2018 -- H 7244

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LC003837

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - INSPECTION OF MOTOR VEHICLES

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Fellela, Serpa, Ucci, Winfield, and Azzinaro

     Date Introduced: January 19, 2018

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 31-38-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-38 entitled "Inspection

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of Motor Vehicles" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     31-38-4. Director of department of revenue to require periodic inspection.

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     (a) (1) The director of revenue shall at least once each year, but not more frequently than

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twice each year, or on the schedule defined pursuant to chapter 47.1 of this title require that every

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vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer registered in this state or upon a retail seller's premise,

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be inspected and that an official certificate of inspection and approval be obtained for the vehicle,

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provided, that the director of revenue shall require the first inspection of any new motor vehicle

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within two (2) years from the date of purchase or before the vehicle accumulates twenty-four

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thousand (24,000) miles whichever occurs first five (5) years from the date of purchase. If the

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vehicle is sold within the five (5) year period, the new owner shall be required to obtain an

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inspection sticker prior to the expiration of the five (5) year period.

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     (2) The inspections shall be made and the certificates obtained with respect to the

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mechanism, brakes, and equipment of the vehicle as shall be designated by the director of

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department of revenue.

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     (3) The director of the department of revenue is authorized to make necessary rules and

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regulations for the administration and enforcement of this chapter including, but not limited to,

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upgraded standards of operation and standards for mechanical testing equipment, and to designate

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any period or periods of time during which sellers at retail and owners of any vehicles, subject to

 

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this chapter, shall display upon the vehicles certificates of inspection and approval, or shall

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produce these certificates upon demand of any proper officer or employee of the department of

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revenue designated by the director of the department of revenue. In addition, the director shall

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require each inspection facility to file a copy of their active garage keeper's legal liability

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insurance policy and maintain a minimum of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) liability

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coverage. Said coverage shall be purchased for the purpose of insuring against any damage

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sustained to a vehicle while under the control of the inspection facility.

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     (b) The director of the department of revenue may authorize the acceptance in this state

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of a certificate of inspection and approval issued in another state having an inspection law similar

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to this chapter, and may extend the time within which a certificate shall be obtained.

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     (c) The director of the department of revenue, or the director's designee, may suspend the

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registration of any vehicle which he or she determines is in such unsafe condition as to constitute

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a menace to safety, or which, after notice and demand, is not equipped as required in this chapter

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or for which a required certificate of inspection and approval has not been obtained.

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     (d) The director of the department of revenue shall provide for a staggered inspection

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system by regulations.

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     (e) Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in ยง 31-41.1-4.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - INSPECTION OF MOTOR VEHICLES

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     This act would require the first inspection of any new vehicle within five (5) years from

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the date of purchase. If the vehicle is sold within five (5) years, the new owner must obtain an

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inspection sticker before the current sticker expires.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC003837

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