2016 -- H 8304

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LC006150

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL JOINT COMMISSION TO STUDY THE PRESENCE AND

TREATMENT OF LEAD IN DRINKING WATER IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Naughton, Ackerman, Fogarty, Handy, and Regunberg

     Date Introduced: June 08, 2016

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     WHEREAS, The presence of lead in drinking water has long been determined to have

numerous significant negative health impacts, especially in children; and

     WHEREAS, The Environmental Protection Agency has set the maximum contaminant

level goal for lead in drinking water at zero because lead is a toxic metal that can be harmful to

human health even at low exposure levels; and

     WHEREAS, It is the policy of the state to assure the public that the state is taking all

actions to ensure that the risks from lead in the drinking water are addressed, and furthermore,

that compliance with the standards set for safe drinking water in the Lead and Copper Rule

(LCR), 40 CFR Part 141 Subpart I, are met and/or exceeded; and

     WHEREAS, It is the policy of the state to cooperate with the Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA) in its oversight responsibilities of state programs and address any deficiencies

Rhode Island may have in our current implementation of the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) 40

CFR Part 141 Subpart I; and

     WHEREAS, It is the policy of the state to provide public health communication and

outreach to residents on the steps taken to reduce exposures to lead and if levels in excess of those

accepted are detected, information relating to what corrective actions are undertaken to correct

the water quality; now therefore, be it

     RESOLVED, That a special joint commission be and the same is hereby created and shall

consist of seven (7) members: one of whom shall be a member of the House, to be appointed by

the Speaker of the House, who shall serve as co-chair; one of whom shall be a member of the

Senate, to be appointed by the Senate President, who shall serve as co-chair; one of whom shall

be the President of the American Academy of Pediatrics Rhode Island Chapter, or designee; one

of whom shall be the Executive Director of Rhode Island Kids Count, or designee; one of whom

shall be the President of the Rhode Island Water Works Association, or designee; one of whom

shall be the Executive Director of the National Utility Contractors Association of Rhode Island,

or designee; and the President of the Rhode Island School Superintendents’ Association, or

designee.

     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to this commission, the

appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu of a legislator,

provided that the majority leader or minority leader of the political party which is entitled to the

appointment consents to the appointment of the member of the general public and the public

member is a resident of the State of Rhode Island.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to make a comprehensive study of the presence

of lead in the drinking water supplies in the State; the practices and procedures used by the State

to ensure compliance with State and federal laws, rules and regulations regarding lead in drinking

water; the condition of drinking water supply infrastructure and the efforts by drinking water

suppliers to mitigate lead risk in their systems; the financing options available to drinking water

suppliers and property owners to access low cost financing to repair/replace pipes and related

infrastructure.

     Forthwith upon passage of the resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at

the call of the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate. The commission shall have the

authority to organize and form subcommittees, when deemed appropriate by a majority of the

members.

     Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original

appointment.

     The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

     All departments and agencies of the state, including the Departments of Health and

Environmental Management, the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank, and the University of Rhode

Island’s Water Resources Center, shall furnish such advice and information, documentary and

otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or desirable by the

commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

     The Joint Committee on Legislative Services is hereby authorized and directed to provide

suitable quarters for said commission; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

Governor and the General Assembly no later than April 27, 2017, and said commission shall

expire on June 30, 2017.

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LC006150

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