2021 -- H 5633

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LC001495

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ORDINANCES

     Introduced By: Representatives Cortvriend, Tanzi, Ruggiero, Kislak, Carson, Speakman,
Ajello, Kazarian, Donovan, and Fogarty

     Date Introduced: February 19, 2021

     Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 45-6-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-6 entitled "Ordinances" is

hereby amended to read as follows:

     45-6-1. Scope of ordinances permissible.

     (a) Town and city councils may, from time to time, make and ordain all ordinances and

regulations for their respective towns and cities, not repugnant to law, which they deem necessary

for the safety of their inhabitants from fire, firearms, and fireworks; to regulate the use and sale of

cigarettes, other tobacco products, and electronic nicotine delivery systems; to prevent persons

standing on any footwalk, sidewalk, doorstep, or in any doorway, or riding, driving, fastening, or

leaving any horse or other animal or any carriage, team, or other vehicle on any footwalk, sidewalk,

doorstep, or doorway within the town or city, to the obstruction, hindrance, delay, disturbance, or

annoyance of passersby or of persons residing or doing business in this vicinity; to regulate the

putting up and maintenance of telegraph and other wires and their appurtenances; to prevent the

indecent exposure of any one bathing in any of the waters within their respective towns and cities;

against breakers of the Sabbath; against habitual drunkenness; respecting the purchase and sale of

merchandise or commodities within their respective towns and cities; to protect burial grounds and

the graves in these burial grounds from trespassers; and, generally, all other ordinances, regulations

and bylaws for the well ordering, managing, and directing of the prudential affairs and police of

their respective towns and cities, not repugnant to the constitution and laws of this state, or of the

United States.

     (b) Town and city councils shall furnish to their senators and representatives, upon request

and at no charge, copies and updates of all ordinances and regulations.

     (c) In lieu of newspaper publication, advance notice of proposed adoption, amendment, or

repeal of any ordinance or regulation by a municipality may be provided via electronic media on a

website maintained by the office of the secretary of state.

     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 TOWNS AND CITIES -- ORDINANCES

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     This act would allow cities and towns to create ordinances to regulate the use and sales of

cigarettes, other tobacco products, and electronic nicotine delivery systems.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC001495

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