2021 -- H 5692

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LC001879

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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 WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- NARRAGANSETT BAY COMMISSION--

THE TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF SEWAGE INFRASTRUCTURE FROM THE CITY

OF CENTRAL FALLS TO THE NARRAGANSETT BAY COMMISSION

     Introduced By: Representatives Giraldo, and McLaughlin

     Date Introduced: February 24, 2021

     Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 46-25-10 of the General Laws in Chapter 46-25 entitled

"Narragansett Bay Commission" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     46-25-10. Acquisition of facilities from municipalities.

     (a) The commission shall acquire the city of Providence Fields Point sewage treatment

plant, as well as interceptors, combined sewer overflow facilities, force mains, and appurtenant

facilities, and the land, property, easements, and other interests in property from municipalities

within the district as may be necessary or desirable in its discretion to carry out the duties under

this chapter.

     (b) The acquisition of the treatment plant, facilities, interceptors, combined sewer overflow

facilities, mains, and other appurtenant facilities, and the lands, property, easements, or other

interests in property shall be paid for solely by user charges and fees to be assessed by the

commission in accordance with this chapter. As part of the acquisition, the commission may agree

to assume payment of financial obligation debt service liabilities of the city of Providence for long

term bonded debt, that is, for debt with maturity schedules of not less than twenty (20) years

incurred for capital improvement of the sewage treatment facilities, as determined in the sole

discretion of the commission, pursuant to findings of the auditor general, in an amount not to exceed

fourteen million dollars ($14,000,000); provided, however, that the payment of the debt service

liabilities shall be paid solely out of user charges and fees to be assessed by the commission in

accordance with this chapter. User charges assessed pursuant to this section shall be in addition to

those charges under the authority of § 46-25-5(9), and shall be reasonable and just and subject to

the approval of the public utilities commission.

     (c) In accordance with the provisions of this section, within one hundred twenty (120) days

of the passage of an ordinance by the Central Falls city council authorizing a transfer of ownership,

the commission shall acquire the sewer infrastructure in the city of Central Falls, including, but not

limited to, interceptors, combined sewer overflow facilities, pipes, laterals and mains.

Commencing January 1, 2022, the city or town council of any municipality may, by passage of an

ordinance, request that the commission acquire the sewer infrastructure in their municipality,

including, but not limited to, interceptors, combined sewer overflow facilities, pipes, laterals and

mains.

     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 -- NARRAGANSETT BAY COMMISSION--

THE TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF SEWAGE INFRASTRUCTURE FROM THE CITY

OF CENTRAL FALLS TO THE NARRAGANSETT BAY COMMISSION

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     This act would authorize the city of Central Falls to transfer ownership of the cities sewer

infrastructure to the Narragansett Bay Commission.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC001879

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