Introduced By: Representatives Fox, Slater, Carpenter, Almeida and Schadone
Date Introduced : February 2, 1999
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Sections 39-18-1 and 39-18-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 39-18 entitled "Rhode Island Public Transit Authority" are hereby amended to read as follows:
39-18-1. Definitions. -- As used in this chapter, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings unless the context shall indicate another or different meaning:
(1) "Authority" means the Rhode Island public transit authority created by section 39-18-2, or, if the authority shall be abolished, the board, body, or commission succeeding to the principal functions thereof, or upon whom the powers of the authority given by this chapter shall be given by law.
(2) "Bonds" means bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness, including temporary notes of the authority issued in anticipation of revenues to be received by the authority or in anticipation of the receipt of federal, state or local grants or other aid.
(3) "Municipality" means any town, city, or subdivision thereof.
(4) "Transit property" means and includes any property,
whether real or personal, and any apparatus and equipment used
or useful in the operation of a motor bus {ADD , water, or rail ADD} passenger transportation
line or system {DEL , or other forms of public transportation DEL},
and shall include any rights or franchises to operate any passenger
transportation line or system {DEL , or other forms of public transportation DEL},
but it shall not include other property or assets.
39-18-3. Purpose of the authority. -- It shall be
the purpose of the authority to own and operate a mass motor bus {ADD , water, or rail ADD}
passenger transportation system {DEL , or other forms of public transportation DEL}.
Whenever any operator of a mass motor bus {ADD , water, or rail ADD} passenger transportation
system shall file with the public utilities administrator a petition
to discontinue any service, it shall be the purpose and function
of the authority to determine if it is in the public interest
to discontinue that service, and if it shall be determined that
it is not in the public interest to discontinue that service,
the authority shall be authorized and empowered to acquire all
or any part of the transit property, or any interest therein,
of the system.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
