2026 -- S 3037

========

LC005469

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- DISORDERLY CONDUCT

     Introduced By: Senators Patalano, Raptakis, Dimitri, Appollonio, Burke, de la Cruz,
Thompson, and Tikoian

     Date Introduced: March 05, 2026

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 11-11 of the General Laws entitled "Disorderly Conduct" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following section:

     11-11-8. Recreational vehicles obstructing vehicle movement.

     (a) Whoever, upon any way or in any place to which the public has a right of access, or any

place to which members of the public have access as invitees or licensees whether the business or

commercial property is opened or closed to the public, operates in a reckless or negligent manner

and hinders the movement of other vehicles on such ways with a group of two (2) or more other

recreational vehicles shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than two and one-half (2.5)

years, and a fine of not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000). No complaint for a violation of

this section shall be filed pursuant to § 12-10-12.

     (1) Individuals who have been found to be in violation of subsection (a) of this section

while masked shall be punished by imprisonment for an additional one year or by a fine of not more

than five hundred dollars ($500) or both.

     (2) For the purpose of this section “recreational vehicles” means a motor vehicle designed

to travel over unpaved terrain and which has been determined by the division of motor vehicles as

unsuitable for operation on the public way and not eligible for registration for such use or is eligible

for registration for such use but has not been registered.

     (b) Upon a conviction or adjudication by reason of a violation of subsection (a) of this

section, a recreational vehicle used in the commission of such violation or violations shall be

subject to forfeiture, at the discretion of the court of competent jurisdiction.

     (1) In all actions where a final order results in forfeiture, the final order shall provide for

disposition of the property by the state, a political subdivision thereof, or municipality in any

manner not prohibited by law, including official use by an authorized law enforcement or other

agency, or at sale at public auction or by competitive bidding.

     (i) The final order of the court shall provide that the proceeds of any such sale shall be used

to pay the reasonable expenses of the forfeiture proceedings, seizure, storage, maintenance of

custody, advertising and notice, and all proceeds shall be deposited into the general fund of the

municipality in which such crime was committed.

     (2) No forfeiture under this section shall extinguish a perfected security interest held by a

creditor in the property at the time of the filing of the forfeiture action. In all actions where a final

order results in forfeiture of property subject to a perfected security interest, possession of the

property shall revert to the creditor.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC005469

========

LC005469 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- DISORDERLY CONDUCT

***

     This act would prohibit an individual who operates a recreational vehicle in a reckless or

negligent manner which hinders the movement of other vehicles with a group of two (2) more

vehicles shall be guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment of up to two and one-half (2.5)

years and a fine of up to two thousand dollars ($2,000). If any individuals in violation of this act

are wearing masks at the time of violation, offenders are subject to an additional one year

imprisonment and/or up to an additional five hundred dollars ($500) fine. This act would also

subject any recreational vehicle used in violation of this act to forfeiture of that vehicle.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC005469

========

LC005469 - Page 3 of 3