2024 -- H 7244

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LC004086

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- GENERAL POWERS

     Introduced By: Representatives Ackerman, Voas, Phillips, and Marszalkowski

     Date Introduced: January 19, 2024

     Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 45-2 of the General Laws entitled "General Powers" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following section:

     45-2-31.6. Business registration - Town of Cumberland.

     (a) All wholesale, retail, commercial, professional service or manufacturing businesses,

whether by sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations or any business entity, shall register

their business, company, trade, or office situated in the town of Cumberland with the town clerk of

the town of Cumberland. Each registration shall contain the name of the firm or business; the name

of the owner(s) or operator(s) of the firm or business; the location of the business, the type of

business to be conducted; and other basic information required by the town clerk.

     (b) There shall be a fee for each registration. The registration fee shall be set by town

council ordinance.

     (c) Upon registration of a business, a registration certificate shall be issued to the registrant.

No other business of the same trade name shall be allowed to register once a certificate of

registration has been issued without the approval of the prior registrant in writing. Every

registration certificate shall expire the 31st day in December and shall be renewed annually upon

payment of the required fee. No certificate shall be renewed if the business fails to provide proof

from the tax collector that all municipal taxes have been paid to date. Every certificate of

registration shall be placed in a conspicuous location in each business establishment.

     (d) Any business required to obtain a liquor, victualling, or any other license to operate

under any other section of the general laws shall be exempt from paying the fee required by this

statute.

     (e) Any person, whether as principal, agent, employee, or otherwise, who violates any of

the provisions of this chapter, shall be fined not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per day for

each offense. Any fine imposed under this statute and/or the ordinance promulgated by the town

council pursuant to this section may be appealed to the Cumberland municipal court. The fines

shall inure to the town and each day that the violation continues shall be deemed to constitute a

separate offense.

     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 -- GENERAL POWERS

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     This act would authorize the town of Cumberland to require the registration of wholesale,

retail, commercial, professional service or manufacturing businesses situated in Cumberland.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC004086

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