2024 -- S 2839

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LC004946

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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 -- PUBLIC BUILDINGS

     Introduced By: Senators Felag, Raptakis, Bissaillon, E Morgan, Acosta, Euer, Lauria, and
Ujifusa

     Date Introduced: March 22, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

     (Dept. of Administration)

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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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- PUBLIC BUILDINGS

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     This act would allow the department of administration to temporarily loan the state battle

flags and markers to approved federal or state agencies under the condition that such loan is insured

by bond against damage or loss, including when such loan is intended to enhance the existing

conditions of the historic flags and markers, or when such loan will promote the further education

and public awareness of the valor of Rhode Island's veterans.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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