2026 -- H 7574

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LC004894

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

     Introduced By: Representatives Voas, Potter, Giraldo, Slater, Casey, Noret, Shanley,
Read, McEntee, and McGaw

     Date Introduced: February 06, 2026

     Referred To: House State Government & Elections

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 31-3-6.3 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-3 entitled "Registration

of Vehicles" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     31-3-6.3. Unpaid out-of-state toll amounts, administrative fees, and fines — Denial of

registration — Denial of transfer of registration — Denial of renewal of registration and

licenses.

     (a) Upon receipt of a request from another state or other entity with similar tolling authority

with which the Rhode Island turnpike and bridge authority has entered into an agreement providing

for the reciprocal treatment of out-of-state toll violators to take action against a toll violator, the

Rhode Island turnpike and bridge authority shall conduct an independent review of each toll

violation that forms the basis for such request, which shall include a review of photographic, video,

or other visual evidence, to determine that the requesting state or other entity with similar tolling

authority imposed any toll amounts, administrative fees, and/or fines against the actual registered

owner of the motor vehicle.

     (b) As part of its independent review, the Rhode Island turnpike and bridge authority shall

provide written notice to the registered owner of the motor vehicle in question. The registered

owner shall have ten (10) days from the date on the written notice to contact the Rhode Island

turnpike and bridge authority and to provide information, documentation, and any other evidence

contesting the requested action against the out-of-state toll violator. Thereafter, the Rhode Island

turnpike and bridge authority shall consider all of the information, documentation, and any other

evidence provided as part of its independent review.

     (c) If after its independent review the Rhode Island turnpike and bridge authority is

satisfied that any toll amounts, administrative fees, and/or fines are properly imposed against the

actual registered owner of the motor vehicle and the registered owner could be subject to reporting

to the division of motor vehicles pursuant to § 24-12-37 if such toll violations had occurred on

tolled projects in this state, the Rhode Island turnpike and bridge authority may report the registered

owner to the division of motor vehicles.

     (d) The division of motor vehicles shall not renew any operator’s license or registration

upon expiration thereof; register any motor vehicle; or transfer the registration of any motor vehicle

of any person reported to it pursuant to subsection (c) of this section until any toll amounts,

administrative fees, and/or fines owed to the other state or other entity with similar tolling authority

have been paid in full or the person has entered into, and is in current compliance with, a repayment

agreement with respect to any amounts owed. The Rhode Island turnpike and bridge authority shall

provide a copy of any notification received from the other state or other entity with similar tolling

authority regarding full payment of amounts owed or the existence of a repayment agreement to

the division of motor vehicles within five (5) business days of receipt. Within five (5) business days

of receiving such notification, the division of motor vehicles shall renew the person’s license and

renew, transfer, or issue the person’s registration. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply

to any vehicle owned by a rental company as defined in § 31-34.1-1.

     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 MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

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     This act would not subject a car rental company to registration penalties resulting from out-

of-state toll violations from operators using their rental vehicles but are responsible for any

outstanding toll amounts due.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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