2016 -- H 7950

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LC005410

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- STREET LIGHTS ON STATE

ROADS

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Marshall, Ucci, Gallison, Winfield, and Marcello

     Date Introduced: March 16, 2016

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 39 of the General Laws entitled "PUBLIC UTILITIES AND

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CARRIERS" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

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CHAPTER 30.1

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STREET LIGHTS ON STATE ROADS

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     39-30.1-1. Definitions. -- When used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the

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following meanings:

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     (1) "Electric distribution company" means a company defined in ยง39-1-2, supplying

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standard offer service, last resort service, or any successor service to end-use customers.

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     (2) "Lighting equipment" means all equipment used to light streets in the municipality

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located on state roads, the operation and maintenance of which is currently charged to the

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municipality, including lighting ballasts, fixtures, and other equipment necessary for the

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conversion of electric energy into street lighting service, but excluding the utility poles upon

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which the lighting equipment is fixed. Lighting equipment shall include, but not be limited to,

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decorative street and area lighting equipment and solid-state (LED) lighting technologies.

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     39-30.1-2. Lighting equipment on state roads. -- The cost to operate all lighting

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equipment located on state roads shall be the responsibility of the state and not the municipality

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where the lighting equipment is located. The electric distribution company shall bill the state for

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the cost of operating said lighting equipment.

 

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     39-30.1-3. Statewide audit required. -- The department of transportation shall conduct

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and audit of all lighting equipment located within every municipality on every state road. The

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audit shall include a breakdown of all said lighting equipment by each state road in each

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municipality. The department shall report its findings to the general assembly no later than

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January 1, 2017.

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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 PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- STREET LIGHTS ON STATE

ROADS

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     This act would provide that the cost to operate all lighting equipment located on state

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roads would be the responsibility of the state and not the municipality where the lighting

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equipment is located.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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