or ordinance or

 

9      regulation adopted pursuant to that Act. The exemption provided in this subdivision shall expire

 

10      on December 31, 2008.

 

11                  (56) Aircraft.  - Notwithstanding the  provisions of this  chapter, the  tax imposed  by

 

12      sections 44-18-18 and 44-18-20 shall not apply with respect to the sale and to the storage, use, or

 

13      other consumption in this state of any new or used aircraft or aircraft parts.

 

14                  (57)  Renewable  energy  products.  - Notwithstanding  any  other  provisions  of  Rhode

 

15      Island general laws the following products shall also be exempt from sales tax: solar photovoltaic

 

16      modules or panels, or any module or panel that generates electricity from light; solar thermal

 

17      collectors, including, but not limited to, those manufactured  with flat glass plates, extruded

 

18      plastic, sheet metal, and/or evacuated tubes; geothermal heat pumps, including both water-to-

 

19      water  and  water-to-air  type  pumps;  wind  turbines;  towers  used  to  mount  wind  turbines  if

 

20      specified by or sold by a wind turbine manufacturer; DC to AC inverters that interconnect with

 

21      utility power lines; manufactured mounting racks and ballast pans for solar collector, module or

 

22      panel installation. Not to include materials that could be fabricated into such racks; monitoring

 

23      and  control  equipment,  if  specified  or  supplied  by  a  manufacturer  of  solar  thermal,  solar

 

24      photovoltaic, geothermal, or wind energy systems or if required by law or regulation for such

 

25      systems but not to include pumps, fans or plumbing or electrical fixtures unless shipped from the

 

26      manufacturer affixed to, or an integral part of, another item specified on this list; and solar storage

 

27      tanks that are part of a solar domestic hot water system or a solar space heating system. If the tank

 

28      comes with an external heat exchanger it shall also be tax exempt, but a standard hot water tank is

 

29      not exempt from state sales tax.

 

30                  (58) Returned property. - The amount charged for property returned by customers upon

 

31      rescission of the contract of sale when the entire amount exclusive of handling charges paid for

 

32      the property is refunded in either cash or credit, and where the property is returned within one

 

33      hundred twenty (120) days from the date of delivery.

 

34                  (59)  Dietary  Supplements.   -  From  the  sale  and  from  the  storage,  use  or  other


1      consumption of dietary supplements as defined in section 44-18-7.1(l)(v), sold on prescriptions.

 

2                   (60) Blood. - From the sale and from the storage, use or other consumption of human

 

3      blood.

 

4                   (61) Agricultural products for human consumption. - From the sale and from the storage,

 

5      use or other consumption of livestock and poultry of the kinds of products of which ordinarily

 

6      constitute food for human consumption and of livestock of the kind the products of which

 

7      ordinarily constitute fibers for human use.

 

8                   (62) Diesel  emission control technology.  - From the  sale and  use of diesel retrofit

 

9      technology that is required by section 31-47.3-4 of the general laws.

 

10                  (63) Feed for certain animals used in commercial farming. - From the sale of feed for

 

11      animals as described in subsection 44-18-30(61).

 

12                  (64) Alcoholic beverages. - From the sale and storage, use, or other consumption in this

 

13      state by a Class A licensee of alcoholic beverages, as defined in section 44-18-7.1, excluding beer

 

14      and malt beverages from December 1, 2013 through  March 31, 2015 June 30, 2015; provided,

 

15      further,  notwithstanding  section  6-13-1  or  any  other  general  or  public  law  to  the  contrary,

 

16      alcoholic beverages, as defined in section 44-18-7.1, shall not be subject to minimum markup

 

17      from December 1, 2013 through  March 31, 2015 June 30, 2015.

 

18                  SECTION 10. Section 3-10-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 3-10 entitled "Taxation of

 

19      Beverages" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

20                  3-10-1. Manufacturing tax rates -- Exemption of religious uses. -- (a) There shall be

 

21      assessed and levied by the tax administrator on all beverages manufactured, rectified, blended, or

 

22      reduced for sale in this state a tax of  three dollars and thirty cents ($3.30) three dollars ($3.00) on

 

23      every thirty-one (31) gallons, and a tax at a like rate for any other quantity or fractional part. On

 

24      any beverage manufactured, rectified, blended, or reduced for sale in this state consisting in

 

25      whole or in part of wine, whiskey, rum, gin, brandy spirits, ethyl alcohol, or other strong liquors

 

26      (as distinguished from beer or other brewery products) the tax to be assessed and levied is as

 

27      follows:

 

28                  (1) Still wines (whether fortified or not),  one dollar and forty cents ($1.40) sixty cents

 

29      ($.60) per gallon;

 

30                  (2) Still wines (whether fortified or not) made entirely from fruit grown in this state,

 

31      thirty cents ($.30) per gallon;

 

32                  (3) Sparkling wines (whether fortified or not), seventy five cents ($.75) per gallon;


1      dollars and seventy-five cents ($3.75) per gallon, except that whiskey, rum, gin, brandy spirits,

 

2      cordials, and other beverages consisting in whole or in part of alcohol which is the product of

 

3      distillation but which contains alcohol measuring thirty (30) proof or less, one dollar and ten cents

 

4      ($1.10) per gallon;

 

5                   (5) Ethyl alcohol to be used for beverage purposes, seven dollars and fifty cents ($7.50)

 

6      per gallon; and

 

7                   (6) Ethyl alcohol to be used for nonbeverage purposes, eight cents ($.08) per gallon.

 

8                   (b) Sacramental wines are not subject to any tax if sold directly to a member of the

 

9      clergy for use by the purchaser, or his or her congregation for sacramental or other religious

 

10      purposes.

 

11                  (c)  A  brewer  who  brews  beer  in  this  state  which  is  actively  and  directly  owned,

 

12      managed, and operated by an authorized legal entity which has owned, managed, and operated a

 

13      brewery in this state for at least twelve (12) consecutive months, shall receive a tax exemption on

 

14      the first one hundred thousand (100,000) barrels of beer that it produces and distributes in this

 

15      state in any calendar year. A barrel of beer is thirty one (31) gallons.

 

16                  SECTION 11. Section 16 of Article 9 of Chapter 144 of the 2013 Public Laws entitled

 

17      "AN ACT  RELATING TO MAKING APPROPRIATIONS  FOR THE  SUPPORT  OF  THE

 

18      STATE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2014" is hereby amended to read to as

 

19      follows:

 

20                  SECTION 16. Section 1 of this article shall take effect on January 1, 2014, and shall

 

21      apply to all assets placed in service on or after January 1, 2014. Section 2 of this article shall take

 

22      effect upon passage and shall apply to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2014. Section 4

 

23      of this article shall take effect July 1, 2013. Section 8 of this article shall take effect on July 1,

 

24      2013 and shall expire on  March 31, 2015 June 30, 2015. Section 15 of this article shall take effect

 

25      on December 1, 2013. The remainder of this article shall take effect upon passage.

 

26                  SECTION 12. Section 44-22-1.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 44-22 entitled "Estate

 

27      and Transfer Taxes - Liability and Computation" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

28                  44-22-1.1. Tax on net estate of decedent. -- (a) (1) For decedents whose death occurs on

 

29      or after January 1, 1992, but prior to January 1, 2002, a tax is imposed upon the transfer of the net

 

30      estate of every resident or nonresident decedent as a tax upon the right to transfer. The tax is a

 

31      sum equal to the maximum credit for state death taxes allowed by 26 U.S.C. section 2011.

 

32                  (2) For decedents whose death occurs on or after January 1, 2002, but prior to January 1,


1      taxes allowed by 26 U.S.C. section 2011 as it was in effect as of January 1, 2001; provided,

 

2      however, that the tax shall be imposed only if the net taxable estate shall exceed six hundred

 

3      seventy-five thousand dollars ($675,000). Any scheduled increase in the unified credit provided

 

4      in 26 U.S.C. section 2010 in effect on January 1, 2001, or thereafter, shall not apply.

 

5                   (3) For decedents whose death occurs on or after January 1, 2010,  and prior to January 1,

 

6      2015 a tax is imposed upon the transfer of the net estate of every resident or nonresident decedent

 

7      as a tax upon the right to transfer. The tax is a sum equal to the maximum credit for state death

 

8      taxes allowed by 26 U.S.C. section 2011 as it was in effect as of January 1, 2001; provided,

 

9      however, that the tax shall be imposed only if the net taxable estate shall exceed eight hundred

 

10      and fifty thousand dollars ($850,000); provided, further, beginning on January 1, 2011 and each

 

11      January 1 thereafter, until January 1, 2015, said amount shall be adjusted by the percentage of

 

12      increase in the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U) as published by the

 

13      United States Department of Labor Statistics determined as of September 30 of the prior calendar

 

14      year; said adjustment shall be compounded annually and shall be rounded up to the nearest five

 

15      dollar ($5.00) increment. Any scheduled increase in the unified credit provided in 26 U.S.C.

 

16      section 2010 in effect on January 1, 2003, or thereafter, shall not apply.

 

17                  (4) For decedents whose death occurs on or after January 1, 2015, a tax is imposed upon

 

18      the transfer of the net estate of every resident or nonresident decedent as a tax upon the right to

 

19      transfer. The tax is a sum equal to the maximum credit for state death taxes allowed by 26 U.S.C.

 

20      Section 2011, as it was in effect as of January 1, 2001; provided, however, that a Rhode Island

 

21      credit shall be allowed against any tax so determined in the amount of sixty-four thousand four

 

22      hundred ($64,400). Any scheduled increase in the unified credit provided in 26 U.S.C. Section

 

23      2010 in effect on January 1, 2003, or thereafter, shall not apply; provided, further, beginning on

 

24      January 1, 2016 and each January 1 thereafter, said Rhode Island credit amount under this section

 

25      shall be adjusted by the percentage of increase in the Consumer Price Index for all Urban

 

26      Consumers (CPI-U) as published by the United States Department of Labor Statistics determined

 

27      as of September 30 of the prior calendar year; said adjustment shall be compounded annually and

 

28      shall be rounded up to the nearest five dollar ($5.00) increment.

 

29                  (b) If the decedent's estate contains property having a tax situs not within the state, then

 

30      the tax determined by this section is reduced to an amount determined by multiplying the tax by a

 

31      fraction whose numerator is the gross estate excluding all property having a tax situs not within

 

32      the state at the decedent's death and whose denominator is the gross estate. In determining the

 

33      fraction, no deductions are considered and the gross estate is not reduced by a mortgage or other


1                   (c) (1) The terms "gross taxable estate", "federal gross estate" or "net taxable estate" used

 

2      in this chapter or chapter 23 of this title has the same meaning as when used in a comparable

 

3      context in the laws of the United States, unless a different meaning is clearly required by the

 

4      provisions of this chapter or chapter 23 of this title. Any reference in this chapter or chapter 23 of

 

5      this title to the Internal Revenue Code or other laws of the United States means the Internal

 

6      Revenue Code of 1954, 26 U.S.C. section 1 et seq.

 

7                   (2) For decedents whose death occurs on or after January 1, 2002, the terms "gross

 

8      taxable estate" "federal gross estate" or "net taxable estate" used in this chapter or chapter 23 of

 

9      this title has the same meaning as when used in a comparable context in the laws of the United

 

10      States, unless a different meaning is clearly required by the provisions of this chapter or chapter

 

11      23 of this title. Any reference in this chapter or chapter 23 of this title to the Internal Revenue

 

12      Code or other laws of the United States means the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, 26 U.S.C.

 

13      section 1 et seq., as they were in effect as of January 1, 2001, unless otherwise provided.

 

14                  (d) All values are as finally determined for federal estate tax purposes.

 

15                  (e) Property has a tax situs within the state of Rhode Island:

 

16                  (1) If it is real estate or tangible personal property and has actual situs within the state of

 

17      Rhode Island; or

 

18                  (2) If it is intangible personal property and the decedent was a resident.

 

19                  SECTION 13. Sections 42-64.5-3 and 42-64.5-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-64.5

 

20      entitled "Jobs Development Act" are hereby amended to read as follows:

 

21                  42-64.5-3. Tax rate reduction. -- The rate of tax payable by an eligible company and

 

22      each of its eligible subsidiaries for any taxable year ending on or after July 1, 1995, on its net

 

23      income pursuant to the applicable income tax provisions of the general laws, including the

 

24      provisions of sections 44-11-2(a), 44-14-3(a), 44-14-4 and 44-17-1, or on its gross earnings

 

25      pursuant to section 44-13-4(4), shall be reduced by the amount specified in section 42-64.5-4; this

 

26      rate reduction shall be applied annually once to those eligible companies which are permitted by

 

27      law to file a consolidated state tax return or as part of a combined group and in the case of eligible

 

28      companies not  permitted required by law to file as part of a combined group consolidated state

 

29      tax returns, then the rate reduction shall be applied annually to each eligible company and its

 

30      eligible subsidiaries; provided, however, except as provided in section 42-64.5-7, should any

 

31      eligible company fail to maintain in any taxable year after 1997 or, if applicable, the third taxable

 

32      year following the base employment period election set forth in section 42-64.5-5, the number of

 

33      units of new employment it reported for its 1997 tax year or, if applicable, the third taxable year

 

34      following the base employment period election set forth in section 42-64.5-5; the rate reduction


1      provided for in this chapter shall expire permanently.

 

2                  42-64.5-4. Reduction rate schedule. -- (a)  (i) The amount of the rate reduction specified

 

3      in section 42-64.5-3 for any eligible company that is not a telecommunications company for each

 

4      taxable year ending on or after July 1, 1995, shall be based upon the aggregate amount of new

 

5      employment of the eligible company and its eligible subsidiaries for each taxable year, and shall

 

6      be determined by multiplying the numerical equivalent of one-quarter of one percent (.25%) by

 

7      the number of units of new employment for each taxable year through the taxable year ending in

 

8      1997 or, if applicable, the third taxable year following the base employment period election set

 

9      forth in section 42-64.5-5; and for each taxable year thereafter, the number of units of new

 

10      employment reported for the taxable year 1997 or, if applicable, the third taxable year following

 

11      the base employment  period  election  set forth in section 42-64.5-5;  provided,  however, the

 

12      amount of each rate reduction shall in no event be greater than six percent (6%).

 

13                  (ii) For the tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2015, the amount of the rate

 

14      reduction  specified  in § 42-64.5-3  for  any eligible company required to  file and  pay taxes

 

15      pursuant to § 44-11-2, shall be based upon the aggregate amount of new employment of the

 

16      eligible company and its eligible subsidiaries for each taxable year, and shall be determined by

 

17      multiplying the numerical equivalent of two tenths of one percent (.20%) by the number of units

 

18      of  new  employment  for  each  taxable  year  through  the  taxable  year  ending  in  1997  or,  if

 

19      applicable, the third taxable year following the base employment period election set forth in § 42-

 

20      64.5-5; and for each taxable year thereafter, the number of units of new employment reported for

 

21      the taxable year 1997 or, if applicable, the third taxable year following the base employment

 

22      period election set forth in § 42-64.5-5; provided, however, the amount of each rate reduction

 

23      shall in no event be greater than four percent (4.0%).

 

24                  (b) The amount of the rate reduction specified in section 42-64.5-3 for any eligible

 

25      company that is a telecommunications company shall be based upon the aggregate amount of new

 

26      employment of the eligible company and its eligible subsidiaries for each taxable year and shall

 

27      be determined in the same manner as set forth in subsection (a) of this section, except that it shall

 

28      be determined by multiplying the numerical equivalent of one-hundredth of one percent (.01%)

 

29      by the number of units of new employment and the amount of each rate reduction shall in no

 

30      event be greater than one percent (1%).

 

31                  (c)   Notwithstanding   any   of   the   provisions   of   this   chapter,   where   an   eligible

 

32      telecommunications company has one or more affiliated entities that is an eligible company, the

 

33      eligible company entitled to a rate reduction may assign its rate reduction, to be determined in the

 

34      manner as provided in subsection (b) of this section, to the eligible telecommunications company.


1      An entity that assigns the rate reduction shall not be eligible for the rate reduction.

 

2                  SECTION 14. Sections 42-64.14-10 and 42-64.14-11 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-

 

3      64.14 entitled "The I-195 Redevelopment Act of 2011" are hereby amended to read as follows:

 

4                  42-64.14-10. Life sciences tax rate reduction. -- The rate of tax payable by an eligible

 

5      life sciences company and each of its eligible subsidiaries for any taxable year beginning on or

 

6      after January 1, 2011, on its net income pursuant to the provisions of subsection 44-11-2(a), shall

 

7      be reduced by the amount specified in section 42-64.14-11; this rate reduction shall be applied

 

8      annually once to those eligible life sciences companies which are permitted by law to file a

 

9      consolidated state tax return  or as part of a combined group and in the case of eligible companies

 

10      not  permitted required by law to file consolidated state tax returns or as part of a combined group,

 

11      then the rate reduction shall be applied annually to each eligible life sciences company and its

 

12      eligible  subsidiaries;  provided,  however,  should  any  eligible  life  sciences  company  fail  to

 

13      maintain in any taxable year after 2014 or, if applicable, the third taxable year following the base

 

14      employment  period  election  set  forth  in  section  42-64.14-12,  the  number  of  units  of  new

 

15      employment it reported for its 2014 tax year or, if applicable, the third taxable year following the

 

16      base employment period election set forth in section 42-64.14-12, the rate reduction provided for

 

17      in this chapter shall expire permanently.

 

18                  42-64.14-11. Reduction rate schedule. (a) The amount of the rate reduction specified

 

19      in section 42-64.14-10 for any eligible life sciences company for each taxable year beginning on

 

20      or after January 1, 2012, shall be based upon the aggregate amount of new employment of the

 

21      eligible life sciences company and its eligible subsidiaries for each taxable year, and shall be

 

22      determined by multiplying the numerical equivalent of one-quarter of one percent (.25%) by the

 

23      number of units of new employment for each taxable year through the taxable year ending in

 

24      2014 or, if applicable, the third taxable year following the base employment period election set

 

25      forth in section 42-64.14-12; and for each taxable year thereafter, the number of units of new

 

26      employment reported for the taxable year 2014 or, if applicable, the third taxable year following

 

27      the base employment period election set forth in section 42-64.14-12;  provided, however, the

 

28      amount of each rate reduction shall in no event be lower than three percent (3%).  provided,

 

29      however, the amount of each rate reduction shall in no event be greater than six percent (6%).

 

30                  (b) For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2015, the amount of the rate reduction

 

31      specified in § 42-64.14-10 for any eligible company required to file and pay taxes pursuant to §

 

32      44-11-2, shall be based upon the aggregate amount of new employment of the eligible company

 

33      and its eligible subsidiaries for each taxable year, and shall be determined by multiplying the

 

34      numerical  equivalent  of  two  tenths  of  one  percent  (.20%)  by  the  number  of  units  of  new


1      employment for each taxable year through the taxable year ending in 1997 or, if applicable, the

 

2      third taxable year following the base employment period election set forth in § 42-64.14-12; and

 

3      for each taxable year thereafter, the number of units of new employment reported for the taxable

 

4      year 1997 or, if applicable, the third taxable year following the base employment period election

 

5      set forth in § 42-64.14-12; provided, however, the amount of each rate reduction shall in no event

 

6      be greater than four percent (4.0%).

 

7                  SECTION 15. Sections 44-11-1, 44-11-2 and 44-11-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 44-

 

8      11 entitled "Business Corporation Tax" are hereby amended to read as follows:

 

9                  44-11-1. Definitions. -- For the purpose of this chapter:

 

10                  (1) (a) "Captive REIT" means a corporation, trust or association:

 

11                  (i) That is considered a real estate investment trust for the taxable year under section 856

 

12      of the Internal Revenue Code;

 

13                  (ii) That is not regularly traded on an established securities market; and

 

14                  (iii) More than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power or value of the beneficial interests

 

15      or shares of which at any time during the last half of the taxable year, is owned or controlled,

 

16      directly or indirectly, by a single entity that is subject to the provisions of Subchapter C of

 

17      Chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code; and

 

18                  (b) "Captive REIT" does not include:

 

19                  (i) A corporation, trust or association more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power

 

20      or value of the beneficial interests or shares of which, at any time during which the corporation,

 

21      trust or association satisfies item (1)(iii) of this subsection, is owned or controlled, directly or

 

22      indirectly, by:

 

23                  (A) A real estate investment trust other than a real estate investment trust described in

 

24      item (i) of this subsection; or

 

25                  (B) A person exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code;

 

26      or

 

27                  (C) A listed Australian Property Trust; and

 

28                  (ii) Subject to regulations that the tax administrator adopts, a real estate investment trust

 

29      that is intended to become regularly traded on an established securities market and that satisfies

 

30      the requirements of section 865(A)(5) and (6) of the Internal Revenue Code by reason of section

 

31      856(h)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code; and

 

32                  (c)  For  purposes  of  this  section,  the  constructive  ownership  rules  prescribed  under

 

33      section 318(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, as modified by section 856(d)(5) of the Internal

 

34      Revenue Code, shall apply in determining the ownership of stock, assets or net profits of any


1      person.

 

2                  (2) "Combined group" means a group of two or more corporations in which more than

 

3      fifty percent (50%) of the voting stock of each member corporation is directly or indirectly owned

 

4      by a common owner or owners, either corporate or non-corporate, or by one or more of the

 

5      member corporations, and that are engaged in a unitary business.

 

6                  (3) "Common ownership: means more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting control of

 

7      each member of the group is directly or indirectly owned by a common owner or owners, either

 

8      corporate or non-corporate, whether or not owner or owners are members of the combined group.

 

9      .

 

10                  (2)(4)  "Corporation"  means  every  corporation,  joint-stock  company,  or  association,

 

11      wherever incorporated, a real estate investment trust, a regulated investment company, a personal

 

12      holding company registered under the Federal Investment Company Act of 1940, 15 U.S.C.

 

13      section 80a-1 et seq., and also a trustee or trustees conducting a business where interest or

 

14      ownership is evidenced by certificates or other written instruments, deriving any income from

 

15      sources within this state or engaging in any activities or transactions within this state for the

 

16      purpose of profit or gain, whether or not an office or place of business is maintained in this state,

 

17      or whether or not the income, activities, or transactions are connected with intrastate, interstate, or

 

18      foreign commerce, except:

 

19                  (i) State banks, mutual savings banks, federal savings banks, trust companies, national

 

20      banking associations, building and loan associations, credit unions, and loan and investment

 

21      companies;

 

22                  (ii) Public service corporations included in chapter 13 of this title, except as otherwise

 

23      provided in section 44-13-2.2;

 

24                  (iii) Insurance and surety companies;

 

25                  (iv) Corporations specified in section 7-6-4, incorporated hospitals, schools, colleges,

 

26      and other institutions of learning not organized for business purposes and not doing business for

 

27      profit and no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any private stockholder or

 

28      individual, whether incorporated under any general law of this state or by any special act of the

 

29      general assembly of this state;

 

30                  (v) Fraternal beneficiary societies as set forth in section 27-25-1;

 

31                  (vi) Any corporation expressly exempt from taxation by charter;

 

32                  (vii) Corporations which together with all corporations under direct or indirect common

 

33      ownership that satisfies the other requirements of this paragraph employ not less than five (5)

 

34      full-time equivalent employees in the state; which maintain an office in the state; and activities


1      within the state which are confined to the maintenance and management of their intangible

 

2      investments or of the intangible investments of corporations or business trusts registered as

 

3      investment companies under the Investment Company Act of 1940, 15 U.S.C. section 80a-1 et

 

4      seq., and the collection and distribution of the income from those investments or from tangible

 

5      property  physically  located  outside  the  state.  For  purposes  of  this  paragraph,  "intangible

 

6      investments" includes, without limitation, investments in stocks, bonds, notes, and other debt

 

7      obligations, including debt obligations of affiliated corporations, patents, patent applications,

 

8      trademarks, trade names, copyrights, and similar types of intangible assets.

 

9                   (3)(5) "Fiscal year" means an accounting period of twelve (12) months ending on the last

 

10      day of any month other than December.

 

11                  (6) "Member" means a corporation included in a unitary business.

 

12                  (4)(7) "Place of business" means a regular place of business, which, in turn, means any

 

13      bona  fide  office,  other than  a  statutory office,  factory,  warehouse,  or  other space  which  is

 

14      regularly used by the taxpayer in carrying on its business. Where, as a regular course of business,

 

15      property of the taxpayer is stored by it in a public warehouse until it is shipped to customers, the

 

16      warehouse is considered a regular place of business of the taxpayer and, where as a regular course

 

17      of  business,  raw  material  or  partially  furnished  goods  of  a  taxpayer  are  delivered  to  an

 

18      independent contractor to be converted, processed, finished, or improved and the finished goods

 

19      remain in the possession of the independent contractor until shipped to customers, the plant of the

 

20      independent contractor is considered a regular place of business of the taxpayer. The mere

 

21      consignment of goods by the taxpayer to an independent factor outside this state for sale at the

 

22      consignee's discretion does not constitute the taxpayer as having a regular place of business

 

23      outside this state.

 

24                  (8) Tax haven" means a jurisdiction that, during the tax year in question has no or

 

25      nominal effective tax on the relevant income and;

 

26                  (i) has laws or practices that prevent effective exchange of information for tax purposes

 

27      with other governments on taxpayers benefiting from the tax regime;

 

28                  (ii) Has a tax regime which lacks transparency. A tax regime lacks transparency if the

 

29      details of legislative, legal or administrative provisions are not open and apparent or are not

 

30      consistently applied among similarly situated taxpayers, or if the information needed by tax

 

31      authorities  to  determine  a  taxpayer's  correct  tax  liability,  such  as  accounting  records  and

 

32      underlying documentation is not adequately available;

 

33                  (iii) Facilities the establishment of foreign-owned entities without the need for a local

 

34      substantive presence or prohibits these entities from having any commercial impact on the local


1      economy;

 

2                  (iv) explicitly or implicitly excluded the jurisdictions resident taxpayers form taking

 

3      advantage of the tax regime benefits or prohibits enterprisers that benefit from the regime form

 

4      operating in the jurisdiction's domestic market; or

 

5                  (v) Has created a tax regime which is favorable for tax avoidance, based upon an overall

 

6      assessment  of  relevant  factors,  including  whether  the  jurisdiction  has  a  significant  untaxed

 

7      offshore financial/other services sector relative to its overall economy.

 

8                   (5)(9) "Taxable year" means the calendar year or the fiscal year ending during the

 

9      calendar year upon the basis of which the net income is computed under this chapter. "Taxable

 

10      year" means, in the case of a return made for a fractional part of a year under the provisions of

 

11      this chapter or under regulations prescribed by the tax administrator, the period for which the

 

12      return is made.

 

13                  (6)(10) "Taxpayer" means and includes any corporation subject to the provisions of this

 

14      chapter.

 

15                  (11) "Unitary business" means the activities of a group of two (2) or more corporations

 

16      under common ownership that are sufficiently interdependent, integrated or interrelated through

 

17      their activities so as to provide mutual benefit and produce a significant sharing or exchange of

 

18      value among them or a significant flow of value between the separate parts. The term unitary

 

19      business shall be construed to the broadest extent permitted under the United States Constitution.

 

20                  (12) "United States" means the fifty (50) states of the United States, the District of

 

21      Columbia, the United States' territories and possessions.

 

22                  44-11-2. Imposition of tax. -- (a) Each corporation shall annually pay to the state a tax

 

23      equal to nine percent (9%) of net income, as defined in section 44-11-11, qualified in section 44-

 

24      11-12, and apportioned to this state as provided in sections 44-11-13 -- 44-11-15, for the taxable

 

25      year.  For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2015, each corporation shall annually pay to

 

26      the state a tax equal to seven percent (7.0%) of net income, as defined in § 44-11-13 44-11-15,

 

27      for the taxable year.

 

28                  (b) A corporation shall pay the amount of any tax as computed in accordance with

 

29      subsection (a) of this section after deducting from "net income," as used in this section, fifty

 

30      percent (50%) of the excess of capital gains over capital losses realized during the taxable year, if

 

31      for the taxable year:

 

32                  (1) The corporation is engaged in buying, selling, dealing in, or holding securities on its

 

33      own behalf and not as a broker, underwriter, or distributor;

 

34                  (2) Its gross receipts derived from these activities during the taxable year amounted to at


1      least ninety percent (90%) of its total gross receipts derived from all of its activities during the

 

2      year. "Gross receipts" means all receipts, whether in the form of money, credits, or other valuable

 

3      consideration, received during the taxable year in connection with the conduct of the taxpayer's

 

4      activities.

 

5                   (c) A corporation shall not pay the amount of the tax computed on the basis of its net

 

6      income under subsection (a) of this section, but shall annually pay to the state a tax equal to ten

 

7      cents ($.10) for each one hundred dollars ($100) of gross income for the taxable year or a tax of

 

8      one  hundred  dollars  ($100),  whichever  tax  shall  be  the  greater,  if  for  the  taxable  year  the

 

9      corporation  is  either  a  "personal  holding  company"  registered  under  the  federal  Investment

 

10      Company Act of 1940, 15 U.S.C. section 80a-1 et seq., "regulated investment company", or a

 

11      "real estate investment trust" as defined in the federal income tax law applicable to the taxable

 

12      year. "Gross income" means gross income as defined in the federal income tax law applicable to

 

13      the taxable year, plus:

 

14                  (1) Any interest not included in the federal gross income; minus

 

15                  (2) Interest on obligations of the United States or its possessions, and other interest

 

16      exempt from taxation by this state; and minus

 

17                  (3) Fifty percent (50%) of the excess of capital gains over capital losses realized during

 

18      the taxable year.

 

19                  (d) (1) A small business corporation having an election in effect under subchapter S, 26

 

20      U.S.C. section 1361 et seq., shall not be subject to the Rhode Island income tax on corporations,

 

21      except that the corporation shall be subject to the provisions of subsection (a), to the extent of the

 

22      income that is subjected to federal tax under subchapter S.  Effective for tax years beginning on or

 

23      after January 1, 2015, a small business corporation having an election in effect under subchapter

 

24      S, 26 U.S.C. § 1261 et seq., shall be subject to the minimum tax under § 44-11-2(e).

 

25                  (2) The shareholders of the corporation who are residents of Rhode Island shall include

 

26      in their income their proportionate share of the corporation's federal taxable income.

 

27                  (3) [Deleted by P.L. 2004, ch. 595. art. 29, section 1.]

 

28                  (4) [Deleted by P.L. 2004, ch. 595, art. 29, section 1.]

 

29                  (e) Minimum tax. - The tax imposed upon any corporation under this section, including a

 

30      small business corporation having an election in effect under subchapter S, 26 U.S.C. § 1361 et

 

31      seq., shall not be less than five hundred dollars ($500).

 

32                  44-11-4. Returns of affiliated groups of corporations. For tax years beginning before

 

33      January 1, 2015,  An  an affiliated group of corporations may file a consolidated return for the

 

34      taxable year in lieu of separate returns; provided, that all the corporations which constitute the


1      affiliated group at any time during the period for which the return is made and which are subject

 

2      to taxation under this chapter shall consent to the making of the consolidated return. The tax

 

3      administrator may prescribe rules and regulations as he or she may deem necessary in order that

 

4      the tax liability of any affiliated group of corporations making a consolidated return and of each

 

5      corporation in the group, liable to taxation under this chapter, both during and after the period of

 

6      affiliation, may be determined, computed, assessed, collected, and adjusted in a manner as clearly

 

7      to reflect the net income and the corporate excess and to prevent avoidance of tax liability.

 

8                  SECTION 16. Chapter 44-11 of the General Laws entitled "Business Corporation Tax" is

 

9      hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

 

10                  44-11-4.1. Combined reporting. --  (a) For tax years beginning on or after January 1,

 

11      2015,  each  C corporation which  is  part  of  an  unitary business  with  one  or  more  other  19

 

12      corporations must file a return, in a manner prescribed by the tax administrator, for the combined

 

13      20 group containing the combined income, determined under this section, of the combined group.

 

14                  (b) An affiliated group of C corporations, as defined in section 1504 of the Internal

 

15      Revenue Code, may elect to be treated as a combined group with respect to the combined

 

16      reporting requirement imposed by § 44-11-4.1 (a) for the taxable year in lieu of an unitary

 

17      business group. The election shall be upon the condition that all C corporations which at any time

 

18      during the taxable year have been members of the affiliated group consent to be included in such

 

19      group. The filing of a consolidated return for the combined group shall be considered as such

 

20      consent. Such election may not be revoked in less than five (5) years unless approved by the tax

 

21      administrator.

 

22                  (c) The use of a combined report does not disregard the separate identities of the taxpayer

 

23      members of the combined group. Each taxpayer member is responsible for tax based on its

 

24      taxable income or loss apportioned to this state.

 

25                  (d) Members of a combined group shall exclude as a member and disregard the income

 

26      and apportionment factors of any corporation not incorporated in the United States (a"non US

 

27      corporation") if the sales factors outside the United States is eighty percent (80%) or more. If a

 

28      non US corporation is includible as a member in the combined group, to the extent that such non

 

29      US corporation's income is subject to the provisions of a federal income tax treaty, such income is

 

30      not includible in the combined group net income. Such member shall also not include in the

 

31      combined report any expenses or apportionment factors attributable to income that is subject to

 

32      the provisions of a federal income tax treaty. For purposes of this chapter, "federal income tax

 

33      treaty"  means  a  comprehensive  income  tax  treaty  between  the  United  States  and  a  foreign

 

34      jurisdiction, other than a foreign jurisdiction which is defined as a tax haven; provided, however,


1      that if the tax administrator determines that a combined group member non US corporation is

 

2      organized in a tax haven that has a federal income treaty with the United States, its income

 

3      subject to a federal income tax treaty, and any expenses or apportionment factors attributable to

 

4      such income, shall not be included in the combined group net income or combined report if: (i)

 

5      the transactions conducted between such non US corporation and other members of the combined

 

6      group are done on an arms length basis and not with the principal purpose to avoid the payment

 

7      of taxes due under this chapter; or (ii) the member establishes that the inclusion of such net

 

8      income in combined group net income is unreasonable.

 

9                  (e) Net Operating Losses. A tracing protocol shall apply to net operating losses created

 

10      before January l, 2015. Such net operating losses shall be allowed to offset only the income of the

 

11      corporation that created the net operating loss; the net operating loss cannot be shared with other

 

12      members of the combined group. No deduction is allowable for a net operating loss sustained

 

13      during any taxable year in which a taxpayer was not subject to Rhode Island business corporation

 

14      tax. For net operating losses created in tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2015 such loss

 

15      allowed shall be the same as the net operating loss deduction allowed under section 172 of the

 

16      internal revenue code for the combined group, except that:

 

17                  (1) Any net operating loss included in determining the deduction shall be adjusted to

 

18      reflect the inclusions and exclusions from entire net income required by §44-11-11 (a) and § 44-

 

19      11-11.1;

 

20                  (2) The deduction shall not include any net operating loss sustained during any taxable

 

21      year in which the member was not subject to the tax imposed by this chapter; and

 

22                  (3) The deduction shall not exceed the deduction for the taxable year allowable under

 

23      section 172 of the internal revenue code; provided, that the deduction for a taxable year may not

 

24      be carried back to any other taxable year for Rhode Island purposes but shall only be allowable

 

25      on a carry forward basis for the five (5) succeeding taxable years.

 

26                  (f) Tax Credits and Tax Rate Reduction.

 

27                  (1) A tracing protocol shall apply to Rhode Island tax credits earned before tax years

 

28      beginning on or before January 1, 2015. Such Rhode Island tax credits shall be allowed to offset

 

29      only the tax liability of the corporation that earned the credits; the Rhode Island tax credits cannot

 

30      be shared with other members of the combined group. Rhode Island tax credits earned in tax

 

31      years beginning on or after January 1, 2015, may be applied to other members of the group.

 

32                  (2) The tax rate reductions authorized under § 42-64.5 (Jobs Development Act) and § 42-

 

33      2 64.14 (1-195 Redevelopment Act of 2011) shall be allowed against the net income of the entire

 

34      combined group.


1                  (g)  The  tax  administrator  shall  prescribe  and  amend,  from  time  to  time,  rules  and

 

2      regulations as he or she may deem necessary in order that the tax liability of any group of

 

3      corporations filing as a combined group and each corporation in the combined group, liable to

 

4      taxation under this chapter, may be determined, computed, assessed, collected, and adjusted in a

 

5      manner as to clearly reflect the combined income of the combined group and the individual

 

6      income of each member of the combined group. Such rules and regulations, shall include but are

 

7      not be limited to, issues such as the inclusion or exclusion of a corporation in the combined

 

8      group, the characterization and sourcing of each member's income, and whether certain common

 

9      activities constitute the conduct of a unitary business.

 

10                  (h) The tax administrator shall on or before March 15, 2018, based upon the actual tax

 

11      filings of companies under this act for a two year period, submit a report to the chairperson of the

 

12      house finance committee and the senate finance committee and the house fiscal advisor and the

 

13      senate fiscal advisor analyzing the policy and fiscal ramifications of the changes enacted to

 

14      business  corporations tax  statutes,  as  enacted  in  budget  article  12  of  the  Fiscal  Year  2015

 

15      appropriations act.  The report shall include but not be limited to the impact upon categories of

 

16      business, size of business and similar information as contained in Rhode Island General Laws 44-

 

17      11-45, which required the original report.

 

18                  SECTION 17. Sections 44-11-11 and 44-11-14 of the General Laws in Chapter 44-11

 

19      entitled "Business Corporation Tax" are hereby amended to read as follows:

 

20                  44-11-11. "Net income" defined. -- (a) (1) "Net income" means, for any taxable year

 

21      and for any corporate taxpayer, the taxable income of the taxpayer for that taxable year under the

 

22      laws of the United States, plus:

 

23                  (i) Any interest not included in the taxable income;

 

24                  (ii) Any specific exemptions;

 

25                  (iii) For a captive REIT, an amount equal to the amount of the dividends paid deduction

 

26      allowed under the Internal Revenue Code for the taxable year;

 

27                  (iv)(iii) The tax imposed by this chapter; and minus

 

28                  (v) Any deductions required to be added back to net income under the provisions of

 

29      paragraph (f) of this section, and minus

 

30                  (vi)(iv) Interest on obligations of the United States or its possessions, and other interest

 

31      exempt from taxation by this state; and

 

32                  (vii)(v) The federal net operating loss deduction.

 

33                  (2) All binding federal elections made by or on behalf of the taxpayer applicable either

 

34      directly or indirectly to the determination of taxable income shall be binding on the taxpayer


1      except where this chapter or its attendant regulations specifically modify or provide otherwise.

 

2      Rhode Island taxable income shall not include the "gross-up of dividends" required by the federal

 

3      Internal Revenue Code to be taken into taxable income in connection with the taxpayer's election

 

4      of the foreign tax credit.

 

5                   (b) A net operating loss deduction shall be allowed which shall be the same as the net

 

6      operating loss deduction allowed under 26 U.S.C. section 172, except that:

 

7                   (1) Any net operating loss included in determining the deduction shall be adjusted to

 

8      reflect the inclusions and exclusions from entire net income required by subsection (a) of this

 

9      section and section 44-11-11.1;

 

10                  (2) The deduction shall not include any net operating loss sustained during any taxable

 

11      year in which the taxpayer was not subject to the tax imposed by this chapter; and

 

12                  (3) The deduction shall not exceed the deduction for the taxable year allowable under 26

 

13      U.S.C. section 172; provided, that the deduction for a taxable year may not be carried back to any

 

14      other taxable year for Rhode Island purposes but shall only be allowable on a carry forward basis

 

15      for the five (5) succeeding taxable years.

 

16                  (c) "Domestic international sales corporations" (referred to as DISCs), for the purposes

 

17      of this chapter, will be treated as they are under federal income tax law and shall not pay the

 

18      amount of the tax computed under section 44-11-2(a). Any income to shareholders of DISCs is to

 

19      be treated in the same manner as it is treated under federal income tax law as it exists on

 

20      December 31, 1984.

 

21                  (d) A corporation which qualifies as a "foreign sales corporation" (FSC) under the

 

22      provisions of subchapter N, 26 U.S.C. section 861 et seq., and which has in effect for the entire

 

23      taxable year a valid election under federal law to be treated as a FSC, shall not pay the amount of

 

24      the tax computed under section 44-11-2(a). Any income to shareholders of FSCs is to be treated

 

25      in the same manner as it is treated under federal income tax law as it exists on January 1, 1985.

 

26                  (e) As used in this section:

 

27                  (1) "Affiliated group" has the same meaning as in section 1504 of the Internal Revenue

 

28      Code.

 

29                  (2) "Intangible expenses and costs" includes: (A) expenses, losses and costs for, related

 

30      to, or in connection directly or indirectly with the direct or indirect acquisition, use, maintenance

 

31      or management, ownership, sale, exchange, or any other disposition of intangible property to the

 

32      extent such amounts are allowed as deductions or costs in determining taxable income before

 

33      operating loss deduction and special deductions for the taxable year under the Internal Revenue

 

34      Code;  (B)  losses  related  to  or  incurred  in  connection  directly  or  indirectly  with  factoring


1      transactions or discounting transactions; (C) royalty, patent, technical and copyright fees; (D)

 

2      licensing fees; and (E) other similar expenses and costs.

 

3                  (3) "Intangible property" means patents, patent applications, trade names, trademarks,

 

4      service marks, copyrights and similar types of intangible assets.

 

5                  (4)  "Interest  expenses  and  costs"  means  amounts  directly  or  indirectly  allowed  as

 

6      deductions under section 163 of the Internal Revenue Code for purposes of determining taxable

 

7      income under the Internal Revenue Code to the extent such expenses and costs are directly or

 

8      indirectly for, related to, or in connection with the direct or indirect acquisition, maintenance,

 

9      management, ownership, sale, exchange or disposition of intangible property.

 

10                  (5) "Related member" means a person that, with respect to the taxpayer during all or any

 

11      portion of the taxable year, is a related entity, as defined in this subsection, a component member

 

12      as defined in section 1563(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, or is a person to or from whom there

 

13      is attribution of stock ownership in accordance with section 1563(e) of the Internal Revenue

 

14      Code.

 

15                  (6) "Related entity" means: (A) a stockholder who is an individual, or a member of the

 

16      stockholder's family enumerated in section 318 of the Internal Revenue Code, if the stockholder

 

17      and   the   members   of   the   stockholder's   family   own   directly,   indirectly,   beneficially   or

 

18      constructively,  in  the  aggregate,  at  least  fifty  percent  (50%)  of  the  value  of  the  taxpayer's

 

19      outstanding stock; (B) a stockholder, or a stockholder's partnership, limited liability company,

 

20      estate, trust or corporation, if the stockholder and the stockholder's partnership, limited liability

 

21      companies, estates, trusts and corporations own directly, indirectly, beneficially or constructively,

 

22      in the aggregate, at least fifty percent (50%) of the value of the taxpayer's outstanding stock; or

 

23      (C)  a corporation, or a  party related to the  corporation in  a manner  that would require  an

 

24      attribution of stock from the corporation to the party or from the party to the corporation under

 

25      the attribution rules of section 318 of the Internal Revenue Code, if the taxpayer owns, directly,

 

26      indirectly,  beneficially  or  constructively,  at  least  fifty  percent  (50%)  of  the  value  of  the

 

27      corporation's outstanding stock. The attribution rules on section 318 of the Internal Revenue Code

 

28      shall apply for purposes of determining whether the ownership requirements of this subdivision

 

29      have been met.

 

30                  (f) For purposes of computing its net income under this section, a corporation shall add

 

31      back otherwise deductible interest expenses and costs and intangible expenses and costs directly

 

32      or indirectly paid, accrued or incurred to, or in connection directly or indirectly with one or more

 

33      direct or indirect transactions with, one or more related members.


1      corporation establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the adjustments are unreasonable,

 

2      as determined by the tax administrator or the corporation and the tax administrator agree in

 

3      writing to the application or use of an alternative method of apportionment under section 44-11-

 

4      15. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to the limit or negate the tax administrator's

 

5      authority to otherwise enter into agreements and compromises otherwise allowed by law.

 

6                  (2) The adjustments required in subsection (f) of this section shall not apply to such

 

7      portion of interest expenses and costs and intangible expenses and costs that the corporation can

 

8      establish by the preponderance of the evidence meets both of the following: (A) the related

 

9      member during the same income year directly or indirectly paid, accrued or incurred such portion

 

10      to a person who is not a related member; and (B) the transaction giving rise to the interest

 

11      expenses and costs or the intangible expenses and costs between the corporation and the related

 

12      member did not have as a significant purpose the avoidance of any portion of the tax due under

 

13      chapter 44-11.

 

14                  (3)  The  adjustments  required  in  subsection  (f)  shall  not  apply  if  the  corporation

 

15      establishes by clear and convincing evidence, as determined by the tax administrator, that: (i) a

 

16      principal purpose of the transaction giving rise to the payment of interest was not to avoid

 

17      payment of taxes due under this chapter; (ii) the interest is paid pursuant to a contract that reflects

 

18      an arm's length rate of interest and terms; and (iii) (A) the related member was subject to tax on

 

19      its net income in this state or another state or possession of the United States or a foreign nation;

 

20      (B) a measure of said tax included the interest received from the taxpayer; and (C) the effective

 

21      rate of tax applied to the interest received by the related member is no less than the effective rate

 

22      of tax applied to the taxpayer under this chapter minus 3 percentage points.

 

23                  (4) Partial Adjustments. - The add back required in subsection (f) shall not be required in

 

24      part if a portion of the add back would be unreasonable. A portion of the add back will be

 

25      considered unreasonable to the extent that the taxpayer establishes to the tax administrator by

 

26      clear and convincing evidence that interest or intangible expense was paid, accrued or incurred to

 

27      a related member that is taxed on the corresponding income by a state, U.S. possession or foreign

 

28      jurisdiction. An adjustment to the add back will be allowed based on a factor determined by the

 

29      apportioned tax rate of the related member in the other jurisdiction compared to the apportioned

 

30      tax rate of the taxpayer in this state. A taxpayer that seeks to claim this adjustment must file a

 

31      schedule that sets forth the information required by the tax administrator.

 

32                  (g) Nothing in this section shall require a corporation to add to its net income more than

 

33      once  any  amount  of  interest  expenses  and  costs  or  intangible  expenses  and  costs  that  the


1      section.

 

2                  (h) Any taxpayer required to make an adjustment required in subsection (f) for tax years

 

3      beginning on or after January 1, 2008, is additionally required to report to the tax administrator,

 

4      on forms required by him, the amount of any adjustments that would have been required if the

 

5      law applied to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2007.

 

6                  (i) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or negate the tax administrator

 

7      authority to make adjustments under section 44-11-15.

 

8                  44-11-14. Allocation of income from business partially within state. -- (a) In the case

 

9      of a taxpayer deriving its income from sources both within and outside of this state or engaging in

 

10      any activities or transactions both within and outside of this state for the purpose of profit or gain,

 

11      its net income shall be apportioned to this state by means of an allocation fraction to be computed

 

12      as a simple arithmetical mean of three (3) fractions:

 

13                  (1) The first of these fractions shall represent that part held or owned within this state of

 

14      the average  net book value  of the total tangible  property (real estate  and tangible  personal

 

15      property) held or owned by the taxpayer during the taxable year, without deduction on account of

 

16      any encumbrance thereon;

 

17                  (2) The second fraction shall represent that part of the taxpayer's total receipts from sales

 

18      or other sources during the taxable year which is attributable to the taxpayer's activities or

 

19      transactions within this state during the taxable year; meaning and including within that part, as

 

20      being thus attributable, receipts from:

 

21                  (i) Gross sales of its tangible personal property (inventory sold in the ordinary course of

 

22      business) where:

 

23                  (A) Shipments are made to points within this state; or

 

24                  (B) Shipments are made from an office, store, warehouse, factory or other place of

 

25      storage in this state and the taxpayer is not taxable in the state of the purchase.

 

26                  (ii) Gross income from services performed within the state;

 

27                  (iii) Gross income from rentals from property situated within the state;

 

28                  (iv) Net income from the sale of real and personal property, other than inventory sold in

 

29      the ordinary course of business as described in paragraph (i) of this subdivision, or other capital

 

30      assets located in the state;

 

31                  (v) Net income from the sale or other disposition of securities or financial obligations;

 

32      and


1      compensation to officers, employees, and agents paid or incurred by the taxpayer during the

 

2      taxable  year  which  is  attributable  to  services  performed  in  connection  with  the  taxpayer's

 

3      activities or transactions within this state during the taxable year.

 

4                  (b) For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2015, all taxpayers organized under

 

5      subchapter C of the Internal Revenue Code deriving income from sources both within and outside

 

6      of this state, or engaging in any activities or transactions both within and outside of this state for

 

7      the purpose of profit or gain, its net income shall be apportioned to this state by means of an

 

8      allocation fraction to be computed as a simple arithmetical of the following factors:

 

9                  (1) The factor shall represent that part of the taxpayer's total receipts from sales or other

 

10      sources during the taxable year which is attributable to the taxpayer's activities or transactions

 

11      within this state during the taxable year; meaning and including within that part, as being thus

 

12      attributable, receipts from:

 

13                  (i) Gross sales of its tangible personal property (inventory sold in the ordinary course of

 

14      business) where:

 

15                  (A) Shipments are made to points within this state; or

 

16                  (B) Shipments are made from an office, store, warehouse, factory or other place of

 

17      storage in this state and the taxpayer is not taxable in the state of the purchase.

 

18                  (ii) Gross income from the performance of services where the recipient of the service

 

19      receives all of the benefit of the service in this state. If the recipient of the service receives some

 

20      of the benefit of the service in this state, gross income which shall be included in the numerator of

 

21      the apportionment factor in proportion to the extent the recipient receives benefit of the service in

 

22      this state;

 

23                  (iii) Gross income from rentals from property situated within the state;

 

24                  (iv) Net income from the sale of real and personal property, other than inventory sold in

 

25      the ordinary course of business as described in subsection (b)(1)(i) of this section, or other capital

 

26      assets located in the state;

 

27                  (v) Net income from the sale or other disposition of securities or financial obligations;

 

28      and

 

29                  (vi) Gross income from all other receipts within the state.

 

30                  (vii)  Except  as  otherwise  provided  under  this  section,  each  unitary  business  group

 

31      member shall include all receipts in this state without regard to whether the member has nexus in

 

32      this state. Receipts between members included in a unitary business group must be eliminated in


1      subject to the gross earnings tax pursuant to chapter 13 of this title shall not be included in the

 

2      calculation described in this section.

 

3                  SECTION 18. Section 44-11-45 of the General Laws in Chapter 44-11 entitled "Business

 

4      Corporation Tax" is hereby repealed.

 

5                  44-11-45. Combined reporting study. -- (a) For the purpose of this section:

 

6                  (1) "Common ownership" means more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting control of

 

7      each member of the group is directly or indirectly owned by a common owner or owners, either

 

8      corporate or non-corporate, whether or not owner or owners are members of the combined group.

 

9                  (2) "Member" means a corporation included in a unitary business.

 

10                  (3) "Unitary business" means the activities of a group of two (2) or more corporations

 

11      under common ownership that are sufficiently interdependent, integrated or interrelated through

 

12      their activities so as to provide mutual benefit and produce a significant sharing or exchange of

 

13      value among them or a significant flow of value between the separate parts. The term unitary

 

14      business shall be construed to the broadest extent permitted under the United States Constitution.

 

15                  (4) "United States" means the fifty (50) states of the United States, the District of

 

16      Columbia, the United States' territories and possessions.

 

17                  (b) Combined reporting.

 

18                  (1) As part of its tax return for a taxable year beginning after December 31, 2010 but

 

19      before January 1, 2013, each corporation which is part of an unitary business must file a report, in

 

20      a manner prescribed by the tax administrator, for the combined group containing the combined

 

21      net income of the combined group. The use of a combined report does not disregard the separate

 

22      identities of the members of the combined group. The report shall include, at minimum, for each

 

23      taxable year the following:

 

24                  (i) The difference in tax owed as a result of filing a combined report compared to the tax

 

25      owed under the current filing requirements;

 

26                  (ii) The difference in tax owed as a result of using the single sales factor apportionment

 

27      method under this paragraph as compared to the tax owed using the current three (3) factor

 

28      apportionment method under section 44-11-14;

 

29                  (iii) Volume of sales in the state and worldwide; and

 

30                  (iv) Taxable income in the state and worldwide.

 

31                  (2) The  combined  reporting  requirement  required  pursuant  to  this  section  shall  not

 

32      include any persons that engage in activities enumerated in sections 44-13-4, 44-14-3, 44-14-4 or

 

33      44-17-1, whether within or outside this state. Neither the income or loss nor the apportionment


1                  (3) Members of a combined group shall exclude as a member and disregard the income

 

2      and apportionment factors of any corporation incorporated in a foreign jurisdiction (a "foreign

 

3      corporation") if the average of its property, payroll and sales factors outside the United States is

 

4      eighty percent (80%) or more. If a foreign corporation is includible as a member in the combined

 

5      group, to the extent that such foreign corporation's income is subject to the provisions of a federal

 

6      income tax treaty, such income is not includible in the combined group net income. Such member

 

7      shall also not include in the combined report any expenses or apportionment factors attributable

 

8      to income that is subject to the provisions of a federal income tax treaty. For purposes of this

 

9      chapter, "federal income tax treaty" means a comprehensive income tax treaty between the United

 

10      States and a foreign jurisdiction, other than a foreign jurisdiction which the organization for

 

11      economic co-operation and development has determined has not committed to the internationally

 

12      agreed tax standard, or has committed to the international agreed tax standard but has not yet

 

13      substantially  implemented  that  standard,  as  identified  in  the  then-current  organization  for

 

14      economic co-operation and development progress report.

 

15                  (c) Any corporation which is required to file a report under this section which fails to file

 

16      a timely report or which files a false report shall be assessed a penalty not to exceed ten thousand

 

17      dollars ($10,000). The penalty may be waived for good cause shown for failure to timely file.

 

18                  (d) The tax administrator shall on or before March 15, 2014, based on the information

 

19      provided in income tax returns and the data submitted under this section, submit a report to the

 

20      chairpersons of the house finance committee and senate finance committee, and the house fiscal

 

21      advisor and the senate fiscal advisor analyzing the policy and fiscal ramifications of changing the

 

22      business corporation tax statute to a combined method of reporting.

 

23                  SECTION  19.  Section  44-26-2.1  of  the  General  Laws  in  Chapter  44-26  entitled

 

24      "Declaration of Estimated Tax by Corporations" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

25                  44-26-2.1. Declaration -- Due date -- Payment -- Interest. -- (a) Notwithstanding any

 

26      general  or  specific  statute  to  the  contrary,  every  corporation  having  a  taxable  year  ending

 

27      December 31, 1990, or thereafter, shall file a declaration of its estimated tax for the taxable year

 

28      ending December 31, 1990, or thereafter, if its estimated tax can reasonably be expected to

 

29      exceed five hundred dollars ($500). The declaration, sworn to by the officer of the corporation

 

30      who is required to sign its return under any of the chapters and section mentioned in section 44-

 

31      26-1 shall contain the pertinent information and be in the form that the tax administrator may

 

32      prescribe. The entire amount of the estimated tax shall constitute the amount of the advance

 

33      required  to  be  paid.  (b)  (1)  Except  as  provided  in  subdivision  (2)  of  this  subsection,  the

 

34      declaration of estimated tax required of corporations by subsection (a) of this section shall be


1      filed as follows:

 

2                  If the requirements of subsection (a) are first met:     The declaration shall be filed on

 

3                                                                                                     or before:

 

4                  before the first day of the of the third month of

 

5                  the taxable year .............................................................. the fifteenth day of the third

 

6                                                                                                     month of the taxable year;

 

7                  after the first day of the third month and before        the fifteenth day of the sixth

 

8                  the first day of the sixth month of the taxable year.........   month of the taxable year.

 

9                  (2) The declaration of estimated tax required of corporations subject to section 27-3-38

 

10      relating to surplus line brokers premium tax or under any special act or acts in lieu of the

 

11      provisions of that section or in amendment of or in addition to that section shall be filed as

 

12      follows:

 

13                  If the requirements of subsection (a) are first met:      The declaration shall be filed on

 

14                                                                                                      or before:

 

15                  Before the first day of the fourth month of the ................ thirtieth day of the fourth month

 

16                                                                                                      of the taxable year

 

17                  After the first day of the fourth month and

 

18                  before the first day of the sixth month of the

 

19                  taxable year ...................................................................... the thirtieth day of the sixth

 

20                                                                                                      month of the taxable year

 

21                  After the first day of the sixth month and before        the thirtieth day of the tenth

 

22                  the first day of the tenth month of the taxable year ......... month of the taxable year

 

23                  After the first day of the tenth month and before

 

24                  the first day of the twelfth month of the taxable          the thirty-first day of the twelfth

 

25                  year .................................................................................. month of the taxable year

 

26                  (c) An amendment of a declaration may be filed in any interval between installment dates

 

27      prescribed for the taxable year, but only one amendment may be filed in each interval.

 

28                  (d) The tax administrator may grant a reasonable extension of time, not to exceed thirty

 

29      (30) days, for filing a declaration.

 

30                  (e) (1) The amount of the advance based on the estimated tax declared under subsection

 

31      (a) of this section by corporations described in subdivision (b)(1) of this section shall be paid as

 

32      follows:

 

33                  (i) If the declaration is filed on or before the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) month

 

34      of the taxable year, the advance shall be paid in two (2) installments. The first installment in the


1      amount of forty percent (40%) of the estimated tax shall be paid at the time of the filing of the

 

2      declaration. The second and last installment in the amount of sixty percent (60%) of the estimated

 

3      tax shall be paid on or before the fifteenth (15th) day of the sixth (6th) month of the taxable year.

 

4                  (ii) If the declaration is filed after the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) month of the

 

5      taxable year and is not required by subsection (b) of this section to be filed on or before the

 

6      fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) month of the taxable year, but is required to be filed on or

 

7      before the fifteenth (15th) day of the sixth (6th) month, the advance shall be paid in full at the

 

8      time of filing.

 

9                  (2) The amount of the advance based in the estimated tax declared under subsection (a) of

 

10      this section by corporations listed in subdivision (b)(2) of this section shall be paid as follows:

 

11                  (i) If the declaration is filed on or before the thirtieth (30th) day of the fourth (4th) month

 

12      of the taxable year, the advance shall be paid in four (4) equal installments. The first installment

 

13      shall be paid on or before the thirtieth (30th) day of the fourth (4th) month of the taxable year,

 

14      and the second (2nd), third (3rd), and fourth (4th) installments shall be paid on or before the

 

15      thirtieth (30th) day of the sixth (6th) month, the thirtieth (30th) day of the tenth (10th) month, and

 

16      the thirty-first (31st) day of the twelfth (12th) month of the taxable year, respectively.

 

17                  (ii) If the declaration is filed before the thirtieth (30th) day of the sixth (6th) month of the

 

18      taxable year, the advance shall be paid in three (3) equal installments. The first installment shall

 

19      be paid on or before the thirtieth (30th) day of the sixth (6th) month of the taxable year and the

 

20      second (2nd) and third (3rd) installments shall be paid on or before the thirtieth (30th) day of the

 

21      tenth (10th) month and the thirty-first (31st) day of the twelfth (12th) month of the taxable year

 

22      respectively.

 

23                  (iii) If the declaration is filed on or before the thirtieth (30th) day of the tenth (10th)

 

24      month of the taxable year, the advance shall be paid in two (2) equal installments. The first

 

25      installment shall be paid on or before the thirtieth (30th) day of the tenth (10th) month of the

 

26      taxable year and the second installment shall be paid on or before the thirty-first (31st) day of the

 

27      twelfth (12th) month of the taxable year.

 

28                  (iv) If the declaration is filed after the time prescribed in subdivision (b)(2) of this

 

29      section, including cases in which an extension of time for filing the declaration has been granted,

 

30      there shall be paid at the time of the filing all installments of the advance which would have been

 

31      payable on or before that time if the declaration had been filed within the time prescribed in

 

32      subdivision (b)(2) of this section.

 

33                  (f) If the declaration is filed after the time prescribed in subsection (b) of this section

 

34      including  cases  in  which  an  extension  of  time  for  filing  the  declaration  has  been  granted,


1      paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this section does not apply, and there shall be paid at the time of the filing

 

2      all installments of the advance which would have been payable on or before that time if the

 

3      declaration had been filed within the time prescribed in subsection (b).

 

4                  (g) If any amendment of a declaration is filed, the installment payable on or before the

 

5      fifteenth (15th) day of the sixth (6th) month, if any, or in the case of corporations licensed as

 

6      surplus line brokers under section 27-3-38, the installments payable on or before the thirtieth

 

7      (30th) days of the sixth (6th) or tenth (10th) month and thirty-first (31st) day of the twelfth (12th)

 

8      month are ratably increased or decreased, as the case may be, to reflect the increase or decrease,

 

9      as the case may be, in the estimated tax by reason of the amendment.

 

10                  (h) At the election of the corporation, any installment of the advance may be paid prior to

 

11      the date prescribed for payment.

 

12                  (i) In the case of any underpayment of the advance by a corporation, except as provided

 

13      in this section, there is added to the tax due under chapters 11 -- 15 and 17 of this title, or section

 

14      27-3-38, for the taxable year an amount determined at the rate described in section 44-1-7 upon

 

15      the amount of the underpayment for the period of the underpayment. For the purpose of this

 

16      subsection, the "amount of the underpayment" is the excess of the amount of the installment or

 

17      installments which would be required to be paid if the advance payments were equal to eighty

 

18      percent (80%) of the tax shown on the return for the taxable year. For the purposes of this

 

19      subsection, the "period of the underpayment" is the period from the date the installment was

 

20      required to be paid to the date prescribed under any of the chapters previously mentioned in this

 

21      section for the payment of the tax for the taxable year or, with respect to any portion of the

 

22      underpayment, the date on which the portion is paid, whichever date is the earlier. A payment of

 

23      the advance on the fifteenth (15th) day of the sixth (6th) month, or for section 27-3-38 on the

 

24      thirtieth (30th) day of the sixth (6th) month, of the taxable year is considered a payment of any

 

25      previous underpayment only to the extent that the payment exceeds the amount of the installment

 

26      due on the fifteenth (15th) day of the sixth (6th) month, or for section 27-3-38 on the thirtieth

 

27      (30th) day of the sixth (6th) month, of the taxable year.

 

28                  (j) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the addition to the tax with respect to

 

29      any underpayment of any installment is not imposed if the total amount of all payments of the

 

30      advance made on or before the last date prescribed for payment of the installment equals or

 

31      exceeds the amount which would have been required to be paid on or before that date if the

 

32      amount of the advance was an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the tax computed

 

33      at the rates applicable to the taxable year but otherwise on the basis of the fact shown on the

 

34      return of the corporation for and the law applicable to the preceding taxable year.


1                  (k) This section is effective for estimated payments being made by corporations for

 

2      taxable years ending on or after December 31, 1990.

 

3                  (l) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section any taxpayer required to make an

 

4      adjustment in accordance with section 44-11-11(f) in a tax year beginning in calendar year 2008

 

5      shall compute estimated payments for that tax year as follows:

 

6                  (1) The installments must equal 100% of the tax due for the prior year plus any additional

 

7      tax due for the current year adjustment under section 44-11-11(f), or

 

8                  (2) That installments must equal 100% of the current year tax liability.

 

9                  (m) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section any taxpayer required to file a

 

10      combined report in accordance with § 44-11-4.1 in a tax year beginning on or after January 1,

 

11      2015, shall compute estimated payments for that tax year as follows:

 

12                  (1) The installments must equal one hundred percent (100%) of the tax due for the prior

 

13      year plus any additional tax due to the combined report provisions under § 44-1-4.1; or

 

14                  (2) The installments must equal one hundred percent (100%) of the current year tax

 

15      liability.

 

16                  SECTION 20. Chapter 44-12 of the General Laws entitled "Franchise Tax" is hereby

 

17      repealed in its entirety.

 

18                                                                CHAPTER 44-12

 

19                                                                   Franchise Tax

 

20                  44-12-1. Tax imposed -- Corporations liable -- Credit for tax on income -- Reduced

 

21      rate where no business done. -- (a) Every corporation, joint-stock company, or association

 

22      incorporated in this state or qualified to do business in this state, whether or not doing business

 

23      for profit, all referred to in this section under the term "corporation", except those enumerated in

 

24      section 44-12-11, shall pay an annual franchise tax to the state upon its authorized capital stock of

 

25      two dollars fifty cents ($2.50) for each ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or fractional part, or the

 

26      sum of five hundred dollars ($500), whichever is greater.

 

27                  (b) In the case of corporations liable to a tax under chapter 11 of this title, only the

 

28      amount by which the franchise tax exceeds the tax payable under that chapter shall be assessed.

 

29                  (c) If a corporation shall show by supplemental affidavit attached to the prescribed return

 

30      and signed in the manner provided for each return that it has not, at any time during its preceding

 

31      taxable year, been engaged within the state in any business activities, it shall only pay an annual

 

32      franchise tax upon its authorized capital stock at the following rates: five hundred dollars ($500)

 

33      where the stock does not exceed one million dollars ($1,000,000); and the further sum of twelve

 

34      dollars fifty cents ($12.50) for each additional one million dollars ($1,000,000) or fractional part


1      of the stock.

 

2                  44-12-2. Filing of returns -- Contents. -- Every corporation shall, on or before the date

 

3      fixed for filing returns under section 44-11-3, file with the tax administrator as of the last day of

 

4      its next preceding taxable year a return, under oath or affirmation, signed by its treasurer or by an

 

5      authorized officer or agent of the corporation, if organized, and if not organized, under oath of

 

6      some one authorized to act by the incorporators, containing information as the tax administrator

 

7      may require, including:

 

8                  (1) The name of the corporation and the location of its principal office.

 

9                  (2) The amount of its capital stock authorized, and the par value thereof.

 

10                  (3) The amount of its capital stock authorized, without par value.

 

11                  44-12-3. Valuation of no-par stock. -- In the case of corporations having capital stock of

 

12      no-par value, one hundred dollars ($100) per share shall be deemed to be the par value for the

 

13      purposes of this chapter.

 

14                  44-12-4. Assessment of tax -- Notice of amount. -- The tax administrator, as soon as

 

15      possible after the filing of the return, shall assess, as of the last day of its next preceding taxable

 

16      year, a tax upon each corporation as provided in this chapter and shall mail a notice of the amount

 

17      of the tax to each corporation, but failure to receive the notice shall not invalidate the tax or

 

18      excuse the nonpayment of the tax.

 

19                  44-12-4.1. Hearing by tax administrator on application. -- Any corporation aggrieved

 

20      by the action of the tax administrator in determining the amount of any tax or penalty imposed

 

21      under the provisions of this chapter may apply to the tax administrator, in writing, within thirty

 

22      (30) days after the notice of the action is mailed to it, for a hearing relative thereto. The tax

 

23      administrator shall fix a time and place for the hearing and shall so notify the applicant. At the

 

24      hearing the tax administrator shall correct manifest errors, if any, disclosed at the hearing and

 

25      assess and collect the lawfully due tax together with any penalty or interest on the tax.

 

26                  44-12-5. Payment of tax -- Collection powers. -- The tax shall be payable within fifteen

 

27      (15) days after its assessment and, if not paid when due, shall bear interest from the date of its

 

28      assessment at the annual rate provided by section 44-1-7 until paid. The tax administrator shall

 

29      receive and collect the taxes so assessed in the same manner and with the same powers as are

 

30      prescribed for, and given to, collectors of taxes by chapters 7 -- 9 of this title.

 

31                  44-12-5.1. Claims for refund -- Hearing upon denial. -- (a) Any corporation subject to

 

32      the provisions of this chapter may file a claim for refund with the tax administrator at any time

 

33      within two (2) years after the tax has been paid. If the tax administrator shall determine that the

 

34      tax has been overpaid, he or she shall make a refund with interest at the annual rate provided by


1      section 44-1-7.1 from the date of overpayment.

 

2                  (b) Any corporation whose claim for refund has been denied may, within thirty (30) days

 

3      from the date of the mailing by the tax administrator of the notice of the decision, request a

 

4      hearing, and the tax administrator shall, as soon as practicable, set a time and place for the

 

5      hearing and shall notify the applicant.

 

6                  44-12-6. Penalty for failure to make return. -- If the return that is required to be made

 

7      by section  44-12-2  is  not made  within the time  fixed  by this chapter,  the officer  or agent

 

8      neglecting or refusing to make the return shall be fined not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500).

 

9                  44-12-7. Lien on real estate. -- The tax shall from the date of assessment become a lien

 

10      upon the real estate of the corporation liable for the tax until the tax is collected.

 

11                  44-12-8.  Forfeiture  of  charter  or  articles  for  nonpayment  of  tax.  --  The  tax

 

12      administrator may, after July 15 of each year, make up a list of all corporations which have failed

 

13      to pay any franchise tax assessed for two (2) years after the tax became due and payable, shall

 

14      certify to the correctness of the list, and shall file the list as a public record in the office of the

 

15      secretary of state. Upon the filing of the certified list, the charter or articles of association of each

 

16      of the corporations shall become forfeited by reason of the failure to pay the tax, and all the

 

17      corporations shall cease to be bodies corporate, except as provided in section 7-1.2-1324. The

 

18      secretary of state shall mail a notice of the forfeiture of charter or articles of association to each

 

19      corporation at its last known address, but failure to receive the notice shall not invalidate the

 

20      forfeiture. Any corporation or any stockholder, officer, or agent of the corporation, continuing to

 

21      act thereafter under any forfeited charter or articles of association, except as provided in section

 

22      7-1.2-1324, or pending an appeal from the forfeiture as provided, shall be deemed guilty of a

 

23      misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than

 

24      one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each offense.

 

25                  44-12-9. Publication of forfeitures -- Vacation on payment of tax. -- The secretary of

 

26      state shall publish in one or more of the daily public newspapers printed in the city of Providence

 

27      the names of all corporations whose charters or articles of association have been forfeited. The

 

28      forfeiture shall be vacated as to any corporation, which shall pay all taxes and all interest then due

 

29      to the tax administrator within sixty (60) days of the date of the publication.

 

30                  44-12-10. Appeal of forfeitures. -- Any corporation, by any stockholder or officer of the

 

31      corporation, aggrieved by the forfeiture of the charter or articles of association of the corporation

 

32      may appeal from the forfeiture, within thirty (30) days from the date of the publication, to the

 

33      sixth (6th) division of the district court, and the court shall proceed as soon as possible to hear the

 

34      appeal after the manner of equitable causes. If the appellant shall show to the satisfaction of the


1      court that the forfeiture of the charter or articles of association of the corporation was erroneous

 

2      under the provisions, or that the tax assessed was improper or erroneous in whole or in part, and

 

3      in that case if the appellant shall pay all taxes and all interest then due under this chapter, then the

 

4      court shall sustain the appeal and shall vacate the forfeiture as to the appellant corporation. Upon

 

5      failure to show error in the forfeiture under the provisions, or to pay all taxes and all interest due,

 

6      the court shall dismiss the appeal and confirm the forfeiture. Upon the sustaining of the appeal of

 

7      any corporation, the clerk of the district court shall, within ten (10) days, file with the secretary of

 

8      state and with the division of taxation an attested copy of the decree vacating the forfeiture as to

 

9      the appellant corporation. A party aggrieved by a final order of the court may seek review in the

 

10      supreme court by writ of certiorari in accordance with the procedures contained in section 42-35-

 

11      16.

 

12                  44-12-11. Corporations exempt. -- The provisions of this section shall not apply to the

 

13      following corporations: Roger Williams General Hospital, Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode

 

14      Island, Rhode Island Hospital, St. Joseph's Hospital, Butler Hospital, Cranston General Hospital...

 

15      Osteopathic,  the  Woonsocket  Hospital,  Newport  Hospital,  South  County  Hospital,  Lincoln

 

16      School, St. George's School, the Mary C. Wheeler School, Incorporated, insurance or surety

 

17      companies, corporations mentioned in sections 7-6-4, 27-25-1, and 44-13-4, and all corporations

 

18      exempt by charter or by the law of this state.

 

19                  44-12-12. Declarations under penalty of perjury. -- The oath or affirmation required by

 

20      this chapter as to any report or written statement shall not be required if the report or statement to

 

21      be sworn to contains or is verified by a written declaration that it is made under the penalties of

 

22      perjury; and whoever signs or issues any report or statement containing or verified by a written

 

23      declaration shall, if the report or statement is willfully false, be guilty of perjury.

 

24                  44-12-13. Appeals -- Interest on refunds. -- Appeals from administrative orders or

 

25      decisions made pursuant to any provisions of this chapter shall be to the sixth (6th) division

 

26      district court pursuant to chapter 8 of title 8. The taxpayer's right to appeal shall be expressly

 

27      made conditional upon prepayment of all taxes, interest, and penalties unless the taxpayer moves

 

28      for and is granted an exemption from the prepayment requirement pursuant to section 8-8-26. If

 

29      the court, after appeal, holds that the taxpayer is entitled to a refund, the taxpayer shall also be

 

30      paid interest on the amount at the rate provided in section 44-1-7.1.

 

31                  SECTION 21. Section 44-11-15 of the General Laws in Chapter 44-11 entitled "Business

 

32      Corporation Tax" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

33                  44-11-15.  Variation  of  method  of  allocating  income.  --  If  at  any  time  the  tax

 

34      administrator, on his or her own motion or acting upon a complaint by a taxpayer, determines that


1      the methods of allocation provided are inequitable either to the state or to the taxpayer, the tax

 

2      administrator, after affording the taxpayer reasonable opportunity to be heard, may apply any

 

3      other method of allocation that is equitable and, if necessary, shall redetermine the tax.

 

4                  The division of taxation shall establish an independent appeals process to attempt to

 

5      resolve disputes between the tax administrator and the taxpayer with respect to the method of

 

6      allocation applied. The decision resulting from the independent appeals process shall not prohibit

 

7      either party from pursuing any legal remedy otherwise available if the issue is not resolved as a

 

8      result of the appeal process. The decision resulting from the independent appeals process can be

 

9      used a evidence.

 

10                  SECTION 22. Section 4 is effective upon passage and shall apply to tax years beginning

 

11      January 1, 2014. Section 7 and sections 13 through 21 of this article shall take effect upon

 

12      passage and shall apply to tax years beginning January 1, 2015. The remainder of this article shall

 

13      take effect as of July 1, 2014.

 

14


 

 

 

 

 

1                                                              ARTICLE 13


=======

art.013/2/013/1

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2                                                   RELATING TO STATE LOTTERY

 

 

 

3                  SECTION 1. Section 42-61-15 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-61 entitled "State

 

4      Lottery" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

5                  42-61-15. State lottery fund. -- (a) There is created the state lottery fund, into which

 

6      shall be deposited all revenues received by the division from the sales of lottery tickets and

 

7      license fees. The fund shall be in the custody of the general treasurer, subject to the direction of

 

8      division for the use of the division, and money shall be disbursed from it on the order of the

 

9      controller of the state, pursuant to vouchers or invoices signed by the director and certified by the

 

10      director of administration. The moneys in the state lottery fund shall be allotted in the following

 

11      order, and only for the following purposes:

 

12                  (1) Establishing a prize fund from which payments of the prize awards shall be disbursed

 

13      to holders of winning lottery tickets on checks signed by the director and countersigned by the

 

14      controller of the state or his or her designee.

 

15                  (i) The amount of payments of prize awards to holders of winning lottery tickets shall be

 

16      determined by the division, but shall not be less than forty-five percent (45%) nor more than

 

17      sixty-five percent (65%) of the total revenue accruing from the sale of lottery tickets.

 

18                  (ii)  However, for For the lottery game commonly known as "Keno", the amount of prize

 

19      awards to holders of winning Keno tickets shall be determined by the division, but shall not be

 

20      less than forty-five percent (45%) nor more than seventy-two percent (72%) of the total revenue

 

21      accruing from the sale of Keno tickets.

 

22                  (2) Payment of expenses incurred by the division in the operation of the state lotteries

 

23      including,  but  not  limited  to,  costs  arising  from  contracts  entered  into  by  the  director  for

 

24      promotional, consulting, or operational services, salaries of professional, technical, and clerical

 

25      assistants,  and  purchases  or  lease  of  facilities,  lottery  equipment,  and  materials;   provided

 

26      however, solely for the purpose of determining revenues remaining and available for transfer to

 

27      the state's general fund, beginning in fiscal year 2015, expenses incurred by the division in the

 

28      operation of state lotteries shall reflect the actuarially determined employer contribution to the

 

29      Employees' Retirement System consistent with the state's adopted funding policy. For financial

 

30      reporting purposed, the state lottery fund financial statements shall be prepared in a accordance


1      with generally accepted accounting principles as promulgated by the Governmental Accounting

 

2      Standards Board; and

 

3                  (3)  Repayment  into  the  general  revenue  fund  of  the  amount  appropriated  for  the

 

4      implementation of the state lottery; and

 

5                  (4)(3) Payment into the general revenue fund of all revenues remaining in the state lottery

 

6      fund after the payments specified in subdivisions (a)(1)  (a)(3) (a)(2) of this section; provided,

 

7      that the amount to be transferred into the general revenue fund shall equal no less than twenty-

 

8      five percent (25%) of the total revenue received and accrued from the sale of lottery tickets plus

 

9      any other income earned from the lottery; provided further, that the revenue returned to the

 

10      general fund from the game commonly known as Keno, shall not be calculated as part of the

 

11      twenty-five percent (25%) mandate required by this section, but the amount transferred into the

 

12      general revenue fund shall equal no less than fifteen percent (15%) of the total Keno revenue

 

13      received.

 

14                  (b) The auditor general shall conduct an annual post audit of the financial records and

 

15      operations of the lottery for the preceding year in accordance with generally accepted auditing

 

16      standards and government auditing standards. In connection with the audit, the auditor general

 

17      may examine all records, files, and other documents of the division, and any records of lottery

 

18      sales agents that pertain to their activities as agents, for purposes of conducting the audit. The

 

19      auditor general, in addition to the annual post audit, may require or conduct any other audits or

 

20      studies he or she deems appropriate, the costs of which shall be borne by the division.

 

21                  (c) Payments into the state's general fund specified in subsection (a)(4) (3) of this section

 

22      shall be made on an estimated quarterly basis. Payment shall be made on the tenth business day

 

23      following the close of the quarter except for the fourth quarter when payment shall be on the last

 

24      business day.

 

25                  SECTION 2. The general assembly hereby finds that the Twin River facility located in

 

26      the town of Lincoln is an important source of revenue for the state of Rhode Island. The purpose

 

27      of sections 3 through 5 of this article is to protect and enhance the state's ability to maximize

 

28      revenues at Twin River during a period of increasing competition in the regional market by

 

29      setting forth terms and conditions of certain Twin River growth opportunities. It is the intent of

 

30      the general assembly that this act, being necessary for the welfare of the state and its citizens,

 

31      shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate its purposes, including without limitation, the

 

32      state's attempt to minimize certain commercial risks faced by Twin River.

 

33                  SECTION 3. Definitions. For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have

 

34      the following meanings:


1                  (1) "Division" means the division of lotteries within the Rhode Island department of

 

2      revenue.

 

3                  (2) "Division percentage" means for any marketing year, the division's percentage of net

 

4      terminal income as set forth in § 42-61.2-7.

 

5                  (3) "Marketing program" means that marketing program set forth in Chapter 16 of the

 

6      Public Laws of 2010, Part A, Section 4(a)(iii), as amended by Chapter 151, Article 25 of the

 

7      Public Laws of 2011, Section 8 and as further amended by Section 4 hereof.

 

8                  (4) "Master contract" means that certain master video lottery terminal contract made as of

 

9      July 18, 2005 by and between the division, the department of transportation and UTGR, Inc., as

 

10      amended from time to time.

 

11                  SECTION 4. Unless otherwise amended by this act, the terms, conditions, provisions and

 

12      definitions of Chapters 322 and 323 of the Public Laws of 2005, Chapter 16 of the Public Laws of

 

13      2010, Chapter 151, Article 25 of the Public Laws of 2011, Chapter 289 of the Public Laws of

 

14      2012 and Chapters 106 and 107 of the Public Laws of 2013 are hereby incorporated by reference

 

15      and shall remain in full force and effect.

 

16                  SECTION 5. Authorized procurement of fourth amendment to the master video lottery

 

17      terminal contract.

 

18                  (a) Notwithstanding any provision of the general or Public Laws to the contrary, within

 

19      ninety (90) days of the date hereof, the division is hereby expressly authorized and directed to

 

20      enter into with UTGR, Inc. a fourth amendment to the master contract for the following purposes

 

21      and containing the following terms and conditions:

 

22                  (1) Commencing July 1, 2014, the marketing program shall be amended as follows:

 

23                  (i) Subject to subsections (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) herein for each marketing year to the

 

24      extent  UTGR,  Inc.'s  marketing  expenditures  exceed  four  million  dollars  ($4,000,000),  the

 

25      division shall pay UTGR, Inc. an amount equal to the amount of such excess multiplied by the

 

26      division percentage.

 

27                  (ii) Subject to subsection (a)(1)(iii) herein, the total amount payable by the division for

 

28      each marketing year shall be capped at an amount equal to the division percentage multiplied by

 

29      six million dollars ($6,000,000) (i.e., ten million dollars ($10,000,000) total marketing program

 

30      expenditures); provided further, that in any partial marketing year, the total amount payable by

 

31      the division shall be capped at an amount equal to the division percentage multiplied by six

 

32      million dollars ($6,000,000), the product of which shall be further reduced by multiplying it by a

 

33      fraction: (A) The numerator of which is the number of days in any partial marketing year; and (B)

 

34      The denominator of which is three hundred sixty-five (365).


1                  (iii)  To  the  extent  UTGR,  Inc.'s  aggregate  marketing  program  expenditures  exceed

 

2      fourteen million dollars ($14,000,000) in any given marketing year, the division shall pay UTGR,

 

3      Inc.  an  amount  equal  to  the  amount  of  such  excess  multiplied  by  the  division  percentage;

 

4      provided however, if the total aggregate amount of UTGR, Inc.'s marketing program expenditures

 

5      in any given marketing year exceeds seventeen million dollars ($17,000,000), the division shall

 

6      not be required to make payments with respect to such excess amounts. By the way of example

 

7      only, if in a particular marketing year UTGR, Inc.'s marketing program expenditures equal fifteen

 

8      million dollars ($15,000,000), the division shall pay to UTGR,  Inc. the division percentage

 

9      multiplied by the sum of six million dollars ($6,000,000), plus one million dollars ($1,000,000).

 

10                  (2)(i) The requirements of the following subsection found in Chapter 16 of the Pub. L. of

 

11      2010, Part A, Section 4(a)(iii)(2) be stricken and removed from the first amendment to the master

 

12      contract, to wit; and (ii) The division shall not owe any amount pursuant to said subsection

 

13      4(a)(iii) in any given marketing year unless, pursuant to § 42-61.2-7(a), the state has received net

 

14      terminal income for such marketing year in an amount equal to or exceeding the amount of net

 

15      terminal income the state received for the state's fiscal year 2009. The requirements so stricken

 

16      shall allow the marketing program and payments due thereunder to be in effect for fiscal year

 

17      2015 pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in said section.

 

18                  (3) Except to the extent amended hereby, the terms, provisions and conditions of the

 

19      master contract, including without limitation those terms, provisions and conditions relating to the

 

20      marketing program, shall remain in full force and effect. If there is a conflict between any

 

21      provision of the master contract and this article, the provisions of this article control.

 

22                  SECTION 6. This article shall take effect upon passage.


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art.014/5/014/4/014/3/014/2/018/2/018/1

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1                                                              ARTICLE 14

 

 

 

2                                    RELATING TO GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION

 

 

 

3                  SECTION  1.  Sections  30-15-5  and  30-15-6  of  the  General  Laws  in  Chapter  30-15

 

4      entitled "Emergency Management" are hereby amended to read as follows:

 

5                  30-15-5.   Emergency   management   preparedness   agency   created       Personnel   

 

6      Facilities. -- (a) There is hereby created within the executive department, the Rhode Island

 

7      emergency management agency (hereinafter in this chapter called the "agency"), to be headed by

 

8      the adjutant general of the Rhode Island national guard  an executive director, who shall be

 

9      appointed by and serve at the pleasure of, the governor and who shall be in the unclassified

 

10      service.

 

11                  (b)  The   adjutant  general   executive  director  may  employ  such  technical,  clerical,

 

12      stenographic, and other personnel, all of whom shall be in the classified service, and may make

 

13      such expenditures within the appropriation therefor, or from other funds made available for the

 

14      purposes of this chapter, as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter, consistent

 

15      with other applicable provisions of law.

 

16                  (c) The agency may provide itself with appropriate office space, furniture, equipment,

 

17      supplies, stationery, and printing.

 

18                  (d) The  adjutant general,  executive director, subject to the direction and control of the

 

19      governor, shall be the executive head of the agency, and shall be responsible to the governor for

 

20      carrying out the program for disaster preparedness of this state. The  adjutant general executive

 

21      director shall coordinate the activities of all organizations for disasters within the state, and shall

 

22      maintain liaison with and cooperate with disaster agencies and organizations of other states and of

 

23      the  federal  government.  The   adjutant  general  executive  director  shall  have  such  additional

 

24      authority, duties, and responsibilities authorized by this chapter as may be prescribed by the

 

25      governor.

 

26                  30-15-6. Advisory council. (a) There is hereby created the Rhode Island emergency

 

27      management advisory council (hereinafter in this chapter called the "council"). The council will

 

28      consist of forty (40) members as follows:

 

29                  (1) Twenty-two (22) ex officio members as follows:

 

30                  (i) The lieutenant governor;


1                  (ii) The adjutant general;

 

2                  (iii) The director of administration/statewide planning;

 

3                  (iv) The director of health;

 

4                  (v) The director of transportation;

 

5                  (vi) The director of human services;

 

6                  (vii) The superintendent of state police;

 

7                  (viii) The public utilities administrator;

 

8                  (ix) The director of the department of environmental management;

 

9                  (x) The director of  mental health, retardation, and hospitals  department of behavioral

 

10      healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals;

 

11                  (xi) The director of elderly affairs;

 

12                  (xii) The chairperson of the state water resources board;

 

13                  (xiii) The chairperson of the governor's commission on disabilities;

 

14                  (xiv) The chairperson of the Rhode Island public transit authority;

 

15                  (xv) The executive director of the coastal resources management council or his or her

 

16      designee;

 

17                  (xvi) The executive director of the American Red Cross, Rhode Island chapter;

 

18                  (xvii) The executive director of the Rhode Island emergency management agency;

 

19                  (xviii) The state court administrator;

 

20                  (xix) The executive director of the commission on the deaf and hard of hearing;

 

21                  (xx) The director of the Providence emergency management agency;

 

22                  (xxi) The executive director of E-911 emergency telephone system division;

 

23                  (xxii) The federal security director of the transportation security administration for Rhode

 

24      Island; and

 

25                  (2) Eighteen (18) members appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the governor, as

 

26      follows:

 

27                  (i) Two (2) members of the senate, recommended by the president of the senate, not more

 

28      than one of whom shall be from the same political party;

 

29                  (ii) Two (2) members of the house of representatives, recommended by the speaker of the

 

30      house, not more than one of whom shall be from the same political party;

 

31                  (iii) One representative of the electric industry;

 

32                  (iv) One representative of the gas industry;

 

33                  (v) One representative of the telephone industry;

 

34                  (vi) The executive director of the Rhode Island petroleum association or other similarly


1      situated person;

 

2                  (vii) Two (2) representatives of the general public, one who shall have expertise in

 

3      disaster preparedness;

 

4                  (viii) One representative of the Rhode Island league of cities and towns;

 

5                  (ix) One representative of the media;

 

6                  (x) One representative of the water supply industry;

 

7                  (xi) One representative of the health care industry;

 

8                  (xii) One representative of the Rhode Island firefighters association;

 

9                  (xiii) One representative of the Rhode Island association of fire chiefs;

 

10                  (xiv) One representative of a private ambulance company; and

 

11                  (xv) One representative of a level I trauma hospital who shall have direct expertise in

 

12      disaster preparedness.

 

13                  (b) It shall be the duty of the council to advise the governor and the  adjutant general

 

14      executive director on all matters pertaining to disaster preparedness. The lieutenant governor shall

 

15      serve as chairperson of the council and the  adjutant general executive director shall serve as vice-

 

16      chairperson. In providing advice to the governor and the  adjutant general, executive director, the

 

17      council shall, among other matters reasonably related to their authority, do the following:

 

18                  (1) Establish a regular meeting schedule and form subcommittees as may be appropriate;

 

19                  (2) Review emergency management plans and other matters as may be acted upon or

 

20      otherwise provided for in this chapter;

 

21                  (3) Establish priorities and goals on emergency management matters on an annual basis;

 

22                  (4) Study emergency management plans in conjunction with the adjutant general, and

 

23      otherwise conduct such other studies as may be deemed appropriate;

 

24                  (5)  Review  the  coordination  of  the  state's  emergency  management  programs  with

 

25      appropriate authorized agencies and conduct studies on the programs as may be necessary;

 

26                  (6)  Review  the  plans  and  operations  of  the  various  cities  and  towns  in  disaster

 

27      preparedness in conjunction with the director and his or her office as required or necessary; and

 

28                  (7) [Deleted by P.L. 2000, ch. 170, § 2];

 

29                  (8) Provide an annual report on its activities in conjunction with the  adjutant general

 

30      executive director.

 

31                  SECTION 2. Section 39-1-27.12 of the General Laws in Chapter 39-1 entitled "Public

 

32      Utilities Commission" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

33                  39-1-27.12. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program Enhancement Plan. --

 

34      (a) The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program Enhancement Plan (hereinafter "LIHEAP


1      Enhancement Plan") is hereby created to supplement the federal Low Income  Household Home

 

2      Energy Assistance Program ("LIHEAP") funding being received by customers of Rhode Island

 

3      electric and gas distribution companies.

 

4                  (b) Within a period of time sufficient to accomplish the purposes of this section, but not

 

5      longer  than  ninety  (90)  days  after  the  effective  date  of  this  chapter,  the   Office  of  Energy

 

6      Resources   department of  human services shall  develop  a  recommended  monthly  "LIHEAP

 

7      Enhancement Charge" rate for the following year and make a filing with the commission pursuant

 

8      to this chapter recommending rates. Thereafter annually but no later than October 15 of each

 

9      year, the  office department shall make filings with the commission to recommend the LIHEAP

 

10      Enhancement  Charge  rates  for  each  class  of  electric  and  natural  gas  distribution  company

 

11      customer for the following year.

 

12                  (c)  A  LIHEAP  Enhancement  Charge  approved  by  the  Commission  shall  have  the

 

13      following limitations:

 

14                  (1) For electric distribution company customers, the charge shall not be more than ten

 

15      dollars ($10.00) per year.

 

16                  (2) For natural gas distribution company customers, the charge shall not be more than ten

 

17      dollars ($10.00) per year.

 

18                  (3)  The  total  projected  annual  revenue  for  the  LIHEAP  Enhancement  Plan  through

 

19      charges to all electric and natural gas distribution company customers shall not exceed seven

 

20      million five hundred thousand dollars ($7,500,000) and shall not be below six million five

 

21      hundred thousand dollars ($6,500,000).

 

22                  (d) The commission shall open a docket to consider for approval LIHEAP Enhancement

 

23      Charge  rates  proposed  by  the   office  department.  In  reviewing  the  recommended  rates  the

 

24      commission shall give due consideration to the recommendations of the  office department and the

 

25      standards set forth in subsection (c) of this section. The commission shall issue a decision within

 

26      sixty (60) days after said recommendations and report are filed with the commission establishing

 

27      the Enhancement Plan Charge rates.

 

28                  (e) The electric or gas distribution company shall use the funds collected through this

 

29      Enhancement Plan Charge to provide a credit to customers accounts that are receiving federal

 

30      LIHEAP assistance payments. The  office of energy resources department of human services shall

 

31      designate to the gas or electric distribution company the qualifying customer accounts and the

 

32      amounts to be credited to those customer accounts, provided that the total amount to be credited

 

33      to those accounts shall be fully funded by and not exceed the total amount collected through the

 

34      Enhancement  Plan  Charge.  The  electric  or  gas  distribution  company's  added  administrative


1      expenses to process the credit assignments provided to it by the   office of energy resources

 

2      department of human services will be recoverable either from the LIHEAP Enhancement Charge

 

3      or through a separate charge approved by the Public Utilities Commission.

 

4                  (f) As used in this section, "electric and natural gas distribution company" means a

 

5      company as defined in subsection 39-1-2(12), but not including the Block Island Power Company

 

6      or the Pascoag Utility District.

 

7                  SECTION  3.  Section  42-17.1-2  of  the  General  Laws  in  Chapter  42-17.1  entitled

 

8      "Department of Environmental Management" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

9                  42-17.1-2. Powers and duties. -- The director of environmental management shall have

 

10      the following powers and duties:

 

11                  (1) To supervise and control the protection, development, planning, and utilization of the

 

12      natural resources of the state, such resources, including but not limited to, water, plants, trees,

 

13      soil, clay, sand, gravel, rocks and other minerals, air, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish,

 

14      shellfish, and other forms of aquatic, insect, and animal life;

 

15                  (2) To exercise all functions, powers, and duties heretofore vested in the department of

 

16      agriculture  and  conservation,  and  in  each  of  the  divisions  of  the  department,  such  as  the

 

17      promotion of agriculture and animal husbandry in their several branches, including the inspection

 

18      and suppression of contagious diseases among animals, the regulation of the marketing of farm

 

19      products,  the  inspection  of  orchards  and  nurseries,  the  protection  of  trees  and  shrubs  from

 

20      injurious insects and diseases, protection from forest fires, the inspection of apiaries and the

 

21      suppression  of  contagious  diseases  among  bees,  prevention  of  the  sale  of  adulterated  or

 

22      misbranded agricultural seeds, promotion and encouragement of the work of farm bureaus in

 

23      cooperation with the University of Rhode Island, farmers' institutes and the various organizations

 

24      established for the purpose of developing an interest in agriculture, together with such other

 

25      agencies and activities as the governor and the general assembly may from time to time place

 

26      under the control of the department, and as heretofore vested by such of the following chapters

 

27      and sections of the general laws as are presently applicable to the department of environmental

 

28      management and which were previously applicable to the department of natural resources and the

 

29      department of agriculture and conservation or to any of its divisions: chapters 1 through 22,

 

30      inclusive, as amended, in title 2 entitled "Agriculture and Forestry;" chapters 1 through 17,

 

31      inclusive, as amended, in title 4 entitled "Animals and Animal Husbandry;" chapters 1 through

 

32      19,  inclusive,  as  amended,  in  title  20  entitled  "Fish  and  Wildlife;"  chapters  1  through  32,

 

33      inclusive, as amended, in title 21 entitled "Food and Drugs;" chapter 7 of title 23 as amended,

 

34      entitled "Mosquito Abatement;" and by any other general or public law relating to the department


1      of agriculture and conservation or to any of its divisions or bureaus;

 

2                  (3) To exercise all the functions, powers, and duties heretofore vested in the division of

 

3      parks and recreation of the department of public works by chapters 1, 2, and 5 in title 32 entitled

 

4      "Parks and Recreational Areas;" by chapter 22.5 of title 23, as amended, entitled "Drowning

 

5      Prevention and Lifesaving;" and by any other general or public law relating to the division of

 

6      parks and recreation;

 

7                  (4) To exercise all the functions, powers, and duties heretofore vested in the division of

 

8      harbors and rivers of the department of public works, or in the department itself by such as were

 

9      previously applicable to the division or the department, of chapters 1 through 22 and sections

 

10      thereof, as amended, in title 46 entitled "Waters and Navigation"; and by any other general or

 

11      public law relating to the division of harbors and rivers;

 

12                  (5) To exercise all the functions, powers and duties heretofore vested in the department of

 

13      health by chapters 25, 18.9, and 19.5 of title 23, as amended, entitled "Health and Safety;" and by

 

14      chapters 12 and 16 of title 46, as amended, entitled "Waters and Navigation"; by chapters 3, 4, 5,

 

15      6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 18, and 19 of title 4, as amended, entitled "Animals and Animal Husbandry;" and

 

16      those  functions,  powers,  and  duties  specifically  vested  in  the  director  of  environmental

 

17      management by the provisions of § 21-2-22, as amended, entitled "Inspection of Animals and

 

18      Milk;" together with other powers and duties of the director of the department of health as are

 

19      incidental to or necessary for the performance of the functions transferred by this section;

 

20                  (6)  To  cooperate  with  the  Rhode  Island  economic  development  corporation  in  its

 

21      planning  and  promotional  functions,  particularly  in  regard  to  those  resources  relating  to

 

22      agriculture, fisheries, and recreation;

 

23                  (7) To cooperate with, advise, and guide conservation commissions of cities and towns

 

24      created under chapter 35 of title 45 entitled "Conservation Commissions", as enacted by chapter

 

25      203 of the Public Laws, 1960;

 

26                  (8) To assign or reassign, with the approval of the governor, any functions, duties, or

 

27      powers established by this chapter to any agency within the department, except as hereinafter

 

28      limited;

 

29                  (9) To cooperate with the water resources board and to provide to the board facilities,

 

30      administrative support, staff services, and such other services as the board shall reasonably

 

31      require for its operation and, in cooperation with the board and the statewide planning program to

 

32      formulate and maintain a long range guide plan and implementing program for development of

 

33      major  water  sources  transmissions  systems  needed  to  furnish  water  to  regional  and  local

 

34      distribution systems;


1                  (10) To cooperate with the solid waste management corporation and to provide to the

 

2      corporation such facilities, administrative support, staff services and such other services within

 

3      the department as the corporation shall reasonably require for its operation;

 

4                  (11) To provide for the maintenance of waterways and boating facilities, consistent with

 

5      chapter 6.1 of title 46, by: (i) establishing minimum standards for upland beneficial use and

 

6      disposal of dredged material; (ii) promulgating and enforcing rules for water quality, ground

 

7      water protection, and fish and wildlife protection pursuant to § 42-17.1-24; (iii) planning for the

 

8      upland beneficial use and/or disposal of dredged material in areas not under the jurisdiction of the

 

9      council pursuant to § 46-23-6(2); and (iv) cooperating with the coastal resources management

 

10      council in the development and implementation of comprehensive programs for dredging as

 

11      provided  for  in  §§  46-23-6(1)(ii)(H)  and  46-23-18.3;  and  (v)  monitoring  dredge  material

 

12      management and disposal sites in accordance with the protocols established pursuant to § 46-6.1-

 

13      5(3) and the comprehensive program provided for in § 46-23-6(1)(ii)(H); no powers or duties

 

14      granted herein shall be construed to abrogate the powers or duties granted to the coastal resources

 

15      management council under chapter 23 of title 46, as amended;

 

16                  (12)  To  establish  minimum standards,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  environmental

 

17      standards board, relating to the location, design, construction and maintenance of all sewage

 

18      disposal systems;

 

19                  (13) To enforce, by such means as provided by law, the standards for the quality of air,

 

20      and water, and the design, construction and operation of all sewage disposal systems; any order or

 

21      notice issued by the director relating to the location, design, construction or maintenance of a

 

22      sewage disposal system shall be eligible for recordation under chapter 13 of title 34. The director

 

23      shall forward the order or notice to the city or town wherein the subject property is located and

 

24      the order or notice shall be recorded in the general index by the appropriate municipal official in

 

25      the land evidence records in the city or town wherein the subject property is located. Any

 

26      subsequent transferee of that property shall be responsible for complying with the requirements of

 

27      the order or notice. Upon satisfactory completion of the requirements of the order or notice, the

 

28      director shall provide written notice of the same, which notice shall be similarly eligible for

 

29      recordation. The original written notice shall be forwarded to the city or town wherein the subject

 

30      property is located and the notice of satisfactory completion shall be recorded in the general index

 

31      by the appropriate municipal official in the land evidence records in the city or town wherein the

 

32      subject property is located. A copy of the written notice shall be forwarded to the owner of the

 

33      subject property within five (5) days of a request for it, and, in any event, shall be forwarded to

 

34      the owner of the subject property within thirty (30) days after correction;


1                  (14) To establish minimum standards for the establishment and maintenance of salutary

 

2      environmental  conditions,  including  standards  and  methods  for  the  assessment  and  the

 

3      consideration of the cumulative effects on the environment of regulatory actions and decisions,

 

4      which  standards  for  consideration  of  cumulative  effects  shall  provide  for:  (i)  evaluation  of

 

5      potential cumulative effects that could adversely effect public health and/or impair ecological

 

6      functioning; (ii) analysis of such other matters relative to cumulative effects as the department

 

7      may deem appropriate in fulfilling its duties, functions and powers; which standards and methods

 

8      shall only be applicable to ISDS systems in the town of Jamestown in areas that are dependent for

 

9      water supply on private and public wells, unless broader use is approved by the general assembly.

 

10      The department shall report to the general assembly not later than March 15, 2008 with regard to

 

11      the development and application of such standards and methods in Jamestown.

 

12                  (15)  To  establish  and  enforce  minimum standards  for  permissible  types  of  septage,

 

13      industrial waste disposal sites and waste oil disposal sites;

 

14                  (16)  To  establish  minimum  standards  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  environmental

 

15      standards  board  for  permissible  types  of  refuse  disposal  facilities,  the  design,  construction,

 

16      operation, and maintenance of disposal facilities; and the location of various types of facilities;

 

17                  (17) To exercise all functions, powers, and duties necessary for the administration of

 

18      chapter 19.1 of title 23 entitled "Rhode Island Hazardous Waste Management Act";

 

19                  (18) To designate in writing any person in any department of the state government or any

 

20      official of a district, county, city, town, or other governmental unit, with that official's consent, to

 

21      enforce  any  rule,  regulation,  or  order  promulgated  and  adopted  by  the  director  under  any

 

22      provision  of  law;  provided,  however,  that  enforcement  of  powers  of  the  coastal  resources

 

23      management council shall be assigned only to employees of the department of environmental

 

24      management, except by mutual agreement or as otherwise provided in chapter 23 of title 46;

 

25                  (19) To issue and enforce such rules, regulations, and orders as may be necessary to carry

 

26      out the duties assigned to the director and the department by any provision of law; and to conduct

 

27      such investigations and hearings and to issue, suspend, and revoke such licenses as may be

 

28      necessary to enforce those rules, regulations, and orders.

 

29                  Notwithstanding the provisions of § 42-35-9 to the contrary, no informal disposition of a

 

30      contested licensing matter shall occur where resolution substantially deviates from the original

 

31      application unless all interested parties shall be notified of said proposed resolution and provided

 

32      with opportunity to comment upon said resolution pursuant to applicable law and any rules and

 

33      regulations established by the director.

 

34                  (20) To enter, examine or survey at any reasonable time such places as the director deems


1      necessary to carry out his or her responsibilities under any provision of law subject to the

 

2      following provisions:

 

3                  (i) For criminal investigations, the director shall, pursuant to chapter 5 of title 12, seek a

 

4      search warrant from an official of a court authorized to issue warrants, unless a search without a

 

5      warrant is otherwise allowed or provided by law;

 

6                  (ii)  All  administrative  inspections  shall  be  conducted  pursuant  to  administrative

 

7      guidelines promulgated by the department in accordance with chapter 35 of title 42.

 

8                  (B) A warrant shall not be required for administrative inspections if conducted under the

 

9      following circumstances, in accordance with the applicable constitutional standards:

 

10                  (I) For closely regulated industries;

 

11                  (II) In situations involving open fields or conditions that are in plain view;

 

12                  (III) In emergency situations;

 

13                  (IV) In situations presenting an imminent threat to the environment or public health,

 

14      safety or welfare;

 

15                  (V) If the owner, operator, or agent in charge of the facility, property, site or location

 

16      consents; or

 

17                  (VI) In other situations in which a warrant is not constitutionally required.

 

18                  (C) Whenever it shall be constitutionally or otherwise required by law, or whenever the

 

19      director in his or her discretion deems it advisable, an administrative search warrant, or its

 

20      functional equivalent, may be obtained by the director from a neutral magistrate for the purpose

 

21      of conducting an administrative inspection. The warrant shall be issued in accordance with the

 

22      applicable  constitutional  standards  for  the  issuance  of  administrative  search  warrants.  The

 

23      administrative standard of probable cause, not the criminal standard of probable cause, shall

 

24      apply to applications for administrative search warrants.

 

25                  (I) The need for, or reliance upon, an administrative warrant shall not be construed as

 

26      requiring the department to forfeit the element of surprise in its inspection efforts.

 

27                  (II) An administrative warrant issued pursuant to this subsection must be executed and

 

28      returned within ten (10) days of its issuance date unless, upon a showing of need for additional

 

29      time, the court orders otherwise.

 

30                  (III) An administrative warrant may authorize the review and copying of documents that

 

31      are relevant to the purpose of the inspection. If documents must be seized for the purpose of

 

32      copying, and the warrant authorizes such seizure, the person executing the warrant shall prepare

 

33      an inventory of the documents taken. The time, place and manner regarding the making of the

 

34      inventory shall be set forth in the terms of the warrant itself, as dictated by the court. A copy of


1      the inventory shall be delivered to the person from whose possession or facility the documents

 

2      were taken. The seized documents shall be copied as soon as feasible under circumstances

 

3      preserving their authenticity, then returned to the person from whose possession or facility the

 

4      documents were taken.

 

5                  (IV) An administrative warrant may authorize the taking of samples of air, water or soil

 

6      or of materials generated, stored or treated at the facility, property, site or location. Upon request,

 

7      the department shall make split samples available to the person whose facility, property, site or

 

8      location is being inspected.

 

9                  (V) Service of an administrative warrant may be required only to the extent provided for

 

10      in the terms of the warrant itself, by the issuing court.

 

11                  (D) Penalties. Any willful and unjustified refusal of right of entry and inspection to

 

12      department personnel pursuant to an administrative warrant shall constitute a contempt of court

 

13      and shall subject the refusing party to sanctions, which in the court's discretion may result in up to

 

14      six (6) months imprisonment and/or a monetary fine of up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per

 

15      refusal.

 

16                  (21) To give notice of an alleged violation of law to the person responsible therefor

 

17      whenever the director determines that there are reasonable grounds to believe that there is a

 

18      violation of any provision of law within his or her jurisdiction or of any rule or regulation adopted

 

19      pursuant  to  authority  granted  to  him  or  her,  unless  other  notice  and  hearing  procedure  is

 

20      specifically provided by that law. Nothing in this chapter shall limit the authority of the attorney

 

21      general to prosecute offenders as required by law.

 

22                  (i)  The  notice  shall  provide  for  a  time  within  which  the  alleged  violation  shall  be

 

23      remedied, and shall inform the person to whom it is directed that a written request for a hearing

 

24      on the alleged violation may be filed with the director within ten (10) days after service of the

 

25      notice. The notice will be deemed properly served upon a person if a copy thereof is served him

 

26      or her personally, or sent by registered or certified mail to his or her last known address, or if he

 

27      or she is served with notice by any other method of service now or hereafter authorized in a civil

 

28      action under the laws of this state. If no written request for a hearing is made to the director

 

29      within ten (10) days of the service of notice, the notice shall automatically become a compliance

 

30      order.

 

31                  (ii) Whenever the director determines that there exists a violation of any law, rule, or

 

32      regulation  within  his  or  her  jurisdiction  which  requires  immediate  action  to  protect  the

 

33      environment, he or she may, without prior notice of violation or hearing, issue an immediate

 

34      compliance order stating the existence of the violation and the action he or she deems necessary.


1      The compliance order shall become effective immediately upon service or within such time as is

 

2      specified by the director in such order. No request for a hearing on an immediate compliance

 

3      order may be made.

 

4                  (B) Any immediate compliance order issued under this section without notice and prior

 

5      hearing shall be effective for no longer than forty-five (45) days; provided, however, that for

 

6      good cause shown the order may be extended one additional period not exceeding forty-five (45)

 

7      days.

 

8                  (iii) The director may, at his or her discretion and for the purposes of timely and effective

 

9      resolution and return to compliance, cite a person for alleged noncompliance through the issuance

 

10      of an expedited citation in accordance with subsection 42-17.6-3(c).

 

11                  (iv) If a person upon whom a notice of violation has been served under the provisions of

 

12      this section or if a person aggrieved by any such notice of violation requests a hearing before the

 

13      director within ten (10) days of the service of notice of violation, the director shall set a time and

 

14      place for the hearing, and shall give the person requesting that hearing at least five (5) days

 

15      written notice thereof. After the hearing, the director may make findings of fact and shall sustain,

 

16      modify, or withdraw the notice of violation. If the director sustains or modifies the notice, that

 

17      decision shall be deemed a compliance order and shall be served upon the person responsible in

 

18      any manner provided for the service of the notice in this section.

 

19                  (v) The compliance order shall state a time within which the violation shall be remedied,

 

20      and the original time specified in the notice of violation shall be extended to the time set in the

 

21      order.

 

22                  (vi) Whenever a compliance order has become effective, whether automatically where no

 

23      hearing has been requested, where an immediate compliance order has been issued, or upon

 

24      decision following a hearing, the director may institute injunction proceedings in the superior

 

25      court of the state for enforcement of the compliance order and for appropriate temporary relief,

 

26      and in that proceeding the correctness of a compliance order shall be presumed and the person

 

27      attacking the order shall bear the burden of proving error in the compliance order, except that the

 

28      director shall bear the burden of proving in the proceeding the correctness of an immediate

 

29      compliance order. The remedy provided for in this section shall be cumulative and not exclusive

 

30      and shall be in addition to remedies relating to the removal or abatement of nuisances or any

 

31      other remedies provided by law.

 

32                  (vii) Any party aggrieved by a final judgment of the superior court may, within thirty (30)

 

33      days from the date of entry of such judgment, petition the supreme court for a writ of certiorari to

 

34      review any questions of law. The petition shall set forth the errors claimed. Upon the filing of the


1      petition with the clerk of the supreme court, the supreme court may, if it sees fit, issue its writ of

 

2      certiorari;

 

3                  (22) To impose administrative penalties in accordance with the provisions of chapter 17.6

 

4      of this title and to direct that such penalties be paid into the account established by subdivision

 

5      (26); and

 

6                  (23) The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation of the provisions of this

 

7      chapter:

 

8                  (i) Director: The term "director" shall mean the director of environmental management of

 

9      the state of Rhode Island or his or her duly authorized agent.

 

10                  (ii) Person: The term "person" shall include any individual, group of individuals, firm,

 

11      corporation, association, partnership or private or public entity, including a district, county, city,

 

12      town, or other governmental unit or agent thereof, and in the case of a corporation, any individual

 

13      having active and general supervision of the properties of such corporation.

 

14                  (iii) Service: (A) Service upon a corporation under this section shall be deemed to include

 

15      service upon both the corporation and upon the person having active and general supervision of

 

16      the properties of such corporation.

 

17                  (B) For purposes of calculating the time within which a claim for a hearing is made

 

18      pursuant to subdivision (21)(i) of this section heretofore, service shall be deemed to be the date of

 

19      receipt of such notice or three (3) days from the date of mailing of said notice, whichever shall

 

20      first occur.

 

21                  (24) To conduct surveys of the present private and public camping and other recreational

 

22      areas available and to determine the need for and location of such other camping and recreational

 

23      areas as may be deemed necessary and in the public interest of the state of Rhode Island and to

 

24      report back its findings on an annual basis to the general assembly on or before March 1 of every

 

25      year;

 

26                  (ii) Additionally, the director of the department of environmental management shall take

 

27      such additional steps, including but not limited to, matters related to funding as may be necessary

 

28      to establish such other additional recreational facilities and areas as are deemed to be in the public

 

29      interest.

 

30                  (25) To apply for and accept grants and bequests of funds with the approval of the

 

31      director of administration from other states, interstate agencies and independent authorities, and

 

32      private firms, individuals and foundations, for the purpose of carrying out his or her lawful

 

33      responsibilities. The funds shall be deposited with the general treasurer in a restricted receipt

 

34      account created in the Natural Resources Program for funds made available for that program's


1      purposes or in a restricted receipt account created in the Environmental Protection Program for

 

2      funds made available for that program's purposes. All expenditures from the accounts shall be

 

3      subject to appropriation by the general assembly, and shall be expended in accordance with the

 

4      provisions of the grant or bequest. In the event that a donation or bequest is unspecified or in the

 

5      event that the trust account balance shows a surplus after the project as provided for in the grant

 

6      or  bequest  has  been  completed,  the  director  may  utilize  said  appropriated  unspecified  or

 

7      appropriated surplus funds for enhanced management of the department's forest and outdoor

 

8      public recreation areas, or other projects or programs that promote the accessibility of recreational

 

9      opportunities for Rhode Island residents and visitors.

 

10                  (ii) The director shall submit to the house fiscal advisor and the senate fiscal advisor, by

 

11      October 1 of each year, a detailed report on the amount of funds received and the uses made of

 

12      such funds.

 

13                  (26) To establish fee schedules by regulation with the approval of the governor for the

 

14      processing  of  applications  and  the  performing  of  related  activities  in  connection  with  the

 

15      department's responsibilities pursuant to subdivision (12) of this section, chapter 19.1 of title 23

 

16      as it relates to inspections performed by the department to determine compliance with chapter

 

17      19.1 and rules and regulations promulgated in accordance therewith, chapter 18.9 of title 23 as it

 

18      relates to inspections performed by the department to determine compliance with chapter 18.9

 

19      and the rules and regulations promulgated in accordance therewith, chapters 19.5 and 23 of title

 

20      23; chapter 12 of title 46 insofar as it relates to water quality certifications and related reviews

 

21      performed  pursuant  to  provisions  of  the  federal  Clean  Water  Act,  the  regulation  and

 

22      administration of underground storage tanks and all other programs administered under chapter

 

23      12 of title 46 and § 2-1-18 et seq., and chapter 13.1 of title 46 and chapter 13.2 of title 46 insofar

 

24      as  they  relate  to  any  reviews  and  related  activities  performed  under  the  provisions  of  the

 

25      Groundwater Protection Act, chapter 23-24.9 as it relates to the regulation and administration of

 

26      mercury-added products, and chapter 17.7 of this title insofar as it relates to administrative

 

27      appeals of all enforcement, permitting and licensing matters to the administrative adjudication

 

28      division  for  environmental  matters.  Two  (2)  fee  ranges  shall  be  required:  for  "Appeal  of

 

29      enforcement actions", a range of fifty dollars ($50) to one hundred dollars ($100), and for

 

30      "Appeal of application decisions", a range of five hundred dollars ($500) to ten thousand dollars

 

31      ($10,000). The monies from the administrative adjudication fees will be deposited as general

 

32      revenues and the amounts appropriated shall be used for the costs associated with operating the

 

33      administrative adjudication division.

 

34                  There is hereby established an account within the general fund to be called the water and


1      air protection program. The account shall consist of sums appropriated for water and air pollution

 

2      control and waste monitoring programs and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed

 

3      to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of such sums or such portions

 

4      thereof as may be required from time to time upon receipt by him or her of properly authenticated

 

5      vouchers. All amounts collected under the authority of this subdivision for the sewage disposal

 

6      system program and fresh waters wetlands program will be deposited as general revenues and the

 

7      amounts appropriated shall be used for the purposes of administering and operating the programs.

 

8      The director shall submit to the house fiscal advisor and the senate fiscal advisor by January 15 of

 

9      each year a detailed report on the amount of funds obtained from fines and fees and the uses made

 

10      of such funds.

 

11                  (27) To establish and maintain a list or inventory of areas within the state worthy of

 

12      special designation as "scenic" to include, but not be limited to, certain state roads or highways,

 

13      scenic vistas and scenic areas, and to make the list available to the public.

 

14                  (28) To establish and maintain an inventory of all interests in land held by public and

 

15      private land trust and to exercise all powers vested herein to insure the preservation of all

 

16      identified lands.

 

17                  (i) The director may promulgate and enforce rules and regulations to provide for the

 

18      orderly  and  consistent  protection,  management,  continuity  of  ownership  and  purpose,  and

 

19      centralized records-keeping for lands, water, and open spaces owned in fee or controlled in full or

 

20      in part through other interests, rights, or devices such as conservation easements or restrictions,

 

21      by private and public land trusts in Rhode Island. The director may charge a reasonable fee for

 

22      filing of each document submitted by a land trust.

 

23                  (ii) The term "public land trust" means any public instrumentality created by a Rhode

 

24      Island  municipality  for  the  purposes  stated  herein  and  financed  by  means  of  public  funds

 

25      collected and appropriated by the municipality. The term "private land trust" means any group of

 

26      five (5) or more private citizens of Rhode Island who shall incorporate under the laws of Rhode

 

27      Island as a nonbusiness corporation for the purposes stated herein, or a national organization such

 

28      as the nature conservancy. The main purpose of either a public or a private land trust shall be the

 

29      protection, acquisition, or control of land, water, wildlife, wildlife habitat, plants, and/or other

 

30      natural features, areas, or open space for the purpose of managing or maintaining, or causing to

 

31      be  managed  or  maintained  by  others,  the  land,  water,  and  other  natural  amenities  in  any

 

32      undeveloped and relatively natural state in perpetuity. A private land trust must be granted

 

33      exemption from federal income tax under Internal Revenue Code 501c(3) [26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3)]

 

34      within two (2) years of its incorporation in Rhode Island or it may not continue to function as a


1      land trust in Rhode Island. A private land trust may not be incorporated for the exclusive purpose

 

2      of  acquiring  or  accepting  property  or  rights  in  property  from  a  single  individual,  family,

 

3      corporation, business, partnership, or other entity. Membership in any private land trust must be

 

4      open to any individual subscribing to the purposes of the land trust and agreeing to abide by its

 

5      rules and regulations including payment of reasonable dues.

 

6                  (iii) Private land trusts will, in their articles of association or their bylaws, as appropriate,

 

7      provide for the transfer to an organization created for the same or similar purposes the assets,

 

8      lands and land rights and interests held by the land trust in the event of termination or dissolution

 

9      of the land trust.

 

10                  (B) All land trusts, public and private, will record in the public records of the appropriate

 

11      towns  and  cities  in  Rhode  Island  all  deeds,  conservation  easements  or  restrictions  or  other

 

12      interests and rights acquired in land and will also file copies of all such documents and current

 

13      copies of their articles of association, their bylaws, and annual reports with the secretary of state,

 

14      and with the director of the Rhode Island department of environmental management. The director

 

15      is hereby directed to establish and maintain permanently a system for keeping records of all

 

16      private and public land trust land holdings in Rhode Island.

 

17                  (29) The director will contact in writing, not less often than once every two (2) years,

 

18      each public or private land trust to ascertain: that all lands held by the land trust are recorded with

 

19      the director; the current status and condition of each land holding; that any funds or other assets

 

20      of the land trust held as endowment for specific lands have been properly audited at least once

 

21      within the two (2) year period; the name of the successor organization named in the public or

 

22      private land trust's bylaws or articles of association; and any other information the director deems

 

23      essential to the proper and continuous protection and management of land and interests or rights

 

24      in land held by the land trust. In the event that the director determines that a public or private land

 

25      trust holding land or interest in land appears to have become inactive, he or she shall initiate

 

26      proceedings to effect the termination of the land trust and the transfer of its lands, assets, land

 

27      rights, and land interests to the successor organization named in the defaulting trust's bylaws or

 

28      articles of association or to another organization created for the same or similar purposes. Should

 

29      such a transfer not be possible, then the land trust, assets, and interest and rights in land will be

 

30      held in trust by the state of Rhode Island and managed by the director for the purposes stated at

 

31      the time of original acquisition by the trust. Any trust assets or interests other than land or rights

 

32      in land accruing to the state under such circumstances will be held and managed as a separate

 

33      fund for the benefit of the designated trust lands.

 

34                  (30) Consistent with federal standards, issue and enforce such rules, regulations and


1      orders  as  may be  necessary to  establish  requirements  for  maintaining evidence  of  financial

 

2      responsibility for taking corrective action and compensating third parties for bodily injury and

 

3      property damage caused by sudden and non-sudden accidental releases arising from operating

 

4      underground storage tanks.

 

5                  (31) To enforce, by such means as provided by law, the standards for the quality of air,

 

6      and  water,  and  the  location,  design,  construction  and  operation  of  all  underground  storage

 

7      facilities used for storing petroleum products or hazardous materials; any order or notice issued

 

8      by the director relating to the location, design construction, operation or maintenance of an

 

9      underground storage facility used for storing petroleum products or hazardous materials shall be

 

10      eligible for recordation under chapter 13 of title 34. The director shall forward the order or notice

 

11      to the city or town wherein the subject facility is located, and the order or notice shall be recorded

 

12      in the general index by the appropriate municipal officer in the land evidence records in the city

 

13      or town wherein the subject facility is located. Any subsequent transferee of that facility shall be

 

14      responsible  for  complying  with  the  requirements  of  the  order  or  notice.  Upon  satisfactory

 

15      completion of the requirements of the order or notice, the director shall provide written notice of

 

16      the same, which notice shall be eligible for recordation. The original written notice shall be

 

17      forwarded to the city or town wherein the subject facility is located, and the notice of satisfactory

 

18      completion shall be recorded in the general index by the appropriate municipal official in the land

 

19      evidence records in the city or town wherein the subject facility is located. A copy of the written

 

20      notice shall be forwarded to the owner of the subject facility within five (5) days of a request for

 

21      it, and, in any event, shall be forwarded to the owner of the subject facility within thirty (30) days

 

22      after correction.

 

23                  (32) To manage and disburse any and all funds collected pursuant to § 46-12.9-4, in

 

24      accordance with § 46-12.9-5, and other provisions of the Rhode Island Underground Storage

 

25      Tank Financial Responsibility Act, as amended.

 

26                  (33)  To  support,  facilitate  and  assist  the  Rhode  Island  Natural  History  Survey,  as

 

27      appropriate and/or as necessary, in order to accomplish the important public purposes of the

 

28      survey  in  gathering  and  maintaining  data  on  Rhode  Island  natural  history,  making  public

 

29      presentations and reports on natural history topics, ranking species and natural communities,

 

30      monitoring rare species and communities, consulting on open space acquisitions and management

 

31      plans, reviewing proposed federal and state actions and regulations with regard to their potential

 

32      impact  on  natural  communities, and seeking outside  funding for wildlife management,  land

 

33      management and research.

 

34                  (34) To promote the effective stewardship of lakes and ponds including collaboration


1      with associations of lakefront property owners on planning and management actions that will

 

2      prevent and mitigate water quality degradation, the loss of native habitat due to infestation of

 

3      non-native species and nuisance conditions that result from excessive growth of algal or non-

 

4      native plant species. By January 31, 2012, the director shall prepare and submit a report to the

 

5      governor and general assembly that based upon available information provides: (a) an assessment

 

6      of lake conditions including a description of the presence and extent of aquatic invasive species in

 

7      lakes and ponds; (b) recommendations for improving the control and management of aquatic

 

8      invasives species in lakes and ponds; and (c) an assessment of the feasibility of instituting a boat

 

9      sticker program for the purpose of generating funds to support implementation actions to control

 

10      aquatic invasive species in the freshwaters of the state.

 

11                  (35)  In  implementing  the  programs  established  pursuant  to  this  chapter,  to  identify

 

12      critical areas for improving service to customers doing business with the department, and to

 

13      develop and implement strategies to improve performance and effectiveness in those areas. Key

 

14      aspects  of  a  customer  service  program shall  include,  but  not  necessarily  be  limited  to,  the

 

15      following components:

 

16                  (a) Maintenance of an organizational unit within the department with the express purpose

 

17      of providing technical assistance to customers and helping customers comply with environmental

 

18      regulations and requirements;

 

19                  (b) Maintenance of an employee training program to promote customer service across the

 

20      department;

 

21                  (c) Implementation of a continuous business process evaluation and improvement effort,

 

22      including process reviews to encourage development of quality proposals, ensure timely and

 

23      predictable reviews, and result in effective decisions and consistent follow up and implementation

 

24      throughout the department, and publish an annual report on such efforts;

 

25                  (d) Creation of a centralized location for the acceptance of permit applications and other

 

26      submissions to the department;

 

27                  (e) Maintenance of a process to promote, organize, and facilitate meetings prior to the

 

28      submission of applications or other proposals in order to inform the applicant on options and

 

29      opportunities   to   minimize   environmental   impact,   improve   the   potential   for   sustainable

 

30      environmental compliance, and support an effective and efficient review and decision-making

 

31      process on permit applications related to the proposed project;

 

32                  (f) Development of single permits under multiple authorities otherwise provided in state

 

33      law to support comprehensive and coordinated reviews of proposed projects. The director may

 

34      address and resolve conflicting or redundant process requirements in order to achieve an effective


1      and efficient review process that meets environmental objectives; and

 

2                  (g)  Exploration  of  the  use  of  performance-based  regulations  coupled  with  adequate

 

3      inspection and oversight, as an alternative to requiring applications or submissions for approval

 

4      prior to initiation of projects. The department shall work with the office of regulatory reform to

 

5      evaluate the potential for adopting alternative compliance approaches and provide a report to the

 

6      governor and the general assembly by May 1, 2015.

 

7                  SECTION 4. Section 16-57-10 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-57 entitled "Higher

 

8      Education Assistance Authority [See Title 16 Chapter 97 - The Rhode Island Board of Education

 

9      Act]" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

10                  16-57-10. Reserve funds. -- (a) To assure the continued operation and solvency of the

 

11      authority for the carrying out of its corporate purposes, the authority may create and establish any

 

12      reserve funds as may be necessary or desirable for its corporate purposes, and may pay into the

 

13      funds any money appropriated and made available by the state, the commissioner, or any other

 

14      source for the purpose of the funds, and any money collected by the authority as fees for the

 

15      guaranty of eligible loans.

 

16                  (b) To assure continued solvency of the authority, the authority's operating fund shall be

 

17      used solely for the ordinary operating expenses of the authority. Furthermore, it is the intent of

 

18      the general assembly that these funds eventually be used to increase financial assistance to Rhode

 

19      Island students in the form of scholarships and grants.

 

20                  (c) Given the decline of available sources to support the agency, the Governor's FY 2016

 

21      budget recommendations shall include a proposal for the transfer of higher education assistance

 

22      authority's  programs  to  appropriate  agencies  within  state  government.  All  departments  and

 

23      agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information, documentary or otherwise to the

 

24      director of the department of administration and its agents as is deemed necessary or desirable to

 

25      facilitate the recommendation.

 

26                  SECTION 5. This article shall take effect as of July 1, 2014.

 

27


 

 

 

 

 

1                                                              ARTICLE 15


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art.015/3/015/2/022/2/022/1

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2                                     RELATING TO HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

 

 

3                  SECTION 1. Section 40-6-27 of the General Laws in Chapter 40-6 entitled "Public

 

4      Assistance Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

5                  40-6-27. Supplemental security income. --   (a) (1) The director of the department is

 

6      hereby authorized to enter into agreements on behalf of the state with the secretary of the

 

7      Department  of  Health  and  Human  Services  or  other  appropriate federal  officials,  under the

 

8      supplementary and security income (SSI) program established by title XVI of the Social Security

 

9      Act, 42 U.S.C. section 1381 et seq., concerning the administration and determination of eligibility

 

10      for SSI benefits for residents of this state, except as otherwise provided in this section. The state's

 

11      monthly share of supplementary assistance to the supplementary security income program shall

 

12      be as follows:

 

13                  (i) Individual living alone:                                                                              $39.92

 

14                  (ii) Individual living with others:                                                                    $51.92

 

15                  (iii) Couple living alone:                                                                                 $79.38

 

16                  (iv) Couple living with others:                                                                        $97.30

 

17                  (v) Individual living in state licensed assisted living residence:          $332.00 $80.00

 

18                  (vi) Individual living in state licensed supportive residential care settings that, depending

 

19      on  the  population  served,  meet  the  standards  set  by  the  department  of  human  services  in

 

20      conjunction  with  the  department(s)  of  children,  youth  and  families,  elderly  affairs  and/or

 

21      behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals: $300.00.

 

22                  Provided, however, that the department of human services shall by regulation reduce,

 

23      effective  January  1,  2009,  the  state's  monthly  share  of  supplementary  assistance  to  the

 

24      supplementary security income program for each of the above listed payment levels, by the same

 

25      value as the annual federal cost of living adjustment to be published by the federal social security

 

26      administration in October 2008 and becoming effective on January 1, 2009, as determined under

 

27      the provisions of title XVI of the federal social security act [42 U.S.C. section 1381 et seq.] and

 

28      provided further, that it is the intent of the general assembly that the January 1, 2009 reduction in

 

29      the state's monthly share shall not cause a reduction in the combined federal and state payment

 

30      level for each category of recipients in effect in the month of December 2008; provided further,


1      that the department of human services is authorized and directed to provide for payments to

 

2      recipients in accordance with the above directives.

 

3                  (2) As of July 1, 2010, state supplement payments shall not be federally administered and

 

4      shall be paid directly by the department of human services to the recipient.

 

5                  (3) Individuals living in institutions shall receive a twenty dollar ($20.00) per month

 

6      personal  needs  allowance  from  the  state  which  shall  be  in  addition  to  the  personal  needs

 

7      allowance allowed by the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. section 301 et seq.

 

8                  (4) Individuals living in state licensed supportive residential care settings and assisted

 

9      living residences who are receiving SSI shall be allowed to retain a minimum personal needs

 

10      allowance  of  fifty-five  dollars  ($55.00)  per  month  from  their  SSI  monthly  benefit  prior  to

 

11      payment of any monthly fees.

 

12                  (5) To ensure that supportive residential care or an assisted living residence is a safe and

 

13      appropriate service setting, the department is authorized and directed to make a determination of

 

14      the medical need and whether a setting provides the appropriate services for those persons who:

 

15                  (i) Have applied for or are receiving SSI, and who apply for admission to supportive

 

16      residential care setting and assisted living residences on or after October 1, 1998; or

 

17                  (ii) Who are residing in supportive residential care settings and assisted living residences,

 

18      and who apply for or begin to receive SSI on or after October 1, 1998.

 

19                  (6) The process for determining medical need required by subsection (4) of this section

 

20      shall  be  developed  by  the  office  of  health  and  human  services  in  collaboration  with  the

 

21      departments of that office and shall be implemented in a manner that furthers the goals of

 

22      establishing a statewide coordinated long-term care entry system as required pursuant to the

 

23      Global Consumer Choice Compact Waiver.

 

24                  (7) To  assure  access  to  high  quality coordinated  services, the  department  is further

 

25      authorized and directed to establish rules specifying the payment certification standards that must

 

26      be met by those state licensed supportive residential care settings and assisted living residences

 

27      admitting or serving any persons eligible for state-funded supplementary assistance under this

 

28      section. Such payment certification standards shall define:

 

29                  (i)   The   scope   and   frequency   of   resident   assessments,   the   development   and

 

30      implementation  of  individualized  service  plans,  staffing  levels  and  qualifications,  resident

 

31      monitoring, service coordination, safety risk management and disclosure, and any other related

 

32      areas;

 

33                  (ii) The procedures for determining whether the payment certifications standards have

 

34      been met; and


1                  (iii) The criteria and process for granting a one time, short-term good cause exemption

 

2      from the  payment  certification  standards  to a  licensed  supportive  residential care  setting or

 

3      assisted living residence that provides documented evidence indicating that meeting or failing to

 

4      meet said standards poses an undue hardship on any person eligible under this section who is a

 

5      prospective or current resident.

 

6                  (8) The payment certification standards required by this section shall be developed in

 

7      collaboration by the departments, under the direction of the executive office of health and human

 

8      services, so as to ensure that they comply with applicable licensure regulations either in effect or

 

9      in development.

 

10                  (b)  The  department  is  authorized  and  directed  to  provide  additional  assistance  to

 

11      individuals eligible for SSI benefits for:

 

12                  (1) Moving costs or other expenses as a result of an emergency of a catastrophic nature

 

13      which is defined as a fire or natural disaster; and

 

14                  (2) Lost or stolen SSI benefit checks or proceeds of them; and

 

15                  (3) Assistance payments to SSI eligible individuals in need because of the application of

 

16      federal  SSI regulations  regarding  estranged  spouses;  and  the  department  shall  provide  such

 

17      assistance in a form and amount, which the department shall by regulation determine.

 

18                  SECTION 2. Section 40-6-27.2 of the General Laws in Chapter 40-6 entitled "Public

 

19      Assistance Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

20                  40-6-27.2. Supplementary cash assistance payment for certain supplemental security

 

21      income recipients. -- There is hereby established a  $206 $458 monthly payment for disabled and

 

22      elderly individuals who, on or after July 1, 2012, receive the state supplementary assistance

 

23      payment for an individual in state licensed assisted living residence under section 40-6-27 and

 

24      further reside in an assisted living facility that is not eligible to receive funding under Title XIX

 

25      of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. section 1381 et seq.  or reside in any assisted living facility

 

26      financed by the Rhode Island housing and mortgage finance corporation prior to January 1, 2006,

 

27      and receive a payment under § 40-6-27.

 

28                  SECTION 3. Section 40-5.2-20 of the General Laws in Chapter 40-5.2 entitled "The

 

29      Rhode Island Works Program" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

30                  40-5.2-20. Child care assistance. -- Families or assistance units eligible for childcare

 

31      assistance.

 

32                  (a) The department shall provide appropriate child care to every participant who is

 

33      eligible for cash assistance and who requires child care in order to meet the work requirements in

 

34      accordance with this chapter.


1                   (b)  Low-Income  child  care.  - The  department  shall  provide  child  care  to  all  other

 

2      working families with incomes at or below one hundred eighty percent (180%) of the federal

 

3      poverty level, if and to the extent such other families require child care in order to work at paid

 

4      employment as defined in the department's rules and regulations. Beginning October 1, 2013, and

 

5      until January 1, 2015, the department shall also provide child care to families with income below

 

6      one hundred eighty percent (180%) of the federal poverty level if and to the extent such families

 

7      require child care to participate on a short term basis, as defined in the department's rules and

 

8      regulations, in training, apprenticeship, internship, on-the-job training, work experience, work

 

9      immersion, or other job readiness/job attachment program sponsored or funded by the human

 

10      resource investment council (governor's workforce board) or state agencies that are part of the

 

11      coordinated program system pursuant to sections 42-102-9 and 42-102-11.

 

12                  (c) No family/assistance unit shall be eligible for child care assistance under this chapter

 

13      if the combined value of its liquid resources exceeds ten thousand dollars ($10,000). Liquid

 

14      resources  are  defined  as  any  interest(s)  in  property  in  the  form  of  cash  or  other  financial

 

15      instruments or accounts which are readily convertible to cash or cash equivalents. These include,

 

16      but are not limited to, cash, bank, credit union, or other financial institution savings, checking and

 

17      money market accounts, certificates of deposit or other time deposits, stocks, bonds, mutual

 

18      funds, and other similar financial instruments or accounts. These do not include educational

 

19      savings accounts, plans, or programs; retirement accounts, plans, or programs; or accounts held

 

20      jointly with another adult, not including a spouse. The department is authorized to promulgate

 

21      rules and regulations to determine the ownership and source of the funds in the joint account.

 

22                  (d) As a condition of eligibility for child care assistance under this chapter, the parent or

 

23      caretaker relative of the family must consent to and must cooperate with the department in

 

24      establishing paternity, and in establishing and/or enforcing child support and medical support

 

25      orders for all children in the family in accordance with title 15 of the general laws, as amended,

 

26      unless the parent or caretaker relative is found to have good cause for refusing to comply with the

 

27      requirements of this subsection.

 

28                  (e) For purposes of this section "appropriate child care" means child care, including

 

29      infant,  toddler,  pre-school,  nursery  school,  school-age,  which  is  provided  by  a  person  or

 

30      organization qualified, approved, and authorized to provide such care by the department of

 

31      children, youth, and families, or by the department of elementary and secondary education, or

 

32      such other lawful providers as determined by the department of human services, in cooperation

 

33      with  the  department  of  children,  youth  and  families  and  the  department  of elementary and

 

34      secondary education.


1                   (f) (1) Families with incomes below one hundred percent (100%)  of the applicable

 

2      federal poverty level guidelines shall be provided with free childcare. Families with incomes

 

3      greater  than  one  hundred  percent  (100%)  and  less  than  one  hundred  eighty  (180%)  of  the

 

4      applicable federal poverty guideline shall be required to pay for some portion of the childcare

 

5      they receive, according to a sliding fee scale adopted by the department in the department's rules.

 

6                   (2) For a  twelve (12) thirty-six (36) month period beginning October 1, 2013, the Child

 

7      Care Subsidy Transition Program shall function within the department of human services. Under

 

8      this program, families who are already receiving childcare assistance and who become ineligible

 

9      for childcare assistance as a result of their incomes exceeding one hundred eighty percent (180%)

 

10      of the applicable federal poverty guidelines shall continue to be eligible for childcare assistance

 

11      from October 1, 2013 to September 30,  2014  2016 or until their incomes exceed two hundred

 

12      twenty-five percent (225%) of the applicable federal poverty guidelines, whichever occurs first.

 

13      To be eligible, such families must continue to pay for some portion of the childcare they receive,

 

14      as indicated in a sliding fee scale adopted in the department's rules and in accordance with all

 

15      other eligibility standards.

 

16                  (g) In determining the type of childcare to be provided to a family, the department shall

 

17      take into account the cost of available childcare options, the suitability of the type of care

 

18      available for the child, and the parent's preference as to the type of child care.

 

19                  (h) For purposes of this section "income" for families receiving cash assistance under

 

20      section  40-5.2-11  means  gross  earned  income  and  unearned  income,  subject  to  the  income

 

21      exclusions in subdivisions 40-5.2-10(g)(2) and 40-5.2-10(g)(3) and income for other families

 

22      shall mean gross earned and unearned income as determined by departmental regulations.

 

23                  (i) The caseload estimating conference established by chapter 17 of title 35 shall forecast

 

24      the expenditures for childcare in accordance with the provisions of section 35-17-1.

 

25                  (j) In determining eligibility for child care assistance for children of members of reserve

 

26      components called to active duty during a time of conflict, the department shall freeze the family

 

27      composition and the family income of the reserve component member as it was in the month prior

 

28      to the month of leaving for active duty. This shall continue until the individual is officially

 

29      discharged from active duty.

 

30                  SECTION 4. Section 21-28.6-12 of the General Laws in Chapter 21-28.6 entitled "The

 

31      Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act" is hereby amended to read as

 

32      follows:

 

33                  21-28.6-12.  Compassion  centers.  --  (a)  A  compassion  center  registered  under  this

 

34      section  may  acquire,  possess,  cultivate,  manufacture,  deliver,  transfer,  transport,  supply,  or


1      dispense marijuana, or related supplies and educational materials, to registered qualifying patients

 

2      and their registered primary caregivers who have designated it as one of their primary caregivers.

 

3      A compassion center is a primary caregiver. Except as specifically provided to the contrary, all

 

4      provisions of the Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act, sections 21-

 

5      28.6-1 -- 21-28.6-11, apply to a compassion center unless they conflict with a provision contained

 

6      in section 21-28.6-12.

 

7                   (b) Registration of compassion centers--department authority:

 

8                   (1) Not later than ninety (90) days after the effective date of this chapter, the department

 

9      shall promulgate regulations governing the manner in which it shall consider applications for

 

10      registration certificates for compassion centers, including regulations governing:

 

11                  (i) The form and content of registration and renewal applications;

 

12                  (ii) Minimum oversight requirements for compassion centers;

 

13                  (iii) Minimum record-keeping requirements for compassion centers;

 

14                  (iv) Minimum security requirements for compassion centers; and

 

15                  (v) Procedures for suspending, revoking or terminating the registration of compassion

 

16      centers that violate the provisions of this section or the regulations promulgated pursuant to this

 

17      subsection.

 

18                  (2) Within ninety (90) days of the effective date of this chapter, the department shall

 

19      begin accepting applications for the operation of a single compassion center.

 

20                  (3)  Within  one  hundred  fifty  (150)  days  of  the  effective  date  of  this  chapter,  the

 

21      department shall provide for at least one public hearing on the granting of an application to a

 

22      single compassion center.

 

23                  (4) Within one hundred ninety (190) days of the effective date of this chapter, the

 

24      department shall grant a single registration certificate to a single compassion center, providing at

 

25      least one applicant has applied who meets the requirements of this chapter.

 

26                  (5) If at any time after fifteen (15) months after the effective date of this chapter, there is

 

27      no operational compassion center in Rhode Island, the department shall accept applications,

 

28      provide for input from the public, and issue a registration certificate for a compassion center if a

 

29      qualified applicant exists.

 

30                  (6) Within two (2) years of the effective date of this chapter, the department shall begin

 

31      accepting  applications  to  provide  registration  certificates  for  two  (2)  additional  compassion

 

32      centers. The department shall solicit input from the public, and issue registration certificates if

 

33      qualified applicants exist.

 

34                  (7) Any time a compassion center registration certificate is revoked, is relinquished, or


1      expires, the department shall accept applications for a new compassion center.

 

2                   (8) If at any time after three (3) years after the effective date of this chapter, fewer than

 

3      three  (3)  compassion  centers  are  holding valid  registration  certificates  in  Rhode  Island,  the

 

4      department  shall  accept  applications  for  a  new  compassion  center.  No  more  than  three  (3)

 

5      compassion centers may hold valid registration certificates at one time.

 

6                   (9) Any compassion center application selected for approval by the department prior to

 

7      January 1, 2012, shall remain in full force and effect, notwithstanding any provisions of this

 

8      chapter to the contrary, and shall be subject to state law adopted herein and rules and regulations

 

9      adopted by the department subsequent to passage of this legislation.

 

10                  (c) Compassion center and agent applications and registration:

 

11                  (1) Each application for a compassion center shall include:

 

12                  (i)  A  non-refundable  application  fee  paid  to  the  department  in  the  amount  of  two

 

13      hundred fifty dollars ($250);

 

14                  (ii) The proposed legal name and proposed articles of incorporation of the compassion

 

15      center;

 

16                  (iii) The proposed physical address of the compassion center, if a precise address has

 

17      been determined, or, if not, the general location where it would be located. This may include a

 

18      second location for the cultivation of medical marijuana;

 

19                  (iv) A description of the enclosed, locked facility that would be used in the cultivation of

 

20      marijuana;

 

21                  (v) The name, address, and date of birth of each principal officer and board member of

 

22      the compassion center;

 

23                  (vi) Proposed security and safety measures which shall include at least one security

 

24      alarm system for each location, planned measures to deter and prevent the unauthorized entrance

 

25      into areas containing marijuana and the theft of marijuana, as well as a draft employee instruction

 

26      manual including security policies, safety and security procedures, personal safety and crime

 

27      prevention techniques; and

 

28                  (vii) Proposed procedures to ensure accurate record keeping;

 

29                  (2)  Any  time  one  or  more  compassion  center  registration  applications  are  being

 

30      considered, the department shall also allow for comment by the public and shall solicit input from

 

31      registered qualifying patients, registered primary caregivers; and the towns or cities where the

 

32      applicants would be located;

 

33                  (3) Each time a compassion center certificate is granted, the decision shall be based upon

 

34      the overall health needs of qualified patients and the safety of the public, including, but not


1      limited to, the following factors:

 

2                   (i) Convenience to patients from throughout the state of Rhode Island to the compassion

 

3      centers if the applicant were approved;

 

4                   (ii) The applicants' ability to provide a steady supply to the registered qualifying patients

 

5      in the state;

 

6                   (iii) The applicants' experience running a non-profit or business;

 

7                   (iv)  The  interests  of  qualifying  patients  regarding  which  applicant  be  granted  a

 

8      registration certificate;

 

9                   (v) The interests of the city or town where the dispensary would be located;

 

10                  (vi) The sufficiency of the applicant's plans for record keeping and security, which

 

11      records shall be considered confidential health care information under Rhode Island law and are

 

12      intended to be deemed protected health care information for purposes of the Federal Health

 

13      Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as amended; and

 

14                  (vii) The sufficiency of the applicant's plans for safety and security, including proposed

 

15      location, security devices employed, and staffing;

 

16                  (4) After a compassion center is approved, but before it begins operations, it shall submit

 

17      the following to the department:

 

18                  (i) A fee paid to the department in the amount of five thousand dollars ($5,000);

 

19                  (ii) The legal name and articles of incorporation of the compassion center;

 

20                  (iii) The physical address of the compassion center; this may include a second address

 

21      for the secure cultivation of marijuana;

 

22                  (iv) The name, address, and date of birth of each principal officer and board member of

 

23      the compassion center;

 

24                  (v) The name, address, and date of birth of any person who will be an agent of, employee

 

25      or volunteer of the compassion center at its inception;

 

26                  (5)  The  department  shall  track  the  number  of  registered  qualifying  patients  who

 

27      designate each compassion center as a primary caregiver, and issue a written statement to the

 

28      compassion center of the number of qualifying patients who have designated the compassion

 

29      center to serve as a primary caregiver for them. This statement shall be updated each time a new

 

30      registered  qualifying  patient  designates  the  compassion  center  or  ceases  to  designate  the

 

31      compassion  center  and  may  be  transmitted  electronically  if  the  department's  regulations  so

 

32      provide. The department may provide by regulation that the updated written statements will not

 

33      be issued more frequently than twice each week;


1      officer,  board  member,  agent,  volunteer  and  employee  of  a  compassion  center  a  registry

 

2      identification card or renewal card within ten (10) days of receipt of the person's name, address,

 

3      date of birth; a fee in an amount established by the department; and notification to the department

 

4      by the state police that the registry identification card applicant has not been convicted of a felony

 

5      drug offense or has not entered a plea of nolo contendere for a felony drug offense and received a

 

6      sentence of probation. Each card shall specify that the cardholder is a principal officer, board

 

7      member, agent, volunteer, or employee of a compassion center and shall contain the following:

 

8                   (i) The name, address, and date of birth of the principal officer, board member, agent,

 

9      volunteer or employee;

 

10                  (ii) The legal name  of the  compassion center to which the principal officer,  board

 

11      member, agent, volunteer or employee is affiliated;

 

12                  (iii) A random identification number that is unique to the cardholder;

 

13                  (iv) The date of issuance and expiration date of the registry identification card; and

 

14                  (v) A photograph, if the department decides to require one;

 

15                  (7) Except as provided in this subsection, the department shall not issue a registry

 

16      identification card to any principal officer, board member, agent, volunteer, or employee of a

 

17      compassion center who has been convicted of a felony drug offense or has entered a plea of nolo

 

18      contendere for a felony drug offense and received a sentence of probation. The department shall

 

19      notify the compassion center in writing of the purpose for denying the registry identification card.

 

20      The department may grant such person a registry identification card if the department determines

 

21      that the offense was for conduct that occurred prior to the enactment of the Edward O. Hawkins

 

22      and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act or that was prosecuted by an authority other than

 

23      the state of Rhode Island and for which the Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical

 

24      Marijuana Act would otherwise have prevented a conviction;

 

25                  (i) All registry identification card applicants shall apply to the state police for a national

 

26      criminal  identification  records  check  that  shall  include  fingerprints  submitted  to  the  federal

 

27      bureau of investigation. Upon the discovery of a felony drug offense conviction or a plea of nolo

 

28      contendere for a felony drug offense with a sentence of probation, and in accordance with the

 

29      rules promulgated by the director, the state police shall inform the applicant, in writing, of the

 

30      nature of the felony and the state police shall notify the department, in writing, without disclosing

 

31      the nature of the felony, that a felony drug offense conviction or a plea of nolo contendere for a

 

32      felony drug offense with probation has been found.

 

33                  (ii) In those situations in which no felony drug offense conviction or plea of nolo


1      the applicant and the department, in writing, of this fact.

 

2                   (iii)  All  registry  identification  card  applicants  shall  be  responsible  for  any  expense

 

3      associated with the criminal background check with fingerprints.

 

4                   (8) A registry identification card of a principal officer, board member, agent, volunteer,

 

5      or employee shall expire one year after its issuance, or upon the expiration of the registered

 

6      organization's registration certificate, or upon the termination of the principal officer, board

 

7      member,  agent,  volunteer or employee's  relationship  with the compassion center,  whichever

 

8      occurs first.

 

9                   (d) Expiration or termination of compassion center:

 

10                  (1) A compassion center's registration shall expire two (2) years after its registration

 

11      certificate is issued. The compassion center may submit a renewal application beginning sixty

 

12      (60) days prior to the expiration of its registration certificate;

 

13                  (2) The department shall grant a compassion center's renewal application within thirty

 

14      (30) days of its submission if the following conditions are all satisfied:

 

15                  (i)  The  compassion  center  submits  the  materials  required  under  subdivision  (c)(4),

 

16      including a five thousand dollar ($5,000) fee;

 

17                  (ii) The compassion center's registration has never been suspended for violations of this

 

18      chapter or regulations issued pursuant to this chapter;

 

19                  (iii) The legislative oversight committee's report, if issued pursuant to subsection (4)(j),

 

20      indicates that the compassion center is adequately providing patients with access to medical

 

21      marijuana at reasonable rates; and

 

22                  (iv) The legislative oversight committee's report, if issued pursuant to subsection (4)(j),

 

23      does not raise serious concerns about the continued operation of the compassion center applying

 

24      for renewal.

 

25                  (3) If the department determines that any of the conditions listed in paragraphs (d)(2)(i) -

 

26      - (iv) have not been met, the department shall begin an open application process for the operation

 

27      of a compassion center. In granting a new registration certificate, the department shall consider

 

28      factors listed in subdivision (c)(3) of this section;

 

29                  (4)  The  department  shall  issue  a  compassion  center  one  or  more  thirty  (30)  day

 

30      temporary registration certificates after that compassion center's registration would otherwise

 

31      expire if the following conditions are all satisfied:

 

32                  (i) The compassion center previously applied for a renewal, but the department had not

 

33      yet come to a decision;


1                   (iii)  The  compassion  center  has  not  had  its  registration  certificate  revoked  due  to

 

2      violations of this chapter or regulations issued pursuant to this chapter.

 

3                   (5) A compassion center's registry identification card shall be subject to revocation if the

 

4      compassion center:

 

5                   (i) Possesses an amount of marijuana exceeding the limits established by this chapter;

 

6                   (ii) Is in violation of the laws of this state;

 

7                   (iii) Is in violation of other departmental regulations; or

 

8                   (iv) Employs or enters into a business relationship with a medical practitioner who

 

9      provides written certification of a qualifying patient's medical condition.

 

10                  (e)  Inspection.  -  Compassion  centers  are  subject  to  reasonable  inspection  by  the

 

11      department of health, division of facilities regulation. During an inspection, the department may

 

12      review the compassion center's confidential records, including its dispensing records, which shall

 

13      track transactions according to qualifying patients' registry identification numbers to protect their

 

14      confidentiality.

 

15                  (f) Compassion center requirements:

 

16                  (1) A compassion center shall be operated on a not-for-profit basis for the mutual benefit

 

17      of its patients. A compassion center need not be recognized as a tax-exempt organization by the

 

18      Internal Revenue Services;

 

19                  (2) A compassion center may not be located within one thousand feet (1000') of the

 

20      property line of a preexisting public or private school;

 

21                  (3) A compassion center shall notify the department within ten (10) days of when a

 

22      principal officer, board member, agent, volunteer or employee ceases to work at the compassion

 

23      center. His or her card shall be deemed null and void and the person shall be liable for any

 

24      penalties that may apply to any nonmedical possession or use of marijuana by the person;

 

25                  (4) A compassion center shall notify the department in writing of the name, address, and

 

26      date of birth of any new principal officer, board member, agent, volunteer or employee and shall

 

27      submit a fee in an amount established by the department for a new registry identification card

 

28      before that person begins his or her relationship with the compassion center;

 

29                  (5) A compassion center shall implement appropriate security measures to deter and

 

30      prevent the unauthorized entrance into areas containing marijuana and the theft of marijuana and

 

31      shall insure that each location has an operational security alarm system. Each compassion center

 

32      shall request that the Rhode Island state police visit the compassion center to inspect the security

 

33      of the facility and make any recommendations regarding the security of the facility and its

 

34      personnel within ten (10) days prior to the initial opening of each compassion center. Said


1      recommendations  shall  not  be  binding  upon  any  compassion  center,  nor  shall  the  lack  of

 

2      implementation of said recommendations delay or prevent the opening or operation of any center.

 

3      If the Rhode Island state police do not inspect the compassion center within the ten (10) day

 

4      period there shall be no delay in the compassion center's opening.

 

5                   (6) The operating documents of a compassion center shall include procedures for the

 

6      oversight of the compassion center and procedures to ensure accurate record keeping;

 

7                   (7)   A   compassion   center   is   prohibited   from  acquiring,   possessing,   cultivating,

 

8      manufacturing, delivering, transferring, transporting, supplying, or dispensing marijuana for any

 

9      purpose except to assist registered qualifying patients with the medical use of marijuana directly

 

10      or through the qualifying patient's other primary caregiver;

 

11                  (8) All principal officers and board members of a compassion center must be residents of

 

12      the state of Rhode Island;

 

13                  (9) Each time a new registered qualifying patient visits a compassion center, it shall

 

14      provide the patient with frequently asked questions sheet designed by the department, which

 

15      explains the limitations on the right to use medical marijuana under state law;

 

16                  (10) Each compassion center shall develop, implement, and maintain on the premises

 

17      employee, volunteer and agent policies and procedures to address the following requirements:

 

18                  (i) A job description or employment contract developed for all employees and agents and

 

19      a  volunteer  agreement  for  all  volunteers,  which  includes  duties,  authority,  responsibilities,

 

20      qualifications, and supervision; and

 

21                  (ii) Training in and adherence to state confidentiality laws.

 

22                  (11) Each compassion center shall maintain a personnel record for each employee, agent

 

23      and volunteer that includes an application and a record of any disciplinary action taken;

 

24                  (12) Each compassion center shall develop, implement, and maintain on the premises an

 

25      on-site training curriculum, or enter into contractual relationships with outside resources capable

 

26      of meeting employee training needs, which includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:

 

27                  (i) Professional conduct, ethics, and patient confidentiality; and

 

28                  (ii) Informational developments in the field of medical use of marijuana.

 

29                  (13) Each compassion center entity shall provide each employee, agent and volunteer, at

 

30      the time of his or her initial appointment, training in the following:

 

31                  (i) The proper use of security measures and controls that have been adopted; and

 

32                  (ii)  Specific  procedural instructions  on  how to respond  to an  emergency,  including

 

33      robbery or violent accident;

 

34                  (14) All compassion centers shall prepare training documentation for each employee and


1      volunteer and have employees and volunteers sign a statement indicating the date, time, and place

 

2      the employee and volunteer received said training and topics discussed, to include name and title

 

3      of  presenters. The compassion  center shall maintain  documentation  of an  employee's  and a

 

4      volunteer's training for a period of at least six (6) months after termination of an employee's

 

5      employment or the volunteer's volunteering.

 

6                   (g) Maximum amount of usable marijuana to be dispensed:

 

7                   (1)  A  compassion  center  or  principal  officer,  board  member,  agent,  volunteer  or

 

8      employee of a compassion center may not dispense more than two and one half ounces (2.5 oz) of

 

9      usable marijuana to a qualifying patient directly or through a qualifying patient's other primary

 

10      caregiver during a fifteen (15) day period;

 

11                  (2)  A  compassion  center  or  principal  officer,  board  member,  agent,  volunteer  or

 

12      employee of a compassion center may not dispense an amount of usable marijuana or marijuana

 

13      plants to a qualifying patient or a qualifying patient's other primary caregiver that the compassion

 

14      center, principal officer, board member, agent, volunteer, or employee knows would cause the

 

15      recipient to possess more marijuana than is permitted under the Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas

 

16      C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act.

 

17                  (h) Immunity:

 

18                  (1) No registered compassion center shall be subject to prosecution; search, except by

 

19      the department pursuant to subsection (e); seizure; or penalty in any manner or denied any right

 

20      or privilege, including, but not limited to, civil penalty or disciplinary action by a business,

 

21      occupational, or professional licensing board or entity, solely for acting in accordance with this

 

22      section to assist registered qualifying patients to whom it is connected through the department's

 

23      registration process with the medical use of marijuana;

 

24                  (2) No registered compassion center shall be subject to prosecution; seizure or penalty in

 

25      any manner or denied any right or privilege, including, but not limited to, civil penalty or

 

26      disciplinary action by a business, occupational, or professional licensing board or entity, for

 

27      selling, giving or distributing marijuana in whatever form and within the limits established by the

 

28      department to another registered compassion center;

 

29                  (3)  No  principal  officers,  board  members,  agents,  volunteers,  or  employees  of  a

 

30      registered compassion center shall be subject to arrest, prosecution, search, seizure, or penalty in

 

31      any manner or denied any right or privilege, including, but not limited to, civil penalty or

 

32      disciplinary action by a business, occupational, or professional licensing board or entity, solely

 

33      for working for or with a compassion center to engage in acts permitted by this section.

 

34                  (4) No state employee shall be subject to arrest, prosecution or penalty in any manner, or


1      denied any right or privilege, including, but not limited to, civil penalty, disciplinary action,

 

2      termination, or loss of employee or pension benefits, for any and all conduct that occurs within

 

3      the scope of his or her employment regarding the administration, execution and/or enforcement of

 

4      this act, and the provisions of Rhode Island general laws, sections 9-31-8 and 9-31-9 shall be

 

5      applicable to this section.

 

6                   (i) Prohibitions:

 

7                   (1) A compassion center  shall not possess an amount of marijuana at any given time that

 

8      exceeds the following limitations:

 

9                  (i) One hundred fifty (150) marijuana plants of which no more than ninety-nine (99)

 

10      shall be mature; and

 

11                  (ii) One thousand five hundred ounces (1500 oz.) of usable marijuana  must limit its

 

12      inventory of seedlings, plants, and usable marijuana to reflect the projected needs of registered

 

13      qualifying patients.

 

14                  (2) A compassion center may not dispense, deliver, or otherwise transfer marijuana to a

 

15      person other than a qualifying patient who has designated the compassion center as a primary

 

16      caregiver or to such patient's other primary caregiver;

 

17                  (3) A person found to have violated paragraph (2) of this subsection may not be an

 

18      employee, agent, volunteer, principal officer, or board member of any compassion center;

 

19                  (4) An employee, agent, volunteer, principal officer or board member of any compassion

 

20      center found in violation of paragraph (2) above shall have his or her registry identification

 

21      revoked immediately; and

 

22                  (5) No person who has been convicted of a felony drug offense or has entered a plea of

 

23      nolo contendere for a felony drug offense with a sentence or probation may be the principal

 

24      officer,  board  member,  agent,  volunteer,  or  employee  of  a  compassion  center  unless  the

 

25      department has determined that the person's conviction was for the medical use of marijuana or

 

26      assisting with the medical use of marijuana in accordance with the terms and conditions of this

 

27      chapter. A person who is employed by or is an agent, volunteer, principal officer, or board

 

28      member of a compassion center in violation of this section is guilty of a civil violation punishable

 

29      by a fine of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000). A subsequent violation of this section is a

 

30      misdemeanor:

 

31                  (j) Legislative oversight committee:

 

32                  (1)  The  general  assembly  shall  appoint  a  nine  (9)  member  oversight  committee

 

33      comprised of: one member of the house of representatives; one member of the senate; one

 

34      physician to be selected from a list provided by the Rhode Island medical society; one nurse to be


1      selected from a list provided by the Rhode Island state nurses association; two (2) registered

 

2      qualifying patients; one registered primary caregiver; one patient advocate to be selected from a

 

3      list provided by the Rhode Island patient advocacy coalition; and the superintendent of the Rhode

 

4      Island state police or his/her designee.

 

5                   (2) The oversight committee shall meet at least six (6) times per year for the purpose of

 

6      evaluating and making recommendations to the general assembly regarding:

 

7                   (i) Patients' access to medical marijuana;

 

8                   (ii) Efficacy of compassion center;

 

9                   (iii) Physician participation in the Medical Marijuana Program;

 

10                  (iv) The definition of qualifying medical condition;

 

11                  (v) Research studies regarding health effects of medical marijuana for patients.

 

12                  (3) On or before January 1 of every even numbered year, the oversight committee shall

 

13      report to the general assembly on its findings.

 

14                  SECTION 5. Sections 1 and 2 of this article shall take effect on October 1, 2014. The

 

15      remainder of this article shall take effect upon passage.


 

 

 

 

1                                                                                   ARTICLE 16


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art.016/3/016/2/023/3/023/2/023/1

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2                                                                      RELATING TO HEALTH CARE

 

 

 

3                        SECTION  1.  Section  23-17-38.1  of  the  General  Laws  in  Chapter  23-17  entitled

 

4        "Licensing of Health Care Facilities" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

5                        23-17-38.1. Hospitals  Licensing fee. --  (a) There is imposed a hospital licensing fee at

 

6        the rate of five and thirty-five hundredths percent (5.35%) upon the net patient services revenue

 

7        of every hospital for the hospital's first fiscal year ending on or after January 1, 2011, except that

 

8        the license fee for all hospitals located in Washington County, Rhode Island shall be discounted

 

9        by thirty-seven  percent  (37%). The  discount  for  Washington  County hospitals  is  subject  to

 

10        approval by the Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services of a state plan

 

11        amendment submitted by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services for the purpose of

 

12        pursuing a waiver of the uniformity requirement for the hospital license fee. This licensing fee

 

13        shall be administered and collected by the tax administrator, division of taxation within the

 

14        department of revenue, and all the administration, collection and other provisions of 51 of title 44

 

15        shall apply. Every hospital shall pay the licensing fee to the tax administrator on or before July

 

16        15, 2013 and payments shall be made by electronic transfer of monies to the general treasurer and

 

17        deposited to the general fund. Every hospital shall, on or before June 17, 2013, make a return to

 

18        the tax administrator containing the correct computation of net patient services revenue for the

 

19        hospital fiscal year ending September 30, 2011, and the licensing fee due upon that amount. All

 

20        returns  shall  be  signed  by  the  hospital's  authorized  representative,  subject  to  the  pains  and

 

21        penalties of perjury.

 

22                        (b)(a) There is  also imposed a hospital licensing fee at the rate of  five and two hundred

 

23        forty-six  thousandths  percent  (5.246%)   five  and  four  hundred  eighteen  thousandths  percent

 

24        (5.418%) upon the net patient services revenue of every hospital for the hospital's first fiscal year

 

25        ending on  or  after January 1,  2012,  except that  the  license  fee for all  hospitals located in

 

26        Washington  County,  Rhode  Island  shall  be  discounted  by  thirty-seven  percent  (37%).  The

 

27        discount for Washington County hospitals is subject to approval by the Secretary of the US

 

28        Department of Health and Human Services of a state plan amendment submitted by the Executive

 

29        Office of Health and Human Services for the purpose of pursuing a waiver of the uniformity

 

30        requirement for the hospital license fee. This licensing fee shall be administered and collected by

 

31        the  tax  administrator,  division  of  taxation  within  the  department  of  revenue,  and  all  the


1        administration, collection and other provisions of 51 of title 44 shall apply. Every hospital shall

 

2        pay the licensing fee to the tax administrator on or before July 14, 2014 and payments shall be

 

3        made by electronic transfer of monies to the general treasurer and deposited to the general fund.

 

4        Every hospital shall, on or before June 16, 2014, make a return to the tax administrator containing

 

5        the  correct  computation  of  net  patient  services  revenue  for  the  hospital  fiscal  year  ending

 

6        September 30, 2012, and the licensing fee due upon that amount. All returns shall be signed by

 

7        the hospital's authorized representative, subject to the pains and penalties of perjury.

 

8                        (b) There is also imposed a hospital licensing fee at the rate of five and seven hundred

 

9        three thousandths percent (5.703%) upon the net patient services revenue of every hospital for the

 

10        hospital's first fiscal year ending on or after January 1, 2013, except that the license fee for all

 

11        hospitals located in Washington County, Rhode Island shall be discounted by thirty-seven percent

 

12        (37%). The discount for Washington County hospitals is subject to approval by the Secretary of

 

13        the US Department of Health and Human Services of a state plan amendment submitted by the

 

14        Executive Office of Health and Human Services for the purpose of pursuing a waiver of the

 

15        uniformity requirement for the hospital license fee. This licensing fee shall be administered and

 

16        collected by the tax administrator, division of taxation within the department of revenue, and all

 

17        the administration, collection and other provisions of 51 of title 44 shall apply. Every hospital

 

18        shall pay the licensing fee to the tax administrator on or before July 13, 2015 and payments shall

 

19        be made by electronic transfer of monies to the general treasurer and deposited to the general

 

20        fund. Every hospital shall, on or before June 15, 2015, make a return to the tax administrator

 

21        containing the correct computation of net patient services revenue for the hospital fiscal year

 

22        ending September 30, 2013, and the licensing fee due upon that amount. All returns shall be

 

23        signed by the hospital's authorized representative, subject to the pains and penalties of perjury.

 

24                        (c) For purposes of this section the following words and phrases have the following

 

25        meanings:

 

26                        (1) "Hospital" means a person or governmental unit duly licensed in accordance with this

 

27        chapter to establish, maintain, and operate a hospital, except a hospital whose primary service and

 

28        primary bed inventory are psychiatric.

 

29                        (2) "Gross patient services revenue" means the gross revenue related to patient care

 

30        services.

 

31                        (3) "Net patient services revenue" means the charges related to patient care services less

 

32        (i) charges attributable to charity care, (ii) bad debt expenses, and (iii) contractual allowances.

 

33                        (d)  The  tax  administrator  shall  make  and  promulgate  any  rules,  regulations,  and

 

34        procedures not inconsistent with state law and fiscal procedures that he or she deems necessary


1        for the proper administration of this section and to carry out the provisions, policy and purposes

 

2        of this section.

 

3                        (e) The licensing fee imposed by this section shall apply to hospitals as defined herein

 

4        which are duly licensed on July 1,  2013  2014, and shall be in addition to the inspection fee

 

5        imposed by § 23-17-38 and to any licensing fees previously imposed in accordance with § 23-17-

 

6        38.1.

 

7                        SECTION 2. Section 23-1-46 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-1 entitled "Department

 

8        of Health" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

9                        23-1-46. Insurers. -- (a)  Beginning in the fiscal year 2007, each insurer licensed or

 

10        regulated pursuant to the provisions of chapters 18, 19, 20, and 41 of title 27 shall be assessed a

 

11        child immunization assessment and an adult immunization assessment for the purposes set forth

 

12        in this section. The department of health shall make available to each insurer, upon its request,

 

13        information regarding the department of health's immunization programs and the costs related to

 

14        the program. Further, the department of health shall submit to the general assembly an annual

 

15        report on the immunization programs and cost related to the programs, on or before February 1 of

 

16        each year. Annual assessments shall be based on direct premiums written in the year prior to the

 

17        assessment and for the child immunization program shall not include any Medicare Supplement

 

18        Policy (as defined in section 27-18.2-1(g)), Medicaid or Medicare premiums. Adult influenza

 

19        immunization program annual assessments shall include contributions related to the program

 

20        costs  from  Medicare,  Medicaid  and  Medicare  Managed  Care.  As  to  accident  and  sickness

 

21        insurance, the direct premium written shall include, but is not limited to, group, blanket, and

 

22        individual policies. Those insurers assessed greater than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for the

 

23        year shall be assessed four (4) quarterly payments of twenty-five percent (25%) of their total

 

24        assessment. Beginning July 1, 2001, the annual rate of assessment shall be determined by the

 

25        director of health in concurrence with the primary payors, those being insurers assessed at greater

 

26        than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for the previous year. This rate shall be calculated by the

 

27        projected costs for the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended

 

28        and state mandated vaccines after the federal share has been determined by the Centers for

 

29        Disease Control and Prevention. The primary payors shall be informed of any recommended

 

30        change in rates at least six (6) months in advance, and rates shall be adjusted no more frequently

 

31        than one time annually. For the childhood vaccine program the director of the department of

 

32        health  shall  deposit  these  amounts  in   Beginning January  1,  2016,  a  portion  of  the  amount


1        Immunization Practices (ACIP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and/or mandated

 

2        by state law, less the federal share determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

 

3        less any amount collected in excess of the prior years funding requirement as indicated in

 

4        subsection  (b)  (the  "child  immunization  funding  requirement")  shall  be  deposited  into  the

 

5        "childhood immunization account".  described in § 23-1-45(a). These  assessments  funds shall be

 

6        used solely for the purposes of the "childhood immunization programs"  described in §23-1-44,

 

7        and no other.  For the adult immunization program the director of the department of health shall

 

8        deposit these amounts in the "adult immunization account".  Beginning January 1 2016, a portion

 

9        of the amount collected from the healthcare services funding method described in § 42-7.4-3, up

 

10        to the actual amount expended or projected to be expended by the state for adult immunizations

 

11        recommended by ACIP and/or mandated by state law, less the federal share determined by the

 

12        Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, less any amount collected in excess of the prior

 

13        year’s  funding  requirement  as  indicated  in  subsection  (b)  (the  "adult  immunization  funding

 

14        requirement") shall be deposited into the "adult immunization account" described in § 23-1-45(c).

 

15        These funds shall be used solely for the purposes of the "adult immunization programs" described

 

16        in § 23-1-44 and no other.

 

17                        (b)  The department of health shall submit to the general assembly an annual report on the

 

18        immunization programs and costs related to the programs, on or before February 1 of each year.

 

19                        Any funds collected in excess of funds needed to carry-out ACIP recommendations,

 

20        taking  into  account  a  reasonable  annual  carry  forward  surplus,  shall  be  deducted  from  the

 

21        subsequent year's  assessments. funding requirements.

 

22                        SECTION  3.  Section  42-12-29  of  the  General  Laws  in  Chapter  42-12  entitled

 

23        "Department of Human Services" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

24                        42-12-29. Children's health account. -- (a) There is created within the general fund a

 

25        restricted receipt account to be known as the "children's health account". All money in the

 

26        account shall be utilized by the department of human services to effectuate coverage for the

 

27        following service categories: (1)  home  health  services,  which include  pediatric private duty

 

28        nursing  and  certified  nursing  assistant  services;  (2)  comprehensive,  evaluation,  diagnosis,

 

29        assessment, referral and evaluation (CEDARR) services, which include CEDARR family center

 

30        services, home based therapeutic services, personal assistance services and supports (PASS) and

 

31        kids  connect  services  and  (3)  child  and  adolescent  treatment  services  (CAITS).  All  money

 

32        received pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the children's health account. The general

 

33        treasurer is authorized and directed to draw his or her orders on the account upon receipt of


1                        (b)  Beginning in the fiscal year 2007, each insurer licensed or regulated pursuant to the

 

2        provisions of chapters 18, 19, 20, and 41 of title 27 shall be assessed for the purposes set forth in

 

3        this section. The department of human services shall make available to each insurer, upon its

 

4        request, information regarding the department of human services child health program and the

 

5        costs related to the program. Further, the department of human services shall submit to the

 

6        general assembly an annual report on the program and cost related to the program, on or before

 

7        February 1 of each year. Annual assessments shall be based on direct premiums written in the

 

8        year prior to the assessment and shall not include any Medicare Supplement Policy (as defined in

 

9        section 27-18-2.1(g)), Medicare managed care, Medicare, Federal Employees Health Plan,

 

10                        Medicaid/RIte Care or dental premiums. As to accident and sickness insurance, the direct

 

11        premium written shall include, but is not limited to, group, blanket, and individual policies. Those

 

12        insurers assessed greater than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) for the year shall be

 

13        assessed four (4) quarterly payments of twenty-five percent (25%) of their total assessment.

 

14        Beginning July 1, 2006, the annual rate of assessment shall be determined by the director of

 

15        human services in concurrence with the primary payors, those being insurers likely to be assessed

 

16        at greater than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000). The director of the department of

 

17        human services shall deposit that amount  Beginning January 1, 2016, a portion of the amount

 

18        collected pursuant to § 42-7.4-3, up to the actual amount expended or projected to be expended

 

19        by the state for the services described in § 42-12-29(a), less any amount collected in excess of the

 

20        prior years funding requirement as indicated in § 42-12-29(c), but in no event more than the limit

 

21        set forth in § 42-12-29(d) (the "child health services funding requirement"), shall be deposited in

 

22        the "children's health account". The  assessment  funds shall be used solely for the purposes of the

 

23        "children's health account", and no other.

 

24                        (c)  The office of health and human services shall submit to the general assembly an

 

25        annual report on the program and costs related to the program, on or before February 1 of each

 

26        year.  The  department  shall  make  available  to  each insurer  required  to  make  a  contribution

 

27        pursuant to § 42-7.4-3, upon its request, detailed information regarding the children's health

 

28        programs described in subsection (a) and the costs related to those programs. Any funds collected

 

29        in excess of funds needed to carry out the programs shall be deducted from the subsequent year's

 

30        assessment.  funding requirements.

 

31                        (d) The total  annual assessment on all insurers  amount required to be deposited into the

 

32        children's health account shall be equivalent to the amount paid by the department of human

 

33        services for all services, as listed in subsection (a), but not to exceed seven thousand five hundred

 

34        dollars ($7,500) per child per service per year.


1                        (e)  The  children's  health  account  shall  be  exempt  from  the  indirect  cost  recovery

 

2        provisions of section 35-4-27 of the general laws.

 

3                        SECTION  4.  Title  42  of  the  General  Laws  entitled  "STATE  AFFAIRS  AND

 

4        GOVERNMENT" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

 

5                                                                                         CHAPTER 7.4

 

6                                              THE HEALTHCARE SERVICES FUNDING PLAN ACT

 

7                        42-7.4-1. Short title. --  The Healthcare services funding plan act. --  This chapter shall be

 

8        known and may be cited as "The Healthcare Services Funding Plan Act."

 

9                        42-7.4-2. Definitions. --  The following words and phrases as used in this chapter shall

 

10        have the following meaning:

 

11                        (1) "Secretary" means the secretary of health and human services.

 

12                        (2)(i) "Insurer"  means all persons offering,  administering,  and/or insuring healthcare

 

13        services, including, but not limited to:

 

14                        (A) Policies of accident and sickness insurance, as defined by chapter 18 of title 27:

 

15                        (B) Nonprofit hospital or medical service plans, as defined by chapters 19 and 20 of title

 

16        27;

 

17                        (C)  Any  person  whose  primary  function  is  to  provide  diagnostic,  therapeutic,  or

 

18        preventive services to a defined population on the basis of a periodic premium;

 

19                        (D)  All  domestic,  foreign,  or  alien  insurance  companies,  mutual  associations  and

 

20        organizations;

 

21                        (E) Health maintenance organizations, as defined by chapter 41 of title 27;

 

22                        (F) All persons providing health benefits coverage on a self-insurance basis;

 

23                        (G) All third-party administrators described in chapter 20.7 of title 27; and

 

24                        (H) All persons providing health benefit coverage under Title XIX of the Social Security

 

25                        Act (Medicaid) as a Medicaid managed care organization offering managed Medicaid

 

26        and the state's Medicaid fee-for-service plan.

 

27                        (ii) "Insurer" shall not include any nonprofit dental service corporation as defined in § 27-

 

28        20.1-2, nor any insurer offering only those coverages described in § 42-7.4-14.

 

29                        (3)(i) "Contribution enrollee" means an individual residing in this state, with respect to

 

30        whom an insurer administers, provides, pays for, insures, or covers health care services, unless

 

31        excepted by this section.

 

32                        (ii) "Contribution enrollee" shall not include an individual whose healthcare services are

 

33        paid or reimbursed by Part A or Part B of the Medicare program, a Medicare supplemental policy

 

34        as defined in section 1882(g)(1) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 1395ss(g)(1), or Medicare


1        managed care policy, the federal employees' health benefit program, Tricare, CHAMPUS, the

 

2        Veterans' healthcare program, the Indian health service program, or any local governmental

 

3        corporation, district, or agency providing health benefits coverage on a self-insured basis;

 

4                        (iii)  Delayed Applicability for State Employees, Retirees, and Dependents. An individual

 

5        whose healthcare services are paid or reimbursed by the state of Rhode Island pursuant to Rhode

 

6        Island General Laws title 36 chapter 12 shall not be treated as a contribution enrollee” until July

 

7        1, 2016.

 

8                        (4)  "Person"  means  any  individual,  corporation,  company,  association,  partnership,

 

9        limited liability company, firm, state governmental corporations, districts, and agencies, joint

 

10        stock associations, trusts, and the legal successor thereof.

 

11                        (5) "Healthcare services funding contribution" means per capita amount each contributing

 

12        insurer must contribute to support the programs funded by the method established under this

 

13        section, with respect to each contribution enrollee; provided, however, that, with respect to an

 

14        insurer that is a Medicaid managed care organization offering managed Medicaid and the state's

 

15        Medicaid fee-for-service plan, the healthcare funding services contribution for any contribution

 

16        enrollee whose healthcare services are paid or reimbursed under Title XIX of the Social Security

 

17        Act (Medicaid) shall not include the children's health services funding requirement described in §

 

18        42-12-29.

 

19                        42-7.4-3. Imposition of healthcare services funding contribution. --  (a) Each insurer is

 

20        required to pay the healthcare services funding contribution for each contribution enrollee of the

 

21        insurer at the time the contribution is calculated and paid, at the rate set forth in this section.

 

22                        (1) Beginning January 1, 2016, the secretary shall set the healthcare services funding

 

23        contribution  each  fiscal  year  in  an  amount  equal  to:  (i)  The  child  immunization  funding

 

24        requirement  described  in  §  23-1-46;  plus  (ii)  The  adult  immunization  funding  requirement

 

25        described in § 23-1-46; plus (iii) The children's health services funding requirement described in

 

26        § 42-12-29; and all as divided by (iv) The number of contribution enrollees of all insurers.

 

27                        (2) The contribution set forth herein shall be in addition to any other fees or assessments

 

28        upon the insurer allowable by law.

 

29                        (b) The contribution shall be paid by the insurer; provided, however, a person providing

 

30        health  benefits  coverage  on  a  self-insurance  basis  that  uses  the  services  of  a  third-party

 

31        administrator shall not be required to make a contribution for a contribution enrollee where the

 

32        contribution on that enrollee has been or will be made by the third-party administrator.

 

33                        (c) The  secretary  shall  create  a  process to  facilitate  the  transition  to  the  healthcare

 

34        services funding contribution method that: (i) assures adequate funding during fiscal year 2016,


1        (ii) reflects that  funding via the healthcare services funding contribution method initially will be

 

2        for only a portion of the states fiscal year, and (iii) avoids duplicate liability for any insurer that

 

3        made a payment under the premium assessment method in effect prior to January 1, 2016,  for a

 

4        period for which it would also be liable for a contribution under the healthcare services funding

 

5        contribution method as described in this chapter.

 

6                        42-7.4-4. Returns and payment. --  (a) Subject to subsection (b), every insurer required

 

7        to make a contribution shall, on or before the last day of July, October, January and April of each

 

8        year, make a return to the secretary together with payment of the quarterly healthcare services

 

9        funding contribution for the preceding three (3) month period.

 

10                        (b)(1)  Upon  request  of  the  director  of  the  department  of  health,  the  secretary  shall

 

11        develop a process whereby an insurer required to make the contribution may be directed to make

 

12        estimated payments for the portion of the liability arising under § 42-7.4-3 and the secretary shall

 

13        make that pre-paid amount available to the department of health, as requested.

 

14                        (2) Unless requested to make an estimated payment as described in subsection (b)(1)

 

15        above, any insurer required to make the contribution that can substantiate that the insurer's

 

16        contribution liability would average less than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) per month

 

17        may file returns and remit payment annually on or before the last day of June each year; provided,

 

18        however, that the insurer shall be required to make quarterly payments if the secretary determines

 

19        that:

 

20                        (i) The insurer has become delinquent in either the filing of the return or the payment of

 

21        the healthcare services funding contribution due thereon; or

 

22                        (ii)  The  liability  of  the  insurer  exceeds  seventy-five  thousand  dollars  ($75,000)  in

 

23        healthcare services funding contribution per quarter for any two (2) subsequent quarters.

 

24                        (c) All returns shall be signed by the insurer required to make the contribution, or by its

 

25        authorized representative, subject to the pains and penalties of perjury.

 

26                        (d) If a return shows an overpayment of the contribution due, the secretary shall refund or

 

27        credit the overpayment to the insurer required to make the contribution, or the insurer may deduct

 

28        the overpayment from the next quarterly or annual return.

 

29                        (e) The secretary, for good cause shown, may extend the time within which an insurer is

 

30        required to file a return, and if the return is filed during the period of extension no penalty or late

 

31        filing charge may be imposed for failure to file the return at the time required by this section, but

 

32        the insurer shall be liable for interest as prescribed in this section. Failure to file the return during

 

33        the period for the extension shall void the extension.


1        contribution pursuant to this chapter shall fail to pay a contribution within thirty (30) days of its

 

2        due date, the secretary may request any agency of state government making payments to the

 

3        insurer to set-off the amount of the delinquency against any payment or amount due the insurer

 

4        from the agency of state government and remit the sum to the secretary. Upon receipt of the setoff

 

5        request from the secretary, any agency of state government is authorized and empowered to set-

 

6        off the amount of the delinquency against any payment or amounts due the insurer. The amount

 

7        of set-off shall be credited against the contribution due from the insurer.

 

8                        42-7.4-6.  Assessment  on  available  information  --  Interest  on  delinquencies  --

 

9        Penalties -- Collection powers. --  If any insurer shall fail to file a return within the time required

 

10        by this chapter, or shall file an insufficient or incorrect return, or shall not pay the contribution

 

11        imposed by this section when it is due, the secretary shall assess the contribution upon the

 

12        information as may be available, which shall be payable upon demand and shall bear interest at

 

13        the annual rate provided by § 44-1-7, from the date when the contribution should have been paid.

 

14        If the failure is due, in whole or part, to negligence or intentional disregard of the provisions of

 

15        this section, a penalty of ten percent (10%) of the amount of the determination shall be added to

 

16        the contribution. The secretary shall collect the contribution with interest. The secretary may

 

17        request any agency to assist in collection, including the tax administrator, who may collect the

 

18        contribution with interest in the same manner and with the same powers as are prescribed for

 

19        collection of taxes in title 44.

 

20                        42-7.4-7. Claims for refund -- Hearing upon denial. --  (a) Any insurer required to pay

 

21        the contribution may file a claim for refund with the secretary at any time within two (2) years

 

22        after the contribution has been paid. If the secretary shall determine that the contribution has been

 

23        overpaid,  he  or  she  shall  make  a  refund  with  ten  percent  (10%)  interest  from the  date  of

 

24        overpayment.

 

25                        (b) Any insurer whose claim for refund has been denied may, within thirty (30) days from

 

26        the date of the mailing by the secretary of the notice of the decision, request a hearing and the

 

27        secretary shall, as soon as practicable, set a time and place for the hearing and shall notify the

 

28        person.

 

29                        42-7.4-8. Hearing by secretary on application. --  Any insurer aggrieved by the action

 

30        of the secretary in determining the amount of any contribution or penalty imposed under the

 

31        provisions of this chapter may apply to the secretary, within thirty (30) days after the notice of the

 

32        action is mailed to it, for a hearing relative to the contribution or penalty. The secretary shall fix a

 

33        time and place for the hearing and shall so notify the person. Upon the hearing the secretary shall


1        amount lawfully due together with any penalty or interest thereon.

 

2                        42-7.4-9. Appeals. --  Appeals from administrative orders or decisions made pursuant to

 

3        any provisions of this chapter shall be pursued pursuant to chapter 35 of title 42. The right to

 

4        appeal  under  this  section  shall  be  expressly  made  conditional  upon  prepayment  of  all

 

5        contribution, interest, and penalties unless the insurer demonstrates to the satisfaction of the court

 

6        that the insurer has a reasonable probability of success on the merits and is unable to prepay all

 

7        contribution, interest, and penalties, considering not only the insurer’s own financial resources

 

8        but also the ability of the insurer to borrow the required funds. If the court, after appeal, holds that

 

9        the insurer is entitled to a refund, the insurer shall also be paid interest on the amount at the rate

 

10        provided in § 44-1-7.1 of the Rhode Island general laws, as amended.

 

11                        42-7.4-10. Records. --  Every insurer required to make the contribution shall:

 

12                        (1) Keep records as may be necessary to determine the amount of its liability under this

 

13        section;

 

14                        (2) Preserve those records for a period of three (3) years following the date of filing of

 

15        any return required by this section, or until any litigation or prosecution under this section is

 

16        finally determined; and

 

17                        (3) Make those records available for inspection by the secretary or his/her authorized

 

18        agents, upon demand, at reasonable times during regular business hours.

 

19                        42-7.4-11.  Method  of  payment  and  deposit  of  contribution.  --   (a)  The  payments

 

20        required by this chapter may be made by electronic transfer of monies to the general treasurer.

 

21                        (b) The general treasurer shall take all steps necessary to facilitate the transfer of monies

 

22        to:

 

23                        (1) The "childhood immunization account" described in § 23-1-45(a) in the amount

 

24        described in § 23-1-46(a);

 

25                        (2)  To  the  "adult  immunization  account"  described  in  §  23-1-45(c)  in  the  amount

 

26        described in § 23-1-46(a);

 

27                        (3) To the "children's health account" described in § 42-12-29(a) in the amount described

 

28        in § 42-12-29(b); and

 

29                        (4) Any remainder of the payments shall be proportionally distributed to those accounts

 

30        and credited against the next years healthcare services funding contribution.

 

31                        (c)  The  general  treasurer  shall  provide  the  secretary  with  a  record  of  any  monies

 

32        transferred and deposited.

 

33                        42-7.4-12. Rules and regulations. -- The secretary is authorized to make and promulgate

 

34        rules, regulations, and procedures not inconsistent with state law and fiscal procedures as he or


1        she deems necessary for the proper administration of this healthcare services funding plan act and

 

2        to carry out the provisions, policies, and purposes of this chapter including, but not limited to,

 

3        data it must collect from insurers for the correct computation of the healthcare services funding

 

4        contribution, collaboration with other state agencies for collecting necessary information, and the

 

5        form of the return and the data that it must contain for the correct computation of the healthcare

 

6        services funding contribution.

 

7                        42-7.4-13.  Excluded  coverage  from  the  healthcare  services  funding  plan  act.  --

 

8                        (a) In addition to any exclusion and exemption contained elsewhere in this chapter, this

 

9        chapter shall not apply to insurance coverage providing benefits for, nor shall an individual be

 

10        deemed a contribution enrollee solely by virtue of receiving benefits for the following:

 

11                        (1) Hospital confinement indemnity;

 

12                        (2) Disability income;

 

13                        (3) Accident only;

 

14                        (4) Long-term care;

 

15                        (5) Medicare supplement;

 

16                        (6) Limited benefit health;

 

17                        (7) Specified disease indemnity;

 

18                        (8) Sickness or bodily injury or death by accident or both; and

 

19                        (9) Other limited benefit policies.

 

20                        42-7.4-14. Impact on Health Insurance Rates.  (a) Allocation --  An insurer required to

 

21        make a healthcare services funding contribution may pass on the cost of that contribution in the

 

22        cost of its services, such as its premium rates (for insurers), without being required to specifically

 

23        allocate those costs to individuals or populations that actually incurred the contribution. The costs

 

24        are to be fairly allocated among the market segments incurring such costs.

 

25                         (b) Oversight - The health insurance commissioner shall ensure, through the rate review

 

26        and approval process, that the rates filed for fully insured groups and individuals, pursuant to

 

27        chapter 18.5, 18.6 or 50 of title 27, reflect the transition to the funding method described in this

 

28        section.

 

29                        42-7.4-15.  Study  on  Expansion  of  Health  Care  Services  Funding  Program.--

 

30        Recognizing the value of the immunization programs to municipal employees, police, fire, and

 

31        other public safety officers, and to teachers and other school district employees, the director of

 

32        the department of health or his or her designee shall meet with representatives and agencies of

 

33        local governments, including but not limited to the league of cities and towns, the division of

 

34        municipal  finance,  the  association  of  police  chiefs,  the  association  of  fire  chiefs,  and  the


1        association of school committees, to obtain and share information regarding the effectiveness of

 

2        the program and the manner and timing under which municipalities shall become included in the

 

3        funding method described in this section.  The department shall also seek clarification from the

 

4        Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regarding the extent to which Medicare, Medicare

 

5        managed  care  organizations,  and  Medicare  supplement  plans  could  become  included  in  the

 

6        funding  method  described  in  this  section.    The  department  shall  report  its  findings  to  the

 

7        chairpersons of the house finance committee and senate finance committee not later than April 1,

 

8        2015.

 

9                        SECTION 5. Section 1 of this article shall take effect as of July 1, 2014. The remainder

 

10        of this article shall take effect upon passage.


 

 

 

 

 

1                                                              ARTICLE 17


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art.017/2/024/3/024/2/024/1

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2                                  RELATING TO HOSPITAL UNCOMPENSATED CARE

 

 

 

3                  SECTION 1. Sections 40-8.3-2 and 40-8.3-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 40-8.3

 

4      entitled "Uncompensated Care" are hereby amended to read as follows:

 

5                  40-8.3-2. Definitions. -- As used in this chapter:

 

6                  (1) "Base year" means for the purpose of calculating a disproportionate share payment for

 

7      any fiscal year ending after September 30,  2012  2013, the period from October 1,  2010  2011

 

8      through September 30,  2011 2012, and for any fiscal year ending after September 30, 2013 2014,

 

9      the period from October 1, 2011 2012 through September 30, 2012 2013.

 

10                  (2)  "Medical  assistance  inpatient  utilization  rate  for  a  hospital"  means  a  fraction

 

11      (expressed as a percentage) the numerator of which is the hospital's number of inpatient days

 

12      during the base year attributable to patients who were eligible for medical assistance during the

 

13      base year and the denominator of which is the total number of the hospital's inpatient days in the

 

14      base year.

 

15                  (3) "Participating hospital" means any nongovernment and nonpsychiatric hospital that:

 

16      (i) was licensed as a hospital in accordance with chapter 17 of title 23 during the base year; (ii)

 

17      achieved a medical assistance inpatient utilization rate of at least one percent (1%) during the

 

18      base year; and (iii) continues to be licensed as a hospital in accordance with chapter 17 of title 23

 

19      during the payment year.

 

20                  (4) "Uncompensated care costs" means, as to any hospital, the sum of: (i) the cost

 

21      incurred by such hospital during the base year for inpatient or outpatient services attributable to

 

22      charity care (free care and bad debts) for which the patient has no health insurance or other third-

 

23      party coverage less payments, if any, received directly from such patients; and (ii) the cost

 

24      incurred by such hospital during the base year for inpatient or out-patient services attributable to

 

25      Medicaid beneficiaries less any Medicaid reimbursement received therefor; multiplied by the

 

26      uncompensated care index.

 

27                  (5) "Uncompensated care index" means the annual percentage increase for hospitals

 

28      established pursuant to § 27-19-14 for each year after the base year, up to and including the

 

29      payment year, provided, however, that the uncompensated care index for the payment year ending

 

30      September 30, 2007 shall be deemed to be five and thirty-eight hundredths percent (5.38%), and


1      that the uncompensated care index for the payment year ending September 30, 2008 shall be

 

2      deemed to be five and forty-seven hundredths percent (5.47%), and that the uncompensated care

 

3      index for the payment year ending September 30, 2009 shall be deemed to be five and thirty-eight

 

4      hundredths percent (5.38%), and that the uncompensated care index for the payment years ending

 

5      September  30,  2010,  September  30,  2011,  September  30,  2012,  September  30,  2013   and,

 

6      September 30, 2014  and September 30, 2015 shall be deemed to be five and thirty hundredths

 

7      percent (5.30%).

 

8                  40-8.3-3. Implementation. -- (a) For the fiscal year commencing on October 1, 2011 and

 

9      ending September 30, 2012, the executive office of health and human services shall submit to the

 

10      Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services a state plan amendment to the

 

11      Rhode Island Medicaid state plan for disproportionate share hospital payments (DSH Plan) to

 

12      provide:

 

13                  (1) That the disproportionate share hospital payments to all participating hospitals, not to

 

14      exceed an aggregate limit of $126.2 million, shall be allocated by the executive office of health

 

15      and human services to the Pool A, Pool C and Pool D components of the DSH Plan; and,

 

16                  (2) That the Pool D allotment shall be distributed among the participating hospitals in

 

17      direct proportion to the individual participating hospital's uncompensated care costs for the base

 

18      year, inflated by the uncompensated care index to the total uncompensated care costs for the base

 

19      year inflated by uncompensated care index for all participating hospitals. The disproportionate

 

20      share payments shall be made on or before July 16, 2012 and are expressly conditioned upon

 

21      approval on or before July 9, 2012 by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human

 

22      Services, or his or her authorized representative, of all Medicaid state plan amendments necessary

 

23      to secure for the state the benefit of federal financial participation in federal fiscal year 2012 for

 

24      the disproportionate share payments.

 

25                  (b)(a)  For  federal  fiscal  year  2013,  commencing  on  October  1,  2012  and  ending

 

26      September 30, 2013, the executive office of health and human services shall submit to the

 

27      Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services a state plan amendment to the

 

28      Rhode Island Medicaid state plan for disproportionate share hospital payments (DSH Plan) to

 

29      provide:

 

30                  (1) That the disproportionate share hospital payments to all participating hospitals, not to

 

31      exceed an aggregate limit of $128.3 million, shall be allocated by the executive office of health

 

32      and human services to the Pool A, Pool C and Pool D components of the DSH Plan; and,


1      year, inflated by the uncompensated care index to the total uncompensated care costs for the base

 

2      year inflated by uncompensated care index for all participating hospitals. The disproportionate

 

3      share payments shall be made on or before July 15, 2013 and are expressly conditioned upon

 

4      approval on or before July 8, 2013 by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human

 

5      Services, or his or her authorized representative, of all Medicaid state plan amendments necessary

 

6      to secure for the state the benefit of federal financial participation in federal fiscal year 2013 for

 

7      the disproportionate share payments.

 

8                  (c)  (b)  For  federal  fiscal  year  2014,  commencing  on  October  1,  2013  and  ending

 

9      September 30, 2014, the executive office of health and human services shall submit to the

 

10      Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services a state plan amendment to the

 

11      Rhode Island Medicaid state plan for disproportionate share hospital payments (DSH Plan) to

 

12      provide:

 

13                  (1) That the disproportionate share hospital payments to all participating hospitals, not to

 

14      exceed an aggregate limit of  $128.3 $136.8 million, shall be allocated by the executive office of

 

15      health and human services to the Pool A, Pool C and Pool D components of the DSH Plan; and,

 

16                  (2) That the Pool D allotment shall be distributed among the participating hospitals in

 

17      direct proportion to the individual participating hospital's uncompensated care costs for the base

 

18      year, inflated by the uncompensated care index to the total uncompensated care costs for the base

 

19      year inflated by uncompensated care index for all participating hospitals. The disproportionate

 

20      share payments shall be made on or before July 14, 2014 and are expressly conditioned upon

 

21      approval on or before July 7, 2014 by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human

 

22      Services, or his or her authorized representative, of all Medicaid state plan amendments necessary

 

23      to secure for the state the benefit of federal financial participation in federal fiscal year 2014 for

 

24      the disproportionate share payments.

 

25                  (c) For federal fiscal year 2015, commencing on October 1, 2014 and ending September

 

26      30, 2015, the executive office of health and human services shall submit to the Secretary of the

 

27      U.S. Department of Health and Human Services a state plan amendment to the Rhode Island

 

28      Medicaid state plan for disproportionate share hospital payments (DSH Plan) to provide:

 

29                  (1) That the disproportionate share hospital payments to all participating hospitals, not to

 

30      exceed an aggregate limit of $136.8 million, shall be allocated by the executive office of health

 

31      and human services to the Pool A, Pool C and Pool D components of the DSH Plan; and,

 

32                  (2) That the Pool D allotment shall be distributed among the participating hospitals in


1      year inflated by uncompensated care index for all participating hospitals. The disproportionate

 

2      share payments shall be made on or before July 13, 2015 and are expressly conditioned upon

 

3      approval on or before July 6, 2015 by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human

 

4      Services, or his or her authorized representative, of all Medicaid state plan amendments necessary

 

5      to secure for the state the benefit of federal financial participation in federal fiscal year 2015 for

 

6      the disproportionate share payments.

 

7                  (d) No provision is made pursuant to this chapter for disproportionate share hospital

 

8      payments to participating hospitals for uncompensated care costs related to graduate medical

 

9      education programs.

 

10                  SECTION  2.  Section  40-8.3-10  of  the  General  Laws  in  Chapter  40-8.3  entitled

 

11      "Uncompensated Care" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

12                  40-8.3-10.  Outpatient adjustment payments. --  Hospital adjustment payments. --

 

13      Effective July 1, 2012 and for each subsequent year, the executive office of health and human

 

14      services is hereby authorized and directed to amend its regulations for reimbursement to hospitals

 

15      for inpatient and outpatient services as follows:

 

16                  (a)  Each  hospital  in  the  state  of  Rhode  Island,  as  defined  in  subdivision  23-17-

 

17      38.19(b)(1), shall receive a quarterly  outpatient adjustment payment each state fiscal year of an

 

18      amount determined as follows:

 

19                  (1)  Determine  the  percent  of  the  state's  total  Medicaid  outpatient  and  emergency

 

20      department services (exclusive of physician services) provided by each hospital during each

 

21      hospital's prior fiscal year;

 

22                  (2) Determine the sum of all Medicaid payments to hospitals made for outpatient and

 

23      emergency department services (exclusive of physician services) provided during each hospital's

 

24      prior fiscal year;

 

25                  (3) Multiply the sum of all Medicaid payments as determined in subdivision (2) by

 

26      seventy-four and ninety-seven hundredths percent (74.97%)  a percentage defined as the total

 

27      identified upper payment limit for all hospitals divided by the sum of all Medicaid payments as

 

28      determined in subdivision (2); and then multiply that result by each hospital's percentage of the

 

29      state's total Medicaid outpatient and emergency department services as determined in subdivision

 

30      (1) to obtain the total outpatient adjustment for each hospital to be paid each year;

 

31                  (4) Pay each hospital on or before July 20, October 20, January 20, and April 20 one

 

32      quarter (1/4) of its total outpatient adjustment as determined in subdivision (3) above.

 

33                  (b) Each hospital in the state of Rhode Island, as defined in subdivision 3-17-38.19(b)(1),

 

34      shall  receive  a  quarterly  inpatient  adjustment  payment  each  state  fiscal  year  of  an  amount


1      determined as follows:

 

2                  (1) Determine the percent of the state's total Medicaid inpatient services (exclusive of

 

3      physician services) provided by each hospital during each hospital's prior fiscal year;

 

4                  (2) Determine the sum of all Medicaid payments to hospitals made for inpatient services

 

5      (exclusive of physician services) provided during each hospital's prior fiscal year;

 

6                  (3) Multiply the sum of all Medicaid payments as determined in subdivision (2) by a

 

7      percentage defined as the total identified upper payment limit for all hospitals divided by the sum

 

8      of all Medicaid payments as determined in subdivision (2); and then multiply that result by each

 

9      hospital's percentage of the state's total Medicaid inpatient services as determined in subdivision

 

10      (1) to obtain the total inpatient adjustment for each hospital to be paid each year;

 

11                  (4) Pay each hospital on or before July 20, October 20, January 20, and April 20 one

 

12      quarter (1/4) of its total inpatient adjustment as determined in subdivision (3) above.

 

13                  (b)  (c) The amounts determined in subsections (a)  and (b) are in addition to Medicaid

 

14      inpatient and outpatient payments and emergency services payments (exclusive of  physician

 

15      services) paid to hospitals in accordance with current state regulation and the Rhode Island Plan

 

16      for Medicaid Assistance pursuant to Title XIX of the Social Security Act and are not subject to

 

17      recoupment or settlement.

 

18                  SECTION 4. This article shall take effect as of July 1, 2014.

 

19


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art.018/3/018/2/025/5/025/4/025/3/025/2/025/1

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1                                                              ARTICLE 18

 

 

 

2                                             RELATING TO MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

 

 

 

3                  SECTION  1. Sections 40-8-13.4 and 40-8-19 of the General Laws in Chapter 40-8

 

4      entitled "Medical Assistance" are hereby amended to read as follows:

 

5                  40-8-13.4.  Rate methodology for  payment for in state  and out  of  state hospital

 

6      services.  --  (a)  The  executive  office  of  health  and  human  services  shall  implement  a  new

 

7      methodology for payment for in state and out of state hospital services in order to ensure access

 

8      to and the provision of high quality and cost-effective hospital care to its eligible recipients.

 

9                  (b) In order to improve efficiency and cost effectiveness, the executive office of health

 

10      and human services shall:

 

11                  (1) With respect to inpatient services for persons in fee for service Medicaid, which is

 

12      non-managed care, implement a new payment methodology for inpatient services utilizing the

 

13      Diagnosis Related Groups (DRG) method of payment, which is, a patient classification method

 

14      which provides a means of relating payment to the hospitals to the type of patients cared for by

 

15      the hospitals. It is understood that a payment method based on Diagnosis Related Groups may

 

16      include cost outlier payments and other specific exceptions. The executive office will review the

 

17      DRG payment method and the DRG base price annually, making adjustments as appropriate in

 

18      consideration of such elements as trends in hospital input costs, patterns in hospital coding,

 

19      beneficiary access to care, and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services national CMS

 

20      Prospective Payment System (IPPS) Hospital Input Price index.

 

21                  (B) With respect to inpatient services, (i) it is required as of January 1, 2011 until

 

22      December 31, 2011, that the Medicaid managed care payment rates between each hospital and

 

23      health plan shall not exceed ninety and one tenth percent (90.1%) of the rate in effect as of June

 

24      30, 2010. Negotiated increases in inpatient hospital payments for each annual twelve (12) month

 

25      period  beginning January  1,  2012  may  not  exceed  the  Centers  for  Medicare  and  Medicaid

 

26      Services national CMS Prospective Payment System (IPPS) Hospital Input Price index for the

 

27      applicable period; (ii) provided, however, for the  twelve (12)  twenty-four (24) month period

 

28      beginning July 1, 2013 the Medicaid managed care payment rates between each hospital and

 

29      health plan shall not exceed the payment rates in effect as of January 1, 2013; (iii) negotiated

 

30      increases in inpatient hospital payments for each annual twelve (12) month period beginning July


1      1,  2014  2015 may not exceed the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services national CMS

 

2      Prospective Payment System (IPPS) Hospital Input Price Index, less Productivity Adjustment, for

 

3      the applicable period; (iv) The Rhode Island executive office of health and human services will

 

4      develop an audit methodology and process to assure that savings associated with the payment

 

5      reductions will accrue directly to the Rhode Island Medicaid program through reduced managed

 

6      care plan payments and shall not be retained by the managed care plans; (v) All hospitals licensed

 

7      in Rhode Island shall accept such payment rates as payment in full; and (vi) for all such hospitals,

 

8      compliance with the provisions of this section shall be a condition of participation in the Rhode

 

9      Island Medicaid program.

 

10                  (2) With respect to outpatient services and notwithstanding any provisions of the law to

 

11      the contrary, for persons enrolled in fee for service Medicaid, the executive office will reimburse

 

12      hospitals for outpatient services using a rate methodology determined by the executive office and

 

13      in accordance with federal regulations. Fee-for-service outpatient rates shall align with Medicare

 

14      payments for similar services. Notwithstanding the above, there shall be no increase in the

 

15      Medicaid fee-for-service outpatient rates effective on July 1, 2013  or July 1, 2014. Thereafter,

 

16      changes to outpatient rates will be implemented on July 1 each year and shall align with Medicare

 

17      payments for similar services from the prior federal fiscal year. With respect to the outpatient

 

18      rate, (i) it is required as of January 1, 2011 until December 31, 2011, that the Medicaid managed

 

19      care payment rates between each hospital and health plan shall not exceed one hundred percent

 

20      (100%) of the rate in effect as of June 30, 2010. Negotiated increases in hospital outpatient

 

21      payments for each annual twelve (12) month period beginning January 1, 2012 may not exceed

 

22      the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services national CMS Outpatient Prospective Payment

 

23      System (OPPS) hospital price index for the applicable period; (ii) provided, however, for the

 

24      twelve (12) twenty-four (24) month period beginning July 1, 2013 the Medicaid managed care

 

25      outpatient payment rates between each hospital and health plan shall not exceed the payment rates

 

26      in effect as of January 1, 2013; (iii) negotiated increases in outpatient hospital payments for each

 

27      annual twelve (12) month period beginning July 1,  2014 2015 may not exceed the Centers for

 

28      Medicare and Medicaid Services national CMS Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS)

 

29      Hospital Input Price Index, less Productivity Adjustment, for the applicable period.

 

30                  (c) It is intended that payment utilizing the Diagnosis Related Groups method shall

 

31      reward hospitals for providing the most efficient care, and provide the executive office the

 

32      opportunity to conduct value based purchasing of inpatient care.

 

33                  (d)  The  secretary  of  the  executive  office  of  health  and  human  services  is  hereby

 

34      authorized to promulgate such rules and regulations consistent with this chapter, and to establish


1      fiscal procedures he or she deems necessary for the proper implementation and administration of

 

2      this chapter in order to provide payment to hospitals using the Diagnosis Related Group payment

 

3      methodology. Furthermore, amendment of the Rhode Island state plan for medical assistance

 

4      (Medicaid) pursuant to Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act is hereby authorized to

 

5      provide for payment to hospitals for services provided to eligible recipients in accordance with

 

6      this chapter.

 

7                  (e) The executive office shall comply with all public notice requirements necessary to

 

8      implement these rate changes.

 

9                  (f) As a condition of participation in the DRG methodology for payment of hospital

 

10      services, every hospital shall submit year-end settlement reports to the executive office within one

 

11      year from the close of a hospital's fiscal year. Should a participating hospital fail to timely submit

 

12      a year-end settlement report as required by this section, the executive office shall withhold

 

13      financial cycle payments due by any state agency with respect to this hospital by not more than

 

14      ten percent (10%) until said report is submitted. For hospital fiscal year 2010 and all subsequent

 

15      fiscal years, hospitals will not be required to submit year-end settlement reports on payments for

 

16      outpatient services. For hospital fiscal year 2011 and all subsequent fiscal years, hospitals will not

 

17      be  required  to  submit  year-end  settlement  reports  on  claims  for  hospital  inpatient  services.

 

18      Further, for hospital fiscal year 2010, hospital inpatient claims subject to settlement shall include

 

19      only those claims received between October 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010.

 

20                  (g)  The  provisions  of  this  section  shall  be  effective  upon  implementation  of  the

 

21      amendments and new payment methodology pursuant to this section and § 40-8-13.3, which shall

 

22      in any event be no later than March 30, 2010, at which time the provisions of §§ 40-8-13.2, 27-

 

23      19-14, 27-19-15, and 27-19-16 shall be repealed in their entirety.

 

24                  40-8-19. Rates of payment to nursing facilities. -- (a) Rate reform. (1) The rates to be

 

25      paid by the state to nursing facilities licensed pursuant to chapter 17 of title 23, and certified to

 

26      participate  in  the  Title  XIX  Medicaid  program  for  services  rendered  to  Medicaid-eligible

 

27      residents,  shall  be  reasonable  and  adequate  to  meet  the  costs  which  must  be  incurred  by

 

28      efficiently and economically operated facilities in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 1396a(a)(13). The

 

29      executive office of health and human services shall promulgate or modify the principles of

 

30      reimbursement  for  nursing  facilities  in  effect  as  of  July  1,  2011  to  be  consistent  with  the

 

31      provisions of this section and Title XIX, 42 U.S.C. § 1396 et seq., of the Social Security Act.

 

32                  (2) The executive office of health and human services ("Executive Office") shall review

 

33      the current methodology for providing Medicaid payments to nursing facilities, including other

 

34      long-term care services providers, and is authorized to modify the principles of reimbursement to


1      replace the current cost based methodology rates with rates based on a price based methodology

 

2      to be paid to all facilities with recognition of the acuity of patients and the relative Medicaid

 

3      occupancy, and to include the following elements to be developed by the executive office:

 

4                  (i) A direct care rate adjusted for resident acuity;

 

5                  (ii) An indirect care rate comprised of a base per diem for all facilities;

 

6                  (iii) A rearray of costs for all facilities every three (3) years beginning October, 2015,

 

7      which may or may not result in automatic per diem revisions;

 

8                  (iv) Application of a fair rental value system;

 

9                  (v) Application of a pass-through system; and

 

10                  (vi) Adjustment of rates by the change in a recognized national nursing home inflation

 

11      index to be applied on October 1st of each year, beginning October 1, 2012. This adjustment will

 

12      not occur on October 1, 2013, but will resume on  October 1, 2014 April 1, 2015. Said inflation

 

13      index shall be applied without regard for the transition factor in subsection (b)(2) below.

 

14                  (b) Transition to full implementation of rate reform. For no less than four (4) years after

 

15      the initial application of the price-based methodology described in subdivision (a) (2) to payment

 

16      rates, the executive office of health and human services shall implement a transition plan to

 

17      moderate the impact of the rate reform on individual nursing facilities. Said transition shall

 

18      include the following components:

 

19                  (1) No nursing facility shall receive reimbursement for direct care costs that is less than

 

20      the rate of reimbursement for direct care costs received under the methodology in effect at the

 

21      time of passage of this act; and

 

22                  (2) No facility shall lose or gain more than five dollars ($5.00) in its total per diem rate

 

23      the first year of the transition. The adjustment to the per diem loss or gain may be phased out by

 

24      twenty-five percent (25%) each year; and

 

25                  (3) The transition plan and/or period may be  modified upon full implementation of

 

26      facility per diem rate increases for quality of care related measures. Said modifications shall be

 

27      submitted in a report to the general assembly at least six (6) months prior to implementation.

 

28                  SECTION 2. Chapter 40-8 of the General Laws entitled "Medical Assistance" is hereby

 

29      amended by adding thereto the following section:

 

30                  40-8-31. Payments to out of state facilities. -- The office of health and human services

 

31      shall require that any payment  to an  out of state  provider from whom  a  Medicaid eligible

 

32      individual receives services must be a facility that applies for and is approved to participate in the

 

33      Rhode Island Medicaid program. This change may require the adoption of new or amended rules,

 

34      regulations and procedures.


1                  SECTION 3. The Rhode Island Medicaid Reform Act of 2008.

 

2                  WHEREAS, the General Assembly enacted Chapter 12.4 of Title 42 entitled "The Rhode

 

3      Island Medicaid Reform Act of 2008"; and

 

4                  WHEREAS, a Joint Resolution is required pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws § 42-

 

5      12.4-1, et seq.; and

 

6                  WHEREAS,  Rhode  Island  General  Law  §  42-12.4-7  provides  that  any  change  that

 

7      requires the implementation of a rule or regulation or modification of a rule or regulation in

 

8      existence prior to the implementation of the global consumer choice section 1115 demonstration

 

9      ("the demonstration") shall require prior approval of the general assembly; and further provides

 

10      that any category II change or category III change as defined in the demonstration shall also

 

11      require prior approval by the general assembly; and

 

12                  WHEREAS, Rhode Island General Law § 42-7.2-5 provides that the Secretary of the

 

13      Office of Health and Human Services is responsible for the "review and coordination of any

 

14      Global Consumer Choice Compact Waiver requests and renewals as well as any initiatives and

 

15      proposals requiring amendments to the Medicaid state plan or category II or III changes as

 

16      described in the demonstration, with "the potential to affect the scope, amount, or duration of

 

17      publicly-funded health care services, provider payments or reimbursements, or access to or the

 

18      availability of benefits and services provided by Rhode Island general and public laws"; and

 

19                  WHEREAS, in pursuit of a more cost-effective consumer choice system of care that is

 

20      fiscally sound and sustainable, the Secretary requests general assembly approval of the following

 

21      proposals to amend the demonstration:

 

22                  (a) Nursing Facility Payment Rates Delay Rate Increase. The Medicaid single state

 

23      agency proposes to delay the projected nursing facility rate increase that would otherwise take

 

24      effect on October 1, 2014 to April 1, 2015. A category II change is required to implement this

 

25      proposal under the terms and conditions of the demonstration. Further, this change may also

 

26      require the adoption of new or amended rules, regulations and procedures.

 

27                  (b) Medicaid Hospital Payments Eliminate Rate Increases for Hospital Inpatient and

 

28      Outpatient  Payments.  The  Medicaid  single  state  agency  proposes  to  reduce  inpatient  and

 

29      outpatient hospital payments by eliminating the projected rate increase for both managed care and

 

30      fee-for-service for state fiscal year 2015. A category II change is required to implement this

 

31      proposal under the terms and conditions of the Section 1115 waiver demonstration.

 

32                  (c) Medicaid Manage Care Payments- Reduction. The Medicaid agency seeks to reduce

 

33      the  projected  growth  in  capitation  payments  to  managed  care  organizations  for  SFY  2015.

 

34      Implementation of this reduction requires a Category II change under the terms and conditions of


1      the Medicaid demonstration to assure payment rates remain actuarially sound as is required by

 

2      federal laws and regulation.

 

3                  (d)  Community  First  Choice  (1915k) Option    Increase  Federal  Reimbursement  for

 

4      Home  and  Community-Based  Alternatives.  The  Medicaid  Agency  proposed  to  pursue  the

 

5      Community  First  Choice  (CFC)  Medicaid  State  Plan  option  as  part  of  ongoing  reforms  to

 

6      promote home and community-based alternatives to institutionally-based long-term services and

 

7      supports.  Implementation  of  the  CFC  option  requires  approval  of  a  Medicaid  State  Plan

 

8      Amendments and may require changes to the demonstration. New and amended rules, regulations

 

9      and procedures may also be necessary related to these program changes.

 

10                  (e) Qualified Health Plan (QHP) Coverage for Medicaid-eligible Pregnant and Post-

 

11      Partum Women Promote QHP Coverage. With the implementation of health care reform in

 

12      Rhode Island, many pregnant women with income from 133 to 250 percent of the federal poverty

 

13      level (FPL) will have access to coverage through a commercial plan. This initiative proposes to

 

14      support enrollment/retention of coverage in these commercial plans by providing: 1) a RIte

 

15      Share-like premium subsidy to assist in paying for the out-of-pocket costs in a commercial plan;

 

16      and  2)  wraparound  coverage  for  services  available  if  covered  through  Medicaid.  Such  an

 

17      arrangement would result in a net savings to the Medicaid program. Implementation of this

 

18      initiative requires Section 1115 waiver authority and may necessitate changes to EOHHS' rules,

 

19      regulations and procedures.

 

20                  (f) Approved Authorities: Section 1115 Waiver Demonstration Extension. The Medicaid

 

21      agency proposes to implement authorities approved under the Section 1115 waiver demonstration

 

22      extension request formerly known as the Global Consumer Choice Waiver that (1) continue

 

23      efforts  to  re-balance  the  system  of  long  term  services  and  supports  by  assisting  people  in

 

24      obtaining care in the most appropriate and least restrictive setting; (2) pursue utilization of care

 

25      management models that offer a "health home", promote access to preventive care, and provide

 

26      an  integrated  system  of  services;  (3)  use  payments  and  purchasing  to  finance  and  support

 

27      Medicaid initiatives that fill gaps in the integrated system of care; and (4) recognize and assure

 

28      access to the non-medical services and supports, such as peer navigation and employment and

 

29      housing stabilization services, that are essential for optimizing a person's health, wellness and

 

30      safety and reduce or delay the need for long term services and supports.

 

31                  (g) Medicaid Requirements and Opportunities under the U.S. Patient Protection and

 

32      Affordable  Care  Act  of  2010  (PPACA).  The  Medicaid  agency  proposes  to  pursue  any

 

33      requirements and/or opportunities established under the PPACA that may warrant a Medicaid

 

34      State Plan Amendment, category II or III change under the terms and conditions of Rhode


1      Island's Section 1115 Waiver, its successor, or any extension thereof. Any such actions the

 

2      Medicaid agency takes shall not have an adverse impact on beneficiaries or cause there to be an

 

3      increase  in  expenditures  beyond  the  amount  appropriated  for  state  fiscal  year  2015;  now,

 

4      therefore, be it

 

5                  RESOLVED, that the general assembly hereby approves proposals (a) through (g) listed

 

6      above to amend the Section 1115 demonstration waiver; and be it further

 

7                  RESOLVED, that the secretary of the office of health and human services is authorized

 

8      to pursue and implement any waiver amendments, category II or category III changes, state plan

 

9      amendments and/or changes to the applicable department's rules, regulations and procedures

 

10      approved herein and as authorized by § 42-12.4-7.

 

11                  SECTION 4. Katie Beckett State Plan Option. The Katie Beckett State Plan Option

 

12      allows children who need an institutional level of care to obtain Medicaid coverage for the care

 

13      they receive at home. Children eligible under this option typically have family income and

 

14      resources that exceed Medicaid eligibility limits; though the Katie Beckett option enables these

 

15      children to obtain Medicaid coverage by excluding their parents' family income and resources

 

16      when determining Medicaid eligibility. At present, the families of Katie Beckett children are not

 

17      required to contribute to the cost of Medicaid-funded care, irrespective of income. The office of

 

18      health and human services shall collect annual tax and any other financial information it deems

 

19      appropriate from the family of a child applying for, or currently receiving, services through the

 

20      Katie Beckett State Plan Option. The information shall not affect a child's eligibility for the

 

21      services.

 

22                  SECTION 5. A pool is hereby established of up to $1.5 million to support Medicaid

 

23      Graduate Education funding for Academic Medical Centers with level I Trauma Centers who

 

24      provide care to the state's critically ill and indigent populations. The office of Health and Human

 

25      Services shall utilize this pool to provide up to $3 million per year in additional Medicaid

 

26      payments  to  support  Graduate  Medical  Education  programs  to  hospitals  meeting  all  of  the

 

27      following criteria:

 

28                  (a) Hospital must have a minimum of 25,000 inpatient discharges per year for all patients

 

29      regardless of coverage.

 

30                  (b) Hospital must be designated as Level I Trauma Center.

 

31                  (c) Hospital must provide graduate medical education training for at least 250 interns and

 

32      residents per year.

 

33                  The Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services shall determine the

 

34      appropriate Medicaid payment mechanism to implement this program and amend any state plan


1      documents required to implement the payments.

 

2                  Payments for Graduate Medical Education programs shall be effective July 1, 2014.

 

3                  SECTION 6. Title 40 of the General Laws entitled "HUMAN SERVICES" is hereby

 

4      amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

 

5                                                                  CHAPTER 8.13

 

6                                    LONG-TERM MANAGED CARE ARRANGEMENTS

 

7                  40-8.13-1. Definitions. -- For purposes of this section the following terms shall have the

 

8      meanings indicated:

 

9                  (1) "Beneficiary'' means an individual who is eligible for medical assistance under the

 

10      Rhode Island Medicaid state plan established in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 1396, and includes

 

11      individuals who are additionally eligible for benefits under the Medicare program (42 U.S.C.

 

12      1395 et seq.) or other health plan.

 

13                  (2) "Duals Demonstration Project'' means a demonstration project established pursuant to

 

14      the financial alignment demonstration established under section 2602 of the Patient Protection

 

15      and Affordable Care Act (Pub. L. 111-148), involving a three-way contract between Rhode

 

16      Island, the Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") and qualified health

 

17      plans, and covering health care services provided to beneficiaries.

 

18                  (3) "EOHHS" means the Rhode Island executive office of health and human services.

 

19                  (4) "EOHHS level of care tool" refers to a set of criteria established by EOHHS and used

 

20      in January, 2014 to determine the long-term care needs of a beneficiary as well as the appropriate

 

21      setting for delivery of that care.

 

22                  (5) Long-term care services and supports" means a spectrum of services covered by the

 

23      Rhode Island Medicaid program and/or the Medicare program, that are required by individuals

 

24      with functional impairments and/or chronic illness, and includes skilled or custodial nursing

 

25      facility care, as well as various home and community-based services.

 

26                  (6)  "Managed  long-term  care  arrangement''  means  any  arrangement  under  which  a

 

27      managed care organization is granted some or all of the responsibility for providing and/or paying

 

28      for long-term care services and supports that would otherwise be provided or paid under the

 

29      Rhode Island Medicaid program. The term includes, but is not limited to, a duals demonstration

 

30      project, and/or phase I and phase II of the integrated care initiative established by the executive

 

31      office of health and human services.

 

32                  (7)   "Managed   care   organization"   means   any   health   plan,   health   maintenance

 

33      organization, managed care plan, or other person or entity that enters into a contract with the state

 

34      under which it is granted the authority to arrange for the provision of, and/or payment for, long-


1      term  care  supports  and  services  to  eligible  beneficiaries  under  a  managed  long-term  care

 

2      arrangement.

 

3                  (8) "Plan of care" means a care plan established by a nursing facility in accordance with

 

4      state  and  federal  regulations,  and  which  identifies  specific  care  and  services  provided  to  a

 

5      beneficiary.

 

6                  40-8.13-2. Beneficiary choice. -- Any managed long-term care arrangement shall offer

 

7      beneficiaries the option to decline participation and remain in traditional Medicaid and, if a duals

 

8      demonstration  project,  traditional  Medicare.  Beneficiaries  must  be  provided  with  sufficient

 

9      information to make an informed choice regarding enrollment, including:

 

10                  (1) Any changes in the beneficiary's payment or other financial obligations with respect

 

11      to long-term care services and supports as a result of enrollment;

 

12                  (2) Any changes in the nature of the long-term care services and  supports available to the

 

13      beneficiary as a result of enrollment, including specific descriptions of new services that will be

 

14      available or existing services that will be curtailed or terminated;

 

15                  (3)  A  contact  person  who  can  assist  the  beneficiary  in  making  decisions  about

 

16      enrollment;

 

17                  (4)  Individualized  information  regarding  whether  the  managed  care  organization's

 

18      network includes the health care providers with whom beneficiaries have established provider

 

19      relationships. Directing beneficiaries to a website identifying the plan's provider network shall not

 

20      be sufficient to satisfy this requirement; and

 

21                  (5) The deadline by which the beneficiary must make a choice regarding enrollment, and

 

22      the length of time a beneficiary must remain enrolled in a managed care organization before

 

23      being permitted to change plans or opt out of the arrangement.

 

24                  40-8.13-3.  Ombudsman  process.  --  EOHHS  shall  designate  an  ombudsperson  to

 

25      advocate for beneficiaries enrolled in a managed long-term care arrangement. The ombudsperson

 

26      shall advocate for beneficiaries through complaint and appeal processes and ensure that necessary

 

27      health care services are provided. At the time of enrollment, a managed care organization must

 

28      inform enrollees of the availability of the ombudsperson, including contact information.

 

29                  40-8.13-4. Provider/plan liaison. -- EOHHS shall designate an individual, not employed

 

30      by or otherwise under contract with a participating managed care organization, who shall act as

 

31      liaison  between  health  care  providers  and  managed  care  organizations,  for  the  purpose  of

 

32      facilitating communications and assuring that issues and concerns are promptly addressed.

 

33                  40-8.13-5.  Financial  savings  under  managed  care.  --  To  the  extent  that  financial

 

34      savings  are  a  goal  under  any  managed  long-term  care  arrangement,  it  is  the  intent  of  the


1      legislature to achieve such savings through administrative efficiencies, care coordination, and

 

2      improvements in care outcomes, rather than through reduced reimbursement rates to providers.

 

3      Therefore,  any  managed  long-term  care  arrangement  shall  include  a  requirement  that  the

 

4      managed care organization reimburse providers for services in accordance with the following:

 

5                  (1) For a duals demonstration project, the managed care organization:

 

6                  (i) Shall not combine the rates of payment for post-acute skilled and rehabilitation care

 

7      provided by a nursing facility and long-term and chronic care provided by a nursing facility in

 

8      order to establish a single payment rate for dual eligible beneficiaries requiring skilled nursing

 

9      services;

 

10                  (ii) Shall pay nursing facilities providing post-acute skilled and rehabilitation care or

 

11      long-term and chronic care rates that reflect the different level of services and intensity required

 

12      to provide these services; and

 

13                  (2) For a managed long-term care arrangement that is not a duals demonstration project,

 

14      the managed care organization shall reimburse providers in an amount not less than the rate that

 

15      would be paid for the same care by EOHHS under the Medicaid program.

 

16                  40-8.13-6.  Payment  incentives.  --  In  order  to  encourage  quality  improvement  and

 

17      promote   appropriate   utilization   incentives   for   providers   in   a   managed   long-term   care

 

18      arrangement, a managed care organization may use incentive or bonus payment programs that are

 

19      in addition to the rates identified in § 40-18.13-5.

 

20                  40-8.13-7. Willing provider. --  A managed care organization must contract with and

 

21      cover services furnished by any nursing facility licensed under chapter 17 of title 23 and certified

 

22      by  CMS  that  provides  Medicaid-covered  nursing  facility  services  pursuant  to  a  provider

 

23      agreement with the state, provided that the nursing facility is not disqualified under the managed

 

24      care organization's quality standards that are applicable to all nursing facilities; and the nursing

 

25      facility is willing to accept the reimbursement rates described in § 40-18.13-5.

 

26                  40-8.13-8. Level of care tool. --  A managed long-term care arrangement must require

 

27      that all participating managed care organizations use only the EOHHS level of care tool in

 

28      determining coverage of long-term care supports and services for beneficiaries. EOHHS may

 

29      amend the level of care tool provided that any changes are established in consultation  with

 

30      beneficiaries and providers of Medicaid-covered long-term care supports and services, and are

 

31      based upon reasonable medical evidence or consensus, in consideration of the specific needs of

 

32      Rhode Island beneficiaries. Notwithstanding any other provisions herein, however, in the case of

 

33      a duals demonstration project, a managed care organization may use a different level of care tool

 

34      for determining coverage of services that would otherwise be covered by Medicare, since the


1      criteria established by EOHHS are directed towards Medicaid-covered services; provided, that

 

2      such level of care tool is based on reasonable medical evidence or consensus in consideration of

 

3      the specific needs of Rhode Island beneficiaries.

 

4                  40-8.13-9. Case management/plan of care. --  No managed care organization acting

 

5      under a managed long-term care arrangement may require a provider to change a plan of care if

 

6      the  provider  reasonably  believes  that  such  an  action  would  conflict  with  the  provider's

 

7      responsibility to develop an appropriate care plan under state and federal regulations.

 

8                  40-8.13-10. Care transitions. -- In the event that a beneficiary:

 

9                  (1) Has been determined to meet level of care requirements for nursing facility coverage

 

10      as of the date of his or her enrollment in a managed care organization; or

 

11                  (2) Has been determined to meet level of care requirements for nursing facility coverage

 

12      by a managed care organization after enrollment; and there is a change in condition whereby the

 

13      managed care organization determines that the beneficiary no longer meets such level of care

 

14      requirements, the nursing facility shall promptly arrange for an appropriate and safe discharge

 

15      (with the assistance of the managed care organization if the facility requests it), and the managed

 

16      care organization shall continue to pay for the beneficiary's nursing facility care at the same rate

 

17      until the beneficiary is discharged.

 

18                  40-8.13-11. Reporting requirements. --  EOHHS shall report to the general assembly

 

19      and shall make available to interested persons a separate accounting of state expenditures for

 

20      long-term care supports and services under any managed long-term care arrangement, specifically

 

21      and separately identifying expenditures for home and community-based services, assisted living

 

22      services, hospice services within nursing facilities, hospice services outside of nursing facilities,

 

23      and nursing facility services. Such reports shall be made twice annually, six (6) months apart,

 

24      beginning  six  (6)  months  following  the  implementation  of  any  managed  long-term  care

 

25      arrangement, and shall include a detailed report of utilization of each such service. In order to

 

26      facilitate such reporting, any managed long-term care arrangement shall include a requirement

 

27      that a participating managed care organization make timely reports of the data necessary to

 

28      compile such reports.

 

29                  SECTION 7. This article shall take effect upon passage.


 

 

 

 

 

1                                                              ARTICLE 19


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art.019/2/027/3/027/2/027/1

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2                                  RELATING TO MEDICAL ASSISTANCE RECOVERIES

 

 

 

3                  SECTION 1. Chapter 34-4 of the General Laws entitled "Estates in Real Property" is

 

4      hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

 

5                  34-4-2.1. Reservation of Life Estate with enhanced powers. -- A grantor may convey

 

6      title to real estate and reserve a life estate therein, coupled with the reserved power and authority,

 

7      during his or her lifetime, to sell, convey, mortgage, or otherwise dispose of the real property

 

8      without  the  consent  or  joinder  by  the  holder(s)  of  the  remainder  interest.  A  duly-executed

 

9      conveyance by the life tenant exercising such reserved powers shall, upon recording, vest good

 

10      title to the interest conveyed in the grantee thereof, free and clear of any right, title and interest of

 

11      the holder(s) of the remainder interest without the necessity of any additional conveyance by any

 

12      such holder(s) of the remainder interest.

 

13                  SECTION  2.  Section  40-6-9  of  the  General  Laws  in  Chapter  40-6  entitled  "Public

 

14      Assistance Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

15                  40-6-9.  Assignment  and subrogation for  recovery of  child,  spousal  and medical

 

16      support rights. -- (a) An applicant for or recipient of public assistance under this chapter or

 

17      under title XIX of the federal Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1396 et seq., for and on behalf of

 

18      himself or herself and for and on behalf of a child or children, shall be deemed, without the

 

19      necessity of signing any document for purposes of recovery, to have made an assignment and

 

20      given a right of subrogation to the executive office of health and human services and/or the

 

21      department of human services, as applicable, of any and all rights and interests in any cause of

 

22      action, past, present, or future, that the applicant or recipient may have against any person failing

 

23      to or obligated to provide for the support, maintenance, and medical care of the applicant,

 

24      recipient, and/or minor child or children, for the period of time that assistance is being paid by the

 

25      executive office of health and human services and/or the department. The executive office of

 

26      health and human services and/or the department shall be subrogated to any and all rights, title,

 

27      and interest the applicant or recipient may have against any and all property belonging to the

 

28      obligated or non-supporting person in the enforcement of any claim for child, spousal, and

 

29      medical support, whether liquidated through court order or not. The applicant or recipient shall

 

30      also be deemed, without the necessity of signing any document, to have appointed the executive


1      office of health and human services and/or the department of human services as his or her true

 

2      and lawful attorney in fact to act in his or her name, place, and stead to perform the specific act of

 

3      instituting suit to establish paternity or secure support and medical care, collecting any and all

 

4      amounts due and owing for child, spousal, and medical support, endorsing any and all drafts,

 

5      checks, money orders, or other negotiable instruments representing support payments which are

 

6      received by executive office of health and human services and/or the department, and retaining

 

7      any portion thereof permitted under federal and state statutes as reimbursement for financial, and

 

8      medical  and any other assistance previously paid to or for the recipient, child, or children.

 

9                  (b) An applicant for or a recipient of medical assistance provided by executive office of

 

10      health and human services and/or the department pursuant to this chapter or chapter 8 of this title

 

11      or title XIX of the federal Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1396 et seq., for and on behalf of

 

12      himself or herself, and for and on behalf of any other person for whom he or she may legally

 

13      assign rights to any medical support or any other medical care, shall be deemed, without the

 

14      necessity of signing any document for purposes of reimbursement, to have made an assignment

 

15      and given a right of subrogation to executive office of health and human services and/or the

 

16      department of human services of any and all rights and interests that he, she, or such other person

 

17      may have: (1) to payment for any medical support; and (2) to  any payment for any medical care

 

18      from any third party that has a legal liability to pay for care and services available and provided to

 

19      the  applicant  or  recipient.  The  executive  office  of  health  and  human  services  and/or  the

 

20      department of human services shall, in accordance with this section and all applicable state and

 

21      federal laws, be entitled to any payments by a third party to recover costs from the full amount of

 

22      an applicant's or recipient's liability settlement(s). For this purpose, the executive office of health

 

23      and human services may place a lien against an applicant's or recipient's liability settlement(s).

 

24                  (c) In addition to the assignments and subrogation rights provided in subsections (a) and

 

25      (b) of this section, an applicant for or a recipient of financial assistance provided by the executive

 

26      office of health and human services and/or department pursuant to this chapter, whenever the

 

27      assistance is necessary by reason of accident, injury, or illness for which a third party may be

 

28      liable, for and on behalf of himself or herself, and for and on behalf of any other person for whom

 

29      he or she may legally act, shall be deemed, without the necessity of signing any document, to

 

30      have assigned and subrogated to the executive office of health and human services and/or the

 

31      department of human services, from amounts recovered or recoverable from any third party, an

 

32      amount of money equal to the amount of financial assistance provided as a result of the accident,

 

33      illness, or injury.

 

34                  (d) With respect to an assignment and subrogation rights established pursuant to this


1      section, an applicant or recipient shall provide to the executive office of health and human

 

2      services and/or the department of human services all relevant information regarding the assigned

 

3      and subrogated rights, and shall execute any documents relating thereto, in accordance with rules

 

4      and regulations to be adopted by the executive office of health and human services and/or the

 

5      department.

 

6                  (e)  With  respect  to  any  assignment  and  subrogation  rights  for  medical  or  financial

 

7      support or  other recoveries under this section, the executive office of health and human services

 

8      and/or the department of human services shall be considered to have acquired the rights of such

 

9      individual to payment by any third party for such medical care and support,  and financial support

 

10      and other recoveries.

 

11                  (f) An applicant for or a recipient of medical assistance provided by the executive office

 

12      of  health  and  human  services in accordance  with chapter  40-8  shall  also be subject to the

 

13      provisions of chapter 27-57.1. Funds available to be paid for the payment of child support shall

 

14      supersede any payment made pursuant to this chapter and chapter 27-57.1.

 

15                  (g) The executive office of health and human services and/or the department of human

 

16      services shall, in accordance with this section and all applicable state and federal laws, be entitled

 

17      to any payments by a third party to recover costs from the full amount of an applicant's or

 

18      recipient's liability settlement(s). For this purpose, the executive office of health and human

 

19      services may place a lien against an applicant's or recipient's liability settlement(s). Nothing in

 

20      these sections shall limit the executive office of health and human services and/or the department

 

21      of human services from recovery, to the extent of the distribution, in accordance with all state and

 

22      federal laws.

 

23                  SECTION 3. Chapter 40-8 of the General Laws entitled "Medical Assistance" is hereby

 

24      amended by adding thereto the following section:

 

25                  40-8-3.1. Life estate in property-retained powers. When an applicant or recipient of

 

26      Medicaid owns a life estate in property that is his or her principal place of residence with the

 

27      reserved power and authority, during his or her lifetime, to sell, convey, mortgage, or otherwise

 

28      dispose of the real property without the consent or joinder by the holder(s) of the remainder

 

29      interest, said principal place of residence shall not be regarded as an excluded resource for the

 

30      purpose of Medicaid eligibility, unless the applicant or recipient individually or through his or her

 

31      guardian, conservator or attorney in fact, conveys all outstanding remainder interest to him or

 

32      herself.

 

33                  An applicant or recipient who, by a deed created, executed and recorded on or before

 

34      June 30, 2014, has reserved a life estate in property that is his or her principal place of residence


1      with the reserved power and authority, during his or her lifetime, to sell, convey, mortgage, or

 

2      otherwise dispose of the real property without the consent or joinder by the holder(s) of the

 

3      remainder interest, shall not be ineligible for Medicaid on the basis of such deed, regardless of

 

4      whether the transferee of such remainder interest is a person or persons, trust or entity.

 

5                  SECTION  4.  Section  2 of  this article  shall take  effect  as  of October 1,  2016. The

 

6      remainder of this article shall take effect upon passage.

 

7


 

 

 

 

 

1                                                              ARTICLE 20


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art.020/4/020/3/020/2/020/1

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2                                             RELATING TO BOARD OF EDUCATION

 

 

 

3                  SECTION 1. Board of Education Organizational Structure.

 

4                  WHEREAS, Pursuant to Rhode Island Public Law 2012, Chapter 241, Article 4, Section

 

5      3 enacted by the General Assembly, the Rhode Island Board of Education was established, "to

 

6      modernize the manner in which education shall be governed for future generations"; and

 

7                  WHEREAS,  The  Rhode  Island  Board  of  Education  was  charged  by  the  General

 

8      Assembly to "establish a plan for distributing the assets, responsibilities, powers, authorities,

 

9      and duties of the office of higher education to the three (3) higher education institutions and

 

10      appropriate state agencies"; and,

 

11                  WHEREAS, The Board is responsible for submitting a permanent governance structure

 

12      to  the  General  Assembly  for  consideration  that  at  a  minimum would:  "(1)  Provide  clear

 

13      guidance  on  statutory,  legal,  financial  and  contractual  obligations;  (2)  Establish  a  policy

 

14      framework that furthers the goals of this chapter; and (3) Establish appropriate administrative

 

15      structures, support, policies and procedures."; now, therefore, be it

 

16                  RESOLVED,  That  the  Rhode  Island  Board  of  Education  recommends  the  General

 

17      Assembly enact a new governance structure to effectuate the permanent establishment of the

 

18      Board of Education in order to achieve the goals articulated by the preamble of Rhode Island

 

19      Public Law 2012, Chapter 241, Article 4, Section 3.

 

20                  SECTION 2. Chapter 16-32 of the General Laws entitled "University of Rhode Island" is

 

21      hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

 

22                  16-32-2.1. Additional powers of the President of the University.-- In addition to any

 

23      powers granted to the president of the University of Rhode Island by law or regulation, and

 

24      consistent with shared governance practices, in conformity with § 16-32-10, the president shall

 

25      have the following additional powers and duties:

 

26                  (a) To create, and consolidate departments, divisions, programs, and courses of study

 

27      within the university with the assistance of the commissioner of postsecondary education within

 

28      the approved role and scope adopted by the council on postsecondary education pursuant to § 16-

 

29      59-4. Any new or proposed eliminations of departments, divisions, programs or courses of study

 

30      that are outside the role and scope approved by the council shall require the review and approval


1      of the council on postsecondary education.

 

2                  (b) To adopt a budget for the university and submit it to the council on postsecondary

 

3      education for approval.

 

4                  (c) To be responsible for the general management of property of the university.

 

5                  (d) To recommend to the council on postsecondary education, after consultation with the

 

6      commissioner of postsecondary education, tables of organization for the university.

 

7                  (e) To submit to the office of postsecondary commissioner and to compile and analyze

 

8      the following information for presentation to the council on postsecondary education and the

 

9      board of education annually by May 1st the following:

 

10                  (1) A detailed departmental breakdown of all faculty members employed at the university

 

11      by  rank  (including  all  professors,  associate  professors,  assistant  professors,  lecturers,  and

 

12      instructors) and tenure (tenured and non-tenured, and other) and by race (African American,

 

13      Hispanic, Native American, and Asian) and gender.

 

14                  (2) A detailed report on current student enrollments for each class at the university by

 

15      race and gender, by academic department, and by outreach program (e.g. talent development),

 

16      guaranteed admissions program, and the current levels of funding and staff support for each of

 

17      these programs.

 

18                  (3) A report on the current status of the African and Afro-American studies programs at

 

19      the university and a five (5) year budgetary history of the programs along with projections for

 

20      budgetary support for the next two (2) years.

 

21                  (4) A plan for recruitment of African American and Hispanic faculty into tenure track

 

22      positions at the university with specific reference to and planned involvement with the New

 

23      England higher education's minority faculty recruitment and development plan.

 

24                  (5) Copies of the report shall be furnished to the council of postsecondary education and

 

25      the board of education.

 

26                  SECTION 3. Chapter 16-33 of the General Laws entitled "Rhode Island College" is

 

27      hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

 

28                  16-33-2.1. Additional powers of the President of the College. --  In addition to any

 

29      powers granted to the president of Rhode Island College by law or regulation, and consistent with

 

30      shared governance practices, in conformity with § 16-33-6, the president shall have the following

 

31      additional powers and duties:

 

32                  (a) To create and consolidate departments, divisions, programs, and courses of study

 

33      within the college with the assistance of the commissioner of postsecondary education within the

 

34      approved role and scope adopted by the council on postsecondary education pursuant to § 16-59-


1      4. Any new or proposed eliminations of departments, divisions, programs or courses of study that

 

2      are outside the role and scope approved by the council shall require the review and approval of

 

3      the council on postsecondary education.

 

4                  (b) To adopt a budget for the college and submit it to the council for postsecondary

 

5      education for approval.

 

6                  (c) To be responsible for the general management of property of the college.

 

7                  (d) To recommend to the council on postsecondary education, after consultation with the

 

8      commissioner of postsecondary, education tables of organization for the college.

 

9                  (e) To submit to the office of postsecondary commissioner and to compile and analyze

 

10      the following information for presentation to the council for postsecondary education and the

 

11      board of education annually by May 1st the following:

 

12                  (1) A detailed departmental breakdown of all faculty members employed at the college

 

13      by  rank  (including  all  professors,  associate  professors,  assistant  professors,  lecturers,  and

 

14      instructors) and tenure (tenured and non-tenured, and other) and by race (African American,

 

15      Hispanic, Native American, and Asian) and gender.

 

16                  (2) A detailed report on current student enrollments for each class at the college by race

 

17      and  gender,  by  academic  department,  and  by  outreach  program  (e.g.  talent  development),

 

18      guaranteed admissions program, and the current levels of funding and staff support for each of

 

19      these programs.

 

20                  (3) A report on the current status of the African and Afro-American studies programs at

 

21      the college and a five (5) year budgetary history of the programs along with projections for

 

22      budgetary support for the next two (2) years.

 

23                  (4) A plan for recruitment of African American and Hispanic faculty into tenure track

 

24      positions at each the college with specific reference to and planned involvement with the New

 

25      England higher education's minority faculty recruitment and development plan.

 

26                  (5) Copies of the report shall be furnished to the council of postsecondary education and

 

27      the board of education.

 

28                  SECTION 4. Chapter 16-33.1 of the General Laws entitled "Community College of

 

29      Rhode Island" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

 

30                  16-33.1-2.1 Additional powers of the President of the College. -- In addition to any

 

31      powers granted to the president of the Community College of Rhode Island by law or regulation,

 

32      and consistent with shared governance practices, in conformity with § 16-33.1-3, the president

 

33      shall have the following additional powers and duties:

 

34                  (a) To create and consolidate departments, divisions, programs, and courses of study


1      within the college with the assistance of the commissioner of postsecondary education within the

 

2      approved role and scope adopted by the council on postsecondary education pursuant to § 16-59-

 

3      4. Any new or proposed eliminations of departments, divisions, programs or courses of study that

 

4      are outside the role and scope approved by the council shall require the review and approval of

 

5      the council on postsecondary education.

 

6                  (b) To adopt a budget for the college and submit it to the council on postsecondary

 

7      education for approval.

 

8                  (c) To be responsible for the general management of property of the college.

 

9                  (d) To recommend to the council on postsecondary education, after consultation with the

 

10      commissioner of postsecondary education, tables of organization for the college.

 

11                  (e) To submit to the office of postsecondary commissioner and to compile and analyze

 

12      the following information for presentation to the council on postsecondary education and the

 

13      board of education annually by May 1st the following:

 

14                  (1) A detailed departmental breakdown of all faculty members employed at the college

 

15      by  rank  (including  all  professors,  associate  professors,  assistant  professors,  lecturers,  and

 

16      instructors) and tenure (tenured and non-tenured, and other) and by race (African American,

 

17      Hispanic, Native American, and Asian) and gender.

 

18                  (2) A detailed report on current student enrollments for each class at the college by race

 

19      and  gender,  by  academic  department,  and  by  outreach  program  (e.g.  talent  development),

 

20      guaranteed admissions program, and the current levels of funding and staff support for each of

 

21      these programs.

 

22                  (3) A report on the current status of the African and Afro-American studies programs at

 

23      the college and a five (5) year budgetary history of the programs along with projections for

 

24      budgetary support for the next two (2) years.

 

25                  (4) A plan for recruitment of African American and Hispanic faculty into tenure track

 

26      positions at the college with specific reference to and planned involvement with the New England

 

27      higher education's minority faculty recruitment and development plan.

 

28                  (5) Copies of the report shall be furnished to the council on postsecondary education and

 

29      the board of education.

 

30                  SECTION 5. Sections 16-59-1, 16-59-2, 16-59-4, 16-59-6, 16-59-7.1, 16-59-9 and 16-59-

 

31      22 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-59 entitled "Board of Governors for Higher Education" are

 

32      hereby amended to read as follows:


1      council  on postsecondary  education,  sometimes  referred  to as  the  "board"  or  the "board  of

 

2      governors" "council", which shall be and is constituted a public corporation, empowered to sue

 

3      and be sued in its own name,  to have a corporate seal, and to exercise all the powers, in addition

 

4      to  those  specifically enumerated  in this  chapter,  usually appertaining to  public  corporations

 

5      entrusted with control of postsecondary educational institutions and functions.  The board shall be

 

6      protected from sudden changes in membership and reversal of policy by having staggered terms

 

7      for its public members.  Upon its organization the  board of governors  council shall be invested

 

8      with the legal title (in trust for the state) to all property, real and personal, now owned by and/or

 

9      under the control or in custody of the board of regents for education for the use of the University

 

10      of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, Community College of Rhode Island and the system of

 

11      community colleges of Rhode Island including all departments, divisions, and branches of these.

 

12                  (b) The  board of governors council is empowered to hold and operate the property in trust

 

13      for the state; to acquire, hold, and dispose of the property and other like property as deemed

 

14      necessary for the execution of its corporate purposes. The  board of governors  council is made

 

15      successor to all powers, rights, duties, and privileges formerly belonging to the board of regents

 

16      for  education  pertaining  to  postsecondary  education   and  the  board  of  governors  for  higher

 

17      education.

 

18                  (c) The board of governors shall consist of thirteen (13) members as follows: twelve (12)

 

19      public members, appointed pursuant to the terms of § 16-59-2, one of whom shall be a full time

 

20      student  in  good  standing  at  the  University  of  Rhode  Island,  Rhode  Island  College  or  the

 

21      Community College of Rhode Island, and a member of the board of regents for elementary and

 

22      secondary education designated by the governor.

 

23                  (d) The public members of the board of governors shall not be compensated for their

 

24      service in attending meetings or duly organized subcommittee meetings of the board.

 

25                  (e) The governor shall designate one of the public members as chairperson of the board

 

26      of governors. The board may elect from among its members such other officers as it deems

 

27      necessary. Seven (7) voting members of the board shall constitute a quorum and a majority vote

 

28      of those present and voting shall be required for action.

 

29                  (c) The council shall be the employer of record for higher education and the office of

 

30      postsecondary education. It shall retain all authority formerly vested in the board of education

 

31      regarding the employment of faculty and staff at the public higher education institutions.


1      establish the board establish the council for postsecondary education by appointing eleven (11)

 

2      seven (7) eight (8) members of the board of education established pursuant to chapter 16-97 to

 

3      serve  in staggered terms.  as members of the council, until the expiration of their term as a

 

4      member of the board of education and their successor is appointed. In addition the governor shall

 

5      appoint  one  (1)  student  member  who  shall  be  a  full  time  student  in  good  standing  at  the

 

6      University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College or the Community College of Rhode Island

 

7      and who shall serve in a non-voting, ex-officio capacity for a single two (2) year term and shall

 

8      rotate among the three (3) public institutions. The governor shall appoint the chair of the council

 

9      on an annual basis from among the eight (8) voting council members. The chair of the board of

 

10      education shall serve on the council in voting, ex-officio capacity. Five (5) voting members of the

 

11      council shall constitute a quorum and the vote of a majority of those present and voting shall be

 

12      required for action. The appointments shall be made for terms of three (3) years commencing on

 

13      February 1 in the year of the appointment and ending on January 31 in the third (3rd) year

 

14      thereafter, except in the case of the student member whose appointment shall be for a period of

 

15      two (2) years.

 

16                  (b) At the expiration of their terms members shall remain and continue in their official

 

17      capacity  until  a  new  member  is  appointed  and  confirmed.  Any  vacancy  among  the  public

 

18      members of the board shall be filled by appointment of the governor for the remainder of the

 

19      unexpired term. In the selection and appointment of members of the board, the governor shall

 

20      seek persons who best serve the entire needs of the state. Public members shall not be appointed

 

21      for  more  than  three  (3)  successive  three  (3)  year  terms  each;  provided,  however,  that  this

 

22      limitation shall not apply to that person designated as chairperson by the governor who may be a

 

23      member so long as he or she shall serve as chairperson. Student members shall be appointed by

 

24      the governor for a single two (2) year term and shall rotate among the three (3) public institutions.

 

25                  (c) No person shall be eligible for appointment to the board after the effective date of this

 

26      act [March 24, 2006] unless he or she is a resident of this state.

 

27                  (d) Members of the board shall be removable by the governor pursuant to the provisions

 

28      of § 36-1-7 of the general laws and for cause only, and removal solely for partisan or personal

 

29      reasons unrelated to capacity or fitness for the office shall be unlawful.

 

30                  16-59-4.  Powers and duties of board the council on postsecondary education Powers

 

31      and duties of the council on postsecondary education. --  (a) The  board of governors for higher


1      addressed to every level, aspect, and form of higher education in this state especially as that

 

2      information relates to current and future educational needs so that current needs may be met with

 

3      reasonable promptness and plans formulated to meet future needs as they arise in the most

 

4      efficient and economical manner possible.

 

5                  (2) To  develop and approve a master strategic plan defining implementing broad goals

 

6      and objectives for higher education in the state  as established by the board of education, including

 

7      a comprehensive capital development program.  These goals and objectives shall be expressed in

 

8      terms of what men and women should know and be able to do as a result of their educational

 

9      experience.  The  board  of  governors  shall  continuously  evaluate  the  efforts  and  results  of

 

10      education in the light of these objectives.

 

11                  (3) To formulate broad policy to implement the goals and objectives established and

 

12      adopted by the board of  governors education, to adopt standards and require enforcement and to

 

13      exercise general supervision over all higher public education in the state and over independent

 

14      higher education in the state as provided in subdivision (8)  and (9) of this section. The board of

 

15      governors education and the council shall not engage in the operation or administration of any

 

16      subordinate committee, university, junior college, or community college, except its own office of

 

17      higher  postsecondary education and except as specifically authorized by an act of the general

 

18      assembly;  provided,  the  presidents  of  each  institution  of  higher  learning  shall  be  the  chief

 

19      administrative and executive officers of that institution; and provided that nothing contained in

 

20      this section shall prohibit their direct access to or interfere with the relationship between the

 

21      presidents and the board of  governors  education and the council. The adoption and submittal of

 

22      the budget, the approval of tables of organization, the creation, abolishment, and consolidation of

 

23      departments, divisions, programs, and courses of study, and the acquisition, holding, disposition,

 

24      and general management of property shall not be construed to come within the purview of the

 

25      preceding  prohibition.  The  board  shall  communicate  with  and  seek  the  advice  of  the

 

26      commissioner of higher education and all those concerned with and affected by its determinations

 

27      as a regular procedure in arriving at its conclusions and in setting its policy.

 

28                  (4) To communicate with and seek the advice of the commissioner of postsecondary

 

29      education, the presidents of the public higher education institutions and all those concerned with

 

30      and affected by its determinations as a regular procedure in arriving at its conclusions and in

 

31      setting its policy.


1      the state budget officer in accordance with § 35-3-4 a state higher  educational education budget,

 

2      which shall include, but not be limited to, the budget of the office of  higher  postsecondary

 

3      education and the budget of the state colleges. In the preparation of the budget, the  board council

 

4      shall  determine implement the priorities established by the board of education of expenditures for

 

5      public higher education purposes of state revenues and other public resources made available for

 

6      the support of higher public education.  Prior to submitting the budget to the state budget officer

 

7      as required by the budget office instructions and this subsection, the council shall present the

 

8      budget  to  the  board  of  education  for  its  review  and  approval.  Nothing  contained  in  this

 

9      subdivision shall authorize the  board  council to alter the allocation of grants or aid otherwise

 

10      provided by law.

 

11                  (5)(6) To maintain an office of higher education postsecondary commissioner; to provide

 

12      for its staffing and organization; and to  appoint manage and oversee a commissioner of  higher

 

13      postsecondary education pursuant to duties and responsibilities defined in § 16-59-6 and § 16-59-

 

14      7, who shall serve at its pleasure. The commissioner of higher postsecondary education and the

 

15      office of  higher education postsecondary commissioner shall have the duties and responsibilities

 

16      as defined in §§ 16-59-6 and 16-59-7.

 

17                  (6)(7) To appoint and dismiss presidents of the public institutions of higher learning with

 

18      the assistance of the commissioner of  higher postsecondary education, and to establish procedures

 

19      for this, and with the assistance of the commissioner to approve or disapprove vice presidents of

 

20      the public institutions of higher learning appointed by the respective presidents of the public

 

21      institutions of higher learning.

 

22                  (7)(8) To establish other educational agencies or subcommittees necessary or desirable

 

23      for the conduct of any or all aspects of higher education and to determine all powers, functions,

 

24      and composition of any agencies or subcommittees and to dissolve them when their purpose shall

 

25      have been fulfilled.

 

26                  (8)(9) To exercise the authority vested in the board of regents for education with relation

 

27      to independent higher educational institutions within the state under the terms of chapter 40 of

 

28      this title, and other laws affecting independent higher education in the state.

 

29                  (9)(10) To enforce the provisions of all laws relating to higher education, public and

 

30      independent.

 

31                  (10)(11) To be responsible for all the functions, powers, and duties which were vested in

 

32      the board of regents for education relating to higher education, including but not limited to the


1      of higher learning with the assistance of the commissioner of  higher education  postsecondary

 

2      education which shall include but not be limited to populations to be served, the type and level of

 

3      programs and academic fields offered.

 

4                  (ii)  To  adopt  and  require  standard  accounting  procedures  for  the  office  of   higher

 

5      education postsecondary commissioner and all public colleges and universities.

 

6                  (iii) To create, abolish, and consolidate departments, divisions, programs, and courses of

 

7      study within the public colleges and universities with the assistance of the commissioner of

 

8      higher education after consultation with the presidents.

 

9                  (iv)(iii) To establish approve a clear and definitive mission for each public institution of

 

10      higher  learning with the assistance  of  the  commissioner  of   higher  education.  postsecondary

 

11      education that is consistent with the role and scope of programs at the public institutions.

 

12                  (v)(iv) To promote maximum efficiency, economy, and cooperation in the delivery of

 

13      public higher educational services in the state and cooperation with independent institutions of

 

14      higher education.

 

15                  (11)(12) To incorporate into its own affirmative action reporting process periodic reports

 

16      monitoring specific faculty and staff searches by the chairperson of the search committee to

 

17      include the rationale for granting those interviews and the final hiring results. The institutions

 

18      must empower  its their affirmative action officer to monitor searches in this manner, to intervene

 

19      during the search, and, when necessary, to cause a search to cease if affirmative action goals are

 

20      not being adequately served.

 

21                  (12)(13) To incorporate a specific category for accountability on affirmative action goals

 

22      and implementation as part of the board's annual evaluations and three (3) year reviews for the

 

23      presidents of each of the public institutions of higher education.

 

24                  (13)(14) To make a formal request of the governor that whenever an opportunity arises to

 

25      make new appointments to the board, that the governor make every effort to increase the number

 

26      of African Americans, Native Americans, Asians, and Hispanics on the board.

 

27                  (14) Within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year, the board shall submit an

 

28      annual report to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the president of the

 

29      senate of its activities during that fiscal year. The report shall provide: an operating statement

 

30      summarizing  meetings  or  hearings  held,  subjects  addressed,  decisions  rendered,  rules  or

 

31      regulations promulgated, studies conducted, policies and plans developed, approved, or modified,

 

32      and programs administered or initiated; a consolidated financial statement of all funds received

 

33      and expended including the source of the funds, a listing of any staff supported by these funds,


1      performance  during  the  previous  fiscal  year  including  accomplishments,  shortcomings  and

 

2      remedies; a synopsis of hearings, complaints, suspensions, or other legal matters related to the

 

3      authority of the board; a briefing on anticipated activities in the upcoming fiscal year; and

 

4      findings   and   recommendations   for   improvements.   The   director   of   the   department   of

 

5      administration shall be responsible for the enforcement of the provisions of this subsection.

 

6                  (15)  The  board  shall  conduct  a  training  course  for  newly  appointed  and  qualified

 

7      members within six (6) months of their qualification. The course shall be developed by the

 

8      chairperson of the board, approved by the board, and conducted by the chairperson of the board.

 

9      The board may approve the use of any board or staff members or other individuals to assist with

 

10      training. The training course shall include instruction in the following areas: the provisions of

 

11      chapters 42-46, 36-14, and 38-2; and the board's own rules. The director of the department of

 

12      administration shall, within ninety (90) days of the effective date of this act [March 24, 2006],

 

13      prepare and disseminate training materials relating to the provisions of chapters 42-46, 36-14, and

 

14      38-2.

 

15                  (15) To develop coherent plans for the elimination of unnecessary duplication in public

 

16      higher education and addressing the future needs of public education within the state in the most

 

17      efficient and economical manner possible.

 

18                  (16) To delegate to the presidents of each public higher education institution the authority

 

19      and  responsibility  for  operational  and  management  decisions  related  to  their  institutions,

 

20      consistent with the goals of the statewide strategic plan for postsecondary education provided

 

21      however that the presidents may be required to provide information or updates to the council

 

22      regarding any delegated operational or management decisions.

 

23                  16-59-6.    Commissioner   of   higher   postsecondary   education   Commissioner   of

 

24      postsecondary education. -- The  board council on postsecondary education, with approval of the

 

25      board, shall appoint a commissioner of  higher  postsecondary education, who shall serve at the

 

26      pleasure of the  board council, provided that his or her initial engagement by the  board council

 

27      shall be for a period of not more than three (3) years. For the purpose of appointing, retaining, or

 

28      dismissing a commissioner of  higher  postsecondary education, the governor shall serve as an

 

29      additional voting member of the  board council, and provided that in the case of a tie, the president

 

30      of  the  senate  shall  cast  the  deciding  vote.  The  position  of  commissioner  shall  be  in  the

 

31      unclassified service of the state and he or she shall serve as the chief executive officer of the

 

32      board of governors council on postsecondary education and as the chief administrative officer of

 

33      the  office  of   higher  education   postsecondary  commissioner.  The  commissioner  of   higher

 

34      postsecondary education shall have any duties that are defined in this section and in this title and


1      other additional duties as may be determined by the  board council, and shall perform any other

 

2      duties as may be vested in him or her by law. In addition to these duties and general supervision

 

3      of the office of  higher education postsecondary commissioner and the appointment of the several

 

4      officers  and  employees  of  the  office,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  commissioner  of   higher

 

5      postsecondary education:

 

6                  (1)  To  develop  and  implement  a  systematic  program  of  information  gathering,

 

7      processing, and analysis addressed to every aspect of higher education in the state, especially as

 

8      that information relates to current and future educational needs.

 

9                  (2) To prepare a  master strategic plan for higher education in the state aligned with the

 

10      goals of the board of education's strategic plan; to coordinate the goals and objectives of the

 

11      higher  public  education  sector  with  the   goals  of  the  council  on  elementary  and  secondary

 

12      education, and activities of the independent higher education sector where feasible.

 

13                  (3) To communicate with and seek the advice of those concerned with and affected by the

 

14      board of  governors' education's and council's determinations.

 

15                  (4) To implement broad policy as it pertains to the goals and objectives established by the

 

16      board  of education and council on postsecondary education; to enforce standards and to exercise

 

17      general supervision  promote better coordination between  over higher public education in the

 

18      state,  and over independent higher education in the state as provided in subdivision (11) (10) of

 

19      this section  and pre k -12 education; to assist in the preparation of the budget for public higher

 

20      education  and  to  be  responsible  upon  direction  of  the   board  council  for  the  allocation  of

 

21      appropriations, the acquisition, holding, and disposition, and general management of property.

 

22                  (5) To be responsible for the coordination of the various higher educational functions of

 

23      the state so that maximum efficiency and economy can be achieved.

 

24                  (6) To assist the board  of education in preparation and maintenance of a five (5) year

 

25      strategic funding plan for higher education; to assist the  board  council in the preparation and

 

26      presentation annually to the state budget officer in accordance with § 35-3-4 of a total public

 

27      higher educational budget.

 

28                  (7) To recommend to the  board of governors, council on postsecondary education after

 

29      consultation with the presidents, a clear and definitive mission for each public institution of

 

30      higher learning.

 

31                  (8) To recommend to the board of governors, after consultation with the presidents, tables

 

32      of organization for the public institutions of higher learning.

 

33                  (9)  (8) To annually recommend to the  board of governors,  council on postsecondary

 

34      education after consultation with the presidents, the creation, abolition, retention, or consolidation


1      of  departments,  divisions,  programs,  and  courses  of  study  within  the  public  colleges  and

 

2      universities to eliminate unnecessary duplication in public higher education  and, to address the

 

3      future needs of public higher education in the state, and to advance proposals recommended by

 

4      the presidents of the public colleges and universities pursuant to sections 16-32-2.1, 16-33-2.1

 

5      and 16-33.1-2.1 of the general laws.

 

6                  (10)  (9) To supervise the operations of the office of  higher education  postsecondary

 

7      commissioner and any other additional duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the

 

8      board council.

 

9                  (11) (10) To perform the duties vested in the board of governors council with relation to

 

10      independent higher educational institutions within the state under the terms of chapter 40 of this

 

11      title and any other laws that affect independent higher education in the state.

 

12                  (12) (11) To be responsible for the administration of policies, rules, and regulations of the

 

13      board of governors  the council on postsecondary education with relation to the entire field of

 

14      higher education within the state, not specifically granted to any other department, board, or

 

15      agency and not incompatible with law.

 

16                  (13) (12) To prepare standard accounting procedures for public higher education and all

 

17      public colleges and universities.

 

18                  (14) (13) To carry out the policies and directives of the board of governors education and

 

19      the council on postsecondary education through the office of  higher education  postsecondary

 

20      commissioner and through utilization of the resources of the public institutions of higher learning.

 

21                  (15) To  direct the  office of  higher  education to  compile  and  analyze  the following

 

22      information for presentation to the speaker of the house and the governor by May 1st annually:

 

23                  (A) A detailed departmental breakdown of all faculty members employed at each state

 

24      run  college  and  university  by  rank  (including  all  professors,  associate  professors,  assistant

 

25      professors,  lecturers,  instructors)  and  tenure  (tenured  and  non-tenured,  other)  and  by  race

 

26      (African American, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian) and gender.

 

27                  (B) A detailed report on current student enrollments for each class at each state run

 

28      college and university by race and gender, by academic department, and by outreach program

 

29      (e.g. talent development), guaranteed admissions program, and the current levels of funding and

 

30      staff support for each of these programs.

 

31                  (C) A report on the current status of the African and Afro-American studies programs at

 

32      each institution and a five (5) year budgetary history of the programs along with projections for

 

33      budgetary support for the next two (2) years.

 

34                  (D) A plan for recruitment of African American and Hispanic faculty into tenure track


1      positions at each institution with specific reference to and planned involvement with the New

 

2      England higher education's minority faculty recruitment and development plan.

 

3                  (ii) Certified copies of the report shall be furnished to the board of governors and the

 

4      presidents of the state colleges and universities.

 

5                  16-59-7.1.  Permanent  status  for  non-classified  employees.  --  All  non-classified

 

6      employees of the  board of governors council on postsecondary education who shall have twenty

 

7      (20) years, not necessarily consecutive, of service credit, these credits having been earned in

 

8      either the classified, non-classified, or unclassified service or any combination of these, shall be

 

9      deemed to have acquired full status in their positions as the status is defined by § 36-4-59;

 

10      provided that this provision shall not apply to those employees whose base entry date is after

 

11      August 7, 1996; and provided that this provision shall not apply to faculty employed by the  board

 

12      of governors council on postsecondary education nor shall it apply to non-classified employees

 

13      who have acquired tenure as faculty.

 

14                  16-59-9. Educational budget and appropriations. -- (a) The general assembly shall

 

15      annually  appropriate  any  sums  it  deems  necessary  for  support  and  maintenance  of  higher

 

16      education in the state and the state controller is authorized and directed to draw his or her orders

 

17      upon the general treasurer for the payment of the appropriations or so much of the sums that are

 

18      necessary for the purposes appropriated, upon the receipt by him or her of proper vouchers as the

 

19      board of governors for higher education council on postsecondary education may by rule provide.

 

20      The  board council shall receive, review, and adjust the budgets budget of its several subordinate

 

21      committees and agencies and for the office of higher education postsecondary commissioner and

 

22      present the budget as part of the budget for higher education under the requirements of § 35-3-4.

 

23                  (b) The office of  higher education  postsecondary commissioner and the institutions of

 

24      public higher education shall establish working capital accounts.

 

25                  (c) Any tuition or fee increase schedules in effect for the institutions of public higher

 

26      education shall be received by the  board of governors  council on postsecondary education for

 

27      allocation for the fiscal year for which state appropriations are made to the  board of governors

 

28      council by the general assembly; provided that no further increases may be made by the board of

 

29      governors   education  or  the  council  on  postsecondary  education  for  the  year  for  which

 

30      appropriations are made. Except that these provisions shall not apply to the revenues of housing,

 

31      dining, and other auxiliary facilities at the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, and

 

32      the Community Colleges including student fees as described in P.L. 1962, ch. 257 pledged to

 

33      secure indebtedness issued at any time pursuant to P.L. 1962, ch. 257 as amended.

 

34                  (d) All housing, dining, and other auxiliary facilities at all public institutions of higher


1      learning shall be self-supporting and no funds shall be appropriated by the general assembly to

 

2      pay operating expenses, including principal and interest on debt services, and overhead expenses

 

3      for the facilities. Any debt service costs on general obligation bonds presented to the voters in

 

4      November 2000 and November 2004 or appropriated funds from the Rhode Island capital plan for

 

5      the housing auxiliaries at the University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College shall not be

 

6      subject to this self-supporting requirement in order to provide funds for the building construction

 

7      and rehabilitation program. The institutions of public higher education will establish policies and

 

8      procedures which enhance the opportunity for auxiliary facilities to be self-supporting, including

 

9      that all faculty provide timely and accurate copies of booklist for required textbooks to the public

 

10      higher educational institution's bookstore.

 

11                  (e) The additional costs to achieve self-supporting status shall be by the implementation

 

12      of a fee schedule of all housing, dining, and other auxiliary facilities, including but not limited to,

 

13      operating expenses, principal, and interest on debt services, and overhead expenses.

 

14                  16-59-22. Applicability of merit system  Teacher certification  List of positions

 

15      transferable  to  classified  service.  --  (a)  The  appointment,  promotion,  salaries,  tenure,  and

 

16      dismissal of administrative, instructional, and research employees, and secretarial employees not

 

17      exceeding ten (10) in number, of the state colleges shall not be subject in any manner or degree to

 

18      control  by  the  personnel  administrator  or  by  any  officer  or  board  other  than  the   board  of

 

19      governors for higher education council on postsecondary education. The certification of teachers

 

20      at the University of Rhode Island is abolished, except for teachers that elect to come or remain

 

21      under it.

 

22                  (b) All positions that are exempt from the Merit System Law, chapter 4 of title 36, which

 

23      become vacant or that are to be established, must be forwarded to the personnel administrator,

 

24      who in consultation with the deputy assistant commissioner of education in charge of personnel

 

25      and labor relations shall determine whether the position(s) in question shall remain in the  board of

 

26      governors for higher education council on postsecondary education non-classified service or be

 

27      established in the classified service of the state.

 

28                  (c) No position presently in the classified service of the state subject to the Merit System

 

29      Law, chapter 4 of title 36, shall be changed or modified so as to establish the position in the  board

 

30      of governors for higher education council on postsecondary education non-classified service.

 

31                  (d) Faculty positions, presidents, vice presidents, deans, assistant deans, and student

 

32      employees of the higher education institutions shall not be covered by the preceding provisions

 

33      and  shall  remain  in  the   board  of  governors  for  higher  education  council  on  postsecondary

 

34      education non-classified service.


1                  SECTION 6. Sections 16-59-4.1 and 16-59-8 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-59

 

2      entitled "Board of Governors for Higher Education" are hereby repealed.

 

3                  16-59-4.1. Administration of higher education. -- The director of the department of

 

4      administration is hereby directed to conduct research and analysis to recommend a revised plan

 

5      for  the  organizational  structure  for  higher  education  governance,  staff  support  and  resource

 

6      allocation  in  Rhode  Island. This  plan shall address the goal  of improving affordability and

 

7      accessibility to public higher education; and maximizing efficiencies while providing sufficient

 

8      support to the governance structure of public higher education. The director of the department of

 

9      administration is directed to report findings, recommendations and alternative designs to the

 

10      general assembly no later than November 1, 2011 with copies to the speaker of the house, senate

 

11      president, chairs of the house and senate finance committees and their respective fiscal advisors.

 

12                  The report shall include a strategic plan that outlines the mission, goals, and the estimated

 

13      cost and timelines to implement said recommendations. The report shall provide a clear definition

 

14      of  roles  and  responsibilities,  including  those  responsible  for  implementing  the  proposed

 

15      recommendations. The analysis shall develop measures of success, and an appropriate timeline to

 

16      measure implementation progress. It shall also include:

 

17                  (1) An examination of the various organizational structures in other states, evaluating

 

18      their strengths and weaknesses, and how they may or may not be applicable in Rhode Island. This

 

19      should include an evaluation of the best practices regarding organizational structures for higher

 

20      education.

 

21                  (2) An analysis of what functions could be allocated to other institutions, and which

 

22      might be centralized to translate into efficiencies and more effective higher education policy. This

 

23      should  include,  but  not  be  limited  to,  strategies  to  reorganize  and  or  centralize  finance,

 

24      purchasing, human resources, information technology, and facilities management within an office

 

25      of   higher   education,   with   specific   direction   on  the   allocation   of  resources,   staff   and

 

26      responsibilities.

 

27                  The  report  should  explore  the  feasibility  of  permanently  allocating  all  operational

 

28      activities and other responsibilities currently held within the office of higher education to the

 

29      three (3) higher education institutions or other viable alternatives while maintaining the board of

 

30      governors.

 

31                  All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,

 

32      documentary or otherwise to the director of the department of administration and its agents as is

 

33      deemed necessary or desirable to facilitate the purposes of the study.


1      executive committee which shall be composed of the president of the University of Rhode Island,

 

2      the president of Rhode Island College, the president of Community College of Rhode Island and

 

3      the commissioner of higher education. The commissioner of higher education shall serve as the

 

4      chairperson of the committee.

 

5                  (b) The committee shall meet on a regular basis, provided, that they shall meet not less

 

6      than twelve (12) times per year, and the purpose of the committee shall include but not be limited

 

7      to developing coherent plans for the elimination of unnecessary duplication in public higher

 

8      education and addressing the future needs of public higher education within the state in the most

 

9      efficient and economical manner possible. All recommendations and information gathered at the

 

10      meetings of the committee shall be forwarded to the board of governors by the commissioner of

 

11      higher education in conjunction with the presidents for approval and disapproval.

 

12                  (c) Prior to the presentation of any proposal to the board of governors, the committee

 

13      shall fully examine its impact on higher education, including but not limited to its impact on

 

14      educational budgetary requirements, quality of higher education and elimination of unnecessary

 

15      duplication. The chairperson of the committee may invite additional participation by faculty and

 

16      other employees when he or she deems it necessary.

 

17                  SECTION 7. Sections 16-60-1, 16-60-2, 16-60-4 and 16-60-6 of the General Laws in

 

18      Chapter 16-60 entitled "Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education" are hereby

 

19      amended to read as follows:

 

20                  16-60-1. Board council on elementary and secondary education established. -- (a)

 

21      There is created a  board of regents for elementary and secondary education sometimes referred to

 

22      as the "regents" or the "board of regents," council on elementary and secondary education which

 

23      shall be and is constituted a public corporation, empowered to sue and be sued in its own name, to

 

24      have a corporate seal, and to exercise all the powers, in addition to those specifically enumerated

 

25      in this chapter, usually appertaining to public corporations entrusted with control of elementary

 

26      and  secondary  education  institutions  and  functions.  The   regents  council  on  elementary  and

 

27      secondary education shall be protected from sudden changes in membership and reversal of

 

28      policy by having staggered terms for its public members.

 

29                  (b) Upon its organization the  board of regents  council on elementary and secondary

 

30      education  shall be invested with the legal title (in trust for the state) to all property, real and

 

31      personal, now owned by and/or under the control or in the custody of the board of regents for

 

32      education for the use of the department of elementary and secondary education. The  board of

 

33      regents  council on elementary and secondary education is made successor to all powers, rights,


1                  (c) The  board of regents for elementary and secondary education shall consist of ten (10)

 

2      members as follows: Eight (8) public members appointed pursuant to the terms of subsection 16-

 

3      60-2(a), one student member who shall be ex-officio and nonvoting elected pursuant to the

 

4      provisions of subsection 16-60-2(d), and a member of the board of governors for higher education

 

5      designated by the governor. Five (5) voting members of the board shall constitute a quorum and

 

6      the vote of a majority vote of those present and voting shall be required for action.

 

7                  The public members of the board of regents shall not be compensated for service in

 

8      attending meetings or duly organized subcommittee meetings of the board at which business is

 

9      transacted.

 

10                  (d) The governor shall designate one of the public members as chairperson of the board

 

11      of  regents  The  board  may  elect  from  among  its  members  such  other  officers  as  it  deems

 

12      necessary.

 

13                  (c) The council on elementary and secondary education is made successor to all powers,

 

14      rights, duties, and privileges formerly belonging to the board of regents for elementary and

 

15      secondary education, unless otherwise specified in law.

 

16                  16-60-2. Appointment of board members. -- (a) The governor shall  with the advice and

 

17      consent of the senate establish the board by appointing eight (8) members to serve staggered

 

18      terms. The appointments shall be made for terms of three (3) years commencing on February 1 in

 

19      the year of appointment and ending on January 31 in the third (3rd) year after this, except, at the

 

20      expiration of their terms members shall remain and continue in their official capacity until a new

 

21      member is appointed and confirmed. Any vacancy among the public members of the board shall

 

22      be filled by appointment of the governor for the remainder of the unexpired term. In the selection

 

23      and appointment of members of the board the governor shall seek persons who best serve the

 

24      entire  needs  of  the  state.  Public  members  shall  not  be  appointed  for  more  than  three  (3)

 

25      successive three (3) year terms each; provided, that this limitation shall not apply to that person

 

26      designated as chairperson by the governor who may be a member so long as he or she shall serve

 

27      as chairperson. establish the council on elementary and secondary education by appointing eight

 

28      (8) members of the board of education established pursuant to chapter 16-97 to serve as members

 

29      of the council until the expiration of their term and appointment of their successor as a member of

 

30      the board of education. The chair of the board of education shall serve on the council in a voting,

 

31      ex-officio capacity. Five (5) voting members of the council shall constitute a quorum and the vote

 

32      of the majority of those present and voting shall be required for action. The governor shall

 

33      appoint the chair of the council on an annual basis from among the eight (8) council members.


1      act [March 24, 2006] unless he or she is a resident of this state.

 

2                  (c) Members of the board shall be removable by the governor pursuant to the provisions

 

3      of § 36-1-7 of the general laws and for cause only, and removal solely for partisan or personal

 

4      reasons unrelated to capacity or fitness for the office shall be unlawful.

 

5                  (d)  (c) There is hereby established a student advisory council to the  board of regents

 

6      council on elementary and secondary education, consisting of one elected high school student

 

7      representative from each public secondary school in the state of Rhode Island.

 

8                  (1) Each public secondary school shall hold elections for its representative to the student

 

9      advisory council no earlier than the first (1st) day of March and no later than the end of the

 

10      second (2nd) full week of April. Each school shall elect only one representative. Elected members

 

11      shall be notified of their election on or before the Friday of the third (3rd) week of April of the

 

12      year of their election. No person shall be eligible to be elected to the student advisory council

 

13      unless at the time of his or her election he or she is enrolled as a student in a secondary school

 

14      between the grades of nine (9) and eleven (11) within the state of Rhode Island. No person shall

 

15      be allowed to vote if they are not currently enrolled in a Rhode Island public secondary school

 

16      between the grades of nine (9) and eleven (11). If at any time during his or her term of office a

 

17      member of the student advisory council ceases to be so enrolled, his or her membership shall be

 

18      terminated and his or her position shall be deemed vacant. This vacancy shall be filled by the

 

19      public secondary school within thirty (30) school days of the opening of the vacancy.

 

20                  (2) The student advisory council will serve from the first (1st) day of May of the year it is

 

21      elected until the last day of April of the following year. A student may serve no more than three

 

22      (3) terms.

 

23                  (3) Said student advisory council shall meet from time to time and shall consider such

 

24      matters as it deems appropriate.

 

25                  (4) Prior to the first (1st) day of June of each annual session the student advisory council

 

26      shall adopt a set of bylaws.

 

27                  (5) Members of the council shall not be compensated for service in attending meetings

 

28      except that they shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in travelling to and from

 

29      meetings.

 

30                  (6) The members of said student advisory council shall, by majority vote prior to the first

 

31      (1st) day of June in each year, elect from their members a chairperson who shall serve for a term

 

32      of one year beginning on the first (1st) day of June. Said chairperson shall serve as an ex officio

 

33      and nonvoting member of the  board of regents council for a term of one year, unless the student

 

34      advisory council removes said chairperson from his or her position in a manner described within


1      the bylaws of that council  and/or if he or she is otherwise removed by the governor.

 

2                  16-60-4.   Board  of  regents  for  elementary  and  secondary  education  Council  on

 

3      elementary  and  secondary  education   Powers  and  duties.  --  The   board  of  regents  for

 

4      elementary and secondary education Council on Elementary and Secondary Education shall have

 

5      in addition to those enumerated in § 16-60-1, the following powers and duties:

 

6                  (1) To approve a systematic program of information gathering, processing, and analysis

 

7      addressed to every aspect of elementary and secondary education in this state especially as that

 

8      information relates to current and future educational needs so that current needs may be met with

 

9      reasonable promptness and plans formulated to meet future needs as they arise in the most

 

10      efficient and economical manner possible.

 

11                  (2) To approve a master plan  defining implementing the broad goals and objectives for

 

12      elementary and secondary education in the state that have been established by the board of

 

13      education. These goals and objectives shall be expressed in terms of what men and women should

 

14      know and be able to do as a result of their educational experience. The  regents  council on

 

15      elementary and secondary education shall continually evaluate the efforts and results of education

 

16      in the light of these objectives.

 

17                  (3) To  formulate broad policy to implement the goals and objectives established and

 

18      adopted by the board of regents; to adopt standards and require enforcement and to exercise

 

19      general supervision over all elementary and secondary public and nonpublic education in the state

 

20      as provided in subdivision (8) of this section. The  board of regents  council on elementary and

 

21      secondary education  shall not  engage  in  the operation  or  administration  of any subordinate

 

22      committee,  local  school  district,  school,  school  service,  or  school  program,  except  its  own

 

23      department of elementary and secondary education, and except as specifically authorized by an

 

24      act of the general assembly. The adoption and submittal of the budget and the allocation of

 

25      appropriations, the acquisition, holding, disposition, and general management of property shall

 

26      not be construed to come within the purview of the preceding prohibition. The  regents council on

 

27      elementary  and  secondary  education  shall  communicate  with  and  seek  the  advice  of  the

 

28      commissioner of elementary and secondary education and all those concerned with and affected

 

29      by its determinations as a regular procedure in arriving at its conclusions and in setting its policy.

 

30                  (4) To allocate and coordinate the various educational functions among the educational

 

31      agencies of the state and local school districts and to promote cooperation among them so that

 

32      maximum efficiency and economy shall be achieved.

 

33                  (5) To prepare with the assistance of the commissioner of elementary and secondary

 

34      education and to present annually to the state budget officer, in accordance with § 35-3-4, a total


1      educational budget for the elementary and secondary sector which shall include, but not be

 

2      limited to, the budgets of the department of elementary and secondary education, subordinate

 

3      boards and agencies, and state aid to local school districts.  Prior to submitting the budget as

 

4      required by the budget office instructions and this subsection the council shall present the budget

 

5      to the board of education for review and approval.

 

6                  (ii) In the preparation of the budget, the  regents  council on elementary and secondary

 

7      education shall  determine  implement the priorities  established by the board of education  of

 

8      expenditures for elementary and secondary education purposes of state revenues and other public

 

9      resources made available for the support of public elementary and secondary education among

 

10      the various education agencies of the state. Nothing contained in this section shall authorize any

 

11      individual or group of individuals to reallocate resources in a manner other than that prescribed in

 

12      the budget as appropriations by the general assembly.

 

13                  (6) To maintain a department of elementary and secondary education, to provide for its

 

14      staffing and organization and to appoint a commissioner of elementary and secondary education

 

15      pursuant to § 16-60-6 who shall serve at its pleasure. The commissioner of elementary and

 

16      secondary education and the department of elementary and secondary education shall have any

 

17      duties and responsibilities as defined in §§ 16-60-6 and 16-60-7.

 

18                  (7) To establish other educational agencies or subcommittees necessary or desirable for

 

19      the conduct of any or all aspects of elementary and secondary education and to determine all

 

20      powers, functions, and composition of any agencies or subcommittees and to dissolve them when

 

21      their purpose shall have been fulfilled; provided that nothing contained in this subdivision shall

 

22      be construed to grant the  regents  council the power to establish subcommittees or agencies

 

23      performing the duties and functions of local school committees except as provided in § 16-1-10.

 

24                  (8) To exercise the authority previously vested in the board of regents for education with

 

25      relation  to  secondary  nonpublic  educational  institutions  within  the  state  under  the  terms  of

 

26      chapter 40 of this title and other laws affecting nonpublic education in the state, and to cause the

 

27      department of elementary and secondary education to administer the provisions of that section.

 

28                  (9) To exercise all the functions, powers and duties which previously were vested in the

 

29      board of regents for education, under the provisions of former § 16-49-4(9), including but not

 

30      limited to the following specific functions:

 

31                  (i) To approve the basic subjects and courses of study to be taught and instructional

 

32      standards required to be maintained in the public elementary and secondary schools of the state.

 

33                  (ii) To adopt standards and qualifications for the certification of teachers and to provide

 

34      for the issuance of certificates, and to establish fees for the certification of teachers. The fees


1      collected for the certification of teachers along with various education licensing and testing fees

 

2      shall be deposited by the  board of regents  council on elementary and secondary education as

 

3      general  revenues.  The  funds  appropriated  by  the  general  assembly  shall  be  utilized  by  the

 

4      department of elementary and secondary education to establish and support programs which

 

5      enhance the quality and diversity of the teaching profession. The commissioner of elementary and

 

6      secondary education shall regularly make recommendations to the board about specific programs

 

7      and projects to be supported by those funds. The commissioner shall oversee the funds, assess the

 

8      effectiveness of its programs and projects, and make recommendations about the general use and

 

9      operation of the funds to the board.

 

10                  (iii) To be responsible for the distribution of state school funds.

 

11                  (iv) To determine the necessity of school construction and to approve standards for

 

12      design and construction of school buildings throughout the state.

 

13                  (v) To set standards for school libraries and school library services.

 

14                  (vi) To make recommendations relative to transportation of pupils to school, school bus

 

15      routes, time schedules, and other matters relating to pupil transportation.

 

16                  (vii)  To  enforce  the  provisions  of  all  laws  relating  to  elementary  and  secondary

 

17      education.

 

18                  (viii) To decide and determine appeals from decisions of the commissioner.

 

19                  (ix) To prescribe forms for the use of local school committees and local officers when

 

20      reporting to the department of elementary and secondary education.

 

21                  (x) To adopt and require standard accounting procedures for local school districts, except

 

22      as provided for in subdivision (3) of § 16-24-2.

 

23                  (xi) To adopt and require standard uniform operating and capital budgeting procedures

 

24      for local school districts.

 

25                  (10) To establish rules for the approval and accrediting of elementary and secondary

 

26      schools.

 

27                  (11) To recommend to the general assembly changes in the size and number of the school

 

28      districts within the state; and to make any further and other recommendations to the general

 

29      assembly as the  board of regents council on elementary and secondary education may determine

 

30      to  be  necessary or  desirable,  including,  but  not  limited  to,  proposals  for  incentives  for  the

 

31      coordination of services and facilities of certain school districts and the feasibility of granting

 

32      taxing authority to local school committees upon their request, and the impact upon the quality of

 

33      education within that particular community by granting the request. In carrying out this duty, the

 

34      board of regents  council on elementary and secondary education shall periodically issue reports in


1      school district organizations for selected regions and school districts.

 

2                  (12) To exercise all other powers with relation to the field of elementary and secondary

 

3      education within this state not specifically granted to any other department, board, or agency, and

 

4      not incompatible with law, which the  board of regents for elementary and secondary education

 

5      council on elementary and secondary education may deem advisable.

 

6                  (13) To exercise the authority previously vested in the board of regents for education with

 

7      relation to adult education as defined in § 16-58-2 and to establish definitive goals for and operate

 

8      a  comprehensive  delivery  system  for  adult  education  programs  and  services,  including  the

 

9      counseling and testing of persons interested in obtaining high school equivalency diplomas, the

 

10      issuance of diplomas, and the maintenance of a permanent record of applications, tests, and

 

11      equivalency diplomas.

 

12                  (14) To promote maximum efficiency and economy in the delivery of elementary and

 

13      secondary educational services in the state.

 

14                  (15) To approve a training program for school committee members to enhance their

 

15      individual skills and their effectiveness as a corporate body. The training program should include,

 

16      but not be limited to, the following roles and responsibilities of school committees: strategic

 

17      planning, human and community relations, and school finance and budgeting.

 

18                  (16) Within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year, the board shall submit an

 

19      annual report to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the president of the

 

20      senate of its activities during that fiscal year. The report shall provide: an operating statement

 

21      summarizing  meetings  or  hearings  held,  subjects  addressed,  decisions  rendered,  rules  or

 

22      regulations promulgated, studies conducted, policies and plans developed, approved, or modified,

 

23      and programs administered or initiated; a consolidated financial statement of all funds received

 

24      and expended including the source of the funds, a listing of any staff supported by these funds,

 

25      and a summary of any clerical, administrative or technical support received; a summary of

 

26      performance  during  the  previous  fiscal  year  including  accomplishments,  shortcomings  and

 

27      remedies; a synopsis of hearings, complaints, suspensions, or other legal matters related to the

 

28      authority of the  board council; a briefing on anticipated activities in the upcoming fiscal year; and

 

29      findings   and   recommendations   for   improvements.   The   director   of   the   department   of

 

30      administration shall be responsible for the enforcement of the provisions of this subsection.

 

31                  (17) To prepare with the assistance of the commissioner a multi-year plan of priority

 

32      educational goals and objectives. This plan should recommend policy objectives, implementation

 

33      strategies, and a timetable for major policy initiatives.

 

34                  (18) Each year the governor shall by writing notify the  board of regents for elementary


1      and  secondary  education  council  on  elementary  and  secondary  education  concerning  broad

 

2      economic, cultural, and social needs that the education system needs to consider which the board

 

3      shall address in developing educational plans and programs.

 

4                  (19) Appoint a standing committee that will develop a schedule to systematically review

 

5      all board council policies over a three (3) year period.

 

6                  (20) To prepare with the assistance of the commissioner a statement of regulatory policy.

 

7      This policy should set forth the goals and objectives of state regulations which are expressed in

 

8      terms of what educational inputs and outputs the board expects regulations to address.

 

9                  (21) To prepare with the assistance of the commissioner of elementary and secondary

 

10      education and to present annually to the general assembly by January 1 a report on school

 

11      discipline in Rhode Island schools. This report shall include:

 

12                  (A) Expulsions by district, including duration and the reason for each action.

 

13                  (B) Suspensions by district, including duration and the reason for each action.

 

14                  (C) Placements to alternative programs for disciplinary reasons.

 

15                  (D) Assaults of teachers, students, and school staff by students.

 

16                  (E) Incidents involving possession of weapons on school property. For the purpose of this

 

17      section, a weapon shall be considered any of those weapons described in §§ 11-47-2 and 11-47-

 

18      42.

 

19                  (F) Incidents of the sale of controlled substances by students.

 

20                  (G) Incidents of the possession with the intent to sell controlled substances by students.

 

21                  (H) Additional demographic information including, but not limited to, the ethnic and

 

22      racial classifications, age, and gender, as prescribed by the commissioner, of each of the students

 

23      involved in the incidents, events or actions described in subparagraphs (A) through (G) of this

 

24      subdivision.

 

25                  (I) A description of the education program provided to each student suspended for over

 

26      ten (10) consecutive school days in a school year.

 

27                  (ii)  All  school  superintendents  shall  supply  the  necessary  information  on  forms

 

28      established by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education to the  board of regents

 

29      council on elementary and secondary education to assist in the preparation of the board of regents'

 

30      council's report on school discipline.

 

31                  (22) To prepare and promulgate a uniform statewide school reporting system which

 

32      would provide information including, but not limited to, the following:

 

33                  (i) Student and teacher attendance rates;

 

34                  (ii) Standardized test scores;


1                  (iii) Demographic profiles;

 

2                  (iv) Results of polls of students, parents, and teachers;

 

3                  (v) Descriptions of goals, initiatives, and achievements;

 

4                  (vi) Best teaching practices;

 

5                  (vii) Alternative student assessments;

 

6                  (viii) Special programs;

 

7                  (ix) Number of student suspensions and teacher grievances and the amount of parental

 

8      involvement.

 

9                  (23)  The  board  shall  conduct  a  training  course  for  newly  appointed  and  qualified

 

10      members within six (6) months of their qualification. The course shall be developed by the

 

11      chairperson of the board, approved by the board, and conducted by the chairperson of the board.

 

12      The board may approve the use of any board or staff members or other individuals to assist with

 

13      training. The training course shall include instruction in the following areas: the provisions of

 

14      chapters 42-46, 36-14, and 38-2; and the board's own rules. The director of the department of

 

15      administration  shall,  within  ninety  (90)  days  of  the  effective  date  of  this  act,  prepare  and

 

16      disseminate training materials relating to the provisions of chapters 42-46, 36-14, and 38-2.

 

17                  16-60-6.  Commissioner  of  elementary  and  secondary  education.  --  The   regents

 

18      council on elementary and secondary education, with the advice and consent of the board of

 

19      education, shall appoint a commissioner of elementary and secondary education who shall serve

 

20      at the pleasure of the  regents council on elementary and secondary education, provided that the

 

21      commissioner's initial engagement by the  regents council shall be for a period of not more than

 

22      three (3) years. For the purpose of appointing, retaining, or dismissing a commissioner, the

 

23      governor  shall  serve  as  an  additional  voting  member  of  the   board  of  regents  council  on

 

24      elementary and secondary education, and provided that in the case of a tie, the president of the

 

25      senate shall cast the deciding vote. The position of commissioner shall be in the unclassified

 

26      service of the state and he or she shall serve as the chief executive officer of the  board of regents

 

27      council on elementary and secondary education  and as the chief administrative officer of the

 

28      department  of  elementary  and  secondary  education.  The  commissioner  of  elementary  and

 

29      secondary education shall have the duties that are defined in this section and in this title and any

 

30      other additional duties that may be determined by the  regents  the council on elementary and

 

31      secondary education, and shall perform any other duties that may be vested in the commissioner

 

32      by law. In addition to the general supervision of the department of elementary and secondary

 

33      education and the appointment of the several officers and employees of the department, it shall be

 

34      the duty of the commissioner of elementary and secondary education:


1                  (1)  To  develop  and  implement  a  systematic  program  of  information  gathering,

 

2      processing, and analysis addressed to every aspect of elementary and secondary education in the

 

3      state, especially as that information relates to current and future educational needs.

 

4                  (2) To prepare a master plan for elementary and secondary education in the state; to

 

5      coordinate the goals and objectives of the public elementary and secondary education sector with

 

6      the activities of the nonpublic elementary and secondary education sector where feasible.

 

7                  (3) To communicate with and seek the advice of those concerned with and affected by the

 

8      board of regents' education's and the council's determinations.

 

9                  (4) To implement broad policy as it pertains to the goals and objectives established by the

 

10      regents board of education; to enforce standards and to exercise general supervision over public

 

11      elementary and secondary education in the state and over all elementary and secondary nonpublic

 

12      education in the state as provided in subdivision (8) of this section; to assist in the preparation of

 

13      the budget for elementary and secondary education and to be responsible upon direction of the

 

14      regents council on elementary and secondary education for the allocation of appropriations, the

 

15      acquisition, holding, disposition, and general management of property.

 

16                  (5) To be responsible for the coordination of the various elementary and secondary

 

17      educational functions among the educational agencies of the state including local school districts

 

18      and to encourage and to assist in the cooperation among them so that maximum efficiency and

 

19      economy may be achieved.

 

20                  (6)  To  assist  the   regents   council  on  elementary  and  secondary  education  in  the

 

21      preparation and presentation annually to the state budget officer, in accordance with § 35-3-4, of

 

22      a total state elementary and secondary educational budget which shall include, but not be limited

 

23      to, the budget of the department of elementary and secondary education, subcommittees and

 

24      agencies, and state aid to local school districts.

 

25                  (7) To supervise the operation of the department of elementary and secondary education,

 

26      to have the duties as defined in § 16-1-5 and in this title or in law wherever outlined, and other

 

27      additional duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the  regents council on elementary

 

28      and secondary education.

 

29                  (8) To  perform the  duties vested  in  the  board  of   regents  education  and  council  on

 

30      elementary  and  secondary  education  with  relation  to  nonpublic  elementary  and  secondary

 

31      educational institutions within the state under the terms of chapter 40 of this title, and other laws

 

32      that affect nonpublic elementary and secondary education in the state.

 

33                  (9) To supervise the following specific functions:

 

34                  (i) To recommend the basic subjects and courses of study to be taught and instructional


1      standards to be maintained in the public elementary and secondary schools in the state.

 

2                  (ii) To recommend standards and qualifications of teachers and to issue certificates upon

 

3      approval of standards and qualifications by the  regents  council on elementary and secondary

 

4      education.

 

5                  (iii) To distribute state school funds in accordance with law and regulations of the  board

 

6      of regents council on elementary and secondary education.

 

7                  (iv) To certify as to the necessity of school construction and that standards and design are

 

8      in accordance with law and regulations of the  regents  council on elementary and secondary

 

9      education and to approve a design for school construction throughout the state.

 

10                  (v) To certify that school library standards and services are in accordance with law and

 

11      regulations of the board of regents council on elementary and secondary education.

 

12                  (vi) To recommend to the  board of regents matters council on elementary and secondary

 

13      education relating to the transportation of pupils to school.

 

14                  (vii) To require the observance of all laws relating to elementary and secondary schools

 

15      and education.

 

16                  (viii) To interpret school law and to decide any controversies that may be appealed to him

 

17      or her from decisions of local school committees.

 

18                  (ix)  To  prepare  and  recommend  standard  forms  for  the  use  of  local  schools  when

 

19      reporting to the department of elementary and secondary education.

 

20                  (x) To prepare standard accounting and auditing procedures for local school districts,

 

21      except for the purposes of subdivision (3) of § 16-24-2 which shall be done in conjunction with

 

22      the auditor general.

 

23                  (xi) To prepare uniform budgeting procedures for local school districts.

 

24                  (xii) To determine when special purpose grants made to local school districts shall be

 

25      eligible for reimbursement through the school operations aid formula in accordance with chapter

 

26      7 of this title, and to designate the purpose(s) for which the local school district may use the

 

27      school operations aid reimbursement, including reimbursement on local matching funds used to

 

28      support  the  special  purpose  grant.  The  commissioner  shall  promulgate  and  adopt  rules  and

 

29      regulations to carry out the intent of this subsection.

 

30                  (10) To approve and accredit elementary and secondary schools in accordance with the

 

31      policy and regulations of the  board of regents council on elementary and secondary education.

 

32                  (11) To be responsible for the administration of policies, rules, and regulations of the

 

33      board of  regents education and the council on elementary and secondary education with relation

 

34      to the entire field of elementary and secondary education within the state not specifically granted


1      to any other department, board, or agency and not incompatible with law.

 

2                  (12) To receive from law enforcement agencies a list periodically of the names of Rhode

 

3      Island missing children and to disseminate these lists to local school districts.

 

4                  SECTION  8.  Sections  16-97-1  and  16-97-6  of  the  General  Laws  in  Chapter  16-97

 

5      entitled "The Rhode Island Board of Education Act" are hereby amended to read as follows:

 

6                  16-97-1. Rhode Island board of education established. -- (a) Effective January 1, 2013,

 

7      there is created a board of education which shall  be and is constituted a public corporation,

 

8      empowered to sue and be sued in its own name, to have a corporate seal, and to be vested with all

 

9      the powers and duties currently vested in the board of governors for higher education established

 

10      in chapter 16-59 and the board of regents for elementary and secondary education established in

 

11      chapter 16-60. be responsible for and shall exercise the purposes, powers and duties as defined in

 

12      this chapter and chapters 16-59 and 16-60 of the general laws. The Board is responsible for the

 

13      coordination of education from pre-k through higher education and shall set goals and policies for

 

14      the effective coordination of these public education systems.

 

15                  (b) Upon its organization, the board of education shall be vested with the legal title (in

 

16      trust for the state) to all property, real and personal, now owned by and/or under the control or in

 

17      the  custody  of  the  board  of  governors  for  higher  education  and  the  board  of  regents  for

 

18      elementary  and  secondary  education,  for  the  use  of  the  board  of  education.  The  board  of

 

19      education is hereby-designated successor to all powers, rights, duties, and privileges pertaining to

 

20      the board of regents for elementary and secondary education and the board of governors for

 

21      higher education.

 

22                  (c)(b) The board of education shall consist of eleven (11) seventeen (17) public members

 

23      appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate, eight (8) of whom shall be

 

24      designated to serve on the council for elementary and secondary education and eight (8) of who

 

25      shall be designated to serve on the council for postsecondary education. The chairperson of the

 

26      board shall serve as a member of both councils.  Four (4)  Six (6) of the members initially

 

27      appointed pursuant to this section shall serve terms of three (3) years;  four (4) six (6)  members

 

28      initially appointed pursuant to this section shall serve terms of two (2) years; and,  three (3) four

 

29      (4) members initially appointed pursuant to this section shall serve terms of one year.  To the

 

30      greatest extent possible, the initial staggered terms shall be equitably divided among the councils

 

31      so as to protect against sudden changes in membership and reversal of policy. Thereafter, all

 

32      members appointed pursuant to this section shall serve terms of three (3) years.  At the expiration

 

33      of their terms, members shall remain and continue in their official capacity until their successor is

 

34      appointed and qualified. Members shall not be appointed to more than three (3) successive three


1      (3) year terms each; provided that the chair of the board shall have no term and shall serve at the

 

2      pleasure of the governor. Any vacancy among the members of the board shall be filled by

 

3      appointment  of  the  governor for the remainder of the  unexpired term.  In  the  selection  and

 

4      appointment of the board, the governor shall seek persons who best serve the needs of the entire

 

5      state. No person shall be eligible for appointment to the board after the effective date of this act,

 

6      unless a resident of this state. No board member shall be appointed to serve more than two (2)

 

7      three (3) year terms. Members of the board shall not be compensated for their service in attending

 

8      board or council meetings.

 

9                  (c) The chair of the Governor's Workforce Board, or designee, and the chair of the Rhode

 

10      Island Commerce Corporation, or designee, shall serve as non-voting, ex-officio members of the

 

11      board.

 

12                  (d)(d) The governor shall select from the appointed members a chairperson and vice

 

13      chairperson. A quorum shall consist of  six (6) nine (9) members of the board. A majority vote of

 

14      those present shall be required for action.

 

15                  (e) Except as provided by subsection (b) of this section, members of the board shall be

 

16      removable by the governor for cause only. Removal solely for partisan or personal reasons

 

17      unrelated to performance, capacity or fitness for the office shall be unlawful.

 

18                  (e)(f)  The  statutory  responsibilities  of  the  department  of  elementary  and  secondary

 

19      education, the commissioner of elementary and secondary education, and the commissioner of

 

20      higher postsecondary education shall remain unchanged. No later than July 1, 2013, the board of

 

21      education shall submit to the governor and the general assembly its final plan for the permanent

 

22      administrative  structure  for  higher  education.  As  a  requisite  element  of  the  administrative

 

23      structure for higher education, the board of education shall establish a plan for distributing the

 

24      assets, responsibilities, powers, authorities, and duties of the office of higher education to the

 

25      three (3) higher education institutions and appropriate state agencies. Said distribution shall be

 

26      done in a manner designed to maximize efficiency, provide greater articulation of the respective

 

27      responsibilities of elementary and secondary and higher education, and ensure that students are

 

28      prepared to succeed in school, college, careers, and life. The permanent governance structure for

 

29      higher education shall, at a minimum: (1) Provide clear guidance on statutory, legal, financial and

 

30      contractual obligations; (2) Establish a policy framework that furthers the goals of this chapter;

 

31      and  (3)  Establish  appropriate  administrative  structures,  support,  policies  and  procedures.

 

32      Effective July 1, 2014, the office of higher education shall be abolished.

 

33                  (g) The chair of the board of education shall consult with the chairs of the council on

 

34      elementary and secondary education, the council on postsecondary education, the commissioner


1      of elementary and secondary education, and the commissioner of postsecondary education in

 

2      developing agendas, goals, policies and strategic plans for the board.

 

3                  16-97-6. Reporting requirements. -- The board shall submit  periodic reports an annual

 

4      report  to the  governor, speaker of the house, senate president, chairs of the house and senate

 

5      finance committees and their respective fiscal advisors, the chair of the house health, education

 

6      and welfare committee, and chair of the senate education committee  no later than March 1, 2015

 

7      and every March 1 thereafter  on its progress towards implementation of this chapter. The first

 

8      report shall be submitted no later than April 1, 2013 and quarterly thereafter until January 1,

 

9      2014. It shall submit a report annually thereafter through 2018.

 

10                  SECTION 9. Chapter 16-97 of the General Laws entitled "The Rhode Island Board of

 

11      Education Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following sections:

 

12                  16-97-1.1. Purposes of the board of education. -- The Rhode Island Board of Education

 

13      shall be responsible for long-range planning and for coordinating and evaluating policies and

 

14      programs for the public educational systems of the state. The general assembly finds and declares

 

15      that the board of education shall have the following purposes:

 

16                  (a) To develop and adopt educational, financial and operational goals for the education

 

17      systems of the state that represent achievable benchmarks for a ten (10) year and (20) twenty (20)

 

18      year time frame and that can be implemented by the council on elementary and secondary

 

19      education, the council on postsecondary education, and the commissioners for elementary and

 

20      secondary education and postsecondary education;

 

21                  (b) To ensure that the education systems of the state are aligned with the projected

 

22      opportunities  in  workforce  development  and  economic  development  and  that  the  education

 

23      systems are preparing students to participate in the future workforce of Rhode Island;

 

24                  (c) To coordinate programs and courses of study and promote collaboration between and

 

25      among pre-kindergarten through higher education institutions and agencies, including, but not

 

26      limited to:

 

27                  (1) improving career and college readiness;

 

28                  (2) reducing the need for remedial instruction;

 

29                  (3) implementing and coordinating common core and other system wide standards;

 

30                  (4) ensuring a quality system for adult education and certification programs in secondary

 

31      school and college.

 

32                  (d)  To  present  strategic  budget  and  finance  recommendations  to  the  council  on

 

33      elementary and secondary education and council on postsecondary education that are aligned with

 

34      the long-range goals adopted by the board.


1                  16-97-1.2. Powers and duties of the board of education. --  The board of education

 

2      shall have the following powers and duties:

 

3                  (a)  To  develop  and  adopt  a  strategic  plan  defining  broad  goals  and  objectives  for

 

4      education in the state. These goals and objectives shall be expressed in terms of the future

 

5      educational attainment of the population, quality of life and economy of Rhode Island, including

 

6      but not limited to what children, men and women should know and be able to do as a result of

 

7      their educational experience and the contributions of education to meeting the workforce and

 

8      economic development needs of Rhode Island. The board shall approve the strategic plans for

 

9      elementary and secondary education and postsecondary education in terms of the alignment of

 

10      these strategic plans with the overall strategic plan of the board of education. The board shall

 

11      continuously evaluate the efforts of the council on elementary and secondary education and the

 

12      council on postsecondary education to implement the strategic plans and shall review the results

 

13      of education in the light of these objectives;

 

14                  (b) To prepare and maintain a five (5) year strategic funding plan for all levels of

 

15      education  in  Rhode  Island.  The  board  shall  determine  priorities  of  expenditures  for  public

 

16      education purposes of state revenues and other public resources made available for the support of

 

17      public education and direct the council on elementary and secondary education and the council on

 

18      postsecondary education to implement those priorities when developing the annual budget for

 

19      elementary and secondary education and higher education. The councils shall present their annual

 

20      budgets to the board for its review and consent. Nothing contained in this subdivision shall

 

21      authorize the board to alter the allocation of grants or aid otherwise provided by law;

 

22                  (c) To develop and submit to the general assembly for approval a performance funding

 

23      formula for public higher education that furthers the purposes of the board and ensures that all

 

24      students may achieve educational excellence;

 

25                  (d) To develop policies that maximize the potential of collaboration from elementary and

 

26      secondary education through higher education systems and that improve efficiencies at all levels

 

27      of the education system through improved coordination of activities;

 

28                  (e) To embrace the legislative findings regarding virtual education established by section

 

29      16-22.1-2 of the general laws and adopt goals and policies that address these findings and to

 

30      encourage the council on elementary and secondary education and the council for postsecondary

 

31      education to develop and or improve virtual learning experiences for Rhode Island students;

 

32                  (f)  To  approve  the  appointment  of  a  commissioner  of  elementary  and  secondary

 

33      education.

 

34                  (g) To approve the appointment of a commissioner of postsecondary education.


1                  (h) To conduct a training course for newly appointed and qualified board members within

 

2      six (6) months of their qualification. The course shall be developed by the chairperson of the

 

3      board, approved by the board, and conducted by the chairperson of the board. The board may

 

4      approve the use of any board or staff members or other individuals to assist with training. The

 

5      training course shall include instruction in the following areas: the provisions of chapters 42-46,

 

6      36-14, and 38-2; and the board's own rules.

 

7                  SECTION 10. Sections 16-97-2 and 16-97-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-97

 

8      entitled "The Rhode Island Board of Education Act" are hereby repealed.

 

9                  16-97-2.  Executive  agents  of  the  state  board  of  education.  --  The  state  board  of

 

10      education shall appoint a Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education who shall be the

 

11      board's executive agent in matters pertaining to elementary and secondary education and who

 

12      shall have the duties established in R.I.G.L. 16-60-6. The state board of education shall also

 

13      appoint a Commissioner of Higher Education who shall be the board's executive agent in matters

 

14      pertaining to higher education and who shall have the duties established in R.I.G.L. 16-59-6. The

 

15      Commissioners shall be employees of the board in the unclassified service and shall not be

 

16      members of the board and shall serve at the pleasure of the board.

 

17                  16-97-3. Executive committee of education. -- (a) There is established an executive

 

18      committee of education that shall be composed of the president of the University of Rhode Island,

 

19      the president of Rhode Island College, the president of Community College of Rhode Island, the

 

20      commissioner of higher education, and the commissioner of elementary and secondary education.

 

21      The commissioner of higher education shall serve as the chairperson of the committee.

 

22                  (b) The committee shall meet on a regular basis, provided, that they shall meet not less

 

23      than twelve (12) times per year, and the purpose of the committee shall include, but not be limited

 

24      to, developing coherent plans for the elimination of unnecessary duplication in public education

 

25      and addressing the future needs of public education within the state in the most efficient and

 

26      economical manner possible. All recommendations and information gathered at the meetings of

 

27      the committee shall be forwarded to the board of education for final action of the board of

 

28      education.

 

29                  (c) Prior to the presentation of any proposal to the board of governors, the committee

 

30      shall fully examine its impact on public education, including, but not limited to, its impact on

 

31      educational  budgetary  requirements,  quality  of  education  and  elimination  of  unnecessary

 

32      duplication. The chairperson of the committee may invite additional participation by faculty and

 

33      other employees when he or she deems it necessary.

 

34                  SECTION 11. This article shall take effect upon passage.


1


 

 

 

 

 

1                                                              ARTICLE 21


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art.021/4/021/3/021/2/021/1

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2                                                 RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION

 

 

 

3                  SECTION 1. Sections 24-12-26 and 24-12-40.0 of the General Laws in Chapter 24-12

 

4      entitled "Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority" are hereby amended to read as follows:

 

5                  24-12-26. Power to collect tolls and charges -- Gasoline and service concessions. -- (a)

 

6      The authority is hereby authorized, subject to the provisions of this chapter, to fix, revise, charge

 

7      and collect tolls for the use of the Newport Bridge, the Mount Hope Bridge,  the Sakonnet River

 

8      Bridge (subject to federal regulations and approvals), the turnpike and the different parts or

 

9      sections thereof, and for the use of any additional facility and the different parts or sections

 

10      thereof, and to contract with any person, partnership, association or corporation for placing on

 

11      any  project  telephone,  telegraph,  electric  light  or  power  lines,  gas  stations,  garages,  and

 

12      restaurants if deemed necessary by the authority in connection with the project, or for the use of

 

13      any project or part thereof, including the right-of-way adjoining the paved portion of the turnpike

 

14      or of any additional facility or for any other purposes and to fix the terms, conditions, rents and

 

15      rates of charges for such use; provided, that the authority shall construct any gasoline service

 

16      facilities which it may determine are needed on the project, and provided, further, that, to afford

 

17      users of the project a reasonable choice of motor fuels of different brands, each gasoline service

 

18      station shall be separately offered for lease upon sealed bids and, after notice of the offer has been

 

19      published once a week in three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper having general circulation

 

20      in the state, and, in the event an acceptable bid shall be received in the judgment of the authority,

 

21      each lease shall be awarded to the highest responsible bidder therefor, but no person shall be

 

22      awarded or have the use of, nor shall motor fuel identified by the trade-marks, trade names, or

 

23      brands of any one supplier, distributor, or retailer of such fuel be sold at more than one service

 

24      station if they would constitute more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the service stations on the

 

25      project. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, members of the town of Jamestown police

 

26      and fire department and ambulance service personnel of the town of Jamestown and Jamestown

 

27      school department who, in the course of their duty, are required to pay a toll for use of the

 

28      Newport Bridge, shall, upon the presentment of receipts for the payment of the toll to the town of

 

29      Jamestown, be reimbursed for all charges on an annual basis by the town of Jamestown who in

 

30      turn shall be reimbursed for all payments made by the state. Notwithstanding the provisions of


1      this section, members of the city of Newport police and fire department and rescue personnel

 

2      who, in the course of their duty, are required to pay a toll for use of the Newport Bridge, shall,

 

3      upon the presentment of receipts for the payment of the toll to the city of Newport, be reimbursed

 

4      for all charges on an annual basis by the city of Newport who in turn shall be reimbursed for all

 

5      payments made by the state.

 

6                   (b)  Notwithstanding  the  provisions  of  this  section,  members  of  the  police  and  fire

 

7      department and rescue personnel of any city or town in this state who, in the course of their duty,

 

8      are required to pay a toll for use of the Mount Hope Bridge or the Sakonnet River Bridge, shall,

 

9      upon the presentment of receipts for the payment of the toll to their town or city, be reimbursed

 

10      for all such charges on an annual basis by the town or city, who in turn shall be reimbursed for all

 

11      payments made by the state.

 

12                  24-12-40.F. Title to Sakonnet River Bridge vested in Rhode Island turnpike and

 

13      Bridge authority -- Institution of tolls. -- All powers, control, and jurisdiction of and title to the

 

14      Sakonnet River Bridge is authorized to be transferred to the Rhode Island turnpike and bridge

 

15      authority. Beginning August 19, 2013,  and concluding on June 30, 2014 the authority may charge

 

16      and collect tolls for the use of the Sakonnet River Bridge to provide funds sufficient with any

 

17      other monies available therefor for paying the costs of acquiring, leasing, maintaining, repairing

 

18      and operating, the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge, the Mount Hope Bridge, the Newport Bridge,

 

19      and the Sakonnet River Bridge, the turnpike and additional facilities. Provided, however, until

 

20      April 1, 2014, the toll imposed on the Sakonnet River Bridge shall not exceed ten cents ($0.10).

 

21                  SECTION  2.  Section  31-3.1-6  of  the  General  Laws  in  Chapter  31-3.1  entitled

 

22      "Certificates of Title and Security Interests" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

23                  31-3.1-6. Issuance and records. -- (a) The division of motor vehicles shall file each

 

24      application received and, when satisfied as to its genuineness and regularity and that the applicant

 

25      is entitled to the issuance of a certificate of title, shall issue, upon payment of a fee of fifty dollars

 

26      ($50.00), a certificate of title of the vehicle.

 

27                  (b) The division of motor vehicles shall maintain a record of all certificates of title issued

 

28      by it:

 

29                  (1) Under a distinctive title number assigned to the vehicle;

 

30                  (2) Under the identifying number of the vehicle;

 

31                  (3) Alphabetically, under the name of the owner; and

 

32                  (4) At the discretion of the division of motor vehicles, in any other method it determines.

 

33                  (c) Title searches, lien searches, and other transactions not cited and involving titles shall

 

34      be conducted upon payment of a fee of fifty dollars ($50.00).


1                  (d) Beginning in fiscal year 2015 all fees collected pursuant to this section shall be

 

2      deposited into the Rhode Island highway maintenance account.

 

3                  SECTION 3. Section 31-34.1-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-34.1 entitled "Rental

 

4      Vehicle Surcharge" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

5                  31-34.1-2. Rental vehicle surcharge. -- (a) Each rental company shall collect, at the time

 

6      a motor vehicle is rented in this state, on each rental contract, a surcharge equal to eight percent

 

7      (8.0%) of gross receipts per vehicle on all rentals for each of the first thirty (30) consecutive days.

 

8      The surcharge shall be computed prior to the assessment of any applicable sales taxes, provided,

 

9      however, the surcharge shall be subject to the sales tax.

 

10                  (b) The surcharge shall be included on the rental contract and collected in accordance

 

11      with the terms of the rental contract. Sixty percent (60%) of the surcharge shall be retained by the

 

12      rental company in accordance with this section and subsection (c), and forty percent (40%) of the

 

13      surcharge shall be remitted to the state for deposit in the general fund, on a quarterly basis in

 

14      accordance with a schedule adopted by the tax administration. Each rental company collecting

 

15      and retaining surcharge amounts may reimburse itself in accordance with this section from the

 

16      funds retained for the total amount of motor vehicle licensing fees, title fees, registration fees and

 

17      transfer  fees  paid  to  the  state  of  Rhode  Island  and  excise  taxes  imposed  upon  the  rental

 

18      companies' motor vehicles during the prior calendar year; provided, that rental companies shall

 

19      not be authorized to reimburse themselves for title fees, motor vehicles licensing fees, transfer

 

20      fees, registration fees and excise taxes unless those fees and taxes shall have been assessed and

 

21      paid in full to the state or appropriate city or town prior to any reimbursement. No reimbursement

 

22      shall be allowed upon the prepayment of any fees or excise taxes.

 

23                  (c) At a date to be set by the state tax administrator, but not later than February 15th of

 

24      any calendar year, each rental company shall, in addition to filing a quarterly remittance form, file

 

25      a report with the state tax administrator on a form prescribed by him or her, stating the total

 

26      amount of motor vehicles licensing fees, transfer fees, title fees, registration fees and excise taxes

 

27      paid by the rental company in the previous year. The amount, if any, by which the surcharge

 

28      collections exceed the amount of licensing fees, title fees, transfer fees, registration fees and

 

29      excise taxes paid shall be remitted by the rental company to the state of Rhode Island for deposit

 

30      in the  general Rhode Island highway maintenance fund beginning in fiscal year 2015.

 

31                  SECTION 4. Sections 31-36-7 and 31-36-20 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-36

 

32      entitled "Motor Fuel Tax" are hereby amended to read as follows:

 

33                  31-36-7. Monthly report of distributors -- Payment of tax. -- (a) State requirements. -

 

34      Every distributor shall, on or before the twentieth (20th) day of each month, render a report to the


1      tax administrator, upon forms to be obtained from the tax administrator, of the amount (number

 

2      of gallons) of fuels purchased, sold, or used by the distributor within this state and the amount of

 

3      fuels sold by the distributor without this state from fuels within this state during the preceding

 

4      calendar month, and, if required by the tax administrator as to purchases, the name or names of

 

5      the person or persons from whom purchased and the date and amount of each purchase, and as to

 

6      sales, the name or names of the person or persons to whom sold and the amount of each sale, and

 

7      shall pay at the same time to the administrator tax at the rate of thirty-two cents ($0.32) per gallon

 

8      on all taxable gallons of fuel sold or used in this state.

 

9                   (b) Federal requirements. - In the event the federal government requires a certain portion

 

10      of the gasoline tax to be dedicated for highway improvements, then the state controller is directed

 

11      to establish a restricted receipt account and deposit that portion of gasoline tax receipts which

 

12      brings the state into federal compliance.

 

13                  Beginning July 1, 2015 and every other year thereafter, the gasoline tax shall be adjusted

 

14      by the percentage of increase in the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U) as

 

15      published by the United States Department of Labor Statistics determined as of September 30 of

 

16      the prior calendar year; said adjustment shall be compounded annually and shall be rounded to

 

17      the nearest one cent ($.01) increment, provided that the total tax shall not be less than provided

 

18      for in section (a).

 

19                  31-36-20. Disposition of proceeds. -- (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to

 

20      the contrary, all moneys paid into the general treasury under the provisions of this chapter or

 

21      chapter 37 of this title, and title 46 shall be applied to and held in a separate fund and be

 

22      deposited in any depositories that may be selected by the general treasurer to the credit of the

 

23      fund, which fund shall be known as the Intermodal Surface Transportation Fund; provided, that in

 

24      fiscal  year  2004  for  the  months  of  July  through  April  six  and  eighty-five  hundredth  cents

 

25      ($0.0685) per gallon of the tax imposed and accruing for the liability under the provisions of

 

26      section 31-36-7, less refunds and credits, shall be transferred to the Rhode Island public transit

 

27      authority as provided under section 39-18-21. For the months of May and June in fiscal year

 

28      2004, the allocation shall be five and five hundredth cents ($0.0505). Thereafter, until fiscal year

 

29      2006, the allocation shall be six and twenty-five hundredth cents ($0.0625). For fiscal years 2006

 

30      through  FY 2008,  the  allocation shall  be  seven  and  twenty-five  hundredth cents ($0.0725);

 

31      provided, that expenditures shall include the costs of a market survey of non-transit users and a

 

32      management study of the agency to include the feasibility of moving the Authority into the

 

33      Department of Transportation, both to be conducted under the auspices of the state budget officer.

 

34      The state budget officer shall hire necessary consultants to perform the studies, and shall direct


1      payment by the Authority. Both studies shall be transmitted by the Budget Officer to the 2006

 

2      session of the General Assembly, with comments from the Authority. For fiscal year 2009, the

 

3      allocation shall be seven and seventy-five hundredth cents ($0.0775), of which one-half cent

 

4      ($0.005) shall be derived from the one cent ($0.01) per gallon environmental protection fee

 

5      pursuant to section 46-12.9-11. For fiscal years 2010 and thereafter, the allocation shall be nine

 

6      and seventy-five hundredth cents ($0.0975), of which of one-half cent ($0.005) shall be derived

 

7      from the one cent ($0.01) per gallon environmental protection fee pursuant to section 46-12.9-11.

 

8      One cent ($0.01) per gallon shall be transferred to the Elderly/Disabled Transportation Program

 

9      of the department of human services, and the remaining cents per gallon shall be available for

 

10      general revenue as determined by the following schedule:

 

11                  (i) For the fiscal year 2000, three and one fourth cents ($0.0325) shall be available for

 

12      general revenue.

 

13                  (ii) For the fiscal year 2001, one and three-fourth cents ($0.0175) shall be available for

 

14      general revenue.

 

15                  (iii) For the fiscal year 2002, one-fourth cent ($0.0025) shall be available for general

 

16      revenue.

 

17                  (iv) For the fiscal year 2003, two and one-fourth cent ($0.0225) shall be available for

 

18      general revenue.

 

19                  (v) For the months of July through April in fiscal year 2004, one and four-tenths cents

 

20      ($0.014) shall be available for general revenue. For the months of May through June in fiscal year

 

21      2004, three and two-tenths cents ($0.032) shall be available for general revenue, and thereafter,

 

22      until fiscal year 2006, two cents ($0.02) shall be available for general revenue. For fiscal year

 

23      2006 through fiscal year 2009 one cent ($0.01) shall be available for general revenue.

 

24                  (2) All deposits and transfers of funds made by the tax administrator under this section,

 

25      including those to the Rhode Island public transit authority, the department of human services and

 

26      the general fund, shall be made within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt or previous deposit of the

 

27      funds in question.

 

28                  (3) Commencing in fiscal year 2004, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of

 

29      Transportation is authorized to remit, on a monthly or less frequent basis as shall be determined

 

30      by the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, or his or her designee, or at the

 

31      election of the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, with the approval of

 

32      the Director of the Department of Administration, to an indenture trustee, administrator, or other

 

33      third party fiduciary, in an amount not to exceed two cents ($0.02) per gallon of the gas tax

 

34      imposed, in order to satisfy debt service payments on aggregate bonds issued pursuant to a Joint


1      Resolution and Enactment Approving the Financing of Various Department of Transportation

 

2      Projects  adopted  during  the  2003  session  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  approved  by  the

 

3      Governor.

 

4                  (4)  Commencing  in  fiscal  year  2015,  three  and  one-half  cents  ($0.035)  shall  be

 

5      transferred to the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority to be used for maintenance,

 

6      operations, capital expenditures and debt service in lieu of a toll on the Sakonnet River Bridge.

 

7                  (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, all other funds in the fund

 

8      shall be dedicated to the department of transportation, subject to annual appropriation by the

 

9      general assembly. The director of transportation shall submit to the general assembly, budget

 

10      office and office of the governor annually an accounting of all amounts deposited in and credited

 

11      to the fund together with a budget for proposed expenditures for the succeeding fiscal year in

 

12      compliance with sections 35-3-1 and 35-3-4. On order of the director of transportation, the state

 

13      controller is authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the

 

14      payments of any sum or portion of the sum that may be required from time to time upon receipt

 

15      of properly authenticated vouchers.

 

16                  (c) At any time the amount of the fund is insufficient to fund the expenditures of the

 

17      department of transportation, not to exceed the amount authorized by the general assembly, the

 

18      general  treasurer  is  authorized,  with  the  approval  of  the  governor  and  the  director  of

 

19      administration,  in  anticipation  of  the  receipts  of  monies  enumerated  in  section  31-36-20  to

 

20      advance sums to the fund, for the purposes specified in section 31-36-20, any funds of the state

 

21      not specifically held for any particular purpose. However, all the advances made to the fund shall

 

22      be returned to the general fund immediately upon the receipt by the fund of proceeds resulting

 

23      from the receipt of monies to the extent of the advances.

 

24                  SECTION 5. Sections 31-41.1-7 and 31-41.1-11 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-41.1

 

25      entitled "Adjudication of Traffic Offenses" are hereby amended to read as follows:

 

26                  31-41.1-7. Application for dismissal based on good driving record. -- (a) Any person

 

27      who has had a motor vehicle operator's license for more than three (3) years, and who has been

 

28      issued traffic violations which are his or her first violations within the preceding three (3) years,

 

29      may request a hearing seeking a dismissal of the violations based upon the operator's good

 

30      driving record.

 

31                  (b) Upon submission of proper proof that the operator has not been issued any other

 

32      traffic violation within the past three (3) years, the charge shall, except for good cause shown or

 

33      as otherwise provided by law, be dismissed based upon a good driving record; provided, that the

 

34      operator pay a thirty-five dollar ($35.00) administrative fee for court costs associated with the


1      dismissal.  Additionally, beginning July 1, 2014, there shall be imposed a twenty-five dollar

 

2      ($25.00) surcharge on all dismissals based upon a good driving record to be deposited into the

 

3      Rhode Island highway maintenance account.

 

4                   (c) The traffic tribunal may not dismiss a charge pursuant to this section after six (6)

 

5      months from the date of disposition. For purposes of this section, a parking ticket shall not

 

6      constitute a prior violation.

 

7                   (d) The following violations shall not be dismissed pursuant to this statute:

 

8                   (1) Any violation within the original jurisdiction of superior or district court;

 

9                   (2) A refusal to submit to a chemical test of breath, blood or urine pursuant to section 31-

 

10      27-2.1;

 

11                  (3) Any violation involving a school bus;

 

12                  (4)  Any  violation  involving  an  accident  where  there  has  been  property  damage  or

 

13      personal injury;

 

14                  (5) Any speeding violation in excess of fourteen miles per hour (14 m.p.h.) above the

 

15      posted speed limit;

 

16                  (6) Any violation involving child restraints in motor vehicles pursuant to section 31-22-

 

17      22;

 

18                  (7) Any violation committed by a holder of a commercial license as defined in section

 

19      31-10.3-3 or any violation committed in a commercial motor vehicle as defined in section 31-

 

20      10.3-3 by an operator who does not hold a commercial license.

 

21                  (e) If the charge is dismissed pursuant to this section, records of the dismissal shall be

 

22      maintained for a period of three (3) years.

 

23                  (f) The judge or magistrate shall have the discretion to waive court costs and fees when

 

24      dismissing a violation pursuant to this section, with the exception of the mandatory thirty-five

 

25      dollars ($35.00) administrative fee  and the twenty-five dollar ($25.00) surcharge provided for in

 

26      section 31-41.1-7(b).

 

27                  SECTION 6. Section 31-47.1-11 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-47.1 entitled "Motor

 

28      Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

29                  31-47.1-11. Fees. -- (a)  Beginning in fiscal year 2015, a  A fee of  thirty-nine dollars

 

30      ($39.00) fifty-five dollars ($55.00) is to be charged for each motor vehicle inspected. The amount

 

31      of fees collected shall provide for the cost of the inspection, the costs of administering the motor

 

32      vehicle emissions inspection program and other costs provided by law. The fee must be paid for

 

33      each motor vehicle inspected at an emissions inspection station at the time of the inspection and is

 

34      payable whether a compliance certificate, waiver certificate, or no certificate is issued. There


1      shall be no fee charged for one reinspection of a vehicle that failed an initial inspection when the

 

2      reinspection is conducted at the AIRS that conducted the initial inspection.

 

3                   Of the  thirty-nine dollar ($39.00) fifty-five dollar ($55.00) fee, nineteen dollars ($19.00)

 

4      shall be retained by the inspection station owner to cover the costs of performing the inspection.

 

5      The Of the remaining twenty dollars ($20.00) thirty-six dollars ($36.00), sixteen dollars ($16.00)

 

6      shall be deposited into the Rhode Island maintenance account shall be remitted to the program

 

7      manager. The program manager shall retain no more than four dollars ($4.00) of the fee and remit

 

8      no less than sixteen dollars ($16.00) for deposit in the  state general fund Rhode Island highway

 

9      maintenance account. Be it further provided that twenty dollars ($20.00) generated from the fee

 

10      be deposited into the Rhode Island highway maintenance fund according to the schedule provided

 

11      in subsection(b) of § 39-18.1-5. The general assembly shall annually appropriate such sums as

 

12      may be required to cover the costs of administering the program by the division of motor vehicles

 

13      and the department of environmental management.

 

14                  (b) The general assembly shall on or before June 30th of each calendar year review the

 

15      costs and fees associated with the program with the goal of eliminating all fees being directed to

 

16      the general fund and to eliminate all costs and fees not directly related and necessary to pay the

 

17      costs of administering the motor vehicle emission inspection program as required under 40 CFR

 

18      51.354(a).

 

19                  SECTION 7. Sections 39-18.1-4 and 39-18.1-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 39-18.1

 

20      entitled "Transportation Investment and Debt Reduction Act of 2011" are hereby amended to read

 

21      as follows:

 

22                  39-18.1-4. Rhode Island highway maintenance account created. -- (a) There is hereby

 

23      created a special account in the intermodal surface transportation fund as established in section

 

24      31-36-20 that is to be known as the Rhode Island highway maintenance account.  (b) The fund

 

25      shall consist of all those moneys which the state may from time to time direct to the fund,

 

26      including, not necessarily limited to, moneys derived from the following sources:  (1) There is

 

27      imposed a surcharge of thirty dollars ($30.00) per vehicle or truck, other than those with specific

 

28      registrations set forth below in subsection (b)(1)(i). Such surcharge shall be paid by each vehicle

 

29      or truck owner in order to register that owner's vehicle or truck and upon each subsequent

 

30      biennial registration. This surcharge shall be phased in at the rate of ten dollars ($10.00) each

 

31      year. The total surcharge will be ten dollars ($10.00) from July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014,

 

32      twenty dollars ($20.00) from July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015, and thirty dollars ($30.00) from

 

33      July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016 and each year thereafter.  (i) For owners of vehicles or trucks

 

34      with the following plate types, the surcharge shall be as set forth below and shall be paid in full in


1      order to register the vehicle or truck and upon each subsequent renewal:

 

2                  Plate Type                                                                    Surcharge

 

3                  Antique                                                                           $5.00

 

4                  Farm                                                                              $10.00

 

5                  Motorcycle                                                                    $13.00

 

6                   (ii)  For  owners  of  trailers,  the  surcharge  shall  be  one-half  (1/2)  of  the  biennial

 

7      registration amount  and shall  be  paid in full in  order to  register the trailer and  upon each

 

8      subsequent renewal.

 

9                  (2) There is imposed a surcharge of fifteen dollars ($15.00) per vehicle or truck, other

 

10      than those with specific registrations set forth in subsection (b)(2)(i) below, for those vehicles or

 

11      trucks subject to annual registration, to be paid annually by each vehicle or truck owner in order

 

12      to register that owner's vehicle, trailer or truck and upon each subsequent annual registration. This

 

13      surcharge will be phased in at the rate of five dollars ($5.00) each year. The total surcharge will

 

14      be five dollars ($5.00) from July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014, ten dollars ($10.00) from July 1,

 

15      2014 through June 30, 2015, and fifteen dollars ($15.00) from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016

 

16      and each year thereafter.

 

17                  (i) For registrations of the following plate types, the surcharge shall be as set forth below

 

18      and shall be paid in full in order to register the plate, and upon each subsequent renewal:

 

19                  Plate Type                                                                    Surcharge

 

20                  Boat Dealer                                                                     $6.25

 

21                  Cycle Dealer                                                                   $6.25

 

22                  In-transit                                                                          $5.00

 

23                  Manufacturer                                                                  $5.00

 

24                  New Car Dealer                                                               $5.00

 

25                  Used Car Dealer                                                              $5.00

 

26                  Racer Tow                                                                       $5.00

 

27                  Transporter                                                                      $5.00

 

28                  Bailee                                                                              $5.00

 

29                  (ii) For owners of trailers, the surcharge shall be one-half (1/2) of the annual registration

 

30      amount and shall be paid in full in order to register the trailer and upon each subsequent renewal.

 

31                  (iii) For owners of school buses, the surcharge will be phased in at the rate of six dollars

 

32      and twenty-five cents ($6.25) each year. The total surcharge will be six dollars and twenty-five

 

33      cents ($6.25) from July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014 and twelve dollars and fifty cents ($12.50)

 

34      from July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015 and each year thereafter.


1                  (3) There is imposed a surcharge of thirty dollars ($30.00) per license to operate a motor

 

2      vehicle to be paid every five (5) years by each licensed operator of a motor vehicle. This

 

3      surcharge will be phased in at the rate of ten dollars ($10.00) each year. The total surcharge will

 

4      be ten dollars ($10.00) from July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014, twenty dollars ($20.00) from

 

5      July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015, and thirty dollars ($30.00) from July 1, 2015 through June

 

6      30, 2016 and each year thereafter. In the event that a license is issued or renewed for a period of

 

7      less than five (5) years, the surcharge will be prorated according to the period of time the license

 

8      will be valid.

 

9                  (c) All funds collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the Rhode Island

 

10      highway maintenance account and shall be used only for the purposes set forth in this chapter.

 

11                  (d) Unexpended balances and any earnings thereon shall not revert to the general fund but

 

12      shall remain in the Rhode Island highway maintenance account. There shall be no requirement

 

13      that monies received into the Rhode Island highway maintenance account during any given

 

14      calendar year or fiscal year be expended during the same calendar year or fiscal year.

 

15                  (e) The Rhode Island highway maintenance account shall be administered by the director,

 

16      who shall allocate and spend monies from the fund only in accordance with the purposes and

 

17      procedures set forth in this chapter.

 

18                  (4) All fees assessed pursuant to 31-47.1-11, title 31, chapters 3, 6, 10, and 10.1 shall be

 

19      deposited into the Rhode Island Highway maintenance account, provided that for fiscal years

 

20      2016, 2017 and 2018 these fees be transferred as follows:

 

21                  (i)  From  July  1,  2015  through  June  30,  2016,  twenty-five  percent  (25%)  will  be

 

22      deposited;

 

23                  (ii)  From  July  1,  2016  through  June  30,  2017,  seventy-five  percent  (75%)  will  be

 

24      deposited; and

 

25                  (iii) From July 1, 2017 and each year thereafter, one hundred percent (100%) will be

 

26      deposited;

 

27                  (5) All remaining funds from previous general obligation bond issues that have not

 

28      otherwise been allocated.

 

29                  39-18.1-5. Allocation of funds. -- (a)  The monies in the highway maintenance fund to

 

30      be directed to the department of transportation pursuant to subdivision (a)(1) of this section shall

 

31      be allocated through the transportation improvement program process to provide the state match

 

32      for federal transportation funds, in place of borrowing, as approved by the state planning council.

 

33      The expenditure of moneys in the highway maintenance fund shall only be authorized for projects

 

34      that appear in the state's transportation improvement program.


1                  (b) Provided however, that beginning with fiscal year 2015 and annually thereafter, the

 

2      department of transportation will allocate necessary funding to programs that are designed to

 

3      eliminate  structural  deficiencies  of  the  state's  bridge,  road  and  maintenance  systems  and

 

4      infrastructure.

 

5                  (c) Provided further that beginning July 1, 2015, five percent (5%) of available proceeds

 

6      in the Rhode Island Highway maintenance account shall be allocated annually to the Rhode

 

7      Island public transit authority for operating expenditures.

 

8                  SECTION 8. This article shall take effect upon passage.

 

9


 

 

 

 

 

1                                                              ARTICLE 22


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art.022/5/022/4/022/3

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2                                                       RELATING TO EDUCATION

 

3                  SECTION  1.  Section  16-7-41.1  of  the  General  Laws  in  Chapter  16-7  entitled

 

4      "Foundation Level School Support [See Title 16 Chapter 97  - The Rhode Island Board Of

 

5      Education Act]" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

6                  16-7-41.1. Eligibility for reimbursement.. -- (a) School districts, not municipalities,

 

7      may apply for and obtain approval for a project under the necessity of school construction process

 

8      set forth in the regulations of the board of regents for elementary and secondary education,

 

9      provided, however, in the case of municipality which issues bonds through the Rhode Island

 

10      Health and Educational Building Corporation to finance or refinance school facilities for a school

 

11      district which is not part of the municipality, the municipality may apply for and obtain approval

 

12      for a project. Such approval will remain valid until June 30 of the third fiscal year following the

 

13      fiscal year in which the board of regents for elementary and secondary education's approval is

 

14      granted. Only those projects undertaken at school facilities under the care and control of the

 

15      school committee and located on school property may qualify for reimbursement under sections

 

16      16-7-35 -- 16-7-47. Facilities with combined school and municipal uses or facilities that are

 

17      operated jointly with any other profit or non-profit agency do not qualify for reimbursement

 

18      under sections 16-7-35 -- 16-7-47. Projects completed by June 30 of a fiscal year are eligible for

 

19      reimbursement in the following fiscal year. A project for new school housing or additional

 

20      housing shall be deemed to be completed when the work has been officially accepted by the

 

21      school committee or when the housing is occupied for its intended use by the school committee,

 

22      whichever is earlier.

 

23                  (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the board of regents shall not grant

 

24      final approval for any project between June 30, 2011 and  June 30, 2014 May 1, 2015 except for

 

25      projects that are necessitated by immediate health and safety reasons. In the event that a project is

 

26      requested during the moratorium because of immediate health and safety reasons, those proposals

 

27      shall be reported to the chairs of the house and senate finance committees.

 

28                  (c)  Any  project  approval  granted  prior  to  the  adoption  of  the  school  construction

 

29      regulations in 2007, and which are currently inactive; and any project approval granted prior to

 

30      the adoption of the school construction regulations in 2007 which did not receive voter approval

 

31      or which has not been previously financed, are no longer eligible for reimbursement under this

 

32      chapter. The department of elementary and secondary education shall develop recommendations


1      for further cost containment strategies in the school housing aid program.

 

2                  SECTION 2. This article shall take effect upon passage.

 

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1                                                              ARTICLE 23


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art.023/4/029/2/029/1

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2                                                  RELATING TO EFFECTIVE DATE

 

 

 

3                  SECTION 1. This act shall take effect as of July 1, 2014, except as otherwise provided

 

4      herein.

 

5                  SECTION 2. This article shall take effect upon passage.