| Chapter 021 |
| 2024 -- H 7583 Enacted 05/08/2024 |
| A N A C T |
| RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- PUBLIC BUILDINGS |
Introduced By: Representative Samuel A. Azzinaro |
| Date Introduced: February 09, 2024 |
| It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: |
| SECTION 1. Section 37-8-8 of the General Laws in Chapter 37-8 entitled "Public |
| Buildings" is hereby amended to read as follows: |
| 37-8-8. Battle flags and markers. |
| (a) The priceless battle flags and markers now belonging to the state of Rhode Island, and |
| any that may hereafter be presented to this state, shall be maintained by the department of |
| administration in embellished appropriate cases suitable for their display or presentation in the halls |
| or foyers of the State House, and the cases shall be practically hermetically sealed for the purpose |
| of protecting and preserving the battle flags and markers for future generations as the most eloquent |
| testimonials of the patriotism and valor of our fathers. The battle flags and markers shall not be |
| removed from the cases for any purpose other than for their necessary repair or preservation their |
| State House display encasements for the purpose of conservation and preservation until appropriate |
| storage and display cases have been created and a permanent storage facility within the State of |
| Rhode Island has been designated. The department of administration shall have full care, custody, |
| and control of all the battle flags and markers, and the department is hereby authorized and directed |
| to carry out and enforce the provisions and purposes of this section. |
| (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the department of administration is |
| authorized to remove, conserve, and indefinitely store any battle flag or marker it deems to be in |
| such a state of deterioration that its removal from the State House encasements is necessary for its |
| continued existence. |
| (c) The department of administration is directed to study the condition of the State House |
| historic battle flags and markers, the encasements in which they are housed and their method of |
| display to ensure their continued survival while permitting, to the extent possible, continued public |
| display of these historic artifacts. In conducting such study, the department shall seek input and |
| guidance from persons with expertise in historic preservation, textile conservation, veterans’ affairs |
| and military history, as well as from members of the public. The department shall prepare a |
| comprehensive set of recommendations for the conservation and display of these battle flags and |
| markers. The department shall present its findings and recommendations to the governor, the |
| speaker of the house, and the president of the senate not later than January 1, 2017. |
| (d) The department is authorized to apply for and accept public or private funds to carry |
| out this study and for the continued preservation and display of these battle flags and markers. |
| authorized to apply for and accept public or private funds for the continued preservation and display |
| of the battle flags and markers. The department of administration is also authorized to enter into an |
| agreement with a state or federally approved agency or museum for the temporary loan and display |
| of a battle flag(s) or marker(s), when insured with a bond against damage or loss, when such loan |
| will enhance the existing conditions of the flag(s) or marker(s) not currently provided through |
| preservation contracts, or when such loan will promote the further education and public awareness |
| of the valor of Rhode Island's veterans. |
| SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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| LC004862 |
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