Customer Service (835-RICR-20-00-2)

Regulation Authority :

R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-25

Purpose and Reason :

The purpose of this regulation is to ensure the proper billing, dispute resolution, and collection of the sewer use fees of the Narragansett Bay Commission. This regulation is being amended to align Section 2.18 (Section 2.14 as amended) with the NBC’s enabling legislation, provide clarification to existing sections in the rule, and incorporate existing practices not currently delineated in the rule.

Section 2.3 (pages 2 – 6) is being modified to include verbiage clarifying existing definitions and add additional definitions that utilize current terminology.  

Section 2.6 (pages 6 – 9) is being modified to add clarifying verbiage.

Section 2.7 (page 9) is being modified to delineate existing practice, and to provide additional explanation where previous language was vague and/or subject to misinterpretation.

Section 2.8 (pages 9 – 10) is being modified to delineate existing practice, and to provide clarifying verbiage where previous language was vague and/or subject to misinterpretation.

Section 2.9 (page 11) is being modified to provide clarifying language with respect to retroactive abatements.

Section 2.11 (pages 12 – 13) is being modified to clarify existing practice with respect to meter testing and repairs.

Sections 2.12 – 2.16 (pages 13 - 14) are amended by being consolidated into one cohesive section (Section 2.12) to add clarity and remove redundant verbiage.

Section 2.17 (Section 2.13 as amended, page 14) is being amended to delineate existing practice, and to provide clarifying verbiage where previous language was vague and/or subject to misinterpretation.

Section 2.18 (Section 2.14 as amended, page 14) is being amended to align with the NBC’s enabling legislation with respect to the appeal procedures, and to provide clarifying verbiage where previous language was vague and/or subject to misinterpretation.

Section 2.19 (Section 2.15 as amended, page 15) is being amended to delineate existing practice, and to provide clarifying verbiage where previous language was vague and/or subject to misinterpretation.

Section 2.20 (Section 2.16 as amended, pages 15 - 16) is being amended to delineate existing practice, and to provide clarifying verbiage where previous language was vague and/or subject to misinterpretation.

Section 2.21 (Section 2.17 as amended, page 16) is being amended to delineate existing practice, and to provide clarifying verbiage where previous language was vague and/or subject to misinterpretation.

Section 2.23 (Section 2.19 as amended, page 16) is being amended to strike language relative to pretreatment accounts as same is addressed in the NBC Use of Wastewater Facilities Rules and Regulations (835-RICR-20-00-1).  

In the development of the proposed amendment consideration was given to: (1) alternative approaches; (2) overlap or duplication with other statutory and regulatory provisions; and (3) significant economic impact on small business. No alternative approach, duplication, or overlap was identified based upon available information.