2025 -- H 5098

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LC000539

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY -- FORESTRY AND FOREST PARITY

ACT

     Introduced By: Representatives Cotter, Chippendale, Speakman, McGaw, Donovan,
Fogarty, Carson, Spears, Shanley, and Kislak

     Date Introduced: January 22, 2025

     Referred To: House Environment and Natural Resources

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Legislative findings.

     The general assembly finds and declares:

     (1) That maintaining forests is vital to maintain both biodiversity, and ecosystem services,

including carbon sequestration in the state;

     (2) That forests are more likely to be maintained if they provide economic value;

     (3) That providing for the economic viability of the forest products industry is an interest

of the state;

     (4) That forest conservation is given the same status as farm and open space conservation

under chapter 27 of title 44 ("taxation of farm, forest, and open space land"); however, elsewhere

in the general laws, forestry, and the production of forest products, are not given the same benefits,

including protections from taxation, and protections as agriculture; and

     (5) That it is in the interest of the state, in order to protect economic viability of forests and

to provide for their conservation for the future benefit and enjoyment of the people of the state.

     SECTION 2. Title 2 of the General Laws entitled "AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY"

is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 27.1

FORESTRY AND FOREST PARITY ACT

     2-27.1-1. Short title.

     This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Forestry Parity Act."

     2-27.1-2. Purpose.

     It is the purpose of this chapter to provide parity of treatment, under the law, with farming

and agriculture operations, to forestry and forest product operations.

     2-27.1-3. Definitions.

     When used in this chapter, the following words and phrases are construed as follows:

     (1) "Forest-based business" shall have the same meaning as defined in § 2-27-2.

     (2) "Forest land" shall have the same meaning as defined in § 2-27-2.

     (3) "Forest management" shall have the same meaning as defined in § 2-27-2.

     (4) "Forest product operations" means any and all trade occupations involving the

harvesting, production, maintaining, and sale of forest products originating in the state, including,

but not limited to:

     (i) Arboriculture and logging; and

     (ii) Kiln drying, operations of firewood, saw milling, lumber, pallets, biochar, mulch,

compost, biomass, wood chips, saw dust, timbers, posts, beams, shingles, and artisan tree carvings,

seasonal greens and berries.

     (5) "Forest property owner" means a person who owns "forest land" or leases "forest land"

for a period of five (5) years or more, which lease permits the conduct of some or all "forest product

operations" on the "forest land".

     (6) "Person" shall have the same meaning as defined in § 43-3-6.

     2-27.1-4. Declaration of policies.

     The general assembly finds and declares that it is the policy of the state to promote an

environment in which forest operations and forest-based businesses are safeguarded against

nuisance actions arising out of conflicts between forestry operations and urban and suburban land

uses, in a manner consistent with the provisions of chapter 23 of title 2 ("right to farm act"), and to

protect forest landowners with forest management plans from state administrative actions and

regulations above and beyond the restrictions on farms and agricultural operations on the same

subject.

     2-27.1-5. Intentional and negligent actions.

     The provisions of § 2-27.1-5 do not apply to forestry operations conducted in a malicious

or negligent manner, or to forestry operations conducted in violation of federal or state law.

     SECTION 3. Chapter 31-1 of the General Laws entitled "Definitions and General Code

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

     31-1-8.1. Forestry vehicle.

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     "Forestry vehicle" means every vehicle which is designed for and used for forest product

operations purposes, as defined in § 2-27.1-4, and used by the owner of the vehicle or family

member(s) or employee(s) or designees of the owner, in the conduct of the owner's forestry product

operations, which use shall include the delivery of forest products produced by the forester but shall

not include commercial hire for non-forestry product operation uses, including, but not limited to,

hauling of sand and gravel, snow plowing, other than directly on the vehicle owner's forest land.

For an owner to qualify as having forestry purposes, the owner shall provide evidence that the

owner meets the requirements of § 44-18-30.

     SECTION 4. Chapter 31-3 of the General Laws entitled "Registration of Vehicles" is

hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     31-3-31.4. Registration of forestry vehicles -- Use of farm plates.

     Forestry vehicles, as defined in § 31-1-8.1, equipped with rubber tires while being used in

forestry and operated on highways, shall be registered on a form furnished by the administrator of

the division of motor vehicles and shall be assigned a special number farm plate pursuant to the

provisions of § 31-3-31 with a suitable symbol or letter indicating the usage of the forestry vehicle.

     SECTION 5. Section 42-64-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-64 entitled "Rhode Island

Commerce Corporation" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     42-64-5. Purposes.

     The Rhode Island commerce corporation is authorized, created, and established to be an

agency under the jurisdiction of the state’s lead agency for economic development, the executive

office of commerce, and to be the operating agency of the state to carry out the policies and

procedure as established by the secretary, governor, and the board of directors for the following

purposes:

     (1) To promote and encourage the preservation, expansion, and sound development of new

and existing industry, business, commerce, agriculture, forestry, tourism, and recreational facilities

in the state, which will promote the economic development of the state and the general welfare of

its citizens; and

     (2) With respect to real property other than federal land or land related to federal land, to

undertake any project, except a residential facility; and

     (3) With respect to federal land or land related to federal land, to undertake any project,

except as those responsibilities are assigned to the Quonset Development Corporation; and

     (4) To create an organization that is responsive to the needs and interests of businesses of

all sizes within the state of Rhode Island and to be structured to be customer centric to enhance

commerce in the state utilizing all available resources.

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     SECTION 6. Section 44-5-12.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 44-5 entitled "Levy and

Assessment of Local Taxes" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     44-5-12.1. Assessment of tangible personal property.

     (a) All tangible personal property subject to taxation shall be assessed for taxation based

on the original purchase price (new or used) including all costs such as freight and installation.

Assets will be classified and depreciated as defined in this section.

     (b) The following classification and depreciation table shall be used in determining the

assessed value of tangible personal property.

      State of Rhode Island Tangible Property Classification

Class I Class II Class III

Class of Assets Short Life Mid-Life Long Life

Age 1-5 yrs 6-12 yrs 13+ yrs

1 95 95 95

2 80 90 90

3 60 80 85

4 30 70 80

5 20 60 75

6 20 50 70

7 20 40 65

8 20 30 60

9 20 30 55

10 20 30 50

11 20 30 45

12 20 30 40

13 20 30 35

14 20 30 30

15+ 20 30 30

     Assets Shall Not be Trended

     (c) Assets shall be classified on an annual basis by the Rhode Island Association of

Assessing Officers’ Personal Property Committee based on the following table:

      INDUSTRY GROUP IN YEARS CLASS

      Agriculture and forestry machinery and equipment II

      Aircraft and all helicopters II

      Amusement and theme parks II

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      Apparel and fabricated textile manufacturing II

      Automobile repair shops II

      Bakeries and confectionery production II

      Barber and beauty shops II

      Billboards III

      Brewery equipment not used directly in manufacturing II

      Cable television, headend facilities: II

       Microwave systems II

       Program origination II

       Service and test II

       Subscriber connection and distribution II

      Canneries and frozen food production II

      Cement processing III

      Chemical and allied production II

      Clay products processing III

      Cold storage and ice-making equipment III

      Cold storage warehouse equipment II

      Computers, personal computers (PC), laptops, tablets, cellphones,

      mainframe/servers, peripherals, keyboard, mouse I

      Condiments, processing II

      Construction equipment, general construction, backhoes,

      forklifts, loaders, cranes, unregistered vehicles II

      Dairy products processing II

      Data handling equipment, except computers II

       printers, copiers, bridges, routers and gateways II

      Distilling II

      Electrical equipment not used in manufacturing II

      Electronic equipment II

      Fabricated metal products/special tools II

      Fishing equipment, excluding boats and barges, lines, nets I

      Food and beverage production II

      Fur processing II

      Gas distribution, total distribution equipment III

      Glass and glass products/special tools II

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      Grain and grain mill products processing III

      Gypsum products III

      Hand tools II

      Hospital furnishings and equipment II

      Hotel and motel furnishings and equipment II

      Jewelry products and pens II

      Knitwear and knit products, ex, work uniforms I

      Laundry equipment II

      Leather and leather products II

      Logging, timber cutting II

      Marine construction II

      Meatpacking II

      Medical and dental supply production II

      Metalworking machinery processing II

      Mining and quarrying II

      Motion picture and television production II

      Motor vehicle and parts/special tools II

      Office furniture and equipment II

      Optical lenses and instrument processing II

      Paints and varnishes I

      Petroleum refining III

       pipeline transportation III

      Plastics manufacturing I/II

      Plastic products processing/special tools II

      Primary metals production, nonferrous and foundry products III

       special tools III

      Primary steel mill products III

      Printing and publishing II

      Professional and scientific instruments II

      Radio and television, broadcasting II

      Railroad transportation equipment II

       locomotive II

      Recreation and amusement II

      Retail trades, fixtures and equipment II

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      Residential furniture II

      Restaurant and bar equipment II

      Restaurant equipment, fast foods II

      Rubber products processing/special tools II

      Sawmills, permanent/portable II

      Service establishments II

      Ship and boat building equipment/special tools II

      Soft drink processing and bottling II

      Stone products processing III

      Telecommunications, local and interstate II

       analog switching II

       circuit, digital, analog, optic II

       information/origination equipment I/II

       smart phones I

       metallic cable III

       fiber cable, poles, conduit III

       all other equipment II

      Telecommunications, cellular

       analog/digital switching II

       radio frequency channel and control II

       power equipment II

       antennae II

       towers III

       transmission equipment II

       cellular phones I

      Textile products, including finishing and dyeing II

       yarn, thread and woven fabrics II

      Theater equipment II

      Utilities/power production III

       generation, transmission, or distribution equipment III

      Waste reduction and resource recovery II

      Water transportation III

       vessels, barges and tugs III

      Water utilities III

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      Wharves, docks and piers III

      Wholesale trade fixtures and equipment II

      Wood products and furniture manufacturing II

     (d) Any industry, group, or asset not enumerated in subsection (c) of this section, shall be

categorized as class II.

     SECTION 7. Chapter 44-5 of the General Laws entitled "Levy and Assessment of Local

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

     44-5-42.2. Exemption of certain forestry product operations property.

     (a) All forestry product operations machinery, including motor vehicles with farm plates,

is exempt from taxation.

     (b) Cities and towns may tax forestry product operations buildings at a rate that reflects the

actual costs incurred by the city or town in providing services to those buildings.

     SECTION 8. Section 44-18-30 of the General Laws in Chapter 44-18 entitled "Sales and

Use Taxes — Liability and Computation" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     44-18-30. Gross receipts exempt from sales and use taxes.

     There are exempted from the taxes imposed by this chapter the following gross receipts:

     (1) Sales and uses beyond constitutional power of state. From the sale and from the storage,

use, or other consumption in this state of tangible personal property the gross receipts from the sale

of which, or the storage, use, or other consumption of which, this state is prohibited from taxing

under the Constitution of the United States or under the constitution of this state.

     (2) Newspapers.

     (i) From the sale and from the storage, use, or other consumption in this state of any

newspaper.

     (ii) “Newspaper” means an unbound publication printed on newsprint that contains news,

editorial comment, opinions, features, advertising matter, and other matters of public interest.

     (iii) “Newspaper” does not include a magazine, handbill, circular, flyer, sales catalog, or

similar item unless the item is printed for, and distributed as, a part of a newspaper.

     (3) School meals. From the sale and from the storage, use, or other consumption in this

state of meals served by public, private, or parochial schools, school districts, colleges, universities,

student organizations, and parent-teacher associations to the students or teachers of a school,

college, or university whether the meals are served by the educational institutions or by a food

service or management entity under contract to the educational institutions.

     (4) Containers.

     (i) From the sale and from the storage, use, or other consumption in this state of:

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     (A) Non-returnable containers, including boxes, paper bags, and wrapping materials that

are biodegradable and all bags and wrapping materials utilized in the medical and healing arts,

when sold without the contents to persons who place the contents in the container and sell the

contents with the container.

     (B) Containers when sold with the contents if the sale price of the contents is not required

to be included in the measure of the taxes imposed by this chapter.

     (C) Returnable containers when sold with the contents in connection with a retail sale of

the contents or when resold for refilling.

     (D) Keg and barrel containers, whether returnable or not, when sold to alcoholic beverage

producers who place the alcoholic beverages in the containers.

     (ii) As used in this subdivision, the term “returnable containers” means containers of a kind

customarily returned by the buyer of the contents for reuse. All other containers are “non-returnable

containers.”

     (5)(i) Charitable, educational, and religious organizations. From the sale to, as in defined

in this section, and from the storage, use, and other consumption in this state, or any other state of

the United States of America, of tangible personal property by hospitals not operated for a profit;

“educational institutions” as defined in subdivision (18) not operated for a profit; churches,

orphanages, and other institutions or organizations operated exclusively for religious or charitable

purposes; interest-free loan associations not operated for profit; nonprofit, organized sporting

leagues and associations and bands for boys and girls under the age of nineteen (19) years; the

following vocational student organizations that are state chapters of national vocational student

organizations: Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA); Future Business Leaders of

America, Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA/PBL); Future Farmers of America (FFA); Future Homemakers

of America/Home Economics Related Occupations (FHA/HERD); Vocational Industrial Clubs of

America (VICA); organized nonprofit golden age and senior citizens clubs for men and women;

and parent-teacher associations; and from the sale, storage, use, and other consumption in this state,

of and by the Industrial Foundation of Burrillville, a Rhode Island domestic nonprofit corporation.

     (ii) In the case of contracts entered into with the federal government, its agencies, or

instrumentalities, this state, or any other state of the United States of America, its agencies, any

city, town, district, or other political subdivision of the states; hospitals not operated for profit;

educational institutions not operated for profit; churches, orphanages, and other institutions or

organizations operated exclusively for religious or charitable purposes, the contractor may purchase

such materials and supplies (materials and/or supplies are defined as those that are essential to the

project) that are to be utilized in the construction of the projects being performed under the contracts

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without payment of the tax.

     (iii) The contractor shall not charge any sales or use tax to any exempt agency, institution,

or organization but shall in that instance provide his or her suppliers with certificates in the form

as determined by the division of taxation showing the reason for exemption and the contractor’s

records must substantiate the claim for exemption by showing the disposition of all property so

purchased. If any property is then used for a nonexempt purpose, the contractor must pay the tax

on the property used.

     (6) Gasoline. From the sale and from the storage, use, or other consumption in this state

of: (i) Gasoline and other products taxed under chapter 36 of title 31 and (ii) Fuels used for the

propulsion of airplanes.

     (7) Purchase for manufacturing purposes.

     (i) From the sale and from the storage, use, or other consumption in this state of computer

software, tangible personal property, electricity, natural gas, artificial gas, steam, refrigeration, and

water, when the property or service is purchased for the purpose of being manufactured into a

finished product for resale and becomes an ingredient, component, or integral part of the

manufactured, compounded, processed, assembled, or prepared product, or if the property or

service is consumed in the process of manufacturing for resale computer software, tangible personal

property, electricity, natural gas, artificial gas, steam, refrigeration, or water.

     (ii) “Consumed” means destroyed, used up, or worn out to the degree or extent that the

property cannot be repaired, reconditioned, or rendered fit for further manufacturing use.

     (iii) “Consumed” includes mere obsolescence.

     (iv) “Manufacturing” means and includes: manufacturing, compounding, processing,

assembling, preparing, or producing.

     (v) “Process of manufacturing” means and includes all production operations performed in

the producing or processing room, shop, or plant, insofar as the operations are a part of and

connected with the manufacturing for resale of tangible personal property, electricity, natural gas,

artificial gas, steam, refrigeration, or water and all production operations performed insofar as the

operations are a part of and connected with the manufacturing for resale of computer software.

     (vi) “Process of manufacturing” does not mean or include administration operations such

as general office operations, accounting, collection, or sales promotion, nor does it mean or include

distribution operations that occur subsequent to production operations, such as handling, storing,

selling, and transporting the manufactured products, even though the administration and

distribution operations are performed by, or in connection with, a manufacturing business.

     (8) State and political subdivisions. From the sale to, and from the storage, use, or other

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consumption by, this state, any city, town, district, or other political subdivision of this state. Every

redevelopment agency created pursuant to chapter 31 of title 45 is deemed to be a subdivision of

the municipality where it is located.

     (9) Food and food ingredients. From the sale and storage, use, or other consumption in this

state of food and food ingredients as defined in § 44-18-7.1(l).

     For the purposes of this exemption “food and food ingredients” shall not include candy,

soft drinks, dietary supplements, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, food sold through vending

machines, or prepared food, as those terms are defined in § 44-18-7.1, unless the prepared food is:

     (i) Sold by a seller whose primary NAICS classification is manufacturing in sector 311,

except sub-sector 3118 (bakeries);

     (ii) Sold in an unheated state by weight or volume as a single item;

     (iii) Bakery items, including: bread, rolls, buns, biscuits, bagels, croissants, pastries,

donuts, danish, cakes, tortes, pies, tarts, muffins, bars, cookies, tortillas; and

     is not sold with utensils provided by the seller, including: plates, knives, forks, spoons,

glasses, cups, napkins, or straws.

     (10) Medicines, drugs, and durable medical equipment. From the sale and from the storage,

use, or other consumption in this state, of:

     (i) “Drugs” as defined in § 44-18-7.1(h)(i), sold on prescriptions, medical oxygen, and

insulin whether or not sold on prescription. For purposes of this exemption drugs shall not include

over-the-counter drugs and grooming and hygiene products as defined in § 44-18-7.1(h)(iii).

     (ii) Durable medical equipment as defined in § 44-18-7.1(k) for home use only, including,

but not limited to: syringe infusers, ambulatory drug delivery pumps, hospital beds, convalescent

chairs, and chair lifts. Supplies used in connection with syringe infusers and ambulatory drug

delivery pumps that are sold on prescription to individuals to be used by them to dispense or

administer prescription drugs, and related ancillary dressings and supplies used to dispense or

administer prescription drugs, shall also be exempt from tax.

     (11) Prosthetic devices and mobility enhancing equipment. From the sale and from the

storage, use, or other consumption in this state, of prosthetic devices as defined in § 44-18-7.1(t),

sold on prescription, including, but not limited to: artificial limbs, dentures, spectacles, eyeglasses,

and artificial eyes; artificial hearing devices and hearing aids, whether or not sold on prescription;

and mobility enhancing equipment as defined in § 44-18-7.1(p), including wheelchairs, crutches,

and canes.

     (12) Coffins, caskets, urns, shrouds and burial garments. From the sale and from the

storage, use, or other consumption in this state of coffins, caskets, burial containers, urns, urn liners,

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urn vaults, grave liners, grave vaults, burial tent setups, prayer cards, shrouds, and other burial

garments that are ordinarily sold by a funeral director as part of the business of funeral directing.

     (13) Motor vehicles sold to nonresidents.

     (i) From the sale, subsequent to June 30, 1958, of a motor vehicle to a bona fide nonresident

of this state who does not register the motor vehicle in this state, whether the sale or delivery of the

motor vehicle is made in this state or at the place of residence of the nonresident. A motor vehicle

sold to a bona fide nonresident whose state of residence does not allow a like exemption to its

nonresidents is not exempt from the tax imposed under § 44-18-20. In that event, the bona fide

nonresident pays a tax to Rhode Island on the sale at a rate equal to the rate that would be imposed

in his or her state of residence not to exceed the rate that would have been imposed under § 44-18-

20. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, a licensed motor vehicle dealer shall add and

collect the tax required under this subdivision and remit the tax to the tax administrator under the

provisions of chapters 18 and 19 of this title. When a Rhode Island licensed, motor vehicle dealer

is required to add and collect the sales and use tax on the sale of a motor vehicle to a bona fide

nonresident as provided in this section, the dealer in computing the tax takes into consideration the

law of the state of the nonresident as it relates to the trade-in of motor vehicles.

     (ii) The tax administrator, in addition to the provisions of §§ 44-19-27 and 44-19-28, may

require any licensed motor vehicle dealer to keep records of sales to bona fide nonresidents as the

tax administrator deems reasonably necessary to substantiate the exemption provided in this

subdivision, including the affidavit of a licensed motor vehicle dealer that the purchaser of the

motor vehicle was the holder of, and had in his or her possession a valid out-of-state motor vehicle

registration or a valid out-of-state driver’s license.

     (iii) Any nonresident who registers a motor vehicle in this state within ninety (90) days of

the date of its sale to him or her is deemed to have purchased the motor vehicle for use, storage, or

other consumption in this state, and is subject to, and liable for, the use tax imposed under the

provisions of § 44-18-20.

     (14) Sales in public buildings by blind people. From the sale and from the storage, use, or

other consumption in all public buildings in this state of all products or wares by any person

licensed under § 40-9-11.1.

     (15) Air and water pollution control facilities. From the sale, storage, use, or other

consumption in this state of tangible personal property or supplies acquired for incorporation into

or used and consumed in the operation of a facility, the primary purpose of which is to aid in the

control of the pollution or contamination of the waters or air of the state, as defined in chapter 12

of title 46 and chapter 23 of title 23, respectively, and that has been certified as approved for that

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purpose by the director of environmental management. The director of environmental management

may certify to a portion of the tangible personal property or supplies acquired for incorporation

into those facilities or used and consumed in the operation of those facilities to the extent that that

portion has as its primary purpose the control of the pollution or contamination of the waters or air

of this state. As used in this subdivision, “facility” means any land, facility, device, building,

machinery, or equipment.

     (16) Camps. From the rental charged for living quarters, or sleeping, or housekeeping

accommodations at camps or retreat houses operated by religious, charitable, educational, or other

organizations and associations mentioned in subsection (5), or by privately owned and operated

summer camps for children.

     (17) Certain institutions. From the rental charged for living or sleeping quarters in an

institution licensed by the state for the hospitalization, custodial, or nursing care of human beings.

     (18) Educational institutions. From the rental charged by any educational institution for

living quarters, or sleeping, or housekeeping accommodations or other rooms or accommodations

to any student or teacher necessitated by attendance at an educational institution. “Educational

institution” as used in this section means an institution of learning not operated for profit that is

empowered to confer diplomas, educational, literary, or academic degrees; that has a regular

faculty, curriculum, and organized body of pupils or students in attendance throughout the usual

school year; that keeps and furnishes to students and others records required and accepted for

entrance to schools of secondary, collegiate, or graduate rank; and no part of the net earnings of

which inures to the benefit of any individual.

     (19) Motor vehicle and adaptive equipment for persons with disabilities.

     (i) From the sale of: (A) Special adaptations; (B) The component parts of the special

adaptations; or (C) A specially adapted motor vehicle; provided that the owner furnishes to the tax

administrator an affidavit of a licensed physician to the effect that the specially adapted motor

vehicle is necessary to transport a family member with a disability or where the vehicle has been

specially adapted to meet the specific needs of the person with a disability. This exemption applies

to not more than one motor vehicle owned and registered for personal, noncommercial use.

     (ii) For the purpose of this subsection the term “special adaptations” includes, but is not

limited to: wheelchair lifts, wheelchair carriers, wheelchair ramps, wheelchair securements, hand

controls, steering devices, extensions, relocations, and crossovers of operator controls, power-

assisted controls, raised tops or dropped floors, raised entry doors, or alternative signaling devices

to auditory signals.

     (iii) From the sale of: (a) Special adaptations, (b) The component parts of the special

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adaptations, for a “wheelchair accessible taxicab” as defined in § 39-14-1, and/or a “wheelchair

accessible public motor vehicle” as defined in § 39-14.1-1.

     (iv) For the purpose of this subdivision the exemption for a “specially adapted motor

vehicle” means a use tax credit not to exceed the amount of use tax that would otherwise be due on

the motor vehicle, exclusive of any adaptations. The use tax credit is equal to the cost of the special

adaptations, including installation.

     (20) Heating fuels. From the sale and from the storage, use, or other consumption in this

state of every type of heating fuel.

     (21) Electricity and gas. From the sale and from the storage, use, or other consumption in

this state of electricity and gas.

     (22) Manufacturing machinery and equipment.

     (i) From the sale and from the storage, use, or other consumption in this state of tools, dies,

molds, machinery, equipment (including replacement parts), and related items to the extent used in

an industrial plant in connection with the actual manufacture, conversion, or processing of tangible

personal property, or to the extent used in connection with the actual manufacture, conversion, or

processing of computer software as that term is utilized in industry numbers 7371, 7372, and 7373

in the standard industrial classification manual prepared by the Technical Committee on Industrial

Classification, Office of Statistical Standards, Executive Office of the President, United States

Bureau of the Budget, as revised from time to time, to be sold, or that machinery and equipment

used in the furnishing of power to an industrial manufacturing plant. For the purposes of this

subdivision, “industrial plant” means a factory at a fixed location primarily engaged in the

manufacture, conversion, or processing of tangible personal property to be sold in the regular

course of business;

     (ii) Machinery and equipment and related items are not deemed to be used in connection

with the actual manufacture, conversion, or processing of tangible personal property, or in

connection with the actual manufacture, conversion, or processing of computer software as that

term is utilized in industry numbers 7371, 7372, and 7373 in the standard industrial classification

manual prepared by the Technical Committee on Industrial Classification, Office of Statistical

Standards, Executive Office of the President, United States Bureau of the Budget, as revised from

time to time, to be sold to the extent the property is used in administration or distribution operations;

     (iii) Machinery and equipment and related items used in connection with the actual

manufacture, conversion, or processing of any computer software or any tangible personal property

that is not to be sold and that would be exempt under subdivision (7) or this subdivision if purchased

from a vendor or machinery and equipment and related items used during any manufacturing,

LC000539 - Page 14 of 29

converting, or processing function is exempt under this subdivision even if that operation, function,

or purpose is not an integral or essential part of a continuous production flow or manufacturing

process;

     (iv) Where a portion of a group of portable or mobile machinery is used in connection with

the actual manufacture, conversion, or processing of computer software or tangible personal

property to be sold, as previously defined, that portion, if otherwise qualifying, is exempt under

this subdivision even though the machinery in that group is used interchangeably and not otherwise

identifiable as to use.

     (23) Trade-in value of motor vehicles. From the sale and from the storage, use, or other

consumption in this state of so much of the purchase price paid for a new or used automobile as is

allocated for a trade-in allowance on the automobile of the buyer given in trade to the seller, or of

the proceeds applicable only to the automobile as are received from the manufacturer of

automobiles for the repurchase of the automobile whether the repurchase was voluntary or not

towards the purchase of a new or used automobile by the buyer. For the purpose of this subdivision,

the word “automobile” means a private passenger automobile not used for hire and does not refer

to any other type of motor vehicle.

     (24) Precious metal bullion.

     (i) From the sale and from the storage, use, or other consumption in this state of precious

metal bullion, substantially equivalent to a transaction in securities or commodities.

     (ii) For purposes of this subdivision, “precious metal bullion” means any elementary

precious metal that has been put through a process of smelting or refining, including, but not limited

to: gold, silver, platinum, rhodium, and chromium, and that is in a state or condition that its value

depends upon its content and not upon its form.

     (iii) The term does not include fabricated precious metal that has been processed or

manufactured for some one or more specific and customary industrial, professional, or artistic uses.

     (25) Commercial vessels. From sales made to a commercial ship, barge, or other vessel of

fifty (50) tons burden or over, primarily engaged in interstate or foreign commerce, and from the

repair, alteration, or conversion of the vessels, and from the sale of property purchased for the use

of the vessels including provisions, supplies, and material for the maintenance and/or repair of the

vessels.

     (26) Commercial fishing vessels. From the sale and from the storage, use, or other

consumption in this state of vessels and other watercraft that are in excess of five (5) net tons and

that are used exclusively for “commercial fishing,” as defined in this subdivision, and from the

repair, alteration, or conversion of those vessels and other watercraft, and from the sale of property

LC000539 - Page 15 of 29

purchased for the use of those vessels and other watercraft including provisions, supplies, and

material for the maintenance and/or repair of the vessels and other watercraft and the boats nets,

cables, tackle, and other fishing equipment appurtenant to or used in connection with the

commercial fishing of the vessels and other watercraft. “Commercial fishing” means taking or

attempting to take any fish, shellfish, crustacea, or bait species with the intent of disposing of it for

profit or by sale, barter, trade, or in commercial channels. The term does not include subsistence

fishing, i.e., the taking for personal use and not for sale or barter; or sport fishing; but shall include

vessels and other watercraft with a Rhode Island party and charter boat license issued by the

department of environmental management pursuant to § 20-2-27.1 that meet the following criteria:

(i) The operator must have a current United States Coast Guard (U.S.C.G.) license to carry

passengers for hire; (ii) U.S.C.G. vessel documentation in the coast wide fishery trade; (iii)

U.S.C.G. vessel documentation as to proof of Rhode Island home port status or a Rhode Island boat

registration to prove Rhode Island home port status; and (iv) The vessel must be used as a

commercial passenger carrying fishing vessel to carry passengers for fishing. The vessel must be

able to demonstrate that at least fifty percent (50%) of its annual gross income derives from charters

or provides documentation of a minimum of one hundred (100) charter trips annually; and (v) The

vessel must have a valid Rhode Island party and charter boat license. The tax administrator shall

implement the provisions of this subdivision by promulgating rules and regulations relating thereto.

     (27) Clothing and footwear. From the sales of articles of clothing, including footwear,

intended to be worn or carried on or about the human body for sales prior to October 1, 2012.

Effective October 1, 2012, the exemption will apply to the sales of articles of clothing, including

footwear, intended to be worn or carried on or about the human body up to two hundred and fifty

dollars ($250) of the sales price per item. For the purposes of this section, “clothing or footwear”

does not include clothing accessories or equipment or special clothing or footwear primarily

designed for athletic activity or protective use as these terms are defined in § 44-18-7.1(f). In

recognition of the work being performed by the streamlined sales and use tax governing board,

upon passage of any federal law that authorizes states to require remote sellers to collect and remit

sales and use taxes, this unlimited exemption will apply as it did prior to October 1, 2012. The

unlimited exemption on sales of clothing and footwear shall take effect on the date that the state

requires remote sellers to collect and remit sales and use taxes.

     (28) Water for residential use. From the sale and from the storage, use, or other

consumption in this state of water furnished for domestic use by occupants of residential premises.

     (29) Bibles. [Unconstitutional; see Ahlburn v. Clark, 728 A.2d 449 (R.I. 1999); see Notes

to Decisions.] From the sale and from the storage, use, or other consumption in the state of any

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canonized scriptures of any tax-exempt nonprofit religious organization including, but not limited

to, the Old Testament and the New Testament versions.

     (30) Boats.

     (i) From the sale of a boat or vessel to a bona fide nonresident of this state who does not

register the boat or vessel in this state or document the boat or vessel with the United States

government at a home port within the state, whether the sale or delivery of the boat or vessel is

made in this state or elsewhere; provided, that the nonresident transports the boat within thirty (30)

days after delivery by the seller outside the state for use thereafter solely outside the state.

     (ii) The tax administrator, in addition to the provisions of §§ 44-19-27 and 44-19-28, may

require the seller of the boat or vessel to keep records of the sales to bona fide nonresidents as the

tax administrator deems reasonably necessary to substantiate the exemption provided in this

subdivision, including the affidavit of the seller that the buyer represented himself or herself to be

a bona fide nonresident of this state and of the buyer that he or she is a nonresident of this state.

     (31) Youth activities equipment. From the sale, storage, use, or other consumption in this

state of items for not more than twenty dollars ($20.00) each by nonprofit Rhode Island

eleemosynary organizations, for the purposes of youth activities that the organization is formed to

sponsor and support; and by accredited elementary and secondary schools for the purposes of the

schools or of organized activities of the enrolled students.

     (32) Farm equipment. From the sale and from the storage or use of machinery and

equipment used directly for commercial farming and agricultural production; including, but not

limited to: tractors, ploughs, harrows, spreaders, seeders, milking machines, silage conveyors,

balers, bulk milk storage tanks, trucks with farm plates, mowers, combines, irrigation equipment,

greenhouses and greenhouse coverings, graders and packaging machines, tools and supplies and

other farming equipment, including replacement parts appurtenant to or used in connection with

commercial farming and tools and supplies used in the repair and maintenance of farming

equipment. “Commercial farming” means the keeping or boarding of five (5) or more horses or the

production within this state of agricultural products, including, but not limited to, field or orchard

crops, livestock, dairy, and poultry, or their products, where the keeping, boarding, or production

provides at least two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) in annual gross sales to the operator,

whether an individual, a group, a partnership, or a corporation for exemptions issued prior to July

1, 2002. For exemptions issued or renewed after July 1, 2002, there shall be two (2) levels. Level I

shall be based on proof of annual, gross sales from commercial farming of at least twenty-five

hundred dollars ($2,500) and shall be valid for purchases subject to the exemption provided in this

subdivision except for motor vehicles with an excise tax value of five thousand dollars ($5,000) or

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greater. Level II shall be based on proof of annual gross sales from commercial farming of at least

ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or greater and shall be valid for purchases subject to the exemption

provided in this subdivision including motor vehicles with an excise tax value of five thousand

dollars ($5,000) or greater. For the initial issuance of the exemptions, proof of the requisite amount

of annual gross sales from commercial farming shall be required for the prior year; for any renewal

of an exemption granted in accordance with this subdivision at either level I or level II, proof of

gross annual sales from commercial farming at the requisite amount shall be required for each of

the prior two (2) years. Certificates of exemption issued or renewed after July 1, 2002, shall clearly

indicate the level of the exemption and be valid for four (4) years after the date of issue. This

exemption applies even if the same equipment is used for ancillary uses, or is temporarily used for

a non-farming or a non-agricultural purpose, but shall not apply to motor vehicles acquired after

July 1, 2002, unless the vehicle is a farm vehicle as defined pursuant to § 31-1-8 and is eligible for

registration displaying farm plates as provided for in § 31-3-31.

     (33) Compressed air. From the sale and from the storage, use, or other consumption in the

state of compressed air.

     (34) Flags. From the sale and from the storage, consumption, or other use in this state of

United States, Rhode Island or POW-MIA flags.

     (35) Motor vehicle and adaptive equipment to certain veterans. From the sale of a motor

vehicle and adaptive equipment to and for the use of a veteran with a service-connected loss of or

the loss of use of a leg, foot, hand, or arm, or any veteran who is a double amputee, whether service

connected or not. The motor vehicle must be purchased by and especially equipped for use by the

qualifying veteran. Certificate of exemption or refunds of taxes paid is granted under rules or

regulations that the tax administrator may prescribe.

     (36) Textbooks. From the sale and from the storage, use, or other consumption in this state

of textbooks by an “educational institution,” as defined in subsection (18) of this section, and any

educational institution within the purview of § 16-63-9(4), and used textbooks by any purveyor.

     (37) Tangible personal property and supplies used in on-site hazardous waste recycling,

reuse, or treatment. From the sale, storage, use, or other consumption in this state of tangible

personal property or supplies used or consumed in the operation of equipment, the exclusive

function of which is the recycling, reuse, or recovery of materials (other than precious metals, as

defined in subdivision (24)(ii) of this section) from the treatment of “hazardous wastes,” as defined

in § 23-19.1-4, where the “hazardous wastes” are generated in Rhode Island solely by the same

taxpayer and where the personal property is located at, in, or adjacent to a generating facility of the

taxpayer in Rhode Island. The taxpayer shall procure an order from the director of the department

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of environmental management certifying that the equipment and/or supplies as used or consumed,

qualify for the exemption under this subdivision. If any information relating to secret processes or

methods of manufacture, production, or treatment is disclosed to the department of environmental

management only to procure an order, and is a “trade secret” as defined in § 28-21-10(b), it is not

open to public inspection or publicly disclosed unless disclosure is required under chapter 21 of

title 28 or chapter 24.4 of title 23.

     (38) Promotional and product literature of boat manufacturers. From the sale and from the

storage, use, or other consumption of promotional and product literature of boat manufacturers

shipped to points outside of Rhode Island that either: (i) Accompany the product that is sold; (ii)

Are shipped in bulk to out-of-state dealers for use in the sale of the product; or (iii) Are mailed to

customers at no charge.

     (39) Food items paid for by food stamps. From the sale and from the storage, use, or other

consumption in this state of eligible food items payment for which is properly made to the retailer

in the form of U.S. government food stamps issued in accordance with the Food Stamp Act of 1977,

7 U.S.C. § 2011 et seq.

     (40) Transportation charges. From the sale or hiring of motor carriers as defined in § 39-

12-2(12) to haul goods, when the contract or hiring cost is charged by a motor freight tariff filed

with the Rhode Island public utilities commission on the number of miles driven or by the number

of hours spent on the job.

     (41) Trade-in value of boats. From the sale and from the storage, use, or other consumption

in this state of so much of the purchase price paid for a new or used boat as is allocated for a trade-

in allowance on the boat of the buyer given in trade to the seller or of the proceeds applicable only

to the boat as are received from an insurance claim as a result of a stolen or damaged boat, towards

the purchase of a new or used boat by the buyer.

     (42) Equipment used for research and development. From the sale and from the storage,

use, or other consumption of equipment to the extent used for research and development purposes

by a qualifying firm. For the purposes of this subsection, “qualifying firm” means a business for

which the use of research and development equipment is an integral part of its operation and

“equipment” means scientific equipment, computers, software, and related items.

     (43) Coins. From the sale and from the other consumption in this state of coins having

numismatic or investment value.

     (44) Farm structure construction materials. Lumber, hardware, and other materials used in

the new construction of farm structures, including production facilities such as, but not limited to:

farrowing sheds, free stall and stanchion barns, milking parlors, silos, poultry barns, laying houses,

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fruit and vegetable storages, rooting cellars, propagation rooms, greenhouses, packing rooms,

machinery storage, seasonal farm worker housing, certified farm markets, bunker and trench silos,

feed storage sheds, and any other structures used in connection with commercial farming.

     (45) Telecommunications carrier access service. Carrier access service or

telecommunications service when purchased by a telecommunications company from another

telecommunications company to facilitate the provision of telecommunications service.

     (46) Boats or vessels brought into the state exclusively for winter storage, maintenance,

repair, or sale. Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 44-18-10, 44-18-11 and 44-18-20, the tax

imposed by § 44-18-20 is not applicable for the period commencing on the first day of October in

any year up to and including the 30th day of April next succeeding with respect to the use of any

boat or vessel within this state exclusively for purposes of: (i) Delivery of the vessel to a facility in

this state for storage, including dry storage and storage in water by means of apparatus preventing

ice damage to the hull, maintenance, or repair; (ii) The actual process of storage, maintenance, or

repair of the boat or vessel; or (iii) Storage for the purpose of selling the boat or vessel.

     (47) Jewelry display product. From the sale and from the storage, use, or other

consumption in this state of tangible personal property used to display any jewelry product;

provided that title to the jewelry display product is transferred by the jewelry manufacturer or seller

and that the jewelry display product is shipped out of state for use solely outside the state and is not

returned to the jewelry manufacturer or seller.

     (48) Boats or vessels generally. Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, the tax

imposed by §§ 44-18-20 and 44-18-18 shall not apply with respect to the sale and to the storage,

use, or other consumption in this state of any new or used boat. The exemption provided for in this

subdivision does not apply after October 1, 1993, unless prior to October 1, 1993, the federal ten

percent (10%) surcharge on luxury boats is repealed.

     (49) Banks and regulated investment companies interstate toll-free calls. Notwithstanding

the provisions of this chapter, the tax imposed by this chapter does not apply to the furnishing of

interstate and international, toll-free terminating telecommunication service that is used directly

and exclusively by or for the benefit of an eligible company as defined in this subdivision; provided

that an eligible company employs on average during the calendar year no less than five hundred

(500) “full-time equivalent employees” as that term is defined in § 42-64.5-2. For purposes of this

section, an “eligible company” means a “regulated investment company” as that term is defined in

the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C. § 851, or a corporation to the extent the service is

provided, directly or indirectly, to or on behalf of a regulated investment company, an employee

benefit plan, a retirement plan or a pension plan, or a state-chartered bank.

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     (50) Mobile and manufactured homes generally. From the sale and from the storage, use,

or other consumption in this state of mobile and/or manufactured homes as defined and subject to

taxation pursuant to the provisions of chapter 44 of title 31.

     (51) Manufacturing business reconstruction materials.

     (i) From the sale and from the storage, use, or other consumption in this state of lumber,

hardware, and other building materials used in the reconstruction of a manufacturing business

facility that suffers a disaster, as defined in this subdivision, in this state. “Disaster” means any

occurrence, natural or otherwise, that results in the destruction of sixty percent (60%) or more of

an operating manufacturing business facility within this state. “Disaster” does not include any

damage resulting from the willful act of the owner of the manufacturing business facility.

     (ii) Manufacturing business facility includes, but is not limited to, the structures housing

the production and administrative facilities.

     (iii) In the event a manufacturer has more than one manufacturing site in this state, the sixty

percent (60%) provision applies to the damages suffered at that one site.

     (iv) To the extent that the costs of the reconstruction materials are reimbursed by insurance,

this exemption does not apply.

     (52) Tangible personal property and supplies used in the processing or preparation of floral

products and floral arrangements. From the sale, storage, use, or other consumption in this state of

tangible personal property or supplies purchased by florists, garden centers, or other like producers

or vendors of flowers, plants, floral products, and natural and artificial floral arrangements that are

ultimately sold with flowers, plants, floral products, and natural and artificial floral arrangements

or are otherwise used in the decoration, fabrication, creation, processing, or preparation of flowers,

plants, floral products, or natural and artificial floral arrangements, including descriptive labels,

stickers, and cards affixed to the flower, plant, floral product, or arrangement, artificial flowers,

spray materials, floral paint and tint, plant shine, flower food, insecticide, and fertilizers.

     (53) Horse food products. From the sale and from the storage, use, or other consumption

in this state of horse food products purchased by a person engaged in the business of the boarding

of horses.

     (54) Non-motorized recreational vehicles sold to nonresidents.

     (i) From the sale, subsequent to June 30, 2003, of a non-motorized recreational vehicle to

a bona fide nonresident of this state who does not register the non-motorized recreational vehicle

in this state, whether the sale or delivery of the non-motorized recreational vehicle is made in this

state or at the place of residence of the nonresident; provided that a non-motorized recreational

vehicle sold to a bona fide nonresident whose state of residence does not allow a like exemption to

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its nonresidents is not exempt from the tax imposed under § 44-18-20; provided, further, that in

that event the bona fide nonresident pays a tax to Rhode Island on the sale at a rate equal to the rate

that would be imposed in his or her state of residence not to exceed the rate that would have been

imposed under § 44-18-20. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, a licensed, non-motorized

recreational vehicle dealer shall add and collect the tax required under this subdivision and remit

the tax to the tax administrator under the provisions of chapters 18 and 19 of this title. Provided,

that when a Rhode Island licensed, non-motorized recreational vehicle dealer is required to add and

collect the sales and use tax on the sale of a non-motorized recreational vehicle to a bona fide

nonresident as provided in this section, the dealer in computing the tax takes into consideration the

law of the state of the nonresident as it relates to the trade-in of motor vehicles.

     (ii) The tax administrator, in addition to the provisions of §§ 44-19-27 and 44-19-28, may

require any licensed, non-motorized recreational vehicle dealer to keep records of sales to bona fide

nonresidents as the tax administrator deems reasonably necessary to substantiate the exemption

provided in this subdivision, including the affidavit of a licensed, non-motorized recreational

vehicle dealer that the purchaser of the non-motorized recreational vehicle was the holder of, and

had in his or her possession a valid out-of-state non-motorized recreational vehicle registration or

a valid out-of-state driver’s license.

     (iii) Any nonresident who registers a non-motorized recreational vehicle in this state within

ninety (90) days of the date of its sale to him or her is deemed to have purchased the non-motorized

recreational vehicle for use, storage, or other consumption in this state, and is subject to, and liable

for, the use tax imposed under the provisions of § 44-18-20.

     (iv) “Non-motorized recreational vehicle” means any portable dwelling designed and

constructed to be used as a temporary dwelling for travel, camping, recreational, and vacation use

that is eligible to be registered for highway use, including, but not limited to, “pick-up coaches” or

“pick-up campers,” “travel trailers,” and “tent trailers” as those terms are defined in chapter 1 of

title 31.

     (55) Sprinkler and fire alarm systems in existing buildings. From the sale in this state of

sprinkler and fire alarm systems; emergency lighting and alarm systems; and the materials

necessary and attendant to the installation of those systems that are required in buildings and

occupancies existing therein in July 2003 in order to comply with any additional requirements for

such buildings arising directly from the enactment of the Comprehensive Fire Safety Act of 2003

and that are not required by any other provision of law or ordinance or regulation adopted pursuant

to that act. The exemption provided in this subdivision shall expire on December 31, 2008.

     (56) Aircraft. Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, the tax imposed by §§ 44-

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18-18 and 44-18-20 shall not apply with respect to the sale and to the storage, use, or other

consumption in this state of any new or used aircraft or aircraft parts.

     (57) Renewable energy products. Notwithstanding any other provisions of Rhode Island

general laws, the following products shall also be exempt from sales tax: solar photovoltaic

modules or panels, or any module or panel that generates electricity from light; solar thermal

collectors, including, but not limited to, those manufactured with flat glass plates, extruded plastic,

sheet metal, and/or evacuated tubes; geothermal heat pumps, including both water-to-water and

water-to-air type pumps; wind turbines; towers used to mount wind turbines if specified by or sold

by a wind turbine manufacturer; DC to AC inverters that interconnect with utility power lines; and

manufactured mounting racks and ballast pans for solar collector, module, or panel installation. Not

to include materials that could be fabricated into such racks; monitoring and control equipment, if

specified or supplied by a manufacturer of solar thermal, solar photovoltaic, geothermal, or wind

energy systems or if required by law or regulation for such systems but not to include pumps, fans

or plumbing or electrical fixtures unless shipped from the manufacturer affixed to, or an integral

part of, another item specified on this list; and solar storage tanks that are part of a solar domestic

hot water system or a solar space heating system. If the tank comes with an external heat exchanger

it shall also be tax exempt, but a standard hot water tank is not exempt from state sales tax.

     (58) Returned property. The amount charged for property returned by customers upon

rescission of the contract of sale when the entire amount exclusive of handling charges paid for the

property is refunded in either cash or credit, and where the property is returned within one hundred

twenty (120) days from the date of delivery.

     (59) Dietary supplements. From the sale and from the storage, use, or other consumption

of dietary supplements as defined in § 44-18-7.1(l)(v), sold on prescriptions.

     (60) Blood. From the sale and from the storage, use, or other consumption of human blood.

     (61) Agricultural products for human consumption. From the sale and from the storage,

use, or other consumption of livestock and poultry of the kinds of products that ordinarily constitute

food for human consumption and of livestock of the kind the products of which ordinarily constitute

fibers for human use.

     (62) Diesel emission control technology. From the sale and use of diesel retrofit

technology that is required by § 31-47.3-4.

     (63) Feed for certain animals used in commercial farming. From the sale of feed for

animals as described in subsection (61) of this section.

     (64) Alcoholic beverages. From the sale and storage, use, or other consumption in this

state by a Class A licensee of alcoholic beverages, as defined in § 44-18-7.1, excluding beer and

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malt beverages; provided, further, notwithstanding § 6-13-1 or any other general or public law to

the contrary, alcoholic beverages, as defined in § 44-18-7.1, shall not be subject to minimum

markup.

     (65) Seeds and plants used to grow food and food ingredients. From the sale, storage, use,

or other consumption in this state of seeds and plants used to grow food and food ingredients as

defined in § 44-18-7.1(l)(i). “Seeds and plants used to grow food and food ingredients” shall not

include marijuana seeds or plants.

     (66) Feminine hygiene products. From the sale and from the storage, use, or other

consumption of tampons, panty liners, menstrual cups, sanitary napkins, and other similar products

the principal use of which is feminine hygiene in connection with the menstrual cycle.

     (67) “Breast pump collection and storage supplies” means items of tangible personal

property used in conjunction with a breast pump to collect milk expressed from a human breast and

to store collected milk until it is ready for consumption. “Breast pump collection and storage

supplies” include, but are not limited to, breast shields and breast shield connectors; breast pump

tubes and tubing adaptors; breast pump valves and membranes; backflow protectors and backflow

protector adaptors; bottles and bottle caps specific to the operation of the breast pump; breast milk

storage bags; and related items sold as part of a breast pump kit pre-packaged by the breast pump

manufacturer. “Breast pump collection and storage supplies” does not include: bottles and bottle

caps not specific to the operation of the breast pump; breast pump travel bags and other similar

carrying accessories, including ice packs, labels, and other similar products, unless sold as part of

a breast pump kit pre-packed by the breast pump manufacturer; breast pump cleaning supplies,

unless sold as part of a breast pump kit pre-packaged by the breast pump manufacturer; nursing

bras, bra pads, breast shells, and other similar products; and creams, ointments, and other similar

products that relieve breastfeeding-related symptoms or conditions of the breasts or nipples.

     (68) Trade-in value of motorcycles. From the sale and from the storage, use, or other

consumption in this state of so much of the purchase price paid for a new or used motorcycle as is

allocated for a trade-in allowance on the motorcycle of the buyer given in trade to the seller, or of

the proceeds applicable only to the motorcycle as are received from the manufacturer of

motorcycles for the repurchase of the motorcycle whether the repurchase was voluntary or not

towards the purchase of a new or used motorcycle by the buyer. For the purpose of this subsection,

the word “motorcycle” means a motorcycle not used for hire and does not refer to any other type

of motor vehicle.

     (69 Forestry product operations equipment and parts. From the sale and from the storage

or use of machinery and equipment and parts used directly for forest product operations engaged

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in commercial production including, but not limited to: chainsaws, tree chippers, mulch grinders,

chip screeners, sawdust blowers, conveyors, power generators , firewood processors, log skidders,

wood splitters, disc cleaners, tumblers, shaving mills, loaders, forklifts, firewood kilns, pallet kilns,

lumber kilns, sawdust dryers, forwarders, sawmills, resaws, edgers, planers, debarkers, live log

decks, green chains, tractors, winches, tree harvesters, feller bunchers, log loaders, slashers,

delimbers, grapples, bucket trucks, tree cranes, and stump grinders. "Forest product operations"

shall have the same meaning as defined in § 2-27.1-4. The exemption shall be valid for small

businesses, as defined in § 22-7.6-1, that employ no more than three hundred (300) employees and

shall apply to no more than two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) in forest

operations equipment and parts.

     SECTION 9. Section 44-27-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 44-27 entitled "Taxation of

Farm, Forest, and Open Space Land" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     44-27-1. Legislative declaration.

     It is declared:

     (1) That it is in the public interest to encourage the preservation of farm, forest, and open

space land in order to maintain a readily available source of food, and farm and forest products

close to the metropolitan areas of the state, to conserve the state’s natural resources, and to provide

for the welfare and happiness of the inhabitants of the state.

     (2) That it is in the public interest to prevent the forced conversion of farm, forest, and open

space land to more intensive uses as the result of economic pressures caused by the assessment for

purposes of property taxation at values incompatible with their preservation as farm, forest, and

open space land.

     (3) That the necessity in the public interest of the enactment of the provisions of this chapter

is a matter of legislative determination.

     SECTION 10. Section 45-24-37 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-24 entitled "Zoning

Ordinances" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     45-24-37. General provisions — Permitted uses.

     (a) The zoning ordinance shall provide a listing of all land uses and/or performance

standards for uses that are permitted within the zoning use districts of the municipality. The

ordinance may provide for a procedure under which a proposed land use that is not specifically

listed may be presented by the property owner to the zoning board of review or to a local official

or agency charged with administration and enforcement of the ordinance for an evaluation and

determination of whether the proposed use is of a similar type, character, and intensity as a listed

permitted use. Upon such determination, the proposed use may be considered to be a permitted use.

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     (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the following uses are permitted

uses within all residential zoning use districts of a municipality and all industrial and commercial

zoning use districts except where residential use is prohibited for public health or safety reasons:

     (1) Households;

     (2) Community residences; and

     (3) Family daycare homes.

     (c) Any time a building or other structure used for residential purposes, or a portion of a

building containing residential units, is rendered uninhabitable by virtue of a casualty such as fire

or flood, the owner of the property is allowed to park, temporarily, mobile and manufactured home,

or homes, as the need may be, elsewhere upon the land, for use and occupancy of the former

occupants for a period of up to twelve (12) months, or until the building or structure is rehabilitated

and otherwise made fit for occupancy. The property owner, or a properly designated agent of the

owner, is only allowed to cause the mobile and manufactured home, or homes, to remain

temporarily upon the land by making timely application to the local building official for the

purposes of obtaining the necessary permits to repair or rebuild the structure.

     (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, appropriate access for people with

disabilities to residential structures is allowed as a reasonable accommodation for any person(s)

residing, or intending to reside, in the residential structure.

     (e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, an accessory dwelling unit

(“ADU”) that meets the requirements of §§ 45-24-31 and 45-24-73(a) shall be a permitted use in

all residential zoning districts. An ADU that meets the requirements of §§ 45-24-31 and 45-24-

73(a) shall be permitted through an administrative building permit process only.

     (f) When used in this section the terms “people with disabilities” or “member, or members,

with disabilities” means a person(s) who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially

limits one or more major life activities, as defined in 42-87-1(5).

     (g) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, plant agriculture is a permitted

use and forest product operations, as defined in § 2-27.1-4 are permitted uses within all zoning

districts of a municipality, including all industrial and commercial zoning districts, except where

prohibited for public health or safety reasons or the protection of wildlife habitat.

     (h) Adaptive reuse. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, adaptive reuse

for the conversion of any commercial building, including offices, schools, religious facilities,

medical buildings, and malls into residential units or mixed-use developments which include the

development of at least fifty percent (50%) of the existing gross floor area into residential units,

shall be a permitted use and allowed by specific and objective provisions of a zoning ordinance,

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except where such is prohibited by environmental land use restrictions recorded on the property by

the state of Rhode Island department of environmental management or the United States

Environmental Protection Agency preventing the conversion to residential use.

     (1) The specific zoning ordinance provisions for adaptive reuse shall exempt adaptive reuse

developments from off-street parking requirements of over one space per dwelling unit.

     (2) Density.

     (i) For projects that meet the following criteria, zoning ordinances shall allow for high

density development and shall not limit the density to less than fifteen (15) dwelling units per acre:

     (A) Where the project is limited to the existing footprint, except that the footprint is allowed

to be expanded to accommodate upgrades related to the building and fire codes and utilities; and

     (B) The development includes at least twenty percent (20%) low- and moderate-income

housing; and

     (C) The development has access to public sewer and water service or has access to adequate

private water, such as a well and and/or wastewater treatment system(s) approved by the relevant

state agency for the entire development as applicable.

     (ii) For all other adaptive reuse projects, the residential density permitted in the converted

structure shall be the maximum allowed that otherwise meets all standards of minimum housing

and has access to public sewer and water service or has access to adequate private water, such as a

well, and wastewater treatment system(s) approved by the relevant state agency for the entire

development, as applicable. The density proposed shall be determined to meet all public health and

safety standards.

     (3) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, for adaptive reuse projects,

existing building setbacks shall remain and shall be considered legal nonconforming, but no

additional encroachments shall be permitted into any nonconforming setback, unless otherwise

allowed by zoning ordinance or relief is granted by the applicable authority.

     (4) For adaptive reuse projects, notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, the

height of the existing structure, if it exceeds the maximum height of the zoning district, may remain

and shall be considered legal nonconforming, and any rooftop construction shall be included within

the height exemption.

     (i) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, all towns and cities may allow

manufactured homes that comply with § 23-27.3-109.1.3 as a type of single-family home on any

lot zoned for single-family use. Such home shall comply with all dimensional requirements of a

single-family home in the district or seek relief for the same under the provisions of this chapter.

     SECTION 11. Construction. This act, being necessary for the welfare of the state and its

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inhabitants, shall be construed liberally so as to effectuate its purposes.

     SECTION 12. Severability. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section, or part of this act

shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, that judgment shall not

affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder of this act but shall be confined in its operation to the

clause, sentence, paragraph, section, or part directly involved in the controversy in which that

judgment shall have been rendered.

     SECTION 13. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY -- FORESTRY AND FOREST PARITY

ACT

***

     This act would establish sales and use tax exemptions for commercial forest product

operations with gross sales of at least five thousand dollars ($5,000). The exemption would be

provided at two (2) levels with the distinction being operations generating less than fifty thousand

dollars ($50,000) in average sales would be limited to an exemption on motor vehicles up to five

thousand dollars ($5,000) in value. Exempt would be machinery and equipment to include, but not

limited to: sawmills, tractors, forklifts, log skidders, chainsaws and power generators. Additionally,

the act would create a new motor vehicle registration for "forestry vehicles" and would provide that

all forestry product operations machinery, including motor vehicles with forestry registration plates

would be exempt from taxation. Municipalities would be allowed to tax forestry product operations

buildings at a rate that reflects the actual cost incurred by the municipality in providing services to

these buildings. Finally, this act would provide that forest product operations are permitted uses

within all zoning districts of a municipality except where prohibited for public health or safety

reasons or the protection of wildlife habitat.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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