2026 -- S 2181

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LC004053

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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 HEALTH AND SAFETY -- OFFICE OF STATE FIRE MARSHAL

     Introduced By: Senators Burke, Felag, LaMountain, Sosnowski, Gallo, Ciccone, and
Tikoian

     Date Introduced: January 16, 2026

     Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 23-28.2 of the General Laws entitled "Office of State Fire Marshal"

is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     23-28.2-31. Electric and hybrid motor vehicle identification database.

     (a) The office of the state fire marshal ("office") shall, in coordination with the division of

motor vehicles ("division"), create and maintain a vehicle identification database for electric or

hybrid motor vehicles powered in whole or in part by a high-voltage lithium-ion storage battery.

     (b) The office shall compile a contact list of all departments and districts that provide fire-

fighting services and shall provide the division with the list which would enable the division to

transfer the information required to be collected pursuant to subsection (c) of this section directly

to the fire department or fire district that provides fire protection services to the address of the

vehicle owner. The office shall provide an updated contact list to the division as necessary.

     (c) The information to be transferred by the division pursuant to this section shall be limited

to:

     (1) The vehicle registration information;

     (2) A vehicle description including the make, model and year of the vehicle; and

     (3) The address of the structure where the vehicle is located.

     (d) The division shall forward the information collected pursuant to subsection (c) of this

section to the municipal or volunteer fire department or fire district that provides fire protection

services where the vehicle is located by January 1, and July 1, of each year.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect six (6) months after passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- OFFICE OF STATE FIRE MARSHAL

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     This act would create a program through which fire departments and fire districts are

notified of locations of registrants of electric and hybrid motor vehicles by the division of motor

vehicles.

     This act would take effect six (6) months after passage.

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