2021 -- S 0173

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LC000844

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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 MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - PARKING FACILITIES AND

PRIVILEGES

     Introduced By: Senators Anderson, Calkin, Valverde, Ciccone, Mendes, Ruggerio,
Lombardi, Goodwin, Miller, and Coyne

     Date Introduced: February 05, 2021

     Referred To: Senate Housing & Municipal Government

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 31-28 of the General Laws entitled "Parking Facilities and

Privileges" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     31-28-10. Installation of electric vehicle charging stations - Designated parking

spaces.

     (a) All new parking lots and existing lots that undergo an expansion of the number of

parking spaces of fifty percent (50%) or more and existing parking lots subject to the provisions of

subsection (d) of this section, shall create designated parking spaces for electric vehicles.

     (b) Each electric vehicle parking space shall have a level 2 EV charging station or a dual

charger to be shared by two (2) parking spaces.

     (c) The installation of electric vehicle charging stations and the designation of parking

spaces shall be required for:

     (1) Construction of a parking lot for a new building or new off-street parking facility;

     (2) An additional parking lot added to an addition for an existing building;

     (3) A parking lot increased in size to add fifty percent (50%) or more parking spaces; and

     (4) Existing parking lots subject to the requirements of subsection (d) of this section.

     (d) The amount of designated parking spaces shall be the greater of:

     (1) One space or one percent (1%) of the total spaces for restaurants, retail businesses,

recreational and cultural venues;

     (2) One space or one percent (1%) of the total spaces for medical, industrial and municipal

facilities;

     (3) One space or three percent (3%) of the total spaces for all commercial lodging facilities,

including, but not limited to, hotels and motels; and

     (4) One space or five percent (5%) of the total spaces for multi-household residential

facilities.

     (e) Existing parking lots shall comply with the provisions of this section on or before

December 31, 2022.

     (f) A person who parks a non-electric vehicle in a space designated for persons with electric

vehicles shall be fined:

     (1) One hundred dollars ($100) for a first violation;

     (2) One hundred seventy-five dollars ($175) for a second violation; and

     (3) Three hundred twenty-five dollars ($325) for a third or subsequent violation. The

vehicle may be subject to towing at the owner's expense.

     (g) Enforcement of the parking provisions of this section shall be enforced by the local or

state authorities on public or private property when the location of the parking spaces is within the

purview of the state building code, chapter 27.3 of title 23.

     (h) The owner of any facility or business which fails to comply with the provisions of this

section shall be subject to a civil penalty in the amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2021.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - PARKING FACILITIES AND

PRIVILEGES

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     This act would require designated parking spaces in new parking lots and parking lots

expanded by fifty percent (50%) or more effective July 1, 2021 and specified existing parking lots

by December 31, 2022 for electric vehicles and the installation of electric charging stations, with

fines for persons driving non-electric vehicles parking in the designated spaces and for non-

compliance by owners of any parking facilities or buildings.

     This act would take effect on July 1, 2021.

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