2021 -- H 5908

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LC001349

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - UNFAIR SALES PRACTICES

     

     Introduced By: Representatives McLaughlin, and Hull

     Date Introduced: February 24, 2021

     Referred To: House Corporations

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 42-14-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-14 entitled "Department

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of Business Regulation" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     42-14-2. Functions of department.

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     (a) It shall be the function of the department of business regulation to license, regulate and

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control all areas as required by this chapter and any and all other provisions of the general laws and

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public laws.

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     (b) Whenever any hearing is required or permitted to be held pursuant to law or regulation

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of the department of business regulation, and whenever no statutory provision exists providing that

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notice be given to interested parties prior to the hearing, no such hearing shall be held without

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notice in writing being given at least ten (10) days prior to such hearing to all interested parties.

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For purposes of this section, an "interested party" shall be deemed to include the party subject to

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regulation hereunder, and any party entitled to appear at the hearing. Notice to the party that will

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be subject to regulation, and any party who has made known his or her intention to appear at the

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hearing shall be sufficient if it be in writing and mailed, first-class mail, to the party at his or her

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regular business address. Notice to the general public shall be sufficient hereunder if it be by

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publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality affected by the regulation.

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     (c) The director of the department of business regulation shall meet with all division heads,

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the director of revenue and the tax administrator to formulate a plan of economic relief for

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individuals and companies with fifty (50) employees or less, who have been negatively impacted

 

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by COVID-19. Economic relief shall be in the form of a reduction or waiver of applicable fees and

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taxes. A proposal on how to meet these objectives shall be presented to the general assembly on or

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before June 1, 2021.

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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 STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - UNFAIR SALES PRACTICES

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     This act would require the formulation of a plan to reduce or waive fees and taxes for

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businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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