2018 -- H 8203 SUBSTITUTE A

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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 -- COMMERCIAL LOW SPEED

VEHICLES

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Mendonca, and Abney

     Date Introduced: May 16, 2018

     Referred To: House Municipal Government

     (by request)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 31 of the General Laws entitled "MOTOR AND OTHER

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VEHICLES" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

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CHAPTER 19.5

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CITY OF NEWPORT - COMMERCIAL LOW SPEED VEHICLES

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     31-19.5-1. City of Newport - Commercial low speed vehicles.

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     (a) For the purposes of this chapter, a commercial low speed vehicle means a self-

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propelled, electrically or gas powered motor vehicle which: is designed to carry eight (8) or fewer

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persons; is designed to be, and is, operated at speeds of twenty-five (25) miles per hour or less;

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and conforms to the maximum safety equipment requirements as adopted in the Federal Motor

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Vehicle Safety Standard No. 500, Low Speed vehicles (49 C.F.R. 571.500). Notwithstanding

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anything to the contrary, a low speed vehicle may be operated upon the roadways of the city of

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Newport as a commercial jitney service only if it meets the requirements of this section.

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     (b) Each person operating a commercial low speed vehicle on a roadway of the city of

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Newport shall possess a valid chauffeur's license issued pursuant to ยง 31-10-1 and be at least

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twenty (20) years old.

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     (c) Any person operating a commercial low speed vehicle shall first obtain a certificate of

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necessity from the Rhode Island public utilities commission.

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     (d) Every operator of a commercial low speed vehicle shall maintain financial

 

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responsibility on such low speed vehicle if the low speed vehicle is to be operated upon the

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roadways of the city of Newport.

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     (e) Every person operating a commercial low speed vehicle shall be granted all the rights

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and shall be subject to all duties applicable to the driver of any motor vehicle except as to the

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special regulations in this section and except as to those provisions which by their nature can have

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no application.

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     (f) The operator of a commercial low speed vehicle shall observe all traffic laws and local

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ordinances regarding the rules of the road. A low speed vehicle shall not be operated on a street

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or a highway with a posted speed limit greater than twenty-five (25) miles per hour. The

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provisions of this subsection shall not prohibit a low speed vehicle from crossing a street or

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highway with a posted speed limit greater than thirty-five (35) miles per hour.

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     (g) No person shall operate a commercial low speed vehicle:

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     (1) In any careless way as to endanger the person or property of another; or

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     (2) While under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance. Low speed vehicles

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shall be manufactured and comply with the standards of the National Traffic Safety

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Administration Standards for low speed vehicles as set out in 49 C.F.R. 571.500, as amended.

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     (h) A commercial low speed vehicle shall only be operated during the hours of 6:00 am

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through 12:00 am.

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     (i) Safety inspections. Electrically powered commercial low speed vehicles shall, where

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applicable, be subject to Rhode Island's vehicle inspection program pursuant to chapter 38 of title

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31 and emissions testing pursuant to chapter 47.1 of title 31. Upon registration and renewal of a

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low speed vehicle's registration, the owner shall certify, under penalty of perjury, that all lights,

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tires, seat belts and other vehicle equipment are in good working condition.

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     (j) Title and registration. The division of motor vehicles shall issue a title and jitney

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registration for a commercial low speed vehicle upon submission of a certificate from the

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manufacturer that the low speed vehicle meets the safety standards of the National Traffic Safety

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Administration Standards for low speed vehicles as set out in 49 C.F.R. 571.500, as amended.

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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 -- COMMERCIAL LOW SPEED

VEHICLES

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     This act would authorize commercial low speed vehicles of eight (8) or fewer persons to

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operate on the roadways of the city of Newport as a commercial jitney service.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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