2015 -- H 6319

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LC002904

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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 PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS - BATTLE FLAGS AND MARKERS

     Introduced By: Representatives Malik, Azzinaro, Hull, and Bennett

     Date Introduced: June 18, 2015

     Referred To: House Veterans` Affairs

     (by request)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 37-8-8 of the General Laws in Chapter 37-8 entitled "Public

Buildings" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     37-8-8. Battle flags and markers. – (a) The priceless battle flags and markers now

belonging to the state of Rhode Island, and any which may hereafter be presented to this state,

shall be maintained by the department of administration in embellished cases suitable for their

display in the halls or foyers of the State House, and the cases shall be practically hermetically

sealed for the purpose of protecting and preserving the battle flags and markers for future

generations as the most eloquent testimonials of the patriotism and valor of our fathers. The battle

flags and markers shall not be removed from the cases for any purpose other than for their

necessary repair or preservation. The department of administration shall have full care, custody,

and control of all the battle flags and markers, and the department is hereby authorized and

directed to carry out and enforce the provisions and purposes of this section.

     (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the department of administration is

authorized to remove, conserve, and indefinitely store any battle flag or marker it deems to be in

such a state of deterioration that its removal from the State House encasements is necessary for its

continued existence.

     (c) The department of administration is directed to study the condition of the State House

historic battle flags and markers, the encasements in which they are housed and their method of

display to ensure their continued survival while permitting, to the extent possible, continued

public display of these historic artifacts. In conducting such study, the department shall seek input

and guidance from persons with expertise in historic preservation, textile conservation, veterans'

affairs, and military history, as well as from members of the public. The department shall prepare

a comprehensive set of recommendations for the conservation and display of these battle flags

and markers. The department shall present its findings and recommendations to the governor, the

speaker of the house, and the president of the senate not later than January 1, 2017.

     (d) The department is authorized to apply for and accept public or private funds to carry

out this study, and for the continued preservation and display of these battle flags and markers.

     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 PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS - BATTLE FLAGS AND MARKERS

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     This act would enable the department of administration to remove the battle flags and

markers from their cases for their necessary repair or preservation and present its findings and

recommendations for their conservation and display to the governor, speaker of the house, and the

president of the senate not later than January 1, 2017.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC002904

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