Rhode Island Interlocal Cooperation Act

The Interlocal Cooperation Act lets units of local government and other public agencies jointly exercise powers that each already holds separately, so neighboring jurisdictions can pool funds, personnel, property, and facilities rather than duplicate them. It establishes the mechanics of those arrangements: written agreements for joint or cooperative action that must satisfy stated requirements and be filed, sometimes subject to approval by the state officer or agency responsible for the services involved, plus a simpler option under which one public agency contracts to obtain services from another. Where participants want a lasting institution instead of a contract, the act authorizes creating a separate entity governed by its own board and gives it operating authority — acquiring and improving property, eminent domain, bond financing secured by a lien on revenues, and exemption from certain taxes and liability — balanced by accountability requirements such as annual reporting and audit and by terms governing member withdrawal.

Editorial summary generated from the text of this act. It is not part of the statute — read the sections below for the operative language.