§ 42-17.2-4. Rules, regulations, and codes. (a) The director of environmental management may adopt reasonable rules, regulations, and codes relating to public safety in the construction, operation, maintenance, and inspection of passenger tramways. The rules, regulations, and codes authorized hereunder shall conform as nearly as practicable to established standards, if any, and shall not be discriminatory in their application to operators of passenger tramways.

(1) The rules, regulations, and codes shall be adopted only after public hearing, notice of which shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in this state at least fourteen (14) days before holding the hearing. The director of environmental management shall also give notice of the hearing by mail to each registered operator at least fourteen (14) days before holding it.

(2) At the hearing the director of environmental management shall permit any interested person to present information, views, and arguments with respect to the rules, regulations, or codes, either orally or in written form. A summary of the text of the rules, regulations, and codes adopted by the director of environmental management shall be published by the department in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the state and each registered operator shall be furnished with two (2) copies thereof. The rules, regulations, and codes shall become effective upon such date subsequent to publication as required in this section.

(b) The foregoing procedure shall be followed by the director of environmental management in amending or appealing any of its rules, regulations, or codes. Rules, regulations, or codes adopted by the director of environmental management shall in no way reduce or diminish the standard of care imposed upon passenger tramway operators under existing law.

History of Section. (G.L. 1956, § 42-17.2-4; P.L. 1969, ch. 127, § 1; P.L. 1979, ch. 355, § 2; P.L. 2007, ch. 340, § 21.)