2014 -- S 3101

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LC005933

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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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

     Referred To: Placed on Senate Calendar

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

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substantially increased; and

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

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

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and

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

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

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Department of Environmental Management; and

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

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

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

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

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contract; and

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

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

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now, therefore be it

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

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

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

 

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

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

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Environmental Management.

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LC005933

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