Rhode Island General Laws Title 23. Health and Safety § 23-19.14-10. Settlement authorities

(a) The state may, through June 30, 2007, enter into an agreement with any person to perform any response action if the state determines that that action will be done properly by the person.  Whenever practicable and in the public interest as determined by the state, the state shall act to facilitate agreements under this section that are in the public interest and consistent with applicable laws and regulations in order to expedite effective remedial action and minimize litigation.  The department of environmental management must be a party to any settlement agreement entered under the authority of the chapter.  The department of environmental management shall not accept new proposals for settlement agreements after December 31, 2006;  provided, however, that an amendment to a settlement agreement that was proposed prior to December 31, 2006, will not be considered a new settlement agreement.

(b) Whenever the state has entered into an agreement under this section, the liability to the state under this chapter of each party to the agreement including any future liability to the state, arising from the release or threatened release that is the subject of the agreement shall be limited as provided in the agreement pursuant to a covenant not to sue.  The final covenant not to sue may, at the discretion of the state, be transferred to successors or assigns that are not otherwise found to be a responsible party under § 23-19.14-6.  The covenant not to sue may provide that future liability to the state of a settling party under the agreement may be limited to the same proportion as that established in the original settlement agreement.