2019 -- H 5391

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LC001458

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - INSPECTION OF MOTOR VEHICLES

     Introduced By: Representatives Fellela, Costantino, Ucci, and Serpa

     Date Introduced: February 14, 2019

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

department of revenue.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

system by regulations.

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

     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

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

inspection sticker before the current sticker expires.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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