2026 -- H 8391

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LC006222

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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 -- INSPECTION OF MOTOR VEHICLES

     Introduced By: Representative Deborah A. Fellela

     Date Introduced: April 01, 2026

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 31-38-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-38 entitled "Inspection

of Motor Vehicles" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     31-38-4. Director of department of revenue to require periodic inspection.

     (a)(1) The director of revenue shall at least once each year, but not more frequently than

twice each year, or on the schedule defined pursuant to chapter 47.1 of this title require that every

vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer registered in this state or upon a retail seller’s premise,

be inspected and that an official certificate of inspection and approval be obtained for the vehicle,

provided, that the director of revenue shall require the first inspection of any new motor vehicle

within two (2) years from the date of purchase or before the vehicle accumulates twenty-four

thousand (24,000) miles whichever occurs first. After this first inspection, all motor vehicles except

motorcycles, registered with a gross weight of eight thousand five hundred pounds (8,500 lbs.) or

less, shall not require a further inspection for emission and safety items until the motor vehicles are

at least twenty (20) years old. Motor vehicles that are more than twenty (20) years old shall be

inspected for emissions and safety items biennially.

     (2) The inspections shall be made and the certificates obtained with respect to the

mechanism, brakes, and equipment of the vehicle as shall be designated by the director of

department of revenue.

     (3) The director of the department of revenue is authorized to make necessary rules and

regulations for the administration and enforcement of this chapter including, but not limited to,

upgraded standards of operation and standards for mechanical testing equipment, and to designate

any period or periods of time during which sellers at retail and owners of any vehicles, subject to

this chapter, shall display upon the vehicles certificates of inspection and approval, or shall produce

these certificates upon demand of any proper officer or employee of the department of revenue

designated by the director of the department of revenue. In addition, the director shall require each

inspection facility to file a copy of their active garage keeper’s legal liability insurance policy and

maintain a minimum of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) liability coverage. Said coverage

shall be purchased for the purpose of insuring against any damage sustained to a vehicle while

under the control of the inspection facility.

     (b) The director of the department of revenue may authorize the acceptance in this state of

a certificate of inspection and approval issued in another state having an inspection law similar to

this chapter, and may extend the time within which a certificate shall be obtained.

     (c) The director of the department of revenue, or the director’s designee, may suspend the

registration of any vehicle which he or she determines is in such unsafe condition as to constitute

a menace to safety, or which, after notice and demand, is not equipped as required in this chapter

or for which a required certificate of inspection and approval has not been obtained.

     (d) The director of the department of revenue shall provide for a staggered inspection

system by regulations.

     (e) Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2027.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- INSPECTION OF MOTOR VEHICLES

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     This act would provide that after the first motor vehicle inspection, all motor vehicles

except motorcycles, registered with a gross weight of eight thousand five hundred pounds (8,500

lbs.) or less, would not require a further inspection until the motor vehicles are at least twenty (20)

years old. Thereafter, inspections would be required biennially.

     This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

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LC006222

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