06-R 330

2006 -- H 8231

Enacted 06/13/06

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL HOUSE COMMISSION TO STUDY FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY IN ANIMAL HOUSING FACILITIES

Introduced By: Representatives Lewiss, Rice, Lima, Mumford, and D Caprio

Date Introduced: June 13, 2006

     WHEREAS, The following fundamental principles should be acknowledged:

     1. Animals are sentient beings with a value greater then that of simple property;

     2. Animals, both domesticated and feral, lack the ability of self-preservation when housed

in buildings and other structures; and

     3. Based upon review of available fire loss data, current building, fire and life safety

codes do not address the life safety of the animal occupants; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That a special house commission be and the same is hereby created

consisting of fifteen (15) members: three (3) of whom shall be members of the House of

Representatives, not more than two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the

Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be the State Fire Marshall, or designee; one of whom

shall be the Vice President for Research at Brown University, or designee; one of whom shall be

the Chair of the NFPA Committee on Animal Housing Facilities, or designee; one of whom shall

be the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management/Division of

Agriculture, or designee; one of whom shall be the Executive Director of Roger Williams Park

Zoo and Rhode Island Zoological Society, or designee; one of whom shall be the President of the

Rhode Island Association of Fire Chiefs, or designee; one of whom shall be the Director of the

Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or designee; one of whom shall be

the Director of the Rhode Island Animal Control Officers Association, or designee; one of whom

shall be the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Farm Bureau or designee; and three (3) of

whom shall be members of the general public, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House.

     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a permanent advisory

commission, a legislative study commission, or any commission created by a general assembly

resolution, the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu

of a legislator, provided that the Majority leader or the Minority leader of the political party

which is entitled to the appointment consents to the appointment of the member of the general

public.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to develop recommendations for strengthening

the Rhode Island Fire Code by a Comprehensive study of:

     1. The loss of animal and human life and property from fire in animal housing facilities,

including, but not limited to, the following: barns; stables; kennels; animal shelters; animal

hospitals; veterinary facilities; zoos; special amusement parks; agricultural facilities; laboratories;

and racetrack stables and kennel areas including those stable and kennel areas, barns and

associated buildings at state, county and local fairgrounds;

     2. Creating requirements for rated separations between animal housing facilities and other

storage occupancies and uses, such as tack, feed and equipment rooms. The committee will also

reconsider the facility classifications and the categorization of the animals and their associated

requirements; and

     3. Intent for animal housing abilities to continue to be designed, constructed and

maintained in accordance with applicable building, fire and life safety codes. The new NFPA 150

will be used as a guideline but is not intended to replace or rewrite these basic requirements for

the human occupants.

     Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at

the call of the Speaker of the House and organize and shall select, from among the legislators, a

chairperson. Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original

appointment.

     The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

     All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,

documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or

desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

     The Speaker of the House is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters

for said commission; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

House of Representatives no later than March 4, 2008 and said commission shall expire on May

4, 2008.

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LC03464

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