2018 -- S 2907

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LC005753

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC TRANSIT AUTHORITY

     Introduced By: Senator Maryellen Goodwin

     Date Introduced: May 17, 2018

     Referred To: Senate Housing & Municipal Government

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 39-18 of the General Laws entitled "Rhode Island Public Transit

Authority" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     39-18-4.2. Alteration of bus route - Public hearing.

     (a) Any alteration or elimination of any bus route within the system established by the

authority pursuant to § 39-18-4 shall not take effect until a public hearing is held in the

neighborhood(s) along the affected route.

     (b) The public hearing shall take place at least thirty (30) days before the bus route

change is scheduled to take effect in the neighborhood(s) along the affected route.

     (c) The authority shall also prepare a neighborhood(s) impact statement prior to the

public hearing, and provide it to those persons attending the public hearing, the governor, those

members of the general assembly whose districts are affected by the change, and the mayors or

town administrators of the city or town affected by the change.

     (d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to apply to any temporary alteration of a bus

route necessitated by including, but not limited to, temporary alterations occasioned by weather,

construction activity, emergency, or unforeseen condition.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC005753

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC TRANSIT AUTHORITY

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     This act would require the Rhode Island public transit authority (RIPTA) to hold a public

hearing at least thirty (30) days prior any bus route change in the affected neighborhoods and

provide a neighborhood impact statement to local and state officials.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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