2015 -- H 6082

========

LC002414

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES - GENERAL POWERS

     Introduced By: Representative Blake Anthony Filippi

     Date Introduced: April 15, 2015

     Referred To: House Municipal Government

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 45-2-35 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-2 entitled "General

Powers" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     45-2-35. Town of New Shoreham -- Landing fee. – (a) The town of New Shoreham is

hereby authorized to charge, assess, or otherwise collect a fifty cent ($.50) landing fee on each

passenger over the age of twelve (12) arriving on Block Island by public or private boat. All fees

collected less expenses of collection shall be utilized by the town of New Shoreham to promote

the health, safety, and welfare of all passengers, including, but not limited to, emergency medical

services, acquisition of property to support tourism related activities, to construct and maintain

tourism support facilities, and to establish a fund to assist the town of New Shoreham in resolving

problems which may arise due to growth in the tourism industry. The town may enter into

agreements with require any common carrier regulated by the state and serving the town of New

Shoreham and any may enter into an agreement with the operator of a marina in the town of New

Shoreham or a common carrier not regulated by the state authorizing the carrier or marina

operator to collect the landing fee on behalf of the town of New Shoreham. The agreement may

provide for the payment of a fee by the town for the carrier or marina operator and the

indemnification of the carrier or marina operator from and against any liability to, or claim of

liability by third parties, arising from collection of the landing fee. Any common carrier may

collect the landing fee on behalf of the town of New Shoreham by including the amount of the fee

in its rate and charge to passengers without the necessity of approval of the landing fee from the

public utilities commission or the division of public utilities and carriers under title 39. The

landing fee authorized by this chapter does not apply to any persons receiving free transportation

from a public utility under § 39-2-5. The town council of the town of New Shoreham shall

promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this section.

     (b) All landing fees collected pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be paid to the

town of New Shoreham on the fifteenth day following the last day of the month in which said

fees are collected by each and every common carrier providing service to the town. The payment

of said fees to the town shall be made pursuant to a monthly accounting, in writing, along with

copies of reports detailing the number of passengers utilizing its services and all reports provided

to any agency or department of the state or federal government, which accounting and reports

shall be maintained by the town clerk as a public record.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC002414

========

LC002414 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES - GENERAL POWERS

***

     This act would require that common carriers providing service to the town of New

Shoreham be required to collect landing fees, pay the fees on the fifteenth day following the last

day of the month in which fees are collected, and provide the town with a monthly accounting, in

writing, along with copies of reports detailing the number of passengers served, and any reports

provided to any department or agency of the state or federal government.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC002414

========

LC002414 - Page 3 of 3