2015 -- H 5591

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LC001091

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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 HEALTH AND SAFETY - COMMISSION TO STUDY USE OF STATE

LAND AS INCUBATOR FOR GREEN ENERGY TECHNOLOGY

     Introduced By: Representatives McKiernan, Shekarchi, Handy, O'Brien, and Marshall

     Date Introduced: February 25, 2015

     Referred To: House Environment and Natural Resources

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. TITLE 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH & SAFETY" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 94

COMMISSION TO STUDY USE OF STATE LAND AS INCUBATOR FOR GREEN

ENERGY TECHNOLOGY

     23-94-1. Short title. -- This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Commission

to Study Use of State Land as Incubator for Green Energy Technology."

     23-94-2. Legislative findings and purpose. -- The general assembly finds and declares

that:

     (1) The state currently owns real estate which is not being utilized and which would be

well situated for the use, development and testing of new green energy technologies.

     (2) The generation of green energy has significant future promise;

     (3) It is in the interest of the state to incubate businesses which will thrive in the green

energy market as the world gradually moves towards green energy;

     (4) It is in the interest of the state to use its unique resources in a more efficient way to

better compete for businesses involved in cutting-edge technologies.

     23-94-3. Definitions. -- As used in this chapter, the following words have the following

meaning:

     (1) "Green energy" means the generation of electricity through renewable resources with

a minimal impact on the environment primarily through the use of solar, wind, wave or water

currents.

     (2) "Supporting the generation of green energy" would include, but not be limited to, the

development of new methods, technologies, devices, materials, processes and configurations

which would assist in any of the following areas: (i) Direct generation of green energy; (ii)

Transmission or delivery of green energy; (iii) Construction or maintenance of devices or

facilities involved in the direct generation, transmission or delivery of green energy.

     23-94-4. Composition. -- The commission shall consist of seven (7) members, each of

whom shall serve a term of two (2) years, expiring on the first anniversary of each member's

appointment or on the date that their respective successors are appointed and qualified, whichever

is later. The membership of the commission shall consist of three (3) members of the senate

appointed by the president of the senate, not more than two (2) from the same political party;

three (3) members of the house of representatives to be appointed by the speaker, not more than

two (2) of whom shall be from the same political party, and one member of the community at

large to be appointed by the governor for his or her interest, and expertise in the field under

consideration. The committee shall select one of its members as chairperson.

     23-94-5. Powers and duties. -- The commission shall identify state owned land which

could be utilized to assist in the incubation of private businesses involved in the development of

new technology supporting the generation of green energy.

     23-94-6. Reporting requirements. -- The commission shall provide a written report to

the general assembly by March 30 of each year regarding its activities for the preceding calendar

year.

     23-94-7 Severability. -- If any clause, sentence, paragraph or part of this chapter shall for

any reason be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, that judgment shall

not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder of it, but shall be confined in its operation to the

clause, sentence, paragraph or part directly involve in the controversy in which the judgment shall

have been rendered.

     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 HEALTH AND SAFETY - COMMISSION TO STUDY USE OF STATE

LAND AS INCUBATOR FOR GREEN ENERGY TECHNOLOGY

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     This act would create a commission to study the use of state owned land to assist in the

incubation of private businesses involved in the development of new technology supporting the

generation of "green energy."

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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