The Rhode Island General Assembly and Governor Gina M. Raimondo recently enacted a collection of tax incentives meant to stimulate the development of local jobs, induce new industries and business to relocate to Rhode Island, and incentivize developers of local real estate projects. Whether you already operate a business in Rhode Island, or are considering...
On July 15, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) published final revisions to its Underground Storage Tank (“UST”) regulations. This publication represents the first time in 27 years that the EPA has significantly revised these rules. The changes reflect improved technologies, address outdated requirements, and place a stronger emphasis on UST operations and maintenance. For example, the regulations require...
By Alicia J. Samolis Last month, the Rhode Island Fair Employment Practices Act was amended to require employers with 4 or more employees to provide reasonable accommodations to employees and prospective employees with a “condition”. Such accommodations include, but are not limited to, more frequent or longer breaks, time off to recover from childbirth, acquisition or...
Across New England, armchair attorneys and quarterbacks alike are talking spoliation, discovery, and cell phones. With National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell’s announcement of his decision on New England Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady’s appeal comes news that Mr. Brady destroyed his cell phone at almost the same time that he met with league investigators. This has...
In what can only be perceived as a response to a recent Superior Court decision, the Rhode Island General Assembly amended the applicability of the Foreclosure Mediation Law, R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-27-3.2, for the third time in as many years. Among other amendments to this statute, the General Assembly fortified an exemption for certain loans. Specifically,...
On June 29th, the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (collectively, the “Agencies”) made waves when they published a new rule—the Clean Water Rule—clarifying and arguably expanding the types of waters the government can regulate under the Clean Water Act (“CWA”). Prior to the rule, the scope of the Agencies’ jurisdictional...
At the end of June, Governor Raimondo signed into law legislation that suspends the running and expiration of all development permits until June 30, 2016. This suspension further expands a permit toll that has been in place, through a series of legislative enactments, since November 9, 2009. Back then, the economy was in a recession, project financing was...
The status quo stands, to a degree. By a 5-4 vote, the United States Supreme Court has concluded that the federal Fair Housing Act (“FHA”) authorizes lawsuits not just for intentional discrimination, but for conduct taken without an intent to discriminate that nonetheless has a discriminatory effect on groups sharing certain characteristics, such as race, handicap,...
The success or failure of a project hinges on whether the owner retains the correct contractor. This article identifies the eight most important factors in the selection process. Basic Company Information 1. How long has your company been in business? a. To confirm: http://corp.sec.state.ma.us/corpweb/CorpSearch/CorpSearch.aspx 2. What are the typical cost, size, and types of projects your...
