2025 -- H 5727

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LC001549

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Paplauskas, Newberry, Nardone, Place, J. Brien, Lima,
Fascia, and Quattrocchi

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2025

     Referred To: House State Government & Elections

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 30-15-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 30-15 entitled "Emergency

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Management" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     30-15-3. Definitions.

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     As used in this chapter:

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     (1) “Bioterrorism” means the intentional use of any microorganism, virus, infectious

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substance or biological product that may be engineered as a result of biotechnology or any naturally

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occurring or bioengineered component of any such microorganism, virus, infectious substance, or

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biological product, to cause death, disease, or other biological malfunction in a human, an animal,

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a plant or other living organism;

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     (2) "Director" means the director of the Rhode Island emergency management agency;

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     (2)(3) “Disaster” means occurrence or imminent threat of widespread or severe damage,

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injury, or loss of life or property resulting from any natural or man-made cause, including, but not

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limited to:

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     (i) Fire;

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     (ii) Flood;

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     (iii) Earthquake;

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     (iv) Wind, storm, wave action, oil spill, or other water contamination requiring emergency

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action to avert danger or damage;

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     (v) Volcanic activity;

 

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     (vi) Epidemic;

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     (vii) Air contamination;

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     (viii) Blight;

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     (ix) Drought;

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     (x) Infestation;

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     (xi) Explosion;

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     (xii) Riots;

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     (xiii) Hostile military or paramilitary action;

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     (xiv) Endangerment of the health, safety, or resources of the people of the state;

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     (xv) Acts of bioterrorism;

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     (3)(4) “Political subdivision” means any city or town in Rhode Island; and

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     (4)(5) “Unorganized militia” means all able-bodied persons between the ages of sixteen

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(16) and fifty (50) years.

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     SECTION 2. Chapter 30-15 of the General Laws entitled "Emergency Management" is

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hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     30-15-5.1. Flood insurance.

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     The director and the commerce commission shall develop and implement a plan to assist

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businesses in obtaining flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance program.

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     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

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     This act would require the director of the Rhode Island emergency management agency

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and the Rhode Island commerce commission to develop and implement a plan to assist businesses

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in obtaining flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance program.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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