2015 -- H 5345

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LC000862

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO OPEN MEETINGS -- FIRE DISTRICT MEETING NOTICES

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Morgan, Roberts, and Nardolillo

     Date Introduced: February 05, 2015

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 42-46 of the General Laws entitled "Open Meetings" is hereby

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amended by adding thereto the following sections:

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     42-46-6.1. Local fire district meeting notices. – (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of §

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42-46-6, all local fire districts shall provide notice of their meetings at least fourteen (14) days

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before the scheduled meeting and then followed by an additional notice seven (7) days before the

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meeting, except for the annual budget meeting which must be noticed sixty (60) days, thirty (30)

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days, fourteen (14) days, and seven (7) days before the annual budget meeting, in the following

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manner:

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     (1) Print and digital local newspaper;

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     (2) Posting on large display board at each fire district station;

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     (3) By posting on the fire district's secretary of state website;

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     (4) By posting on the website of any municipality that has members of the local fire

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district that is holding the meeting; and

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     (5) By posting on the website of the local fire district that is holding the meeting.

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     (b) All fire district annual meeting dates shall be listed on all fire tax bills sent to the

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district's members.

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     42-46-7.1. Local fire district websites. – All local fire districts shall post all meeting

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notices, all current contracts that the fire district entered into, all meeting minutes, and a list of all

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current employees and their job titles on the fire district's websites.

 

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO OPEN MEETINGS -- FIRE DISTRICT MEETING NOTICES

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     This act would establish additional ways by which local fire districts would be required to

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notify their members. The act would also provide new requirements as to the time for giving

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notice.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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