2012 -- S 2194

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LC00333

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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A N A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF

ADMINISTRATION

     

     

     Introduced By: Senator Walter S. Felag

     Date Introduced: January 24, 2012

     Referred To: Senate Finance

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 42-11 of the General Laws entitled "Department of

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Administration" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     42-11-2.6 State fleet replacement. – In order to reduce fuel consumption, improve fuel

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efficiency to a minimum of federal corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards, reduce

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pollution emissions, and purchase vehicles that provide the best value on a lifecycle cost basis:

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     (1) State fleet motor vehicle purchases shall comply with the Energy Policy Act of 1992

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by ensuring that a minimum of seventy-five percent (75%) of the vehicles purchased shall be

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alternatively fueled and the remaining twenty-five percent (25%) of all new vehicles purchased

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shall be hybrid electric vehicles to the greatest extent possible.

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     (2) Unless there is a demonstrated need to the contrary, all new light duty trucks in the

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state fleet will achieve a minimum of nineteen miles per gallon (19 mpg) city for the fleet and be

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certified as low emission vehicles. All new passenger vehicles will achieve a minimum of twenty-

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three miles per gallon (23 mpg) city for the state fleet. The department of administration will

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periodically review these standards with the objective of achieving greater fuel efficiency than the

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federal standards for the state fleet.

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     (3) The department of administration shall continue to apply the state fleet operations

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SUV policy to discourage the purchase of sport utility vehicles. All state agencies shall purchase

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the most economical, fuel efficient and low emission vehicles appropriate to the mission.

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     (4) Fleet operators shall investigate the use of low rolling resistance specifications for the

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purchase of replacement tires for the fleet's passenger vehicles and trucks, and shall require

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bidders on replacement tire contracts to submit information on rolling resistance using an

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appropriate Society of Automotive Engineers test procedure. Fleet operators shall purchase low

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rolling resistance tires that also have superior tread life when possible. Emergency vehicles are

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exempt from this provision.

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     (5) Since proper vehicle maintenance can reduce greenhouse gases and other pollutant

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emissions, all state fleet vehicles shall be maintained according to manufacturer specifications,

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including maintaining specified tire pressures and ratings.

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     (6) The director of the department of administration shall annually prepare a report on the

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state's compliance and fuel efficiency goals articulated in this section. The report shall be

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distributed to the governor, the general assembly and the department of environmental

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management.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

     

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LC00333

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF

ADMINISTRATION

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     This act would require the department of administration to purchase economical fuel

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efficient and low emission vehicles when feasible and to purchase low rolling resistance tires.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

     

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LC00333

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S2194