2017 -- H 5645

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LC001483

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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 PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- DUTIES OF UTILITIES AND

CARRIERS

     

     Introduced By: Representative Robert B. Jacquard

     Date Introduced: March 01, 2017

     Referred To: House Corporations

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 39-2 of the General Laws entitled "Duties of Utilities and Carriers"

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is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     39-2-26. Entry onto premises to examine and maintain gas or electric meters.

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     (a) An agent of a gas or eclectic public utility, who is authorized by the public utility and

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who displays an identification card in accordance with §39-2-19, may, at any reasonable time,

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enter any premises supplied with gas or electricity by such public utility for the purpose of

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installing, examining, repairing, servicing, reading and/or removing the meters, pipes, wires,

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fittings and/or other apparatus for supplying or regulating the supply of gas or electricity and of

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ascertaining the quantity of gas or electricity consumed or supplied.

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     (b) If any person, directly or indirectly, prevents or hinders the public utility's agent from

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entering a premises for the reasons mentioned in subsection (a) of this section, the public utility

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authorizing the agent may, within one year from the date of the prevention or hindrance, make

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complaint to any court or magistrate authorized to issue process, who may thereupon issue a

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warrant directed to an authorized Rhode Island process server or to a law enforcement official in

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the municipality in which the premises are located, commanding the process server or law

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enforcement official to take sufficient aid and repair to such premises accompanied by a duly

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authorized agent of the public utility, who shall install, examine and/or read the meters, pipes,

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wires, fittings and/or other apparatus for supplying or regulating the supply of gas or electricity,

 

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and ascertain the quantity of gas or electricity consumed or supplied therein, and shall, if required

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or consistent with utility practices to prevent and/or reduce the risk of any future safety concerns

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and/or gas or electric losses to the public utility, repair, service and/or remove any meters, pipes,

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wires, fittings and/or other apparatus belonging to the public utility, or to the customer if such

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meters, pipes, wires, fittings and/or other apparatus are being used by the customer or the

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customer's tenant to acquire unauthorized gas or electric service from the public utility.

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     (c) In the event of:

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     (1) An outage or emergency repair; or

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     (2) A fire, explosion or other disaster or potential disaster, firefighters and police officers

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shall permit any agent of the public utility, who is authorized by the public utility and who

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displays an identification card in accordance with §39-2-19, to enter any area or building in order

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to shut off the gas or electricity, which is or may become a source of danger to the public.

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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 -- DUTIES OF UTILITIES AND

CARRIERS

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     This act would permit agents of gas or electric public utilities to enter premises supplied

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with gas or electricity to install, examine, repair, service, read and/or remove meters or other

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apparatus. Further, this act would allow a court to issue a warrant to enter the premises to replace

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the risk of future safety concerns and/or ascertain the quantity of gas of electricity consumer or

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supplied. Further, in the case of an emergency, firefighters and police officers are required to

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permit entry by agents of the public utility into the premises to shut off gas or electricity.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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