2022 -- S 2134

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LC003969

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- SMALL BUSINESSES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

     

     Introduced By: Senators DiMario, Picard, Acosta, Euer, Lawson, Valverde, DiPalma,
Zurier, Murray, and Burke

     Date Introduced: January 25, 2022

     Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 45-24-46.5 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-24 entitled "Zoning

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Ordinances" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     45-24-46.5. Special provisions -- Emergency declaration modifications.

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     (a) A moratorium is hereby imposed on the enforcement of any municipal ordinance or

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zoning regulation that would penalize any food business or food service establishment, as defined

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in § 21-27-1, or bar as defined in § 23-20.10-2, for any alterations or modifications to its business

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made in order to comply with any directives, executive orders, or restrictions issued by the

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governor, principal executive officer of a political subdivision or the director of the department of

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health based upon an emergency declaration issued pursuant to § 30-15-9 or § 30-15-13.

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     (b) The moratorium imposed pursuant to this section shall continue throughout the

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emergency declaration and shall remain effective until April 1, 2022 2023. During this period, all

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approved nonconforming uses adopted to comply with the emergency declaration shall be

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permitted to continue.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC003969

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- SMALL BUSINESSES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

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     This act would impose a moratorium on the enforcement of any municipal ordinance or

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zoning requirement that would penalize owners of food service establishments and bars for any

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modifications or alternations to their premises in response to an emergency declaration by the

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governor or local municipal officials. The moratorium would be effective until April 1, 2023.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC003969

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