2004 -- H 8432

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LC03206

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2004

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A N A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- ADMINISTRATION OF STATE

DEPARTMENTS

     Introduced By: Representatives Carter, Shanley, Malik, Rose, and Lewiss

     Date Introduced: April 21, 2004

     Referred To: House Finance

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 42-20 of the General Laws entitled "Administration of State

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Departments" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     42-20-17. Official inquiries. – (a) Whenever any state representative or state senator

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makes a written inquiry to any state agency, said agency shall have three (3) business days,

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seventy-two (72) hours to answer the representative or senator in writing.

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     (b) Any department director of a state agency who fails to answer the state representative

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or state senator in writing within the three (3) business days, seventy-two (72) hours shall be

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guilty of a misdemeanor.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC03206

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- ADMINISTRATION OF STATE

DEPARTMENTS

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     This act would require state agencies to answer any representative’s or senator’s written

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inquiry in writing within seventy-two (72) hours. Department directors who fail to respond

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within this time frame would be guilty of a misdemeanor.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC03206

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