2023 -- H 5666

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

SUPPORTING A NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE BANK

     Introduced By: Representatives Cortvriend, and Morales

     Date Introduced: February 17, 2023

     Referred To: House Corporations

     WHEREAS, The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) stated in its 2021 report

card that the United States received a grade of C- regarding the current state of infrastructure and

that more than six trillion dollars would be needed to restore the nation's infrastructure to a state

of good repair. Over two trillion dollars is currently not funded and the remainder is inadequately

funded. New, 21st Century projects are unfunded; and

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Section of ASCE gave the state a C- in its June, 2020

report card. Among the grades were: Bridges D-, Drinking Water C+, Ports C, Rail B-, Roads D,

and Wastewater C. Forty-four percent of Rhode Island's gas lines are over 50 years old and

require repair and upgrade; Twenty-two percent of Rhode Island's 779 bridges are structurally

deficient, the worst in the nation; Rhode Island's share of rural roads in poor condition is also

worst in the nation; Providence Water, the largest treatment facility in New England, is almost

100 years old, and its distribution network shows higher lead concentrations than is permitted by

the EPA; and

     WHEREAS, Congress introduced H.R. 3339, The National Infrastructure Bank Act, to

create a new National Infrastructure Bank (NIB). This legislation creates a $5 trillion bank,

authorized to invest in infrastructure projects only. It would require no new federal spending and

no new federal taxes. It would be capitalized by existing Treasury debt, as was done previously in

United States history; and

     WHEREAS, The NIB is modeled on previous banks which helped build much of our

infrastructure under Presidents George Washington, James Madison, Abraham Lincoln, and

Franklin D. Roosevelt. The last such bank helped end the Great Depression and win WWII; and

     WHEREAS, The NIB will create twenty-five million new jobs, pay Davis-Bacon wages,

ensure Project Labor Agreements and implement strong Buy America provisions. Disadvantaged

Business Enterprises will receive substantial support, and the bill mandates large-scale minority

hiring. According to experts, the Bank will grow the economy by 5 percent per year as did its

predecessors; and

     WHEREAS, The NIB could finance infrastructure projects in Rhode Island in partnership

with state and local governments, the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank, and other institutions. It

would not supplant those institutions, but would aid and supplement their operations. The NIB

would complement the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed by Congress in 2021; and

     WHEREAS, Many organizations have issued endorsements. Twenty-four state

legislatures have introduced or passed resolutions of support, as have county and city councils.

Endorsements including: The Rhode Island Senate, the Providence City Council, the Rhode

Island Building and Construction Trades Council, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators,

the Council of State Governments East Region (CSC East), the National Asian-Pacific American

Caucus of State Legislators, the US High Speed Rail Association, the National Latino Farmers

and Ranchers, The American Sustainable Business Council, the National Association of Minority

Contractors, the United Association of Plumbers and Steamfitters International Union, and many

more organizations; now, therefore, be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

calls upon the United States Congress to pass H.R. 3339, to create a National Infrastructure Bank

to finance urgently needed infrastructure projects; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr., The

President of the United States, members of the Rhode Island Delegation to Congress, and the

Honorable Daniel McKee, Governor of the State of Rhode Island.

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