2014 -- H 7209

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LC003583

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DISTRESSED AREAS

ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION ACT

     Introduced By: Representatives Marshall, Costantino, Gallison, Casey, and Shekarchi

     Date Introduced: January 29, 2014

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 42-64.3 of the General Laws entitled "Distressed Areas Economic

Revitalization Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     42-64.3-5.2. Designation of state as enterprise zone -- Legislative findings. –

Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 42-64.3-4 and 42-64.3-5 or any provision of the general or

public laws to the contrary, the general assembly hereby finds and declares:

     (1) That since the great recession of 2008, certain distressed areas in this state

characterized by substantial and persistent levels of unemployment, blighted areas, obsolete,

dilapidated and abandoned industrial and commercial structures have increased to the point where

these conditions constitute a statewide condition;

     (2) That unemployment in this state has risen to a point where the state has consistently

ranked in the top five (5) states with the highest unemployment rate in the United States over the

past five (5) years;

     (3) That the numerous programs undertaken by the federal government and the state

during the past five (5) years to stop this deterioration and stimulate economic activity in this

state have, in large part, failed;

     (4) That, therefore, the general assembly hereby declares that the entire state of Rhode

Island, all its counties, cities and towns, and political subdivisions of whatever kind and nature be

and hereby designated as an enterprise zone subject to the provisions of this chapter;

     (5) That this statewide designation shall remain in full force and effect for a period of five

(5) years from July 1, 2014, or until the state attains an unemployment rate equal to or less than

the national unemployment rate, whichever is sooner.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage with implementation effective on

July 1, 2014.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DISTRESSED AREAS

ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION ACT

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     This act would designate the entire state as an enterprise zone allowing all counties, cities

and towns and political subdivisions thereof to access the benefits of the "Distress Areas

Economic Revitalization Act" for a period of five (5) years or until the state unemployment rate is

equal to or less than the national unemployment rate, whichever occurs first.

     This act would take effect upon passage with implementation on July 1, 2014.

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