2015 -- H 6319

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LC002904

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS - BATTLE FLAGS AND MARKERS

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Malik, Azzinaro, Hull, and Bennett

     Date Introduced: June 18, 2015

     Referred To: House Veterans` Affairs

     (by request)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 37-8-8 of the General Laws in Chapter 37-8 entitled "Public

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Buildings" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     37-8-8. Battle flags and markers. – (a) The priceless battle flags and markers now

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belonging to the state of Rhode Island, and any which may hereafter be presented to this state,

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shall be maintained by the department of administration in embellished cases suitable for their

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display in the halls or foyers of the State House, and the cases shall be practically hermetically

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sealed for the purpose of protecting and preserving the battle flags and markers for future

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generations as the most eloquent testimonials of the patriotism and valor of our fathers. The battle

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flags and markers shall not be removed from the cases for any purpose other than for their

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necessary repair or preservation. The department of administration shall have full care, custody,

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and control of all the battle flags and markers, and the department is hereby authorized and

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directed to carry out and enforce the provisions and purposes of this section.

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     (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the department of administration is

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authorized to remove, conserve, and indefinitely store any battle flag or marker it deems to be in

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such a state of deterioration that its removal from the State House encasements is necessary for its

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continued existence.

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     (c) The department of administration is directed to study the condition of the State House

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historic battle flags and markers, the encasements in which they are housed and their method of

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display to ensure their continued survival while permitting, to the extent possible, continued

 

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public display of these historic artifacts. In conducting such study, the department shall seek input

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and guidance from persons with expertise in historic preservation, textile conservation, veterans'

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affairs, and military history, as well as from members of the public. The department shall prepare

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a comprehensive set of recommendations for the conservation and display of these battle flags

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and markers. The department shall present its findings and recommendations to the governor, the

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speaker of the house, and the president of the senate not later than January 1, 2017.

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     (d) The department is authorized to apply for and accept public or private funds to carry

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out this study, and for the continued preservation and display of these battle flags and markers.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS - BATTLE FLAGS AND MARKERS

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     This act would enable the department of administration to remove the battle flags and

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markers from their cases for their necessary repair or preservation and present its findings and

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recommendations for their conservation and display to the governor, speaker of the house, and the

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president of the senate not later than January 1, 2017.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC002904

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