S0159

	2017 -- S 0159
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	LC000438
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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 - WATER SUPPLY

	Introduced By: Senator Stephen R. Archambault
	Date Introduced: February 01, 2017
	Referred To: Senate Housing & Municipal Government
	It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
1	SECTION 1. Section 39-15-12 of the General Laws in Chapter 39-15 entitled "Water
2	Supply" is hereby amended to read as follows:
3	39-15-12. Liability of landowner for water charges -- Lien.
4	The owner of any house, building, tenement, or estate shall be liable for the payment of
5	the price or rent or rates fixed by any town, city, or incorporated fire district or water district for
6	the use of water furnished by such town, city, fire district, or water district to the owner or
7	occupant of the house, building, tenement, or estate; and the price, rent, or rates shall be a lien
8	upon the house, building, tenement, and estate in the same way and manner as taxes assessed on
9	real estate are liens, and, if not paid as required by the town, city, fire district, or water district,
10	shall be collected in the same manner that taxes assessed on real estate are by law collected;
11	provided, however, that the city municipalities of Cranston and Smithfield, or any agency
12	agencies thereof, may charge interest on delinquent payments at a rate of not more than twelve
13	percent (12%) per annum; provided, however, that the city of Woonsocket or any agency thereof
14	may charge interest on delinquent payments at a rate of not more than eighteen percent (18%) per
15	annum.
16	SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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	LC000438
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	EXPLANATION
	BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
	OF
	A N A C T
	RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS - WATER SUPPLY
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1	This act would allow the town of Smithfield to charge interest on delinquent water
2	payments at a rate of not more than twelve percent (12%) per annum.
3	This act would take effect upon passage.
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	LC000438
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	LC000438 - Page 2 of 2