2026 -- H 8149

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LC005802

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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 -- SIZE, WEIGHT, AND LOAD LIMITS

     Introduced By: Representatives Santucci, Chippendale, Costantino, Nardone, Newberry,
Read, Noret, Place, and J. Brien

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2026

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. 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, the 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 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.

     (d) Notwithstanding the provisions of § 8-18-6, if the civil penalties are the result of

enforcement action within the jurisdiction of or on any roadway within any municipality by an

enforcement officer employed by the municipality, the civil penalty shall be paid to the

municipality, except for one hundred twenty dollars ($120) per violation shall be paid to the general

fund and a court administrative fee of five dollars ($5.00) per violation shall be paid to the traffic

tribunal.

     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 -- SIZE, WEIGHT, AND LOAD LIMITS

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     This act would provide that for certain civil penalties to be paid to an enforcing

municipality if the enforcement action occurs within the jurisdiction of or on any roadway within

any municipality, by an enforcement officer employed by the municipality, the civil penalty would

be paid to the municipality, except one hundred twenty dollars ($120) per violation would be paid

to the general fund and a court administrative fee of five dollars ($5.00) per violation would be paid

to the traffic tribunal.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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