AN ACT RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (Requires the director of the Rhode Island emergency management agency and the Rhode Island commerce commission to develop and implement a plan to assist businesses in obtaining flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance program.)

S2201

2026 -- S 2201
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Introduced By:
Senators Paolino, Thompson, Appollonio, Famiglietti, Patalano, Dimitri,
and Gu

Date Introduced:
January 23, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Commerce
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Section 30-15-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 30-15 entitled "Emergency
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Management" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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30-15-3. Definitions.
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As used in this chapter:
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(1) “Bioterrorism” means the intentional use of any microorganism, virus, infectious
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substance or biological product that may be engineered as a result of biotechnology or any naturally
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occurring or bioengineered component of any such microorganism, virus, infectious substance, or
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biological product, to cause death, disease, or other biological malfunction in a human, an animal,
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a plant or other living organism;
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(2) "Director" means the director of the Rhode Island emergency management agency;
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(2)
(3)
“Disaster” means occurrence or imminent threat of widespread or severe damage,
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injury, or loss of life or property resulting from any natural or man-made cause, including, but not
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limited to:
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(i) Fire;
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(ii) Flood;
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(iii) Earthquake;
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(iv) Wind, storm, wave action, oil spill, or other water contamination requiring emergency
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action to avert danger or damage;
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(v) Volcanic activity;

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(vi) Epidemic;
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(vii) Air contamination;
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(viii) Blight;
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(ix) Drought;
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(x) Infestation;
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(xi) Explosion;
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(xii) Riots;
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(xiii) Hostile military or paramilitary action;
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(xiv) Endangerment of the health, safety, or resources of the people of the state;
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(xv) Acts of bioterrorism;
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(3)
(4)
“Political subdivision” means any city or town in Rhode Island; and
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(4)
(5)
“Unorganized militia” means all able-bodied persons between the ages of sixteen
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(16) and fifty (50) years.
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SECTION 2. Chapter 30-15 of the General Laws entitled "Emergency Management" is
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hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
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30-15-5.1. Flood insurance.

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The director and the commerce commission shall develop and implement a plan to assist
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businesses in obtaining flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance program.
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SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
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This act would require the director of the Rhode Island emergency management agency
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and the Rhode Island commerce commission to develop and implement a plan to assist businesses
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in obtaining flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance program.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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