Section 18-4.1-1. – Short title.

§ 18-4.1-1. Short title. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as “The Public Radio Conversions Act.” History of Section.P.L. 2005, ch. 211, § 1; P.L. 2005, ch. 369, § 1.

Section 18-4.1-10. – No derogation of attorney general.

§ 18-4.1-10. No derogation of attorney general. (a) No provision of this chapter shall derogate from the common law or statutory authority of the attorney general nor shall any provision be construed as a limitation on the common law or statutory authority of the attorney general, including the authority to investigate at any time charitable […]

Section 18-4.1-11. – Distribution of conversion fee — Selection of a charitable organization by superior court.

§ 18-4.1-11. Distribution of conversion fee — Selection of a charitable organization by superior court. Any conversion fee shall be awarded by the superior court to an existing or newly formed legal entity that is a nonprofit corporation organized under chapter 6 of title 7, is exempt from taxation under Section 501(a) of the United […]

Section 18-4.1-12. – Whistleblower protections.

§ 18-4.1-12. Whistleblower protections. (a) Prohibition against discrimination. No person subject to the provisions of this chapter, may discharge, demote, threaten or otherwise discriminate against any person or employee with respect to compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment as a reprisal because the person or employee (or any person acting pursuant to the request […]

Section 18-4.1-13. – Failure to comply — Penalties.

§ 18-4.1-13. Failure to comply — Penalties. If any person knowingly violates or fails to comply with any provision of this chapter or willingly or knowingly gives false or incorrect information, the superior court may, after notice and opportunity for a prompt and fair hearing, impose a fine of not more than one million dollars […]

Section 18-4.1-14. – Disclosure of documents.

§ 18-4.1-14. Disclosure of documents. The attorney general has the power to decide whether any information required by this chapter of a filer is confidential and/or proprietary. The decisions by the attorney general shall be made prior to any public notice of information filed pursuant to this chapter or any public reviews of any information […]

Section 18-4.1-15. – Severability.

§ 18-4.1-15. Severability. If any provision of this chapter or the filing of any provision to any person or circumstances is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the chapter, which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter […]

Section 18-4.1-16. – Judicial review.

§ 18-4.1-16. Judicial review. Any transacting party aggrieved by a final order of the attorney general under this chapter may seek judicial review by original action filed in the superior court. History of Section.P.L. 2005, ch. 211, § 1; P.L. 2005, ch. 369, § 1.

Section 18-4.1-2. – Findings.

§ 18-4.1-2. Findings. The general assembly finds and declares that: (1) Public radio stations in Rhode Island contribute uniquely and substantially to the cultural, educational and journalistic quality of life in Rhode Island; (2) Rhode Island’s existing public radio stations have been built and maintained through the charitable contributions of thousands of Rhode Island individuals, […]

Section 18-4.1-3. – Purpose.

§ 18-4.1-3. Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to: (1) Assure Rhode Islanders retain or expand access to high quality public radio station programming; (2) Establish a process to evaluate, monitor and review whether the conversion of a public radio station to a commercial station is consistent with the intentions of Rhode Island donors […]

Section 18-4.1-4. – Definitions.

§ 18-4.1-4. Definitions. As used in this chapter: (1) “Acquiree” means the person or persons that lose(s) any ownership or control, including programming control, of a public radio station, as the terms “public radio station” and “person(s)” are defined within this chapter; (2) “Acquirer” means the person or persons which gain(s) an ownership or control, […]

Section 18-4.1-5. – Notice and Conversion Fee.

§ 18-4.1-5. Notice and Conversion Fee. (a) The transacting parties shall notify the department of attorney general within five (5) business days after entering into an agreement for conversion of public radio station, and in no event later than the date on which an application to transfer, assign or amend the license of a public […]

Section 18-4.1-6. – Review process and criteria of the department of attorney general.

§ 18-4.1-6. Review process and criteria of the department of attorney general. (a) In considering conversions in accordance with this section, the department of attorney general shall adhere to the following process: (1) Within sixty (60) days after receipt of an initial filing, the department of attorney general shall advise the filer, in writing, whether […]

Section 18-4.1-7. – Reports, use of experts, costs.

§ 18-4.1-7. Reports, use of experts, costs. The department of attorney general may in effectuating the purposes of this chapter engage experts or consultants including, but not limited to, actuaries, investment bankers, accountants, attorneys, or industry analysts. All copies of reports prepared by experts and consultants, and costs associated with the reports, shall be made […]

Section 18-4.1-8. – Investigations — Notice to attend — Court order to appear — Contempt.

§ 18-4.1-8. Investigations — Notice to attend — Court order to appear — Contempt. (a) The attorney general may conduct investigations in discharging the duties required under this chapter. For purposes of this investigation the attorney general may require any person, agent, trustee, fiduciary, consultant, institution, association, or corporation directly related to the proposed conversion […]

Section 18-4.1-9. – Perjury.

§ 18-4.1-9. Perjury. Any person who is found to have testified falsely under oath before the legislature, or the attorney general pursuant to this chapter shall be subject to prosecution for perjury and be subject to the penalties set forth in § 18-4.1-13. History of Section.P.L. 2005, ch. 211, § 1; P.L. 2005, ch. 369, […]