2024 -- S 2264 SUBSTITUTE A

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LC004907/SUB A

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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 PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- TAXICABS AND LIMITED

PUBLIC MOTOR VEHICLES

     

     Introduced By: Senators Quezada, and Acosta

     Date Introduced: February 12, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Commerce

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 39-14 of the General Laws entitled "Taxicabs and Limited Public

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Motor Vehicles" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     39-14-27. Rules governing transportation of passengers via taxicabs.

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     The following provisions shall govern the operation of taxicabs used to transport

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passengers, notwithstanding any regulations to the contrary:

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     (1) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, no taxicab shall operate beyond an

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odometer reading of three hundred thousand (300,000) miles or ten (10) model years, whichever is

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the first to occur.

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     (2) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, no motor vehicle shall initially be

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put in service as a taxicab if the vehicle is more than eight (8) model years old.

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     (3) An exception may be granted to subsections (1) and (2) of this section in cases involving

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vehicles in extraordinary condition. The certificate holder may petition the administrator of the

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division of public utilities (the "administrator") for an exemption from the prohibitions provided in

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subsections (1) and (2) of this section. In order to be granted an exemption, the petitioner shall

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demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the administrator, that the vehicle to be used as a taxicab would

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be as acceptable to the public as the newer taxicabs mandated under the rules and regulations of

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the division of public utilities; that the vehicle has few, if any, of the interior and exterior wear

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signs concomitant with vehicles of that older vintage; and that the vehicle appears and functions in

 

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relatively "original" condition.

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     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 PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- TAXICABS AND LIMITED

PUBLIC MOTOR VEHICLES

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     This act would amend requirements regarding how taxicabs can be placed into service.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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