2024 -- S 2576

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LC005131

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- STATE PURCHASES

     Introduced By: Senators DiMario, Euer, Cano, Valverde, and Miller

     Date Introduced: March 01, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 37-2 of the General Laws entitled "State Purchases" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following section:

     37-2-83. Rhode Island purchasing cooperative for procurement of public service and

municipal vehicles -- Zero-emission vehicles.

     (a) Effective January 1, 2025, the department of administration shall establish the Rhode

Island purchasing cooperative for procurement of public service and municipal vehicles

(“cooperative”).

     (b) The cooperative shall be a program of the department of administration whereby

members may participate in cooperative procurement opportunities through the use of designated

Rhode Island state contracts for the collective leasing or purchasing of zero-emission vehicles for

state and municipal use at a lower cost.

     (c) Membership in the cooperative shall be made available to all Rhode Island political

subdivisions, including state agencies, cities, towns, school districts, and special districts.

     (d) The department of administration shall be responsible for promulgating rules and

regulations, and may convene the Rhode Island strategic purchasing advisory commission in

accordance with § 37-2-79 to assist development of regulations and outreach to municipalities.

     (e) The department shall conduct a quarterly forecast report of the state fleet to identify

vehicles approaching end of service life. Upon completion of the report, if the department of

administration determines that vehicles will require replacement, it shall notify the cooperative of

upcoming lease or purchase opportunities for new zero-emission vehicles to replace gasoline-

powered vehicles.

     (f) The division of administration shall provide notification to agencies and municipalities

of any new joint purchasing contracts that the state enters into for vehicles and in which the

cooperative may want to participate.

     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 PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- STATE PURCHASES

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     This act would establish the Rhode Island purchasing cooperative for procurement of

public service and municipal vehicles for all state and municipal agencies to participate in

procurement opportunities of zero-emission vehicles.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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