14-LA352

2014 -- S 3101

Enacted 06/17/14

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT TO DELAY EXTENSION OR RENEWAL OF THE

EXISTING BEACH FEES COLLECTION CONTRACT

Introduced By: Senators E O`Neill, Cote, DiPalma, Sosnowski, and Sheehan

Date Introduced: June 12, 2014

     WHEREAS, The fees for access and parking at state-owned beaches have been

substantially increased; and

WHEREAS, Data now exists that can be calculated and evaluated to determine the effect

the increased fees have had or may have on the state, the municipalities, vendors, and the public;

and

     WHEREAS, The existing contract for collection of beach fees will expire on September

1, 2014, and is believed that the contract is in the process of being renegotiated by the

Department of Environmental Management; and

WHEREAS, The increase in the fees during the term of the existing contract has resulted

in an unintended windfall profit in excess of one million dollars for the collecting entity; and

     WHEREAS, There have been substantial improvements in the technology for collecting

parking and access fees which should be considered before entering into a new collection

contract; and

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Senate has established a commission to study the effects

of the increased beach fees which will issue its report and findings on or before January 7, 2015;

now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby respectfully requests the Department of Environmental Management not agree to any

extension or renewal of the existing beach fee contract until February 1, 2015; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Director of the Rhode Island Department of

Environmental Management.

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LC005933

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