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:

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

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

     42-14-2. Functions of department.

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

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

public laws.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

before June 1, 2021.

     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

businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC001349

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