2017 -- H 5574

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LC001592

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES - GENERAL POWERS - LANDING FEE FOR TOWN

OF BRISTOL

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Marshall, and Ackerman

     Date Introduced: February 16, 2017

     Referred To: House Municipal Government

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 45-2 of the General Laws entitled "General Powers" is hereby

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amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     45-2-35.3. Town of Bristol - Landing fee.

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     (a) The town of Bristol is hereby authorized to charge, assess, or otherwise collect a

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thirty-five cent ($.35) landing fee on each passenger over the age of twelve (12) arriving in the

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port of Bristol, Bristol, Rhode Island, by public or private boat; provided, however, that this

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provision shall not apply to vessels when they are engaged in commercial fishing. All fees

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collected, less expenses of collection, if any, shall be utilized by the town of Bristol to protect the

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

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services, acquisition, maintenance, and repair of both personal and real property to provide

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support to the ferry passengers and tourism related activities, to construct and maintain tourism

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support facilities and to establish a fund to assist the town of Bristol in resolving problems which

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arise due to the impact of vessels landing passengers in the town of Bristol. The town of Bristol

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may enter into agreements with any common carriers by water operating in the town of Bristol

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authorizing the common carrier to collect the landing fee on behalf of the town of Bristol. The

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agreement shall provide for the payment of a reasonable fee, (not to exceed fifteen percent (15%)

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of the landing fee), by the town to the common water carrier and indemnification of the water

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carrier from and against any liability to, or claim of liability by third parties, arising from the

 

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collection of the landing fee. All such common carriers shall collect the landing fee on behalf of

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the town of Bristol, by including the amount of the fee in its rate and charge to adult passengers

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without the necessity of approval of the landing fee from the public utilities commission ("PUC")

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of the division of public utilities and carriers ("DPUC") under title 39. The landing fee authorized

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by this chapter does not apply to any persons receiving free transportation from the public utility

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under ยง39-2-5. The town council of the town of Bristol shall promulgate rules and regulations to

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implement the provisions of this section.

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     (b) If any provision of this section, or the application thereof to the town of Bristol or to

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any person or circumstances, is deemed invalid for any reason, the remainder of this section, or

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the application of such provision to said town or other persons or circumstances, shall not be

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affected thereby and, to this end, the provisions of this act are declared to be severable.

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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 TOWNS AND CITIES - GENERAL POWERS - LANDING FEE FOR TOWN

OF BRISTOL

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     This act will permit the town of Bristol to charge a landing fee of thirty-five cents ($.35)

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on each passenger over the age of twelve (12) arriving in the port of Bristol excluding

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commercial fishing vessels.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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