2016 -- H 8127 SUBSTITUTE A

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LC005778/SUB A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION - LEAD AND COPPER DRINKING WATER

PROTECTION ACT

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Naughton, Shekarchi, Handy, Carson, and Kennedy

     Date Introduced: April 29, 2016

     Referred To: House Environment and Natural Resources

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 46-12.8-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 46-12.8 entitled "Water

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Projects Revolving Loan Fund" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     46-12.8-6. Authorization to expend funds available for local grants. -- In addition to

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the financial assistance provided by the agency to local governmental units and private water

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companies for approved projects in accordance with this chapter, the department is hereby

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authorized to expend funds otherwise available for grants to local governmental units and private

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water companies to the extent permitted by federal and state law. The department is authorized

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and directed to expend funds from its portion of federal capitalization grants to conduct baseline

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testing of the drinking water supply systems of each local governmental unit responsible for the

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ownership or operation of water supply facilities within the state or privately organized water

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suppliers, which provide drinking water to more than one municipality, for compliance with all

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state and federal laws, rules and regulations pertaining to lead and copper levels in drinking water

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supplies. The department is further authorized and directed to expend funds from its portion of

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federal capitalization grants to conduct testing of water supplies at all public schools serving

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students from pre-K to grade 12 and state licensed daycare facilities in the state of Rhode Island

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for compliance with all state and federal laws, rules and regulations pertaining to lead and copper

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levels in drinking water supplies. The department shall report its findings to the speaker of the

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house and senate president by April 30, 2017, which report shall include a plan for ensuring

 

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compliance with all state and federal laws, rules and regulations pertaining to lead and copper

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levels in drinking water supplies.

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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 WATERS AND NAVIGATION - LEAD AND COPPER DRINKING WATER

PROTECTION ACT

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     This act would direct the department of health to use funds from federal capitalization

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grants to conduct baseline copper and lead testing the water supply systems of each local

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government as well as in public schools and licensed daycare facilities.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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