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ARTICLE 11 AS AMENDED |
RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRANSPORTATION
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SECTION 1. Sections 31-2-1 and 31-2-27 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-2 entitled |
"Division of Motor Vehicles" are hereby amended to read as follows: |
31-2-1. Establishment — Duties — Chief of division. |
Within the department of revenue there shall be a division of motor vehicles. The division |
will be responsible for activities assigned to it by law, including, but not limited to, motor vehicle |
registration, testing and licensing of motor vehicle operators, inspection of motor vehicles, and |
enforcement of laws relating to the issuance, suspension, and revocation of motor vehicle |
registrations and drivers’ licenses. The division shall administer the financial responsibility law. |
The chief of the division shall use the title and designation “registrar” or “administrator” on all |
licenses, registrations, orders of suspensions, financial responsibility notices or orders, or any other |
official documents issued or promulgated by the division. He or sheThe chief shall exercise all |
powers and duties prescribed by chapters 1 — 27 of this title and shall supervise and direct the |
promotion of highway traffic safety. |
On or before January l, 2027, the administrator in consultation with the department of |
transportation is hereby directed to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the |
general assembly regarding options to index or update fees charged in § 31-6-1 (27)(i) and any |
other related changes for battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and hybrid |
electric vehicles. The report at a minimum shall include information and practices in other states. |
31-2-27. Technology surcharge fee. |
(a) The division of motor vehicles shall collect a technology surcharge fee of two dollars |
and fifty cents ($2.50) three dollars and fifty cents ($3.50) per transaction for every division of |
motor vehicles’ fee transaction, except as otherwise provided by law and provided no surcharge |
fee is assessed on motor vehicle inspection transactions conducted pursuant to § 31-38-4. One |
dollar and fifty cents ($1.50) of each two dollars and fifty cents ($2.50) collected pursuant to this |
section shall be deposited into the information technology investment fund established pursuant to |
§ 42-11-2.5 and shall be used for project-related payments and/or ongoing maintenance of and |
enhancements to the division of motor vehicles’ computer system and to reimburse the information |
technology investment fund for advances made to cover project-related payments. The remaining |
one dollar ($1.00) All technology surcharge fees collected pursuant to this section shall be |
deposited into a restricted-receipt account managed by the division of motor vehicles and restricted |
to the project-related payments and/or ongoing maintenance of and enhancements to the division |
of motor vehicles’ computer system. |
(b) [Deleted by P.L. 2019, ch. 88, art. 7, § 1]. |
(c) Beginning July 1, 2022, the full two dollars and fifty cents ($2.50) shall be deposited |
into the division of motor vehicles restricted account and restricted to the project-related payments |
and/or ongoing maintenance of and enhancements to the division of motor vehicles’ computer |
system. |
SECTION 2. Section 31-6-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-6 entitled "Registration |
Fees" is hereby amended to read as follows: |
31-6-1. Amount of registration and miscellaneous fees. |
The following registration fees shall be paid to the division of motor vehicles for the |
registration of motor vehicles, trailers, semi-trailers, and school buses subject to registration for |
each year of registration: |
(1) For the registration of every automobile, when equipped with pneumatic tires, the gross |
weight of which is not more than four thousand pounds (4,000 lbs.): thirty dollars ($30.00).; |
(2) For the registration of every motor truck or tractor when equipped with pneumatic tires, |
the gross weight of which is not more than four thousand pounds (4,000 lbs.): thirty-four dollars |
($34.00).; |
(3) For the registration of every automobile, motor truck or tractor, when equipped with |
pneumatic tires, the gross weight of which is: |
(i) More than four thousand pounds (4,000 lbs.), but not more than five thousand pounds |
(5,000 lbs.): forty dollars ($40.00); |
(ii) More than five thousand pounds (5,000 lbs.), but not more than six thousand pounds |
(6,000 lbs.): forty-eight dollars ($48.00); |
(iii) More than six thousand pounds (6,000 lbs.), but not more than seven thousand pounds |
(7,000 lbs.): fifty-six dollars ($56.00); |
(iv) More than seven thousand pounds (7,000 lbs.), but not more than eight thousand |
pounds (8,000 lbs.): sixty-four dollars ($64.00); |
(v) More than eight thousand pounds (8,000 lbs.), but not more than nine thousand pounds |
(9,000 lbs.): seventy dollars ($70.00); |
(vi) More than nine thousand pounds (9,000 lbs.), but not more than ten thousand pounds |
(10,000 lbs.): seventy-eight dollars ($78.00); |
(vii) More than ten thousand pounds (10,000 lbs.), but not more than twelve thousand |
pounds (12,000 lbs.): one hundred six dollars ($106); |
(viii) More than twelve thousand pounds (12,000 lbs.), but not more than fourteen thousand |
pounds (14,000 lbs.): one hundred twenty-four dollars ($124); |
(ix) More than fourteen thousand pounds (14,000 lbs.), but not more than sixteen thousand |
pounds (16,000 lbs.): one hundred forty dollars ($140); |
(x) More than sixteen thousand pounds (16,000 lbs.), but not more than eighteen thousand |
pounds (18,000 lbs.): one hundred fifty-eight dollars ($158); |
(xi) More than eighteen thousand pounds (18,000 lbs.), but not more than twenty thousand |
pounds (20,000 lbs.): one hundred seventy-six dollars ($176); |
(xii) More than twenty thousand pounds (20,000 lbs.), but not more than twenty-two |
thousand pounds (22,000 lbs.): one hundred ninety-four dollars ($194); |
(xiii) More than twenty-two thousand pounds (22,000 lbs.), but not more than twenty-four |
thousand pounds (24,000 lbs.): two hundred ten dollars ($210); |
(xiv) More than twenty-four thousand pounds (24,000 lbs.), but not more than twenty-six |
thousand pounds (26,000 lbs.): two hundred thirty dollars ($230); |
(xv) More than twenty-six thousand pounds (26,000 lbs.), but not more than twenty-eight |
thousand pounds (28,000 lbs.): two hundred ninety-six dollars ($296); |
(xvi) More than twenty-eight thousand pounds (28,000 lbs.), but not more than thirty |
thousand pounds (30,000 lbs.): three hundred sixteen dollars ($316); |
(xvii) More than thirty thousand pounds (30,000 lbs.), but not more than thirty-two |
thousand pounds (32,000 lbs.): four hundred and twenty-two dollars ($422); |
(xviii) More than thirty-two thousand pounds (32,000 lbs.), but not more than thirty-four |
thousand pounds (34,000 lbs.): four hundred and forty-eight dollars ($448); |
(xix) More than thirty-four thousand pounds (34,000 lbs.), but not more than thirty-six |
thousand pounds (36,000 lbs.): four hundred and seventy-six dollars ($476); |
(xx) More than thirty-six thousand pounds (36,000 lbs.), but not more than thirty-eight |
thousand pounds (38,000 lbs.): five hundred and two dollars ($502); |
(xxi) More than thirty-eight thousand pounds (38,000 lbs.), but not more than forty |
thousand pounds (40,000 lbs.): five hundred and twenty-eight dollars ($528); |
(xxii) More than forty thousand pounds (40,000 lbs.), but not more than forty-two thousand |
pounds (42,000 lbs.): five hundred and fifty-four dollars ($554); |
(xxiii) More than forty-two thousand pounds (42,000 lbs.), but not more than forty-six |
thousand pounds (46,000 lbs.): six hundred and eight dollars ($608); |
(xxiv) More than forty-six thousand pounds (46,000 lbs.), but not more than fifty thousand |
pounds (50,000 lbs.): six hundred and sixty dollars ($660); |
(xxv) More than fifty thousand pounds (50,000 lbs.), but not more than fifty-four thousand |
pounds (54,000 lbs.): seven hundred and twelve dollars ($712); |
(xxvi) More than fifty-four thousand pounds (54,000 lbs.), but not more than fifty-eight |
thousand pounds (58,000 lbs.): seven hundred and sixty-eight dollars ($768); |
(xxvii) More than fifty-eight thousand pounds (58,000 lbs.), but not more than sixty-two |
thousand pounds (62,000 lbs.): eight hundred and sixteen dollars ($816); |
(xxviii) More than sixty-two thousand pounds (62,000 lbs.), but not more than sixty-six |
thousand pounds (66,000 lbs.): eight hundred and seventy-six dollars ($876); |
(xxix) More than sixty-six thousand pounds (66,000 lbs.), but not more than seventy |
thousand pounds (70,000 lbs.): nine hundred and twenty-four dollars ($924); |
(xxx) More than seventy thousand pounds (70,000 lbs.), but not more than seventy-four |
thousand pounds (74,000 lbs.): nine hundred and seventy-two dollars ($972); |
(xxxi) Over seventy-four thousand pounds (74,000 lbs.): nine hundred and seventy-two |
dollars ($972), plus twenty-four dollars ($24.00) per two thousand pounds (2,000 lbs.) gross |
weight. |
(4) For the registration of every semi-trailer to be used with a truck-tractor, as defined in § |
31-1-4(f), shall be as follows: an annual fee of twelve dollars ($12.00) for a one-year registration; |
for multi-year registrations the fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) for a five-year (5) registration; and |
eighty dollars ($80.00) for an eight-year (8) registration. However, when in use, the weight of the |
resulting semi-trailer unit and its maximum carrying capacity shall not exceed the gross weight of |
the original semi-trailer unit from which the gross weight of the tractor was determined. A |
registration certificate and registration plate shall be issued for each semi-trailer so registered. |
There shall be no refund of payment of such fee, except that when a plate is returned prior to ninety |
(90) days before the effective date of that year’s registration, the pro rate amount, based on the |
unused portion of the multi-year registration plate period at time of surrender, shall be refunded. A |
multi-year semi-trailer registration may be transferred to another semi-trailer subject to the |
provisions and fee set forth in § 31-6-11. Thirty percent (30%) of the semi-trailer registration fee |
shall be retained by the division of motor vehicles to defray the costs of implementation of the |
international registration plan (IRP) and fleet registration section. |
(5) For the registration of every automobile, motor truck, or tractor, when equipped with |
other than pneumatic tires, there shall be added to the above gross weight fees a charge of ten cents |
(10¢) for each one hundred pounds (100 lbs.) of gross weight. |
(6) For the registration of every public bus, the rates provided for motor vehicles for hire |
plus two dollars ($2.00) for each passenger that bus is rated to carry, the rating to be determined by |
the administrator of the division of motor vehicles. |
(7) For the registration of every motorcycle, or motor-driven cycle, thirteen dollars |
($13.00). Three dollars ($3.00) from that sum shall be turned over to the department of education |
to assist in the payment of the cost of the motorcycle driver’s education program as enumerated in |
§ 31-10.1-1.1. |
(8) For the registration of every trailer, not including semi-trailers used with a truck-tractor |
as defined in § 31-1-4(d), with a gross weight of three thousand pounds (3,000 lbs.) or less, five |
dollars ($5.00). Trailers with a gross weight of more than three thousand pounds (3,000 lbs.) shall |
be assessed a registration fee of one dollar and fifty cents ($1.50) per thousand pounds (1,000 lbs.). |
(9) The annual registration fee for a motor vehicle, commonly described as a boxcar and/or |
locomotive, and used only by La Societe Des 40 Hommes et 8 Chevaux for civic demonstration, |
parades, convention purposes, or social welfare work, shall be two dollars ($2.00). |
(10) For the registration of every motor vehicle, trailer, or semi-trailer owned by any |
department or agency of any city or town or district, provided the name of the city or town or |
district or state department or agency owning the same shall be plainly printed on two (2) sides of |
the vehicle, two dollars ($2.00). |
(11) For the registration of motor vehicles used for racing, fifteen dollars ($15.00). |
(12) For every duplicate registration certificate, seventeen dollars ($17.00). |
(13) For every certified copy of a registration certificate or application, ten dollars ($10.00). |
(14) For every certificate assigning a special identification number or mark as provided in |
§ 31-3-37, one dollar ($1.00). |
(15) For every replacement of number plates or additional pair of number plates, without |
changing the number, thirty dollars ($30.00). |
(16) For the registration of every farm vehicle, used in farming as provided in § 31-3-31: |
ten dollars ($10.00). |
(17) For the registration of antique motor vehicles, five dollars ($5.00). |
(18) For the registration of a suburban vehicle, when used as a pleasure vehicle and the |
gross weight of which is not more than four thousand pounds (4,000 lbs.), the same rates as charged |
in subsection (1) of this section shall be applicable and when used as a commercial vehicle and the |
gross weight of which is not more than four thousand pounds (4,000 lbs.), the same rates as |
provided in subsection (2) of this section shall be applicable. The rates in subsection (3) of this |
section shall be applicable when the suburban vehicle has a gross weight of more than four thousand |
pounds (4,000 lbs.), regardless of the use of the vehicle. |
(19) For the registration of every motor bus that is used exclusively under contract with a |
political subdivision or school district of the state for the transportation of school children, twenty- |
five dollars ($25); provided that the motor bus may also be used for the transportation of persons |
to and from church and Sunday school services, and for the transportation of children to and from |
educational or recreational projects sponsored by a city or town or by any association or |
organization supported wholly or in part by public or private donations for charitable purposes, |
without the payment of additional registration fee. |
(20) For the registration of every motorized bicycle, ten dollars ($10.00). |
(21) For the registration of every motorized tricycle, ten dollars ($10.00). |
(22) For the replacement of number plates with a number change, twenty dollars ($20.00). |
(23) For the initial issuance and each reissuance of fully reflective plates, as required by §§ |
31-3-10, 31-3-32, and 31-3-33, an additional eight dollars ($8.00); provided, however, for the initial |
issuance of new license plates as required by § 31-3-33(c) that feature the 2022 approved design, |
the fee shall be waived when the plate is issued for a vehicle with an existing registration. |
(24) For the issuance of a trip permit under the International Registration Plan, twenty-five |
dollars ($25.00) per vehicle. The division of motor vehicles is authorized to issue seventy-two-hour |
(72) trip permits for vehicles required to be registered in the International Registration Plan that |
have not been apportioned with the state of Rhode Island. |
(25) For the issuance of a hunter’s permit under the International Registration Plan, twenty- |
five dollars ($25.00) per vehicle. The division of motor vehicles is authorized to issue hunter’s |
permits for motor vehicles based in the state of Rhode Island and otherwise required to be registered |
in the International Registration Plan. These permits are valid for thirty (30) days. |
(26) For the registration of a specially adapted motor vehicle necessary to transport a family |
member with a disability for personal, noncommercial use, a fee of thirty dollars ($30.00) assessed. |
(27)(i) For the registration of every automobile, motor truck, or tractor, there shall be added |
to the above gross weight fees: |
(A) A fee of two hundred dollars ($200) for each battery electric vehicle; |
(B) A fee of one hundred dollars ($100) for each plug-in hybrid electric vehicle; and |
(C) A fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) for each hybrid electric vehicle. |
(ii) For purposes of this subsection, the following definitions shall apply: |
(A) “Battery electric vehicle” means a motor vehicle which operates solely by use of a |
battery or battery pack. The term includes a motor vehicle which is powered mainly through the |
use of an electric battery or battery pack but which uses a flywheel that stores energy produced by |
the electric motor or through regenerative braking to assist in operation of the motor vehicle. |
(B) “Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle” means a motor vehicle that can deliver power to the |
drive wheels solely by a battery-powered electric motor but which also incorporates the use of |
another fuel to power a combustion engine. The battery of the vehicle must be capable of receiving |
energy from an external source, such as an outlet or charging station. |
(C) "Hybrid electric vehicle" means a motor vehicle which is primarily powered by an |
internal combustion engine, (gasoline, diesel, or alternative fuel) in conjunction with an electric |
motor. |
SECTION 3. Section 31-8-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-8 entitled "Offenses |
Against Registration and Certificate of Title Laws" is hereby amended to read as follows: |
31-8-1. Operation of vehicles without evidences of registration. |
No person shall operate, nor shall an owner knowingly permit to be operated, upon any |
highway or bicycle trail or path, any vehicle required to be registered pursuant to this title unless |
there has been issued for it a valid registration card and unless there is attached to it and displayed |
on it, when and as required by chapters 3 — 9 of this title, a valid registration plate or plates issued |
for it by the division of motor vehicles for the current registration year except as otherwise expressly |
permitted in those chapters. Any violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of eighty- |
five dollars ($85.00) one hundred dollars ($100). |
SECTION 4. Section 31-10-6.4 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-10 entitled "Operators’ |
and Chauffeurs’ Licenses" is hereby amended to read as follows: |
31-10-6.4. Violations. |
It is unlawful for the holder of a limited learner’s permit, a temporary permit or a limited |
provisional license to drive a motor vehicle in violation of the restrictions that apply to that permit |
or license. Failure to comply with a restriction concerning time of driving or the presence of a |
supervising driver in the vehicle constitutes operating a motor vehicle without a license. Failure to |
comply with any other restriction, including seating and passenger limitations, is an infraction |
punishable by a monetary fine of eighty-five dollars ($85.00) one hundred dollars ($100) for the |
first offense, ninety-five dollars ($95.00) one hundred ten dollars ($110) for the second offense, |
and one hundred dollars ($100.00) one hundred forty dollars ($140) for a third or any subsequent |
offenses. |
SECTION 5. Section 31-23-51 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-23 entitled "Equipment |
and Accessories Generally" is hereby amended to read as follows: |
31-23-51. Earphones and headsets prohibited. |
(a) No person shall operate a bicycle or motor vehicle upon any highway while wearing |
earphones, a headset, headphone, or other listening device. Any person who violates this section |
shall be fined: (1) eighty-five dollars ($85.00) one hundred dollars ($100) for the first offense, (2) |
ninety-five dollars ($95.00) one hundred ten dollars ($110) for the second offense, and (3) one |
hundred forty dollars ($140) for the third and each subsequent offense. |
(b) This section shall not apply to: |
(1) Any emergency vehicle operator using an integrated intercom system; |
(2) Any person operating a motorcycle who is using a headset installed in a helmet and |
worn so as to prevent the speakers from making direct contact with the user’s ears so that the user |
can hear surrounding sounds; |
(3) Any person using a headset in conjunction with a cellular telephone that only provides |
sound through one ear and allows surrounding sounds to be heard with the other ear; |
(4) Any person using a headset in conjunction with the communicating with the central |
base operation that only provides sound through one ear and allows surrounding sounds to be heard |
with the other ear; |
(5) Any person using a hearing aid(s) or instrument for the improvement of hearing. |
(c) The department of motor vehicles shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to |
implement the provisions of this section. |
SECTION 6. Section 31-25-16 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-25 entitled "Size, |
Weight, and Load Limits" is hereby amended to read as follows: |
31-25-16. Authorized weight shown in registration — Exceeding limit. |
(a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall insert in the registration card |
issued for a vehicle the gross weight for which it is registered. If it is a truck tractor to be used for |
propelling semi-trailers, he or shethe administrator shall separately insert the total permissible |
gross weight of the truck tractor and semi-trailers to be propelled by it. It shall be unlawful for any |
carrier to operate or permit to be operated any vehicle or combination of vehicles of a gross weight |
in excess of that registered by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles, permitted by the |
department of transportation, or in excess of the limitations set forth in this chapter. |
(b) For the purposes of this chapter, “carrier” means and includes any company or person |
who furthers their commercial or private enterprise by use of the vehicle. |
(c)(1) Penalties for violations of this section will be calculated on the legal weight in |
comparison to the actual weight and shall be heard and adjudicated at the traffic tribunal. |
(2) The overweight penalties for vehicles with ten thousand pounds (10,000 lbs.) gross |
vehicle weight or less shall be eighty-five dollars ($85.00) one hundred dollars ($100) per thousand |
pounds overweight or portion of it. |
(3) The overweight penalties for vehicles exceeding ten thousand pounds (10,000 lbs.) |
gross vehicle weight shall be one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125.00) per five hundred pounds |
(500 lbs.) overweight or portion of it. |
(4) The overweight penalty for vehicles being operated in excess of one hundred four |
thousand, eight hundred pounds (104,800 lbs.) gross vehicle weight shall be one thousand twenty- |
five dollars ($1,025) in addition to the penalties enumerated in subsection (c)(3) of this section. |
(5) The overweight penalty for vehicles being operated in excess of one hundred thirty |
thousand pounds (130,000 lbs.) gross vehicle weight shall be two thousand five hundred dollars |
($2,500) in addition to the penalties enumerated in subsection (c)(3) of this section. |
SECTION 7. Section 31-27-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-27 entitled "Motor |
Vehicle Offenses" is hereby amended to read as follows: |
31-27-6. Lanes of operation. |
(a) Any bus, commercial vehicle, camper, vehicle registered as a camper, trailer, or vehicle |
carrying a camper or trailer traveling on Rhode Island interstate highways shall be allowed to travel |
only in the first two (2) right hand lanes, except in cases of left hand exits, in which case the vehicle |
shall be allowed to enter the third and fourth left hand lanes one mile prior to an exit. |
(b) For the purpose of this section, “commercial vehicle” means any vehicle registered for |
commercial purposes and designed and used primarily for the transportation of goods, wares, or |
merchandise. “Bus” means any vehicle designed for carrying ten (10) or more passengers and used |
primarily for the transportation of persons. |
(c) The provisions of this section shall only be effective during the period that official |
traffic signs are in place to notify operators of the provisions of this section. Any persons violating |
the provisions of this section upon conviction shall be fined not more than eighty-five dollars |
($85.00) one hundred dollars ($100). |
SECTION 8. Sections 31-36-7 and 31-36-20 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-36 entitled |
"Motor Fuel Tax" are hereby amended to read as follows: |
31-36-7. Monthly report of distributors — Payment of tax. |
(a) State requirements. (1) Every distributor shall, on or before the twentieth (20th) day of |
each month, render a report to the tax administrator, upon forms to be obtained from the tax |
administrator, of the amount (number of gallons) of fuels purchased, sold, or used by the distributor |
within this state and the amount of fuels sold by the distributor without this state from fuels within |
this state during the preceding calendar month, and, if required by the tax administrator as to |
purchases, the name or names of the person or persons from whom purchased and the date and |
amount of each purchase, and as to sales, the name or names of the person or persons to whom sold |
and the amount of each sale, and shall pay at the same time to the administrator tax at the rate of |
thirty-two cents ($0.32) per gallon on all taxable gallons of fuel sold or used in this state for periods |
ending on or before June 30, 2025. |
(2) Every distributor shall, on or before the twentieth day of each month, render a report to |
the tax administrator, upon forms to be obtained from the tax administrator, of the amount (number |
of gallons) of fuels purchased, sold, or used by the distributor within this state and the amount of |
fuels sold by the distributor without this state from fuels within this state during the preceding |
calendar month, and, if required by the tax administrator as to purchases, the name or names of the |
person or persons from whom purchased and the date and amount of each purchase, and as to sales, |
the name or names of the person or persons to whom sold and the amount of each sale, and shall |
pay at the same time to the administrator, tax at the rate of forty cents ($0.40) per gallon on all |
taxable gallons of fuel sold or used in this state for periods beginning on or after July 1, 2025. |
(b) Federal requirements. In the event the federal government requires a certain portion of |
the gasoline tax to be dedicated for highway improvements, then the state controller is directed to |
establish a restricted receipt account and deposit that portion of gasoline tax receipts which brings |
the state into federal compliance. |
(1) Beginning July 1, 2015, and every other year thereafter, through June 30, 2025, the |
gasoline tax shall be adjusted by the percentage of increase in the Consumer Price Index for all |
Urban Consumers (CPI-U) as published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics determined |
as of September 30 of the prior calendar year; said adjustment shall be rounded to the nearest one |
cent ($.01) increment, provided that the total tax shall not be less than provided for in section (a) |
(1). |
(2) Beginning July 1, 2027, and every other year thereafter, the gasoline tax shall be |
adjusted by the percentage of increase in the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI- |
U) as published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics determined as of September 30 of |
the two (2) prior calendar years; said adjustment shall be rounded to the nearest one cent ($0.01) |
increment; provided that, the total tax shall not be less than provided for in subsection (a) (2). |
31-36-20. Disposition of proceeds. |
(a) Disposition of proceeds. (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, |
all moneys paid into the general treasury under the provisions of this chapter or chapter 37 of this |
title, and title 46 shall be applied to and held in a separate fund and be deposited in any depositories |
that may be selected by the general treasurer to the credit of the fund, which fund shall be known |
as the Intermodal Surface Transportation Fund; provided, that in fiscal year 2004 for the months of |
July through April six and eighty-five hundredth cents ($0.0685) per gallon of the tax imposed and |
accruing for the liability under the provisions of § 31-36-7, less refunds and credits, shall be |
transferred to the Rhode Island public transit authority as provided under § 39-18-21. For the |
months of May and June in fiscal year 2004, the allocation shall be five and five hundredth cents |
($0.0505). Thereafter, until fiscal year 2006, the allocation shall be six and twenty-five hundredth |
cents ($0.0625). For fiscal years 2006 through FY 2008, the allocation shall be seven and twenty- |
five hundredth cents ($0.0725); provided, that expenditures shall include the costs of a market |
survey of non-transit users and a management study of the agency to include the feasibility of |
moving the Authorityauthority into the Departmentdepartment of Transportationtransportation, |
both to be conducted under the auspices of the state budget officer. The state budget officer shall |
hire necessary consultants to perform the studies, and shall direct payment by the |
Authorityauthority. Both studies shall be transmitted by the Budgetbudget Officerofficer to the |
2006 session of the Generalgeneral Assemblyassembly, with comments from the |
Authorityauthority. For fiscal year 2009, the allocation shall be seven and seventy-five hundredth |
cents ($0.0775), of which one-half cent ($0.005) shall be derived from the one cent ($0.01) per |
gallon environmental protection fee pursuant to § 46-12.9-11. For fiscal years 2010 and thereafter |
through FY fiscal year 2025, the allocation shall be nine and seventy-five hundredth cents |
($0.0975), of which of one-half cent ($0.005) shall be derived from the one cent ($0.01) per gallon |
environmental protection fee pursuant to § 46-12.9-11. For fiscal years 2026 and thereafter, the |
allocation shall be eleven and seventy-five hundredths cents ($0.1175) of which one-half cent |
($0.005) shall be derived from the one cent ($0.01) per gallon environmental protection fee |
pursuant to § 46-12.9-11. One cent ($0.01) per gallon shall be transferred to the |
Elderly/Disabledelderly/disabled Transportationtransportation Programprogram of the |
department of human services, and the remaining cents per gallon shall be available for general |
revenue as determined by the following schedule: |
(i) For the fiscal year 2000, three and one-fourth cents ($0.0325) shall be available for |
general revenue. |
(ii) For the fiscal year 2001, one and three-fourth cents ($0.0175) shall be available for |
general revenue. |
(iii) For the fiscal year 2002, one-fourth cent ($0.0025) shall be available for general |
revenue. |
(iv) For the fiscal year 2003, two and one-fourth cent ($0.0225) shall be available for |
general revenue. |
(v) For the months of July through April in fiscal year 2004, one and four-tenths cents |
($0.014) shall be available for general revenue. For the months of May through June in fiscal year |
2004, three and two-tenths cents ($0.032) shall be available for general revenue, and thereafter, |
until fiscal year 2006, two cents ($0.02) shall be available for general revenue. For fiscal year 2006 |
through fiscal year 2009 one cent ($0.01) shall be available for general revenue. |
(2) All deposits and transfers of funds made by the tax administrator under this section, |
including those to the Rhode Island public transit authority, the department of human services, the |
Rhode Island turnpike and bridge authority, and the general fund, shall be made within twenty-four |
(24) hours of receipt or previous deposit of the funds in question. |
(3) Commencing in fiscal year 2004, the Directordirector of the Rhode Island |
Departmentdepartment of Transportationtransportation is authorized to remit, on a monthly or |
less frequent basis as shall be determined by the Directordirector of the Rhode Island |
Departmentdepartment of Transportationtransportation, or his or herthe director’s designee, or |
at the election of the Directordirector of the Rhode Island Departmentdepartment of |
Transportationtransportation, with the approval of the Directordirector of the |
Departmentdepartment of Administrationadministration, to an indenture trustee, administrator, |
or other third party fiduciary, in an amount not to exceed two cents ($0.02) per gallon of the gas |
tax imposed, in order to satisfy debt service payments on aggregate bonds issued pursuant to a |
Jointjoint Resolutionresolution and Enactmentenactment Approvingapproving the |
Financingfinancing of Variousvarious Departmentdepartment of Transportationtransportation |
Projectsprojects adopted during the 2003 session of the Generalgeneral Assemblyassembly, and |
approved by the Governorgovernor. |
(4) Commencing in fiscal year 2015, three and one-half cents ($0.035) shall be transferred |
to the Rhode Island Turnpiketurnpike and Bridgebridge Authorityauthority to be used for |
maintenance, operations, capital expenditures and debt service on any of its projects as defined in |
chapter 12 of title 24 in lieu of a toll on the Sakonnet River Bridge. The Rhode Island turnpike and |
bridge authority is authorized to remit to an indenture trustee, administrator, or other third-party |
fiduciary any or all of the foregoing transfers in order to satisfy and/or secure its revenue bonds and |
notes and/or debt service payments thereon, including, but not limited to, the bonds and notes issued |
pursuant to the Joint Resolution set forth in Section 3 of Article 6 of Chapter 23 of the Public Laws |
of 2010. Notwithstanding any other provision of said Jointjoint Resolutionresolution, the Rhode |
Island turnpike and bridge authority is expressly authorized to issue bonds and notes previously |
authorized under said Jointjoint Resolutionresolution for the purpose of financing all expenses |
incurred by it for the formerly authorized tolling of the Sakonnet River Bridge and the termination |
thereof. |
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, all other funds in the fund |
shall be dedicated to the department of transportation, subject to annual appropriation by the general |
assembly. The director of transportation shall submit to the general assembly, budget office and |
office of the governor annually an accounting of all amounts deposited in and credited to the fund |
together with a budget for proposed expenditures for the succeeding fiscal year in compliance with |
§§ 35-3-1 and 35-3-4. On order of the director of transportation, the state controller is authorized |
and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payments of any sum or |
portion of the sum that may be required from time to time upon receipt of properly authenticated |
vouchers. |
(c) At any time the amount of the fund is insufficient to fund the expenditures of the |
department of transportation, not to exceed the amount authorized by the general assembly, the |
general treasurer is authorized, with the approval of the governor and the director of administration, |
in anticipation of the receipts of monies enumerated in this section to advance sums to the fund, for |
the purposes specified in this section, any funds of the state not specifically held for any particular |
purpose. However, all the advances made to the fund shall be returned to the general fund |
immediately upon the receipt by the fund of proceeds resulting from the receipt of monies to the |
extent of the advances. |
SECTION 9. Section 31-36.1-17 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-36.1 entitled "Fuel |
Use Reporting Law" is hereby amended to read as follows: |
31-36.1-17. Penalties. |
(a) Any motor carrier failing to secure or display upon demand the license or identification |
device required in § 31-36.1-3, or under the International Fuel Tax Agreement shall be guilty of a |
civil violation and subject to a fine not exceeding: (1) eighty-five dollars ($85.00) one hundred |
dollars ($100) for the first offense and (2) not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100) one hundred |
ten dollars ($110) for subsequent offenses. Any motor carrier willfully violating any other |
provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a civil violation and subject to a fine not |
exceeding one hundred dollars ($100) for the first offense and not exceeding five hundred dollars |
($500) for subsequent offenses. |
(b) Filing of a false statement to obtain credit or refund. Any person who willfully and |
knowingly makes a false statement orally, in writing, or in the form of a receipt for the sale of motor |
fuel, for the purpose of obtaining, attempting to obtain, or to assist any other person, partnership, |
or corporation to obtain or attempt to obtain a credit or refund or reduction of liability for taxes |
under this chapter, shall be fined not less than five thousand dollars ($5,000) nor more than ten |
thousand dollars ($10,000), or be imprisoned not more than one year, or both. |
(c) Failure to file return or pay tax. When any motor carrier fails to file a return within the |
time prescribed by this chapter for the filing of it or fails to pay the amount of taxes due when they |
are payable, a penalty of ten percent (10%) or fifty dollars ($50.00), whichever is greater, shall be |
added to the amount of the tax due, and the penalty shall immediately accrue, and the tax shall bear |
interest at the annual rate provided by § 44-1-7, as amended, until the tax is paid. The tax |
administrator may waive all or part of the penalties provided in this chapter when it is proved to |
the tax administrator’s satisfaction that the failure to file the return or pay the taxes on time was |
due to reasonable cause. |
SECTION 10. Section 31-41.1-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-41.1 entitled |
"Adjudication of Traffic Offenses" is hereby amended to read as follows: |
31-41.1-4. Schedule of violations. |
(a) The penalties for violations of the enumerated sections, listed in numerical order, |
correspond to the fines described. However, those offenses for which punishments may vary |
according to the severity of the offense, or punishment that requires the violator to perform a |
service, shall be heard and decided by the traffic tribunal or municipal court. The following |
violations may be handled administratively through the method prescribed in this chapter. This list |
is not exclusive and jurisdiction may be conferred on the traffic tribunal with regard to other |
violations. |
VIOLATIONS SCHEDULE |
Section of Total |
General Laws Fine |
8-8.2-2 DOT, DEM, or other agency and department violations $85.00100.00 |
24-10-17 Soliciting rides in motor vehicles 85.00100.00 |
24-10-18 Backing up prohibited 85.00100.00 |
24-10-19 Advertising motor vehicle for sale on state highways 100.00 |
24-10-20 Park and ride lots 85.00100.00 |
24-12-37 Nonpayment of toll 100.00 |
31-3-12 Visibility of plates 85.00100.00 |
31-3-18 Display of plates 85.00100.00 |
31-3-32 Driving with expired registration 85.00100.00 |
31-3-34 Failure to notify division of change of address 85.00100.00 |
31-3-35 Notice of change of name 85.00100.00 |
31-3-40 Temporary plates – dealer issued 85.00100.00 |
31-4-3 Temporary registration – twenty-day (20) bill of sale 85.00100.00 |
31-10-10 Rules as to armed forces license 85.00100.00 |
31-10-30 Driving on expired license 85.00100.00 |
31-10-32 Notice of change of address 85.00100.00 |
31-10.1-4 No motorcycle helmet (operator) 85.00100.00 |
31-10.1-5 Motorcycle handlebar violation 85.00100.00 |
31-10.1-6 No motorcycle helmet (passenger) 85.00100.00 |
31-10.1-7 Inspection of motorcycle required 85.00100.00 |
31-12-12 Local motor vehicle ordinance 85.00100.00 |
31-13-4 Obedience to devices 85.00100.00 |
31-13-6(3)(i) Eluding traffic light 85.00100.00 |
31-13-9 Flashing signals 85.00100.00 |
31-13-11 Injury to signs or devices 85.00100.00 |
31-14-1 Reasonable and prudent speed 95.00 |
31-14-3 Condition requiring reduced speed 95.00 |
31-14-9 Below minimum speed 95.00 |
31-14-12 Speed limit on bridges and structures 95.00 |
31-15-1 Leaving lane of travel 85.00100.00 |
31-15-2 Slow traffic to right 85.00100.00 |
31-15-3 Operator left of center 85.00100.00 |
31-15-4 Overtaking on left 85.00100.00 |
31-15-5(a) Overtaking on right 85.00100.00 |
31-15-6 Clearance for overtaking 85.00100.00 |
31-15-7 Places where overtaking prohibited 85.00100.00 |
31-15-8 No passing zone 85.00100.00 |
31-15-9 One way highways 85.00100.00 |
31-15-10 Rotary traffic islands 85.00100.00 |
31-15-11 Laned roadway violation 85.00100.00 |
31-15-12 Following too closely 85.00100.00 |
31-15-12.1 Entering intersection 100.00 |
31-15-13 Crossing center section of divided highway 85.00100.00 |
31-15-14 Entering or leaving limited access roadways 85.00100.00 |
31-15-16 Use of emergency break-down lane for travel 85.00100.00 |
31-15-17 Crossing bicycle lane 85.00100.00 |
31-15-18 Unsafe passing of person operating a bicycle 85.00100.00 |
31-16-1 Care in starting from stop 85.00100.00 |
31-16-2 Manner of turning at intersection 85.00100.00 |
31-16-4 U turn where prohibited 85.00100.00 |
31-16-5 Turn signal required 85.00100.00 |
31-16-6 Time of signaling turn 85.00100.00 |
31-16-7 Failure to give stop signal 85.00100.00 |
31-16-8 Method of giving signals 85.00100.00 |
31-16.1-3 Diesel vehicle idling rules first offense not to exceed 100.00 |
second and subsequent offense not to exceed 500.00 |
31-17-1 Failure to yield right of way 85.00100.00 |
31-17-2 Vehicle turning left 85.00100.00 |
31-17-3 Yield right of way (intersection) 85.00100.00 |
31-17-4 Obedience to stop signs 85.00100.00 |
31-17-5 Entering from private road or driveway 85.00100.00 |
31-17-8 Vehicle within right of way, rotary 85.00100.00 |
31-17-9 Yielding to bicycles on bicycle lane 85.00100.00 |
31-18-3 Right of way in crosswalks first violation 85.00100.00 |
second violation or any subsequent violation $100.00 |
31-18-5 Crossing other than at crosswalks 85.00100.00 |
31-18-8 Due care by drivers 85.00100.00 |
31-18-12 Hitchhiking 85.00100.00 |
31-18-18 Right of way on sidewalks 85.00100.00 |
31-19-3 Traffic laws applied to bicycles 85.00100.00 |
31-19-20 Sale of new bicycles 85.00100.00 |
31-19-21 Sale of used bicycles 85.00100.00 |
31-19.1-2 Operating motorized bicycle on an interstate highway 85.00100.00 |
31-19.2-2 Operating motorized tricycle on an interstate highway 85.00100.00 |
31-20-1 Failure to stop at railroad crossing 85.00100.00 |
31-20-2 Driving through railroad gate 85.00100.00 |
31-20-9 Obedience to stop sign 85.00100.00 |
31-21-4 Places where parking or stopping prohibited 85.00100.00 |
31-21-14 Opening of vehicle doors 85.00100.00 |
31-21-18 Electric vehicle charging station restriction 85.00100.00 |
31-22-2 Improper backing up 85.00100.00 |
31-22-4 Overloading vehicle 85.00100.00 |
31-22-5 Violation of safety zone 85.00100.00 |
31-22-6 Coasting 85.00100.00 |
31-22-7 Following fire apparatus 85.00100.00 |
31-22-8 Crossing fire hose 85.00100.00 |
31-22-9 Throwing debris on highway – snow removal 85.00100.00 |
31-22-11.5 Improper use of school bus – not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500) |
for each day of improper use |
31-22-22(a) No child restraint 85.00100.00 |
31-22-22(a) Child restraint/seat belt but not in any rear seating position 85.00100.00 |
31-22-22(b), (f) No seat belt – passenger 40.00 |
31-22-22(g) No seat belt – operator 40.00 |
31-22-23 Tow trucks – proper identification 275.00 |
31-22-24 Operation of interior lights 85.00100.00 |
31-23-1(b)(2) U.S. department of transportation motor carrier safety rules |
and regulations Not less than 85.00100.00 |
or more than $500.00 |
31-23-1(e)(6) Removal of an “out of service vehicle” sticker 125.00 |
31-23-1(e)(7) Operation of an “out of service vehicle” 100.00 |
31-23-2(b) Installation or adjustment of unsafe or prohibited parts, |
equipment, or accessories: |
(first offense) 250.00 |
(second offense) 500.00 |
(third and subsequent offenses) 1,000.00 |
31-23-4 Brake equipment required 85.00100.00 |
31-23-8 Horn required 85.00100.00 |
31-23-10 Sirens prohibited 85.00100.00 |
31-23-13 Muffler required 85.00100.00 |
31-23-13.1 Altering height or operating a motor vehicle with an |
altered height 85.00100.00 |
31-23-14 Prevention of excessive fumes or smoke 85.00100.00 |
31-23-16 Windshield and window stickers (visibility) 85.00100.00 |
31-23-17 Windshield wipers 85.00100.00 |
31-23-19 Metal tires prohibited 85.00100.00 |
31-23-20 Protuberances on tires 85.00100.00 |
31-23-26 Fenders and wheel flaps required 85.00100.00 |
31-23-27 Rear wheel flaps on buses, trucks, and trailers 85.00100.00 |
31-23-29 Flares or red flag required over four thousand pounds |
(4,000 lbs.) 85.00100.00 |
31-23-40 Approved types of seat belt requirements 85.00100.00 |
31-23-42.1 Special mirror – school bus 85.00100.00 |
31-23-43 Chocks required (1 pair) – over four thousand pounds |
(4,000 lbs.) 85.00100.00 |
31-23-45 Tire treads – defective tires 85.00100.00 |
31-23-47 Slow moving emblem required 85.00100.00 |
31-23-49 Transportation of gasoline – passenger vehicle 85.00100.00 |
31-23-51 Operating bike or motor vehicle wearing ear phones |
(first offense) 85.00100.00 |
second offense 95.00110.00 |
for the third and each subsequent offense 140.00 |
31-24-1 through |
31-24-54 Times when lights required 85.00100.00 |
31-25-9 Leaking load 85.00100.00 |
31-25-11 Connections between coupled vehicles 85.00100.00 |
31-25-12 Towing chain, twelve-inch (12") square flag required 85.00100.00 |
31-25-12.1 Tow truck – use of lanes |
(first offense) 85.00100.00 |
second offense 95.00110.00 |
for the third and each subsequent offense 100.00140.00 |
31-25-17 Identification of trucks and truck-tractors |
(first offense) 85.00100.00 |
(second offense) 95.00110.00 |
for the third and subsequent offenses 125.00140.00 |
31-25-24 Carrying and inspection of excess load limit 350.00 |
31-27-2.3 Refusal to take preliminary breath test 85.00100.00 |
31-28-7(d) Wrongful use of handicapped parking placard 500.00 |
31-28-7(f) Handicapped parking space violation: |
First offense 100.00 |
Second offense 175.00 |
Third offense and subsequent offenses 325.00 |
31-28-7.1(e) Wrongful use of institutional handicapped parking |
placard 125.00 |
31-33-2 Failure to file accident report 85.00100.00 |
31-34-2 Proof of insurance – motor vehicle rental 85.00100.00 |
31-34-3 Operation by person other than lessee 85.00100.00 |
31-36.1-17 No fuel tax stamp (out-of-state) 85.00100.00 |
and not exceeding ($100) for |
subsequent offense |
31-38-3 No inspection sticker 85.00100.00 |
31-38-4 Violation of inspection laws 85.00100.00 |
31-41.3-15 Automated school zone speed enforcement system 50.00 |
31-47.2-6 Heavy-duty vehicle emission inspections: |
First offense 125.00 |
Second offense 525.00 |
Third and subsequent offenses 1,025.00 |
37-15-7 Littering not less than 55.00, |
not more than five hundred dollars ($500) |
39-12-26 Public carriers violation 300.00 |
SPEEDING Fine |
(A) One to ten miles per hour (1-10 m.p.h.) in excess of posted speed limit $ 95.00 |
(B) Eleven miles per hour (11 m.p.h.) in excess of posted speed limit with 205.00 minimum |
a fine of ten dollars ($10.00) per mile in excess of speed limit shall be |
assessed. |
(b) In addition to any other penalties provided by law, a judge may impose the following |
penalties for speeding: |
(1) For speeds up to and including ten miles per hour (10 m.p.h.) over the posted speed |
limit on public highways, a fine as provided for in subsection (a) of this section for the first offense; |
ten dollars ($10.00) per mile for each mile in excess of the speed limit for the second offense if |
within twelve (12) months of the first offense; and fifteen dollars ($15.00) per mile for each mile |
in excess of the speed limit for the third and any subsequent offense if within twelve (12) months |
of the first offense. In addition, the license may be suspended up to thirty (30) days. |
(2) For speeds in excess of ten miles per hour (10 m.p.h.) over the posted speed limit on |
public highways, a mandatory fine of ten dollars ($10.00) for each mile over the speed limit for the |
first offense; fifteen dollars ($15.00) per mile for each mile in excess of the speed limit for the |
second offense if within twelve (12) months of the first offense; and twenty dollars ($20.00) per |
mile for each mile in excess of the speed limit for the third and subsequent offense if within twelve |
(12) months of the first offense. In addition, the license may be suspended up to sixty (60) days. |
(c) Except for a technology surcharge assessed in accordance with § 8-15-11, any person |
charged with a violation who pays the fine administratively pursuant to this chapter shall not be |
subject to any additional costs or assessments, including, but not limited to, the hearing fee |
established in § 8-18-4. |
SECTION 11. Section 37-15-7 of the General Laws in Chapter 37-15 entitled "Litter |
Control and Recycling" is hereby amended to read as follows: |
37-15-7. Penalties. |
(a) Any person convicted of a first violation of this chapter shall, except where a penalty is |
specifically set forth, be subject to a fine of not less than eighty-five dollars ($85.00) one hundred |
dollars ($100), nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000). In addition to, or in lieu of, the fine |
imposed hereunder, the person so convicted may be ordered to pick up litter for not less than two |
(2), nor more than twenty-five (25), hours. |
(b) Any person convicted of a second or subsequent violation of this chapter shall, except |
where a penalty is specifically set forth, be subject to a fine of not less than three hundred dollars |
($300), nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000). In addition to, or in lieu of, the fine imposed |
upon a second or subsequent violation of this chapter, the person so convicted may be ordered to |
pick up litter for not less than four (4), nor more than fifty (50), hours. |
(c) Jurisdiction to punish violators of the provisions of this chapter is conferred on the |
traffic tribunal. |
(d) Any person convicted of a violation of this chapter shall, in addition to all other |
penalties, be liable for the removal of all litter or ordered to pay restitution for the cost of removal |
of all litter illegally disposed of by that person. The traffic tribunal may hold the registration of any |
vehicle owned by the violator and used in the act of littering until the aforementioned liability is |
satisfied. |
(e) The funds received by a state law enforcement agency shall be deposited as general |
revenues; provided, however, that thirty percent (30%) of any fine collected pursuant to a complaint |
filed by a local law enforcement agency shall inure to the benefit of that agency, with remittances |
to be made not less often than once every three (3) months. |
(f) Penalties of eighty-five dollars ($85.00) one hundred dollars ($100) for violations of |
this section may be disposed of without the necessity of personally appearing before the traffic |
tribunal. Said penalty may be handled administratively by mailing a check or money order, together |
with the properly executed form provided, to the appropriate address as set forth in the summons |
issued by the enforcing agent. |
SECTION 12. Sections 39-18.1-4 and 39-18.1-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 39-18.1 |
entitled "Transportation Investment and Debt Reduction Act of 2011" are hereby amended to read |
as follows: |
39-18.1-4. Rhode Island highway maintenance account created. |
(a) There is hereby created a special account in the intermodal surface transportation fund |
as established in § 31-36-20 that is to be known as the Rhode Island highway maintenance account. |
(b) The fund shall consist of all those moneys that the state may, from time to time, direct |
to the fund, including, but not necessarily limited to, moneys derived from the following sources: |
(1) There is imposed a surcharge of thirty dollars ($30.00) forty dollars ($40.00) per vehicle |
or truck, other than those with specific registrations set forth below in subsection (b)(1)(i). Such |
surcharge shall be paid by each vehicle or truck owner in order to register that owner’s vehicle or |
truck and upon each subsequent biennial registration. This surcharge shall be phased in at the rate |
of ten dollars ($10.00) each year through June 30, 2016. The total surcharge will be ten dollars |
($10.00) from July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2014, twenty dollars ($20.00) from July 1, 2014, |
through June 30, 2015, and thirty dollars ($30.00) from July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2016, |
December 31, 2025 and forty dollars ($40.00) from January 1, 2026, and each year thereafter. |
(i) For owners of vehicles or trucks with the following plate types, the surcharge shall be |
as set forth below and shall be paid in full in order to register the vehicle or truck and upon each |
subsequent renewal: |
Plate Type Surcharge |
Antique $5.0010.00 |
Farm $10.0015.00 |
Motorcycle $13.0018.00 |
(ii) For owners of trailers, the surcharge shall be one-half (½) of the biennial registration |
amount and shall be paid in full in order to register the trailer and upon each subsequent renewal; |
(2) There is imposed a surcharge of fifteen dollars ($15.00) twenty dollars ($20.00) per |
vehicle or truck, other than those with specific registrations set forth in subsection (b)(2)(i) below, |
for those vehicles or trucks subject to annual registration, to be paid annually by each vehicle or |
truck owner in order to register that owner’s vehicle or truck and upon each subsequent annual |
registration. This surcharge will be phased in at the rate of five dollars ($5.00) each year through |
June 30, 2016. The total surcharge will be five dollars ($5.00) from July 1, 2013, through June 30, |
2014, ten dollars ($10.00) from July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2015, and fifteen dollars ($15.00) |
from July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2016 December 31, 2025, and twenty dollars ($20.00) from |
January 1, 2026, and each year thereafter. |
(i) For registrations of the following plate types, the surcharge shall be as set forth below |
and shall be paid in full in order to register the plate, and upon each subsequent renewal: |
Plate Type Surcharge |
Boat Dealer $6.2511.25 |
Cycle Dealer $6.2511.25 |
In-transit $5.0010.00 |
Manufacturer $5.0010.00 |
New Car Dealer $5.0010.00 |
Used Car Dealer $5.0010.00 |
Racer Tow $5.0010.00 |
Transporter $5.0010.00 |
Bailee $5.0010.00 |
(ii) For owners of trailers, the surcharge shall be one-half (½) of the annual registration |
amount and shall be paid in full in order to register the trailer and upon each subsequent renewal. |
(iii) For owners of school buses, the surcharge will be phased in at the rate of six dollars |
and twenty-five cents ($6.25) each year through June 30, 2015. The total surcharge will be six |
dollars and twenty-five cents ($6.25) from July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2014, and twelve dollars |
and fifty cents ($12.50) from July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2015 December 31, 2025, and |
seventeen dollars and fifty cents ($17.50) from January 1, 2026, and each year thereafter. |
(3) There is imposed a surcharge of thirty dollars ($30.00) forty dollars ($40.00) per license |
to operate a motor vehicle to be paid every five (5) years by each licensed operator of a motor |
vehicle. This surcharge will be phased in at the rate of ten dollars ($10.00) each year through June |
30, 2016. The total surcharge will be ten dollars ($10.00) from July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2014, |
twenty dollars ($20.00) from July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2015, and thirty dollars ($30.00) from |
July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2016 December 31, 2025, and forty dollars ($40.00) from January |
1, 2026, and each year thereafter. In the event that a license is issued or renewed for a period of |
less than five (5) years, the surcharge will be prorated according to the period of time the license |
will be valid; |
(4) All fees assessed pursuant to § 31-47.1-11, and chapters 3, 6, 10, and 10.1 of title 31, |
shall be deposited into the Rhode Island highway maintenance account, provided that for fiscal |
years 2016, 2017, and 2018 these fees be transferred as follows: |
(i) From July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2016, twenty-five percent (25%) will be deposited; |
(ii) From July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017, fifty percent (50%) will be deposited; |
(iii) From July 1, 2017, through June 30, 2018, sixty percent (60%) will be deposited; and |
(iv) From July 1, 2018, and each year thereafter, one hundred percent (100%) will be |
deposited; |
(5) All remaining funds from previous general obligation bond issues that have not |
otherwise been allocated. |
(c) Effective July 1, 2019, ninety-five percent (95%) of all funds collected pursuant to this |
section shall be deposited in the Rhode Island highway maintenance account and shall be used only |
for the purposes set forth in this chapter. The remaining funds shall be retained as general revenues |
to partially offset cost of collections |
(d) Unexpended balances and any earnings thereon shall not revert to the general fund but |
shall remain in the Rhode Island highway maintenance account. There shall be no requirement that |
monies received into the Rhode Island highway maintenance account during any given calendar |
year or fiscal year be expended during the same calendar year or fiscal year. |
(e) The Rhode Island highway maintenance account shall be administered by the director, |
who shall allocate and spend monies from the fund only in accordance with the purposes and |
procedures set forth in this chapter. |
39-18.1-5. Allocation of funds. |
(a) The monies in the highway maintenance fund to be directed to the department of |
transportation pursuant to § 39-18.1-4(b)(1) — (b)(3) shall be allocated through the transportation |
improvement program process to provide the state match for federal transportation funds, in place |
of borrowing, as approved by the state planning council. The expenditure of moneys in the highway |
maintenance fund shall only be authorized for projects that appear in the state’s transportation |
improvement program. |
(b) Provided, however, that beginning with fiscal year 2015 and annually thereafter, the |
department of transportation will allocate necessary funding to programs that are designed to |
eliminate structural deficiencies of the state’s bridge, road, and maintenance systems and |
infrastructure. |
(c) Provided, further, that beginning July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2025, five percent (5%) |
of available proceeds in the Rhode Island highway maintenance account shall be allocated annually |
to the Rhode Island public transit authority for operating expenditures. |
(d) Provided, that beginning July 1, 2025, ten percent (10%) of available proceeds in the |
Rhode Island highway maintenance account shall be allocated annually to the Rhode Island public |
transit authority for operating expenditures. |
(d)(e) Provided, further, that from July 1, 2017, and annually thereafter, in addition to the |
amount above, the Rhode Island public transit authority shall receive an amount of not less than |
five million dollars ($5,000,000) each fiscal year, except for the period July 1, 2019, through June |
30, 2022, during which such amount or a portion thereof may come from federal coronavirus relief |
funds. |
(e) Provided, further, that the Rhode Island public transit authority shall convene a |
coordinating council consisting of those state agencies responsible for meeting the needs of low- |
income seniors and persons with disabilities, along with those stakeholders that the authority deems |
appropriate and are necessary to inform, develop, and implement the federally required coordinated |
public transit human services transportation plan. |
The council shall develop, as part of the state’s federally required plan, recommendations |
for the appropriate and sustainable funding of the free-fare program for low-income seniors and |
persons with disabilities, while maximizing the use of federal funds available to support the |
transportation needs of this population. |
The council shall report these recommendations to the governor, the speaker of the house |
of representatives, and the president of the senate no later than November 1, 2018. |
SECTION 13. Section 44-34.1-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 44-34.1 entitled "Motor |
Vehicle and Trailer Excise Tax Elimination Act of 1998" is hereby amended to read as follows: |
44-34.1-2. City, town, and fire district reimbursement. |
(a) In fiscal years 2024 and thereafter, cities, towns, and fire districts shall receive |
reimbursements, as set forth in this section, from state general revenues equal to the amount of lost |
tax revenue due to the phase out of the excise tax. When the tax is phased out, cities, towns, and |
fire districts shall receive a permanent distribution of sales tax revenue pursuant to § 44-18-18 in |
an amount equal to any lost revenue resulting from the excise tax elimination. |
(b)(1) In fiscal year 2024, cities, towns, and fire districts shall receive the following |
reimbursement amounts: |
Barrington $ 5,894,822 |
Bristol $ 2,905,818 |
Burrillville $ 5,053,933 |
Central Falls $ 2,077,974 |
Charlestown $ 1,020,877 |
Coventry $ 5,872,396 |
Cranston $ 22,312,247 |
Cumberland $ 6,073,469 |
East Greenwich $ 2,417,332 |
East Providence $ 11,433,479 |
Exeter $ 2,241,381 |
Foster $ 1,652,251 |
Glocester $ 2,381,941 |
Hopkinton $ 1,629,259 |
Jamestown $ 622,793 |
Johnston $ 10,382,785 |
Lincoln $ 5,683,015 |
Little Compton $ 366,775 |
Middletown $ 1,976,448 |
Narragansett $ 1,831,251 |
Newport $ 2,223,671 |
New Shoreham $ 163,298 |
North Kingstown $ 5,378,818 |
North Providence $ 9,619,286 |
North Smithfield $ 4,398,531 |
Pawtucket $ 16,495,506 |
Portsmouth $ 2,414,242 |
Providence $ 34,131,596 |
Richmond $ 1,448,455 |
Scituate $ 1,977,127 |
Smithfield $ 7,098,694 |
South Kingstown $ 3,930,455 |
Tiverton $ 1,748,175 |
Warren $ 2,090,911 |
Warwick $ 25,246,254 |
Westerly $ 5,765,523 |
West Greenwich $ 1,331,725 |
West Warwick $ 5,673,744 |
Woonsocket $ 9,324,776 |
Lime Rock Fire District $ 133,933 |
Lincoln Fire District $ 208,994 |
Manville Fire District $ 64,862 |
Quinnville Fire District $ 13,483 |
(2) In fiscal year 2024, funds shall be distributed to the cities, towns, and fire districts as |
follows: |
(i) On August 1, 2023, twenty-five percent (25%) of the funds. |
(ii) On November 1, 2023, twenty-five percent (25%) of the funds. |
(iii) On February 1, 2024, twenty-five percent (25%) of the funds. |
(iv) On May 1, 2024, twenty-five percent (25%) of the funds. |
The funds shall be distributed to each city, town, and fire district in the same proportion as |
distributed in fiscal year 2023. |
(3) For the city of East Providence, the payment schedule is twenty-five percent (25%) on |
November 1, 2023, twenty-five percent (25%) on February 1, 2024, twenty-five percent (25%) on |
May 1, 2024, and twenty-five percent (25%) on August 1, 2024. |
(4) On any of the payment dates specified in subsections (b)(2)(i) through (b)(2)(iv), or |
(b)(3), or (d) of this section, the director of revenue is authorized to deduct previously made over- |
payments or add supplemental payments as may be required to bring the reimbursements into full |
compliance with the requirements of this chapter. |
(c) When the tax is phased out to August 1, of the following fiscal year the director of |
revenue shall calculate to the nearest thousandth of one cent ($0.00001) the number of cents of |
sales tax received for the fiscal year ending June 30, of the year following the phase-out equal to |
the amount of funds distributed to the cities, towns, and fire districts under this chapter during the |
fiscal year following the phase-out and the percent of the total funds distributed in the fiscal year |
following the phase-out received by each city, town, and fire district, calculated to the nearest one- |
hundredth of one percent (0.01%). The director of the department of revenue shall transmit those |
calculations to the governor, the speaker of the house, the president of the senate, the chairperson |
of the house finance committee, the chairperson of the senate finance committee, the house fiscal |
advisor, and the senate fiscal advisor. The number of cents, applied to the sales taxes received for |
the prior fiscal year, shall be the basis for determining the amount of sales tax to be distributed to |
the cities, towns, and fire districts under this chapter for the second fiscal year following the phase- |
out and each year thereafter. The cities, towns, and fire districts shall receive that amount of sales |
tax in the proportions calculated by the director of revenue as that received in the fiscal year |
following the phase-out, subject to a maximum two percentage point increase from the previous |
fiscal year. For fiscal year 2026 only, the increase shall be based on the amount received pursuant |
to subsection (b)(1) or subsection (c) of this section whichever is greater. |
(d) In fiscal years 2025 and thereafter, twenty-five percent (25%) of the funds shall be |
distributed to the cities, towns, and fire districts on August 1, 2024, and every August 1 thereafter; |
twenty-five percent (25%) shall be distributed on November 1, 2024, and every November 1 |
thereafter; twenty-five percent (25%) shall be distributed on February 1, 2025, and every February |
1 thereafter; and twenty-five percent (25%) shall be distributed on May 1, 2025, and every May 1 |
thereafter. |
(e) [Deleted by P.L. 2024, ch. 400, § 1 and P.L. 2024, ch. 401, § 1.] |
SECTION 14. Section 8-18-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 8-18 entitled "State and |
Municipal Court Compact" is hereby amended to read as follows: |
8-18-6. Joint violation fines — Distribution of funds. |
Cities or towns with municipal courts shall dedicate four dollars ($4.00) for reimbursement |
from each summons to the general fund. Cities or towns without a municipal court shall dedicate |
six dollars ($6.00) for reimbursement from each summons to the general fund. State agencies shall |
dedicate twenty-two dollars ($22.00) from each summons to the general fund. Provided that cities, |
towns and state agencies shall also dedicate all revenues generated directly as a result of fee |
increases effective July 1, 2002 and, July 1, 2008, and July 1, 2025, to the general fund. |
SECTION 15. Sections 1, 13 and 14 shall take effect upon passage. Sections 3 through 7 |
and sections 9 through 11 shall take effect upon passage and shall apply to offenses committed on |
July 1, 2025 and thereafter. Sections 8 and 12 shall take effect on July 1, 2025. Section 2 shall take |
effect upon January 1, 2026. |