S2470

	2020 -- S 2470
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	LC004430
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	STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
	IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
	JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020
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	A N A C T
	RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF STATE
	ROADS

	Introduced By: Senators DiPalma, Seveney, Euer, Sosnowski, and Ciccone
	Date Introduced: February 13, 2020
	Referred To: Senate Housing & Municipal Government
	It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
1	SECTION 1. Chapter 24-8 of the General Laws entitled "Construction and Maintenance
2	of State Roads" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
3	24-8-46. Cutting trees.
4	(a) No person, firm or corporation including utilities and contractors that alter a roadway
5	that is subject to the provisions of this chapter shall cut, prune or remove any shade or ornamental
6	tree, for the purpose of erecting or maintaining poles or structures or installing wires or other
7	attachments or appurtenances thereto, without obtaining a permit from the director of the
8	department of transportation.
9	(b) The director of the department of transportation shall issue a permit to a party seeking
10	to cut, prune or remove any shade or ornamental tree located adjacent to any roadway subject to
11	this chapter only if the director finds that the tree poses a danger to the public, or may fall into a
12	right-of-way, or threatens to damage utility equipment or facilities.
13	(c) Nothing in this section precludes the cutting, pruning or removal of trees in response
14	to an unforeseen emergency.
15	SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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	LC004430
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	EXPLANATION
	BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
	OF
	A N A C T
	RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF STATE
	ROADS
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1	This act would prohibit the cutting, pruning or removal of shade or ornamental trees
2	along all public roads without the permission of the director of the department of transportation.
3	This act would take effect upon passage.
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	LC004430
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