2017 -- H 5783 SUBSTITUTE A

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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 STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - DEPARTMENT OF

TRANSPORTATION

     Introduced By: Representatives Carson, Ruggiero, Phillips, and Tanzi

     Date Introduced: March 01, 2017

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 42-13 of the General Laws entitled "Department of Transportation"

is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     42-13-2.1. Duties of the department - Rhode works project.

     (a) It shall be the responsibility of the department to identify the specific impact of Rhode

Works projects on small businesses and to deliver and communicate this information to the

department of commerce. The department shall identify the traffic flow to Rhode Island small

business commercial areas as it relates to road and bridge closings due to Rhode Works projects,

identify road and bridge closings, parking restrictions and alterations in traffic patterns to

accommodate road and bridge repairs, including proposed dates of work, road closure and re-

routing of any traffic and parking patterns.

     (b) During construction season (April to October), the department shall share the

information collected in subsection (a) of this section with the commerce corporation to allow at

least two (2) months for the commerce corporation to assist businesses affected by Rhode Works

projects, by providing strategic and marketing assistance as necessary, and sharing this

information with small businesses in the affected communities and neighborhoods. During

emergencies, the department will contact the commerce corporation in order to coordinate a plan

of action in the affected area. The department will meet with the commerce corporation on a

monthly basis in order to review upcoming projects and coordinate a plan of action for the

affected businesses.

     (c) The commerce corporation shall provide those affected businesses in the construction

areas with actions to provide support to minimize the economic and financial impact upon those

businesses during road and bridge construction, including, but not limited to, a mailing by the

commerce corporation to affected businesses and a meeting with affected businesses to review

business plans during construction.

     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 STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - DEPARTMENT OF

TRANSPORTATION

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     This act would require the department of transportation to identify the impact of Rhode

Works projects on Rhode Island small business commercial areas, particularly during

construction season (April to October) and provide the commerce corporation with that

information to allow the commerce corporation sufficient time to provide the affected businesses

with support to minimize the economic and financial impact.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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