SECTION 1. Sections 8-18-2, 8-18-3, 8-18-4, 8-18-6, 8-18-9 and 8-18-10 of the General Laws in Chapter 8-18 entitled "State and Municipal Court Compact" are hereby amended to read as follows:

8-18-2. Universal summons. -- All state agencies and municipalities which have law enforcement powers shall be issued and authorized a form for summons and complaint to be used for all violations specified in chapters 27, {DEL 41, DEL} and {DEL 43 DEL} {ADD 41.1 ADD} of title 31 and no other summons shall be substituted except as provided by section 31-12-12. All fines, assessments, fees, and other financial charge or any other responsibility not changed by the following shall be deemed enforceable even when the summons is issued by a municipality and adjudicated by a municipal court, or issued by state agencies or a municipality without a court and adjudicated by the {DEL administrative adjudication court DEL} {ADD traffic tribunal ADD}. All summonses once issued must be recorded by the {DEL administrative adjudication court DEL} {ADD traffic tribunal ADD} prior to a hearing, arraignment, or trial. If the summons is answered by mail admitting the charge pursuant to section 31-43-2(b), it shall be recorded by the {DEL administrative adjudication court DEL} {ADD traffic tribunal ADD} upon return from the financial institution.

8-18-3. {DEL Concurrent jurisdiction for certain violations. DEL} {ADD Jurisdiction for certain violations. -- ADD} (a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, jurisdiction over the adjudication of matters relating to violations enumerated in the following sections of the general laws is hereby conferred upon the municipal courts and the {DEL administrative adjudication court DEL} {ADD traffic tribunal ADD}:

(b) Except as provided in sections 8-18-7, 8-18-9, {DEL and DEL} 8-18-10, {ADD and 31-41.1-11 ADD} jurisdiction over violations enumerated in subsection (a) shall be exercised as follows:

(1) By the {DEL administrative adjudication court DEL} {ADD traffic tribunal ADD} over all violations for which the summons is issued by a state agency;

(2) By the {DEL administrative adjudication court DEL} {ADD traffic tribunal ADD} over all violations for which the summons is issued by a city or town which has not established a municipal court pursuant to title 45; and

(3) By the municipal court over all violations for which the summons is issued by a city or town which has established a municipal court pursuant to title 45.

8-18-4. Adjudication of summonses by municipal courts. -- (a) All summonses to be adjudicated by a municipal court shall be forwarded to the municipal court {DEL by the administrative adjudication court along with an abstract of the alleged violator's current driving record. DEL}

(b) Summonses to be adjudicated by a municipal court shall be adjudicated by a judge of the municipal court {ADD pursuant to section 31-41.1-6 and the rules established by the chief judge ADD}. Municipal {DEL court judges may conduct special hearings based on a good driving record pursuant to section 31-43-3.1 DEL} {ADD courts shall have jurisdiction over matters brought pursuant to section 31-41.1-7. ADD}

(c) If a motorist fails to appear to answer a summons before a municipal court {DEL or the administrative adjudication court, he or she shall be found guilty of the violation by the court and his or her DEL} {ADD , the municipal court may proceed pursuant to section 31-41.1-5 to enter a default judgment and determine whether the charges have been established. Where a determination is made that a charge has been established, an appropriate order shall be entered and the motorist's ADD} license and registration privileges may be {DEL suspended by the administrative adjudication court DEL} {ADD ordered by the municipal court to be suspended by the registry of motor vehicles as provided by law ADD}.

(d) All summonses {DEL once DEL} {ADD which have been ADD} adjudicated by the municipal court {ADD and entered into the data electronic system ADD} shall be returned to the {DEL administrative adjudication court for record keeping DEL} {ADD traffic tribunal for storage as required by section 8-14-1 ADD}.

(e) All {ADD municipal ADD} courts shall be courts of record, shall tape record all sessions, maintain dockets, and adjudicate all violations on the summonses {ADD and shall be responsible for data entry into an electronic data processing system of all citations heard and decided by said municipal courts pursuant to procedures and rules promulgated by the chief judge of the district court ADD}.

(f) Municipal court judges may, in their discretion, order driver retraining courses in appropriate cases.

{DEL (g) Cities and towns shall retain control over the scheduling of all arraignments, hearings, trials, and other administrative duties in their respective municipal courts and may assess additional penalties and costs as provided by local ordinances. DEL}

(h) {DEL All court fees or costs assessed by both municipal courts and the administrative adjudication court shall be twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per arraignment, hearing, or trial, except as provided in subsection (g). DEL} {ADD A twenty five dollar ($25.00) hearing fee shall be assessed by both municipal courts and the traffic tribunal against each person pleading guilty to or found guilty of a traffic offense or violation, as provided in the general laws. In no case shall any municipal court exercising jurisdiction pursuant to this chapter impose or assess any fees or costs except as expressly authorized by state law. ADD}

8-18-6. Joint violation fines -- Distribution of funds. -- {DEL (a) Fines for those violations enumerated in section 8-18-3 shall range from a base of thirty dollars ($30.00) to a maximum of seventy dollars ($70.00). DEL}

{DEL (b) DEL} Cities or towns with municipal courts shall dedicate four dollars ($4.00) for reimbursement from each summons to the {DEL administrative adjudication court ("AAC") DEL} {ADD general fund ADD}. Cities or towns without a municipal court shall dedicate six dollars ($6.00) for reimbursement from each summons to {DEL AAC DEL} {ADD the general fund ADD}. State agencies shall dedicate twenty-two dollars ($22.00) from each summons to {DEL AAC DEL} {ADD the general fund ADD}.

8-18-9. Appeals. -- Any person desiring to appeal from an adverse decision of a municipal court pursuant to the provisions of this chapter may seek review thereof pursuant to the procedures set forth in section {DEL 31-43-4 DEL} {ADD 31-41.1-8 ADD}.

8-18-10. Exclusive jurisdiction. -- The universal summons shall also be used for any violations of those sections not listed in section 8-18-3; provided, however that the following violations shall remain the exclusive jurisdiction of the {DEL administrative adjudication court DEL} {ADD traffic tribunal ADD} or the {ADD other ADD} state courts and shall not be within the jurisdiction of any municipal court:

31-11-16	31-11-17	31-11-18	31-11-19	31-11-20	31-12-2	31-12-3
31-14-1	31-20-12	31-26-1	31-26-2	31-26-4	31-26-5	31-27-1
31-27-2	31-27-4	31-26-3	31-3-1	31-8-2	31-8-3	31-9-1
31-9-2	31-9-5	31-9-6	31-10-1	31-10-28	31-11-12	3-8-9
31-8-10	31-38-9	31-41-1	31-25-13	31-25-4	31-25-5	31-25-6
31-25-7	31-27-6	31-25-24	31-23-37	31-24-37	31-25-20	31-25-3
31-25-16	31-25-19	11-44-29	31-22-21	31-27-2.1	11-44-22	31-19.1-2
31-19.2-2	31-9-3	31-10-26	31-27-2.3	31-36.1-17	31-9-1 --	31-4-3
31-9-11	31-43-1	31-11-18.1	31-27-1.1	31-27-2.2	31-15-14	31-23-49
31-12-26	31-23-28	31-27-5	31-23-13.1	31-27-2.7	31-27-2.4

31-41-4	(Speeding (E) & (F)(B)).

SECTION 2. Section 8-18-7 of the General Laws in Chapter 8-18 entitled "State and Municipal Court Compact" is hereby repealed in its entirety.

{DEL 8-18-7. Mandatory court appearance. -- DEL} {DELAny person who receives a third summons within a twelve (12) month period cannot plea by mail but must appear in person before a judge at the administrative adjudication court. DEL}

SECTION 3. Chapter 8-18 of the General Laws entitled "State and Municipal Court Compact" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

{ADD 8-18-11. Municipal court adherence to promulgated procedures. -- ADD} {ADD All municipal courts which shall hear and decide traffic matters pursuant to the authority of this chapter shall do so in a manner consistent with the procedures of the traffic tribunal. If it shall appear to the chief judge of the district court that said procedures are not being followed by any municipal court he or she shall inform the municipal court in question that it appears that it is not in compliance with the procedures of the traffic tribunal. If, thereafter, the chief judge is not satisfied that compliance is forthcoming he shall have standing under section 8-1-2 of the general laws to petition the supreme court for appropriate relief. ADD}

SECTION 4. Section 8-5-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 8-5 entitled "Court Secretaries, Court Reporters, and Electronic Court Reporters" is hereby amended to read as follows:

{DEL 8-5-5. Reports of superior and family court trials -- Transcripts. DEL} {ADD -- 8-5-5 Reports of superior, family and district court and traffic tribunal. ADD} -- Court reporters shall report stenographically or electronic court reporters or similar recording personnel shall report electronically the proceedings in the trial of every action or proceeding, civil or criminal, in the superior court{ADD,ADD} {DEL and the DEL} family court {ADD , district court and traffic tribunal ADD}. Each court reporter or electronic court reporter or similar recording personnel shall also, upon the order of any justice of the court, transcribe or otherwise reproduce his or her report to be filed with the papers in the case. He or she shall also make a transcript of or otherwise reproduce the whole or any part of the report upon the written request, filed with the clerk, by either party to the action or proceeding, and when completed and within the time limited by the court for filing the transcript, shall immediately deliver the transcript to the party ordering it, or to the attorney of record of the party, and in the case of transcription by court reporters for such service shall be paid a reasonable compensation, not less than five dollars ($5.00) and not exceeding three dollars ($3.00) per page for originals and one dollar and fifty cents ($1.50) per page for copies thereof, to be allowed by the court; provided, however, that no branch, department, agency, board, or commission of the government of this state shall be charged more than two dollars and fifty cents ($2.50) per page for originals or more than one dollar ($1.00) per page for copies thereof; and, in case the transcript is used in subsequent proceedings in the cause, the cost of the transcript may be allowed as a part of the costs. In the case of electronic court recordings the person making the recordings or another person so designated by the court may be requested or ordered, in lieu of making a transcript, to reproduce the recording and certify its authenticity, and in such case each party requesting the reproduction shall pay to the court the sum of ten dollars ($10.00) per cassette. {ADD ADD}

SECTION 5. Sections 8-8-1, 8-8-8.1, 8-8-12, and 8-8-16.2 of the General Laws in Chapter 8-8 entitled "District Court" are hereby amended to read as follows:

8-8-1. District Court established -- Chief and associate justices. -- There is established a district court for the state of Rhode Island which shall consist of a chief judge and twelve (12) associate judges. {ADD The district court shall be a court of record and shall have a seal with such words and devices as it shall adopt. ADD}

8-8-8.1. Administrator/clerk -- Magistrate. -- (a) Administrator/clerk. - There shall be a district court administrator/clerk who shall be appointed by the chief judge in his or her capacity as administrative head of the court, and who shall hold office at the pleasure of the administrative judge. The administrator/clerk shall perform such duties and attend to such matters as may be assigned to the administrator/clerk by the administrative judge, other than those duties assigned to the chief clerk in section 8-8-19. {ADD Said duties may be assigned by the chief judge both as to the district court established by this chapter and as to the traffic tribunal established by chapter 8-8.2. ADD}

(b) Magistrate. - Any person holding the position of district court administrator/clerk who is a member of the bar of Rhode Island may be appointed district court magistrate by the chief judge in his or her capacity as administrative head of the court.

(c) The district court magistrate shall have the power to hear and determine such matters as may be assigned to the district court magistrate by the chief judge all to the same effect as if done by a judge of the district court, including but not limited to:

(1) Matters relating to the determination of, monitoring, collection, and payment of restitution and court ordered fines, fees, and costs or the ordering of community service in lieu of or in addition to the payment of restitution, fines, fees, and costs, consistent with other provisions of the general laws;

(2) Arraignments and pretrial motions in misdemeanor, petty misdemeanor, violation, and ordinance cases and initial appearances and probable cause hearings in felony cases;

(3) Bail hearings pursuant to R.I. Const., Art. I, Sec. IX and all other bail matters pursuant to chapter 13 of title 12 and the rules of criminal procedure, including but not limited to motions to modify bail, bail revocation hearings, bail forfeiture hearings, and bail source hearings;

(4) All matters relating to fugitives from justice pursuant to chapter 9 of title 12;

(5) Probation revocation hearings;

(6) All matters relating to small claims and consumer claims pursuant to chapter 16 of title 10, including any pretrial motions including motions relating to the special service of process, the entry of defaults and default judgments, the trial of such cases and the entry of judgment after such trials, and all matters relating to the enforcement of such judgments, including but not limited to the ordering of installment payments and trustee process; and

(7) Complaints for judicial review of the decision of an administrative agency pursuant to chapter 35 of title 42 by making proposed findings of fact and recommendations for the disposition of the complaints to a judge of the court. Any party may object to any portion of the magistrate's proposed findings and recommendations within ten (10) days after receipt of a copy thereof. That party shall file with the clerk of the sixth division of the district court and serve on all parties written objections which shall specifically identify the portions of the proposed findings and recommendations to which objection is made and the basis for the objection. A judge shall make a de novo determination of those portions to which objection is made and may accept, reject, or modify, in whole or in part, the findings or recommendations made by the magistrate. Absent a timely objection filed in accordance with this subdivision, the proposed prevailing party shall, upon expiration of the ten (10) days following the service of the magistrate's proposed findings and recommendations, submit a proposed order for signature of the judge to whom the case has been assigned.

{DEL {ADD (8) All matters heard pursuant to chapter 8-8.2, in the traffic tribunal. ADD}DEL}

(d) The magistrate may be authorized:

(1) To regulate all proceedings before him or her;

(2) To do all acts necessary or proper for the efficient performance of his or her duties;

(3) To require the production before him or her of books, papers, vouchers, documents, and writings;

(4) To rule upon the admissibility of evidence;

(5) To issue subpoenas for the appearance of witnesses, to put witnesses on oath, to examine them, and to call parties to the proceeding and examine them upon oath;

(6) To adjudicate a person in contempt and to order him or her fined or to order him or her imprisoned for not more than seventy-two (72) hours, pending review by a judge of the court, for failure to appear in response to a summons or for refusal to answer questions or produce evidence or for behavior disrupting a proceeding or other contempt of his or her authority;

(7) To adjudicate a person in contempt and to order him or her fined or to order him or her imprisoned for not more than seventy-two (72) hours, pending review by a judge of the court, for failure to comply with a pending order to provide payment or to perform any other act;

(8) To issue a capias and/or body attachment for the failure of a party or witness to appear after having been properly served or given notice by the court and, should the court not be in session, the person apprehended may be detained at the adult correctional institution, if an adult, or at the Rhode Island training school for youth, if a child, until the next session of the court;

(9) To issue writs of habeas corpus to bring before him or her or a judge of the court any person in jail or in prison to be examined as a witness in a suit or proceeding, civil or criminal, pending before the court, or whose presence is necessary as a party or otherwise necessary so that the ends of justice may be attained, and for no other purpose; and

(10) To issue warrants of arrest and search warrants to the same extent as an associate judge of the court.

(e) Except as otherwise indicated, a party aggrieved by an order entered by the district court magistrate shall be entitled to a review of the order, whether by appeal or otherwise, in the same manner as if taken from an order issued by a judge of the court; except, that any person aggrieved by an adjudication of contempt by the magistrate shall be entitled to a review by a judge of the court within seventy-two (72) hours. The court shall, by rules of procedure, establish procedures for review of contempt and adjudications of the magistrate.

(f) The magistrate shall be:

(1) Governed by the commission on judicial tenure and discipline, chapter 16 of this title, in the same manner as justices and judges;

(2) Subject to all provisions of the canons of judicial ethics;

(3) Subject to all criminal laws relative to judges by virtue of sections 11-7-1 and 11-7-2.

(g) The provisions of this section shall be afforded liberal construction.

8-8-12. Duties of chief judge. -- The chief judge shall be the administrative head of the district court and shall be responsible for its operation and the efficient use of its manpower. To this end he or she shall:

(1) Hold court in any division when he or she deems it necessary;

(2) Assign judges to hold court in the various divisions;

(3) Designate the place or places for holding court in each division;

(4) Fix the time for holding court in each division and supervise the calendars;

(5) Report annually to the chief justice of the supreme court on the state of the business of the district court;

(6) Supervise the collection and publication of statistics pertaining to the court;

(7) Supervise the management of the records of the court;

(8) Determine the time of vacations to be taken by the district judges;

(9) Preside over the district court conference and designate the time and place that it shall be held;

(10) Promulgate rules and regulations relating to:

(i) The licensing of constables to serve certain district court civil process; and

(ii) The duties and conduct of licensed constables;

(11) Cancel any fines or other assessments imposed by the court due to the state in any criminal action after receiving certification from the chief clerk that he or she has determined them to be uncollectible for a period of at least one year from the date of imposition of the fine.

{ADD (b) The authority of the chief judge under this section shall be exercised both as to the district court established pursuant to this chapter and the traffic tribunal established pursuant to chapter 8.2 of this title and, subject to the labor laws of this state and any applicable collective bargaining agreement, shall include the authority to transfer clerical personnel from the traffic tribunal to the district court as may be necessary. ADD}

{ADD (c) The chief judge of the district court may designate an associate judge of the district court as administrative judge of the district court. The administrative judge may exercise such administrative authority as may be delegated to him or her by the chief judge. The administrative judge shall receive an increase in compensation which shall be set by the unclassified pay board. ADD}

{ADD (12) The chief judge of the district court shall appoint sufficient court recorders to enable all proceedings to be recorded by electronic means and who shall assist in such other clerical duties subject to the labor laws of this state and applicable collective bargaining agreement as may be prescribed from time to time by the chief judge of the district court. ADD}

8-8-16.2. District court clerk/magistrate. -- (a) Any person holding the position of deputy clerk pursuant to section 8-8-15 of this chapter who is a member of the bar of Rhode Island may be appointed district court clerk/magistrate by the chief judge in his or her capacity as administrative head of said court, subject to the advice and consent of the senate. The district court clerk/magistrate shall hold said office for a term of ten (10) years, and shall retain whatever right he or she may have to the position of district court clerk pursuant to section 8-8-15 of this chapter. The district court clerk/magistrate shall have all powers of a district court clerk pursuant to this chapter and the district court clerk/magistrate shall have the power to hear and determine such matters as may be assigned to the district court clerk/magistrate by the chief judge all to the same effect as if done by a judge of the district court, including, but not limited to, matters relating to the determination of, monitoring, collection and payment of restitution and court ordered fines, fees and costs or the ordering of community service in lieu of or in addition to the payment of restitution, fines, fees and costs, consistent with other provisions of the general laws. {ADD The clerk/magistrate may be assigned to hear and decide cases within the traffic tribunal. ADD}

(b) Such clerk/magistrate may be authorized:

(1) To regulate all proceedings before him or her;

(2) To do all acts necessary or proper for the efficient performance of his or her duties;

(3) To require the production before him or her of books, papers, vouchers, documents and writings;

(4) To rule upon the admissibility of evidence;

(5) To issue subpoenas for the appearance of witnesses, to put witnesses on oath, to examine them and to call parties to the proceeding and examine them upon oath;

(6) To adjudicate a person in contempt and to order him or her fined or to order him or her imprisoned for not more than seventy-two (72) hours, {DELpending review by a judge of the court,DEL} for failure to appear in response to a summons or for refusal to answer questions or produce evidence or for behavior disrupting a proceeding or other contempt of his or her authority; {ADD provided, however, that no such imprisonment shall occur prior to review by a judge of the court.ADD}

(7) To adjudicate a person in contempt and to order him or her fined or to order him or her imprisoned for not more than seventy-two (72) hours, {DELpending review by a judge of the court,DEL} for failure to comply with a pending order to provide payment or to perform any other act; {ADDprovided, however, that no such imprisonment shall occur prior to review by a judge of the court.ADD}

(8) To issue a capias and/or body attachment for the failure of a party or witness to appear after having been properly served or given notice by the court and, should the court not be in session, the person apprehended may be detained at the adult correctional institution, if an adult, or at the Rhode Island training school for youth, if a child, until the next session of the court;

(9) To issue writs of habeas corpus to bring before him or her or a judge of the court any person in jail or in prison to be examined as a witness in a suit or proceeding, civil or criminal, pending before the court, or whose presence is necessary as a party or otherwise necessary so that the ends of justice may be attained, and for no other purpose; and

(10) To issue warrants of arrest and search warrants to the same extent as an associate judge of the court.

(c) Except as otherwise indicated, a party aggrieved by an order entered by the district court clerk/magistrate shall be entitled to a review of the order, whether by appeal or otherwise, in the same manner as if taken from an order issued by a judge of the court; except, that any person aggrieved by an adjudication of contempt by the district court clerk/magistrate shall be entitled to a review by a judge of the court within seventy-two (72) hours. The court shall, by rules of procedure, establish procedures for review of contempt and adjudications of the clerk/magistrate.

(d) The district court clerk/magistrate shall:

(1) Be governed by the commission on judicial tenure and discipline, pursuant to chapter 16 of this title, in the same manner as justices and judges;

(2) Be subject to all provisions of the canons of judicial ethics;

(3) Be subject to all criminal laws relative to judges by virtue of sections 11-7-1 and 11-7-2.

(4) Receive such salary as may be established by the unclassified pay board. The provisions of this section shall be afforded liberal construction.

SECTION 6. Section 8-14-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 8-14 entitled "Inactive Records" is hereby amended to read as follows:

8-14-1. Management, storage, and disposition of state court records. -- There shall be created a committee within the state court system with responsibility for the management, storage, and disposition of all state court records, including inactive records. The committee shall be composed of the following members: the chief justice of the supreme court or his or her designee, the presiding justice of the superior court or his or her designee, the chief judge of the family court or his or her designee, the chief judge of the district court or his or her designee, the chief judge of the workers' compensation court or his or her designee, the chief judge of the {DEL administrative adjudication DEL} {ADD district ADD} court {ADD for the traffic tribunal ADD} or his or her designee, one clerk from each of the respective state courts as designated by the chief or presiding justice or chief judge of each state court, and the head of the state court record center or his or her designee. The committee shall meet as required to revise the state courts' records retention policy or at the request of the state court administrator.

SECTION 7. Sections 8-15-1, 8-15-5, 8-15-6, and 8-15-9 of the General Laws in Chapter 8-15 entitled "Court Administration" are hereby amended to read as follows:

8-15-1. Unified system. -- The supreme court, the superior court, the family court, the district court, the workers' compensation court, and the {DEL administrative adjudication court DEL} {ADD traffic tribunal ADD} shall constitute a unified judicial system for purposes of administration.

8-15-5. Advisory board. -- The chief justice shall appoint an advisory board to consult with him or her on administrative matters. The board shall include the four (4) associate justices of the supreme court, the presiding justice of the superior court, the chief judge of the family court, the chief judge of the district court, {ADD and ADD} the chief judge of the workers' compensation court {DEL , and the chief judge of the administrative adjudication court DEL}.

8-15-6. Internal administration of courts not affected. -- The presiding judge of the superior court, the chief judge of the family court, the chief judge of the district court, the chief judge of the workers' compensation court, and the chief judge of the {DEL administrative adjudication DEL} {ADD district ADD} court {ADD for the traffic tribunal ADD} shall have the power to administer the affairs of their respective courts; to establish calendars and to assign judges to those calendars; to appoint administrative and clerical personnel for their courts; to act as authorized agent for their court; and to make rules for the conduct of their business, not inconsistent with the rules promulgated for the courts pursuant to section 8-6-2. In addition, each respective court shall prepare an annual budget for their court which will be submitted to the court administrator for the purposes of section 8-15-4(b).

8-15-9. Supervision of court imposed and court related costs, fines, restitution, and other payments, deposits, and receipts. -- Within the administrative office of the state courts there shall be a finance section. The director of the finance section shall be appointed by the chief justice of the supreme court, and approved by a majority vote of the advisory board. The director of the finance section shall monitor the handling, collection, receipt, and disbursement of all court imposed or court related fees, fines, costs, assessments, charges, and other monetary payments, deposits, and receipts, including, but not limited to, filing fees, court costs and fees, bail, fines, judgments, awards, restitution payments, registry of court accounts, restricted receipts accounts, child support and other support orders, and court stenographers' accounts. The director shall be responsible for all bookkeeping and accounting of money collected or received by the clerks of the various state courts including, but not limited to, sections 8-4-8, 8-8-16, 8-8-17, {ADD 8-8.2-3 ADD} and 8-10-10. The director shall formulate and publish a policy which shall standardize the procedures for the handling, collection, receipt, and disbursement of court imposed or court related monetary payments, deposits, and receipts. All money subject to the provisions of this section shall be audited by the state bureau of audits or their designee not less than once per fiscal year.

SECTION 8. Section 8-6-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 8-6 entitled "General Powers of Supreme and Superior Courts" is hereby amended to read as follows:

8-6-2. Rules of practice and procedure. -- (a) The supreme court, the superior court, the family court, and the district court, by a majority of their members, shall have the power to make rules for regulating practice, procedure, and business therein. {ADD The chief judge of the district court shall have the power to make rules for regulating practice, procedure and business in the traffic tribunal. ADD} The rules of the superior, family, {DEL and DEL} district court {ADD and the traffic tribunal ADD} shall be subject to the approval of the supreme court. Such rules, when effective, shall supersede any statutory regulation in conflict therewith.

(b) In prescribing such rules, the court shall have regard to the simplification of the system of pleading, practice, and procedure in the courts in which the rules shall apply in order to promote the speedy determination of litigation on the merits; provided, however, that each respective court shall not in the rules of procedure require a party to a civil action to produce either by discovery, motion, to produce or interrogatory an income tax return, W-2 statement, or copies thereof. The rules presently in effect in the courts of the judicial system shall remain and continue in force and effect until revised, amended, repealed, or superseded by rules adopted in accordance with this section.

SECTION 9. Section 36-4-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 36-4 entitled "Merit System" is hereby amended to read as follows:

36-4-2. Positions in unclassified service. -- The classified service shall comprise all positions in the state service now existing or hereinafter established, except the following specific positions which with other positions heretofore or hereinafter specifically exempted by legislative act shall constitute the unclassified service:

(1) Officers and legislators elected by popular vote and persons appointed to fill vacancies in elective offices.

(2) Employees of both houses of the general assembly.

(3) Officers, secretaries, and employees of the office of the governor, office of the lieutenant governor, department of state, department of the attorney general, and the treasury department.

(4) Members of boards and commissions appointed by the governor, members of the state board of elections and the appointees of the board, members of the commission for human rights and the employees of the commission, and directors of departments.

(5) The following specific offices:

(i) In the department of administration: director, chief information officer;

(ii) In the department of business regulation: director;

(iii) In the department of elementary and secondary education: commissioner of elementary and secondary education;

(iv) In the department of higher education: commissioner of higher education;

(v) In the department of health: director;

(vi) In the department of labor and training: director, administrative assistant, administrator of the labor board and legal counsel to the labor board;

(vii) In the department of environmental management: director;

(viii) In the department of transportation: director {DEL , employees of the division of administrative adjudication as defined in section 31-43-1 DEL};

(ix) In the department of human services: director;

(x) In the state properties committee: secretary;

(xi) In the workers' compensation court: judges, administrator, deputy administrator, members of the workers' compensation fraud prevention unit, clerk, assistant clerk, clerk secretary;

(xii) In the department of elderly affairs: director;

(xiii) In the department of mental health, retardation, and hospitals: director;

(xiv) In the department of corrections: director, assistant director (institutions/operations), assistant director (rehabilitative services), assistant director (administration), and wardens;

(xv) In the department of children, youth and families: director, one assistant director, one associate director, and one executive director;

(xvi) In the public utilities commission: public utilities administrator;

(xvii) In the water resources board: general manager.

(6) Chief of the hoisting engineers, licensing division, and his or her employees; executive director of the veterans memorial building and his or her clerical employees.

(7) One confidential stenographic secretary for each director of a department and each board and commission appointed by the governor.

(8) Special counsel, special prosecutors, regular and special assistants appointed by the attorney general, the public defender and employees of his or her office, and members of the Rhode Island bar occupying a position in the state service as legal counsel to any appointing authority.

(9) The academic and/or commercial teaching staffs of all state institution schools, with the exception of those institutions under the jurisdiction of the board of regents for elementary and secondary education and the board of governors for higher education.

(10) Members of the military or naval forces, when entering or while engaged in the military or naval service.

(11) Judges, referees, receivers, clerks, assistant clerks, and clerical assistants of the supreme, superior, family, and district courts, {ADD the traffic tribunal, ADD} jurors and any persons appointed by any court.

(12) Election officials and employees.

(13) Sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, and their employees {ADD and security officers of the traffic tribunal ADD}.

(14) Patient or inmate help in state charitable, penal, and correctional institutions and religious instructors of these institutions and student nurses in training, residents in psychiatry in training, and clinical clerks in temporary training at the institute of mental health within the state of Rhode Island medical center.

(15) (i) Persons employed to make or conduct a temporary and special inquiry, investigation, project or examination on behalf of the legislature or a committee therefor, or on behalf of any other agency of the state if the inclusion of these persons in the unclassified service is approved by the personnel administrator. The personnel administrator shall notify the house fiscal advisor and the senate fiscal advisor whenever he or she approves the inclusion of a person in the unclassified service.

(ii) The duration of the appointment of a person, other than the persons enumerated in this section, shall not exceed ninety (90) days or until presented to the unclassified pay plan board. The unclassified pay plan board may extend the appointment another ninety (90) days. In no event shall the appointment extend beyond one hundred eighty (180) days.

(16) Members of the division of state police.

(17) Executive secretary of the Blackstone Valley district commission.

(18) Artist and curator of state owned art objects.

(19) Mental health advocate.

(20) Child advocate.

SECTION 10. Section 31-2-19 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-2 entitled "Registry of Motor Vehicles" is hereby amended to read as follows:

31-2-19. Appeal from registrar. -- Any person aggrieved by any order of the registrar may appeal therefrom to {DEL administrative adjudication DEL} {ADD the sixth division district ADD} court by filing, within ten (10) days from the date of the notice to such person of the issuance of the order appealed from, a petition in said court stating the grounds upon which the appeal is taken. Upon the filing of such petition and tendering a twenty-five dollar ($25.00) filing fee, the court shall cause thirty (30) days' notice of the pendency thereof to be given to the registrar by serving the registrar, in the manner in which subpoenas in equity are served, with a certified copy of such petition and such petition shall follow the course of equity so far as the same is applicable; and upon hearing such petition the court may review the evidence taken at a hearing or investigator's reports, or other information upon which the registrar's action was taken, and may in its discretion, affirm or overrule or modify the order of the registrar, but the taking of such appeal shall not operate as a stay of the order of the registrar from which appeal is taken, and such order shall remain in full force and effect during the pendency of such appeal. A party aggrieved by a final order of the court may seek appellate review thereof pursuant to the procedures set forth in section {DEL 31-43-4 DEL} {ADD 42-35-15 ADD}.

SECTION 11. Section 31-5-26 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-5 entitled "Dealers', Manufacturers' and Rental Licenses" is hereby amended to read as follows:

31-5-26. Appeal from the department of transportation. -- Any licensee or other person in interest being dissatisfied with an order of the department of transportation, may appeal therefrom to the {DEL administrative adjudication court by filing, within ten (10) days from the date of the notice to such person of the issuance of the order appealed from, a petition in said court stating the grounds upon which the appeal is taken. Upon the filing of such petition and tendering a twenty-five dollar ($25.00) filing fee, the court shall cause thirty (30) days notice of the pendency thereof to be given to the department of transportation by serving the director of the department, in the manner in which subpoenas in equity are served, with a certified copy of such petition and such petition shall follow the course of equity so far as the same is applicable; and upon hearing such petition the court may review the evidence taken at a hearing or investigator's reports, or other information upon which the director's action was taken and may in its discretion affirm or overrule or modify the order of the director, but the taking of such appeal shall not operate as a stay of the order of the director from which appeal is taken, and such order shall remain in full force and effect during the pendency of such appeal. A party aggrieved by a final order of the court may seek appellate review thereof pursuant to the procedures set forth in section 31-43-4. DEL} {ADD sixth division of the district court pursuant to the procedure established pursuant to section 42-35-15. ADD}

SECTION 12. Section 31-5.1-16 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-5.1 entitled "Regulation of Business Practices Among Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, Distributors and Dealers" is hereby amended to read as follows:

31-5.1-16. Bill to set aside department order. -- Any licensee or other person in interest, being dissatisfied with the final order of the department, may appeal therefrom to the {DEL administrative adjudication court by filing, within ten (10) days from the date of the notice to such person of the issuance of the order appealed from, a petition in said court stating the grounds upon which the appeal is taken. Upon the filing of such petition and tendering a twenty-five dollar ($25.00) filing fee, the court shall cause thirty (30) days notice of the pendency thereof to be given to the department by serving the director of the department, in the manner in which subpoenas in equity are served, with a certified copy of such petition and the petition shall follow the course of equity so far as the same is applicable; and upon hearing such petition the court may review the evidence taken at a hearing or investigator's reports, or other information upon which the department's action was taken and may in its discretion affirm or overrule or modify the order of the department, but the taking of such appeal shall not operate as a stay of the order of the department from which appeal is taken, and that order shall remain in full force and effect during the pendency of such appeal. A party aggrieved by a final order of the court may seek appellate review thereof pursuant to the procedures set forth in section 31-43-4 DEL} {ADD sixth division of the district court pursuant to the procedure established pursuant to section 42-35-15. ADD}

SECTION 13. Section 31-11-15 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-11 entitled "Suspension or Revocation of Licenses -- Violations" is hereby amended to read as follows:

31-11-15. Appeal from registrar's order. -- Any person aggrieved by any order of the registrar may appeal therefrom to the {DEL administrative adjudication court DEL} {ADD sixth division of the district court ADD} by filing, within ten (10) days from the date of the notice of the person of the issuance of the order appealed from, a petition in said court stating the grounds upon which the appeal is taken. Upon the filing of the petition and tendering a twenty-five dollar ($25.00) filing fee, the court shall cause thirty (30) days' notice of the pendency thereof to be given to the registry by serving the registrar, in the manner in which subpoenas in equity are served, with a certified copy of the petition and the petition shall follow the course of equity so far as the same is applicable; and upon hearing such petition the court may review the evidence taken at a hearing, or investigator's reports, or other information upon which the registrar's action was taken, and may in its discretion, affirm, or overrule or modify the order of the registrar, but the taking of the appeal shall not operate as a stay of the order of the registrar from which the appeal is taken, and the order shall remain in full force and effect during the pendency of the appeal. A party aggrieved by a final order of the court may seek appellate review thereof pursuant to the procedures set forth in section {DEL 31-43-4 DEL} {ADD 42-35-16 ADD}.

SECTION 14. Section 31-38-17 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-38 entitled "Inspection of Motor Vehicles" is hereby amended to read as follows:

31-38-17. Procedure for a review of an order of the director of transportation. -- (a) Any person aggrieved by an order of the director of administration pertaining to either a suspension, revocation, or denial of an application for a permit may appeal from the order of the director by filing a notice of request for review {DEL within ten (10) days of suspension, revocation, or denial of the application for permit DEL} of the director's order with the {DEL administrative adjudication court. The administrative adjudication court, upon receipt of such a petition to review shall conduct hearings within thirty (30) days of the receipt thereof and shall complete the hearings within ten (10) days and file a written opinion within fifteen (15) days thereafter. The administrative adjudication court may, in its discretion concur, modify, or overrule the action of the director and the aggrieved inspection owner/operator may thereafter seek appellate review pursuant to the procedures set forth in section 31-43-4. DEL} {ADD sixth division of the district court pursuant to the procedures set forth in section 42-35-15. ADD}

(b) The filing of a petition to review shall not operate as a stay of the order of the director of administration and the order shall remain in full force and effect during the pendency of the review.

SECTION 15. Section 31-18-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-18 entitled "Pedestrians" is hereby amended to read as follows:

31-18-3. Right of way in crosswalk. -- {ADD (a) ADD} When traffic control signals are not in place or not in operation the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right of way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger, but no pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield. This provision shall not apply under the conditions stated in section 31-18-6.

{ADD (b) In addition to any other penalty provided by law, a judge or magistrate shall impose a mandatory fine of one hundred dollars ($100) for a second or any subsequent violation of this section. ADD}

SECTION 16. Section 8-5-8 of the General Laws in Chapter 8-5 entitled "Court Secretaries, Court Reporters, and Electronic Court Reporters" is hereby amended to read as follows:

8-5-8. Interpreters for deaf and hearing impaired persons. -- (a) In all civil and criminal cases, in workers' compensation, district, family, and superior court, {ADD and in the state traffic tribunal, and in any case in any municipal court pursuant to chapter 8-18 of the general laws, ADD} where a party or a witness is a deaf or a hearing impaired person, he or she shall have the proceedings of the trial interpreted to him or her in a language that he or she can understand by a qualified interpreter appointed by the court. In any case where an interpreter is required to be appointed by the court under this section, the court shall not commence proceedings until the appointed interpreter is in court in a position not exceeding ten feet (10') from and in full view of the deaf or hearing impaired person. The interpreter appointed under the terms of the section shall be required to take an oath that he or she will make a true interpretation to the deaf or hearing impaired person of all the proceedings of the case in a language that he or she understands; and will repeat the deaf or hearing impaired person's answer to questions to counsel, court, or jury in the English language, in his or her best skill and judgment.

(b) For the purposes of this section, "hearing impaired person" means a person who as a result of a hearing impairment, requires sign language and/or speech reading as part of his or her communication system. A "qualified interpreter" means an interpreter for the hearing impaired person skilled in sign language or oral interpretation and transliteration, having the ability to communicate accurately with a deaf or hearing impaired person. An interpreter shall be deemed qualified as determined by the commission on the deaf and hearing impaired, based upon recommendations from the commission and the deaf and hearing impaired interpreter screening committee, the Rhode Island association of the deaf, the national registry of interpreters for the deaf, and other appropriate agencies. The commission on the deaf and hearing impaired office shall coordinate all requests for qualified interpreters and shall maintain a list of all such interpreters from which it shall fill such requests. No interpreter is precluded from being further examined by the court system.

(c) Interpreters appointed under the terms of the section shall be paid by the state {ADD or municipality ADD} a reasonable compensation fixed by the court.

SECTION 17. Nothing in this act shall abrogate or affect any collective bargaining agreement in effect on the effective date of this act.

SECTION 1. Sections 31-3-1 and 31-3-16 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-3 entitled "Registration of Vehicles" are hereby amended to read as follows:

31-3-1. Operation of unregistered vehicle misdemeanor. -- It is a {DEL misdemeanor DEL} {ADD civil violation ADD} for any person to operate or for an owner knowingly to permit to be operated upon any highway any vehicle of a type required to be registered hereunder which is not registered and for which the appropriate fee has not been paid.

31-3-16. General assembly plates. -- (a) The registrar of motor vehicles is hereby directed to make available to each duly elected member of the senate and of the house of representatives of the general assembly of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, so long as the member is serving during the term for which he or she has been elected as a member of the general assembly and no longer, two (2) special motor vehicle registration plates carrying on the first plate as a courtesy the word "senate" in the case of the senate, and the word "house" in the case of the house of representatives, and on the second set of plates, in addition to the wording above, the letter "a" denoting auxiliary shall be placed on the plates. The plates are to have special identifying numbers corresponding to the number of the senatorial or representative district from which the member was elected.

(b) The special motor vehicle registration plates shall carry thereon the design and the seal of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations and shall be designed, sold, and attached to the motor vehicle without cost to the state.

(c) Each member of any general assembly, at the expiration of his or her term as member, unless reelected, may retain the special motor vehicle registration plates in his or her own keeping, provided he or she does not display the plates upon any motor vehicle or any other form of transportation owned or operated by the member.

(d) Any violation of the provisions of paragraph (c) of this section shall be deemed a {DEL misdemeanor DEL} {ADD civil violation ADD}, and any person displaying a special motor vehicle registration plate upon any vehicle shall, upon conviction, be fined ten dollars ($10.00) for each offense.

(e) The registrar of motor vehicles shall reserve for the future use of each member of the general assembly the private registration plates which he or she turns into the registry of motor vehicles in return for legislator's plates. The registrar of motor vehicles shall annually, during the month of January, submit a written notice to each member of the general assembly notifying him or her of the private registration plates which are being reserved for his or her future use. The notice shall indicate the registration plate designation and the legislator for which it is being reserved.

(f) In a state of emergency, any member of the general assembly driving a vehicle bearing a special motor vehicle registration plate shall be authorized and empowered to travel upon the highways of the state notwithstanding any driving ban imposed by any state or municipal authority.

SECTION 2. Sections 31-3.2-2, 31-3.2-4.1, and 31-3.2-7 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-3.2 entitled "Snowmobiles and Recreational Vehicles" are hereby amended to read as follows:

31-3.2-2. Registration. -- (a) General requirements.. - Except as hereinafter provided, no person shall, after October 30, 1971, operate any snowmobile or recreational vehicle within the state unless the snowmobile or recreational vehicle has been registered in accordance with this chapter. Any operator of any snowmobile or recreational vehicle not registered in accordance with this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a {DEL misdemeanor DEL} {ADD civil violation ADD}and be subject to a fine of one hundred dollars ($100) for each offense.

(b) Application -- Issuance -- Reports.. - Application for registration shall be made to the director in such form as the director shall prescribe, and shall state the name and address of every owner of the snowmobile or recreational vehicle and be signed by at least one owner. Upon receipt of the application and the appropriate fee as hereinafter provided, the snowmobile or recreational vehicle shall be registered and a reflectorized identification number assigned which shall be affixed to the snowmobile or recreational vehicle in such manner as the director shall prescribe.

(c) Fees for registration.. - (1) The fee for registration of each snowmobile or recreational vehicle, other than those registered by a dealer or manufacturer pursuant to subsection (c)(1) or (c)(2) shall be as follows: ten dollars ($10.00) for one year and one dollar ($1.00) for a duplicate or transfer.

(2) The total registration fee for all snowmobiles or recreational vehicles owned by a dealer and operated for demonstration or testing purposes shall be twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per year.

(3) The total registration fee for all snowmobiles or recreational vehicles owned by a manufacturer and operated for research, testing, experimentation, or demonstration purposes shall be one hundred dollars ($100) per year. Dealer and manufacturer registrations are not transferable.

(4) In addition to the registration fees enumerated in subdivisions (1) -- (3) of this subsection, an annual registration fee of ten dollars ($10.00) for residents and twenty dollars ($20.00) for nonresidents on all off-road facilities established by the department of the environment for such purposes. No person shall operate any recreational vehicles on off-road facilities which has not been registered as required by this subdivision.

(d) Renewal.. - Every owner of a snowmobile or recreational vehicle shall renew his or her registration in such manner as the director shall prescribe, upon payment of the same registration fees provided in subsection (c).

(e) Snowmobiles or recreational vehicles owned by state or political subdivision.. - A registration number shall be issued without the payment of a fee for snowmobiles or recreational vehicles owned by the state of Rhode Island or a political subdivision thereof upon application therefor.

(f) Exemptions.. - No registration hereunder shall be required for the following described snowmobiles or recreational vehicles:

(1) Snowmobiles or recreational vehicles owned and used by the United States, another state, or a political subdivision thereof.

(g) The commissioner of environmental management may issue special permits to out of state snowmobiles or recreational vehicles from a state or country where registration is not required to operate in Rhode Island for limited periods of time not to exceed thirty (30) days in connection with organized group outings, trail rides, races, rallies, and other promotional events.

31-3.2-4.1. Operation of snowmobile or recreational vehicle without permission -- Penalty. -- (a) No person shall operate any snowmobile or recreational vehicle upon any property or premises owned by another person without the consent in writing of the owner of the property or premises.

(b) No person shall operate any snowmobile or recreational vehicle which is owned by another person without the consent in writing of the owner.

(c) Penalties.. - Any person who shall violate the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a {DEL misdemeanor DEL} {ADD civil violation ADD} and be subject to a fine of not more than one hundred dollars ($100) for each offense.

31-3.2-7. Operation. -- (a) Operation on streets and highways.. - (1) No person shall operate a snowmobile or recreational vehicle upon the roadway shoulder or inside bank or slope on any highway in this state or elsewhere within the right of way, except as provided in this chapter. No snowmobile or recreational vehicle shall be operated at any time within the right of way of any interstate highway or freeway within this state.

(2) A snowmobile or recreational vehicle may make a direct crossing of a street or highway at any hour of the day provided:

(i) The crossing is made at an angle of approximately ninety degrees (90 degrees) to the direction of the highway and at a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing; and

(ii) The snowmobile or recreational vehicle is brought to a complete stop before crossing the shoulder or main traveled way of the highway; and

(iii) The driver yields the right of way to all oncoming traffic which constitutes an immediate hazard; and

(iv) In crossing a divided highway the crossing is made only at an intersection of the highway, with another public street or highway; and

(v) If the crossing is made between the hours of one-half (1/2) hour after sunset to one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise or in conditions of reduced visibility, only if both front and rear lights are on.

(3) No snowmobiles or recreational vehicle shall be operated upon a public street or highway unless it is equipped with at least one head lamp and one tail lamp, each of minimum candlepower as prescribed by regulations of the director, reflector material of a minimum area of sixteen (16) square inches mounted on each side forward of the handle bars, and with brakes, each of which shall conform to standards prescribed by rule of the director.

(4) A snowmobile or recreational vehicle may be operated upon a public street or highway other than as provided by subsection (a)(2) in an emergency during the period of time when and at locations where snow upon the roadway renders travel by automobile impractical.

(i) International contests, use of highways, etc.. - Nothing in this section shall prohibit the use of snowmobiles or recreational vehicles within the right of way of any highway or upon public lands or waters under the jurisdiction of the director of environmental management in any international contest, subject to the consent of the official or board having jurisdiction over the highway or public lands or waters.

(ii) Operation generally.. - It shall be unlawful for any person to drive or operate any snowmobile or recreational vehicles in the following unsafe or harassing ways:

(A) At a rate of speed greater than reasonable or proper under all the surrounding circumstances;

(B) In a careless, reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the person or property of another or to cause injury or damage thereto;

(C) While under the influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotics or habit forming drugs;

(D) Without a lighted head and tail light when required for safety;

(E) In any tree nursery or planting in a manner which damages or destroys growing stock;

(F) Without the operator and passengers wearing a helmet equipped with a face guard of a type approved by the registrar.

The provisions of sections 31-27-2 and 31-27-2.1 relating to weight of alcohol in the defendant's blood and its admission as evidence shall apply to subsection (a)(4)(ii)(c).

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to drive or operate any snowmobile or other motorized recreational vehicle upon any above ground reservoir property of the Woonsocket reservoir in the towns of North Smithfield, Lincoln, and Smithfield, and in the city of Woonsocket. Any person who shall violate the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a {DEL misdemeanor DEL} {ADD civil violation ADD} and be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars ($50.00) for the first offense and by a fine of one hundred dollars ($100) for any subsequent offense.

SECTION 3. Sections 31-8-2 and 31-8-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-8 entitled "Offenses Against Registration and Certificate of Title Laws" are hereby amended to read as follows:

31-8-2. Operation of vehicle when registration canceled, suspended, or revoked. -- No person shall operate, nor shall an owner knowingly permit to be operated, upon any highway, a motor vehicle the registration of which has been canceled, suspended, or revoked. Any violation of this section is a {DEL misdemeanor. DEL} {ADD civil violation. ADD}

31-8-3. Improper use of evidences of registration or certificate of title. -- No person shall lend to another any certificate of title, registration card, registration plate, special plate, or permit issued to him or her if the person desiring to borrow the same would not be entitled to the use thereof, nor shall any person knowingly permit the use of any of the same by one not entitled thereto, nor shall any person display upon a vehicle any registration plate or permit not issued for that vehicle or not otherwise lawfully used thereon under chapters 3 -- 9 of this title. Any violation of this section is a {DEL misdemeanor. DEL} {ADD civil violation. ADD}

SECTION 4. Section 31-10-28 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-10 entitled "Operators' and Chauffeurs' Licenses" is hereby amended to read as follows:

31-10-28. Restricted licenses. -- (a) The registry upon issuing an operator's or chauffeur's license shall have the authority whenever good cause appears to impose restrictions suitable to the licensee's driving ability with respect to the type of, or special mechanical control devices required on a motor vehicle which the licensee may operate or the other restrictions applicable to the licensee as the registry may determine to be appropriate to assure the safe operation of a motor vehicle by the licensee.

(b) The registry may either issue a special restricted license or may set forth such restrictions upon the usual license form; provided, however, that in the case of an individual who, because of any visual disability, is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle in darkness, the registry, upon receipt of an affidavit from a licensed physician or ophthalmologist certifying that the individual is capable of operating a motor vehicle during the daylight hours, may issue a special restricted license permitting the individual to operate a motor vehicle only during the daylight hours.

(c) The registry may upon receiving satisfactory evidence of any violation of the restrictions of a restricted license suspend or revoke the license but the licensee shall be entitled to a hearing as upon a suspension or revocation under chapter 2 of this title.

(d) It is a {DEL misdemeanor DEL} {ADD civil violation ADD} for any person to operate a motor vehicle in any manner in violation of the restrictions imposed in a restricted license issued to that person.

SECTION 5. Sections 31-11-16 and 31-11-25 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-11 entitled "Suspension or Revocation of Licenses -- Violations" are hereby amended to read as follows:

31-11-16. Unlawful use of license. -- It is a {DEL misdemeanor DEL} {ADD civil violation ADD} for any person:

(1) To display or cause or permit to be displayed or have in his or her possession any cancelled, revoked, suspended, fictitious, or fraudulently altered operator's or chauffeur's license;

(2) To lend his or her operator's or chauffeur's license to any other person or knowingly permit the use thereof by another;

(3) To display or represent as one's own any operator's or chauffeur's license not issued to him or her;

(4) To fail or refuse to surrender to the registry upon its lawful demand any operator's or chauffeur's license which has been suspended, revoked, or cancelled;

(5) To use a false or fictitious name in any application for an operator's or chauffeur's license or to knowingly make a false statement or to knowingly conceal a material fact or otherwise commit a fraud in any such application;

(6) To permit any unlawful use of an operator's or chauffeur's license issued to him or her; or

(7) To do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required by this title.

31-11-25. Failure to pay fine. -- The registry shall suspend the license of a person to operate a motor vehicle upon certification of the clerk of any county of the superior court, or any supervising deputy clerk of the district court {ADD or a clerk of the traffic tribunal ADD} that the person has failed to pay fines or costs imposed for a violation of any provision of this title within the time period provided for payment by the court. The suspension shall remain in force until such time as said fines or costs are paid to the respective court.

SECTION 6. Section 31-12-2 in Chapter 31-12 of the General Laws entitled "Scope of Application of Traffic Regulations" is hereby repealed in its entirety.

{DEL 31-12-2. Obedience to laws required. -- DEL}{DEL It is unlawful and, unless otherwise declared in chapters 12 -- 27, inclusive, of this title with respect to particular offenses, it is a misdemeanor for any person to do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required in the aforementioned chapters DEL}

SECTION 7. Section 31-14-9 in Chapter 31-14 of the General Laws entitled "Speed Restrictions" is hereby amended to read as follows:

31-14-9. Minimum speed. -- (a) No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.

(b) Police officers are hereby authorized to enforce this provision by directions to drivers, and in the event of apparent wilful disobedience to this provision and refusal to comply with direction of an officer in accordance herewith, the continued slow operation by a driver shall be a {DEL misdemeanor. DEL} {ADD civil violation. ADD}

SECTION 8. Section 31-18-17 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-18 entitled "Pedestrians" is hereby amended to read as follows:

31-18-17. Pedestrians on freeways. -- Any pedestrian who shall cross any freeway as defined by section 24-10-1, except in an emergency or to render assistance in case of an accident or unforeseen cause, shall be deemed to be guilty of a {DEL misdemeanor. DEL} {ADD civil violation. ADD}

SECTION 9. Section 31-20-16 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-20 entitled "Special Stops Required" is hereby amended to read as follows:

31-20-16. Stops at bridle path crossings. -- Every operator of a motor vehicle shall bring his or her motor vehicle to a complete stop in parks, reservations and on state highways where the department of transportation, or state traffic commission has posted signs of bridle paths where saddle horses may cross the roads in the parks and reservations and/or highways. An operator violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a {DEL misdemeanor, DEL} {ADD civil violation, ADD} and upon conviction, shall be fined not more than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for the first offense nor more than fifty dollars ($50.00) for second or subsequent offenses.

SECTION 10. Sections 31-22-3, 31-22-3.1, 31-22-21, 31-22-25 and 31-22-26, of the General Laws in Chapter 31-22 entitled "Miscellaneous Rules" are hereby amended to read as follows:

31-22-3. Riding on motorcycles. -- (a) A person operating a motorcycle shall ride only upon the permanent and regular seat attached thereto, and the operator shall not carry any other person nor shall any other person ride on a motorcycle unless the motorcycle is designed to carry more than one person, in which event a passenger may ride upon the permanent and regular seat if designed for two (2) persons, or upon another seat firmly attached to the rear or side of the operator.

(b) In no event shall a motorcycle passenger ride in front of the operator. An operator violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a {DEL misdemeanor DEL} {ADD civil violation ADD} and upon conviction shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars ($100).

31-22-3.1. Riding on motor driven cycles -- Passengers prohibited. -- A person operating a motor driven cycle as defined in section 31-1-3(e) shall ride only upon the permanent and regular seat attached thereto, and the operator shall not carry any other person. An operator violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a {DEL misdemeanor DEL} {ADD civil violation ADD} and upon conviction shall be fined not more than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for the first offense nor more than fifty dollars ($50.00) for the second or subsequent offenses.

31-22-21. Consumption of alcoholic beverages while operating a motor vehicle -- Penalties. -- (a) Any person found in violation of operating a motor vehicle upon the public highways of this state while consuming alcoholic beverages may be fined not more than two hundred dollars ($200) or by suspension of driver's license for up to six (6) months or both.

(b) Any person found in violation of a second violation of this section may be fined not more than five hundred dollars ($500) or by suspension of driver's license for up to one year or both.

(c) The original jurisdiction of this section shall be exclusively in the {DEL administrative adjudication court DEL} {ADD traffic tribunal ADD}.

31-22-25. Approaching horses. -- Each operator of a vehicle approaching a horse on a public highway shall reduce speed, proceed with caution, or stop if necessary, to avoid endangering the equestrian or frightening or striking the horse. An operator violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a {DEL misdemeanor DEL} {ADD civil violation ADD} and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for the first offense nor more than fifty dollars ($50.00) for second or subsequent offenses.

31-22-26. Noise in vicinity of horse. -- No operator of a vehicle in the vicinity of an equestrian and horse may blow a horn, or cause loud or unusual noises, in a manner to startle or frighten the horse. An operator violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a {DEL misdemeanor DEL} {ADD civil violation ADD} and upon conviction shall be fined not more than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for the first offense nor more than fifty dollars ($50.00) for second or subsequent offenses.

SECTION 11. Sections 31-23-1, 31-23-4, 31-23-13 and 31-23-41 of the General Laws entitled "Equipment and Accessories Generally" are hereby amended to read as follows:

31-23-1. Driving of unsafe vehicle -- Disobedience of requirements. -- (a) It is a {DEL misdemeanor DEL} {ADD civil violation ADD} for any person to drive or move or for the owner to cause or knowingly permit to be driven or moved on any highway, any vehicle or combination of vehicles which is in such an unsafe condition as to endanger any person, or which does not contain those parts or is not at all times equipped with such lamps and other equipment in proper condition and adjustment as required in this chapter or chapter 24 of this title, or for any person to do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required under those chapters.

(b) For the purpose of reducing the number and severity of accidents, all commercial motor vehicles must meet applicable standards set forth in this chapter and chapter 24 of this title and in the federal motor carrier safety regulations (FMCSR) contained in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 49, parts 390-399, as amended and adopted by the U.S. department of transportation (U.S. DOT), federal highway administration (FWHA), office of motor carriers (OMC). Parts 394 of FMCSR shall not apply to intrastate operations. Part 391.11(b)(1) of FMCSR shall not apply to intrastate drivers of commercial motor vehicles except for drivers of school buses and vehicles placarded under CFR Title 49, subpart F. Rules and regulations shall be promulgated by the director of the Rhode Island department of transportation for the administration and enforcement of motor carrier safety. The rules and regulations shall be promulgated to ensure uniformity in motor carrier safety enforcement activities and to increase the likelihood that safety defects, driver deficiencies, and unsafe carrier practices will be detected and corrected.

Any carrier convicted of violating the rules and regulations established pursuant to this subsection, shall be fined not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) or more than five hundred dollars ($500) for each offense.

For the purposes of this section, "carrier" shall be defined as any company or person who furthers their commercial or private enterprise by use of a vehicle that has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of ten thousand and one (10,001) or more pounds, or that transports hazardous material.

(1) Authorized examiners, investigators, officers, or regulatory inspectors from the Rhode Island department of transportation with proper identification issued by the director of the Rhode Island department of transportation, the state police, and local law enforcement officials with proper identification certifying they are qualified motor carrier enforcement personnel trained according to paragraph (b)(5) of this section, shall have a right of entry and authority to examine all equipment of motor carriers and lessors and enter upon and perform inspections of motor carrier vehicles in operation, and shall have authority to inspect, examine, and copy all accounts, books, records, memoranda, correspondence and other documents of such motor carriers and or lessors and the documents, accounts, books, records, correspondence, and memoranda of any person controlling, controlled by, or under common control of any carrier which relate to the enforcement of this chapter.

(2) Authorized examiners, investigators, officers, or regulatory inspectors from the state police, local law enforcement officials or the Rhode Island department of transportation shall declare "out of service" any motor vehicle which, by reason of its mechanical condition or loading, is so imminently hazardous to operate as to be likely to cause an accident or a breakdown. An "out of service vehicle" sticker shall be used to mark vehicles out of service. The "out of service vehicle" sticker shall be affixed to the driver's window on power units placed out of service and, affixed to the left front corner of trailers or semitrailers placed out of service.

No person shall remove the "out of service vehicle" sticker from any motor vehicle prior to completion of all repairs required by the "out of service" notice.

Any motor vehicle discovered to be in an unsafe condition while being operated on the highway may be continued in operation only to the nearest place where repairs can be safely effected.

Operation in an unsafe condition will be conducted only if it is less hazardous to the public than to permit the vehicle to remain on the highway.

(3) A motor carrier shall not require or permit a person to operate a motor vehicle declared out of service until all the repairs required by the out of service notice are satisfactorily completed.

(4) Any person convicted of unauthorized removal or causing to be removed an "out of service vehicle" sticker shall be fined one hundred dollars ($100).

Any person convicted of operating or causing to operate an "out of service vehicle" on a public highway shall be fined one hundred dollars ($100).

(5) In order to enforce the provisions of this section, authorized examiners, investigators, officers, or regulatory inspectors must satisfactorily complete a course of instruction as prescribed by the U.S. department of transportation (U.S. DOT), federal highway administration (FHWA), office of motor carriers (OMC) in the federal motor carrier safety regulations (FMCSR) safety inspection procedures, and out of service criteria with at least annual in-service training covering the prescribed instruction.

(6) Violations of the provisions of this section shall be recorded in the commercial vehicle inspection report approved by the U.S. department of transportation (U.S. DOT), federal highway administration (FHWA), office of motor carriers (OMC), in addition to the appropriate Rhode Island state uniform summons.

(c) Any fine imposed as a result of a violation of this section shall not be subject to any additional assessments imposed pursuant to any other laws of the state of Rhode Island.

31-23-4. Brake equipment required. -- (a) Every motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, when operated upon a highway, shall be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold the vehicle, including two (2) separate means of applying the brakes, each of which means shall be effective to apply the brakes to at least two (2) wheels. If these two separate means of applying the brakes are connected in any way, they shall be so constructed that failure of any one part of the operating mechanism shall not leave the motor vehicle without brakes on at least two (2) wheels.

(b) Every motorcycle, and motor-driven cycle, when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with at least one brake, which may be operated by hand or foot, and which is adequate to control and stop the vehicle.

(c) Every trailer or semitrailer of a gross weight of four thousand pounds (4,000 lbs.) or more, when operated upon a highway, shall be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and to hold the vehicle, and so designed as to be applied by the driver of the towing motor vehicle from the driver's normal operating position, and the brakes shall be so designed and connected that in case of an accidental breakaway of the towed vehicle, the brakes shall be automatically applied.

(d) Every new motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer hereafter sold in this state and operated upon the highways shall be equipped with service brakes upon all wheels of the vehicle, except any motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, and except that any semitrailer of less than four thousand pounds (4,000 lbs.) gross weight need not be equipped with brakes.

(e) In any combination of motor-drawn vehicles, means shall be provided for applying the rearmost trailer brakes, of any trailer equipped with brakes, in approximate synchronism with the brakes on the towing vehicle and developing the required braking effort on the rearmost wheels at the fastest rate; or means shall be provided for applying braking effort first on the rearmost trailer equipped with brakes; or both of the above means capable of being used alternatively may be employed.

(f) Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer, and any combination of those vehicles, except motorcycles and motor-driven cycles, shall be equipped with parking brakes adequate to hold the vehicle on any grade on which it is operated, under all conditions of loading on a surface free from snow, ice, or loose material. The parking brakes shall be capable of being applied in conformance with the foregoing requirements by the driver's muscular effort or by spring action or by equivalent means. The operation may be assisted by the service brakes or other source of power, provided that failure of the service brake actuation system or other power assisting mechanism will not prevent the parking brakes from being applied in conformance with the foregoing requirements. The parking brakes shall be so designed that when once applied they shall remain applied with the required effectiveness, despite exhaustion of any source of energy or leakage of any kind. The same brake drums, brake shoes and lining assemblies, brake shoe anchors, and mechanical brake shoe actuation mechanism normally associated with the wheel brake assemblies may be used for both the service brakes and the parking brakes. If the means of applying the parking brakes and the service brakes are connected in any way, they shall be so constructed that failure of any one part shall not leave the vehicle without operative brakes.

(g) The brake shoes operating within or upon the drums on the vehicle wheels of any motor vehicle may be used for both service and hand operation.

(h) It shall be unlawful on or after September 1, 1967 to sell, offer for sale, or distribute brake linings for use on motor vehicles, unless they are of a type and meet specifications promulgated by the registrar for motor vehicles. The registrar is hereby authorized and empowered to adopt and amend regulations governing types and promulgate specifications of brake linings which comply with approved standards, as promulgated by the vehicle equipment safety commission, and shall establish and maintain an approved list of brake linings meeting the specifications as herein established. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a {DEL misdemeanor. DEL} {ADD civil violation. ADD}

31-23-13. Muffler. -- Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise and annoying smoke, and no person shall use a muffler cutout, bypass, or similar device upon a motor vehicle on a highway. Any exhaust system shall be deemed defective if any changes, modifications, alterations, deletions, or adjustments have been made which would thereby cause any exhaust system to generate a higher or louder sound level than would be generated by the exhaust system customarily installed by the manufacturer as original equipment. The defective exhaust system shall be replaced or repaired to restore the exhaust system to the performance specifications of the original equipment. Failure to replace or restore the exhaust system as required herein within five (5) days shall be deemed a {DEL misdemeanor. DEL} {ADD civil violation. ADD}

31-23-41. Safety belts in public service vehicles. -- Every jitney, bus, private bus, school bus, and trackless trolley coach, when operated upon a highway, shall be equipped with a driver's seat safety belt device sufficiently anchored and attached and so constructed, designed, and installed as to support a loop-load strength of not less than five thousand pounds (5,000 lbs.) and a buckle or closing device which shall be of such construction and design that it can be released with one hand with a pull of less than forty-five pounds (45 lbs.). Every person when driving any such vehicle shall use and have his or her body anchored by the seat safety belt. Violation of this section shall constitute a {DEL misdemeanor. DEL} {ADD civil violation. ADD}

SECTION 12. Section 31-23.1-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-23.1 entitled "Vehicle Equipment Safety Compact" is hereby amended to read as follows:

31-23.1-3. Supersession of other laws. -- Provisions of chapters 23 and 24 of this title shall continue to be of force and effect only until superseded by a rule, regulation, or code adopted by the general assembly pursuant to the vehicle equipment safety compact. Any such rule, regulation, or code shall specify the provision or provisions of existing statute being superseded in accordance with and as required by this chapter. The provision or provisions are hereby repealed, effective on the date when the rule, regulation or, code superseding the provision or provisions becomes effective pursuant to the vehicle equipment safety compact, and any violation of the superseding provision or provisions shall be a {DEL misdemeanor. DEL} {ADD civil violation. ADD}

SECTION 13. Sections 31-25-1 and 31-25-16 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-25 entitled "Size, Weight, and Load Limits" are hereby amended to read as follows:

31-25-1. Compliance with chapter required. -- (a) Except in reference to sections 31-25-16 and 31-25-27 where it shall be considered a violation, it is a {DEL misdemeanor DEL} {ADD civil violation ADD}for any carrier to drive or move or to cause or permit to be driven or moved on any highway any vehicle or vehicles of a size or weight exceeding the limitations stated in this chapter or otherwise in violation of this chapter, and the maximum size and weight of vehicles herein specified shall be lawful throughout this state, and local authorities shall have no power or authority to alter the limitations except as express authority may be granted in this chapter. The term carrier shall include any company or person who furthers their commercial or private enterprise by use of the vehicle.

(b) The director of the Rhode Island department of administration shall promulgate rules and regulations and requirements consistent with this chapter for the application and issuance of permits for overweight and oversize vehicles or loads.

31-25-16. Authorized weight shown in registration -- Exceeding limit. -- (a) The registrar shall insert in the registration card issued for a vehicle the gross weight for which it is registered, and if it is a truck tractor to be used for propelling semi-trailers he or she 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 registrar or permitted by the registrar or in excess of the limitations set forth in this chapter. For the purposes of this section the term "carrier" shall mean and include any company or person who furthers their commercial or private enterprise by use of the vehicle.

(b) Penalties for violations of this section will be calculated on the registered or permitted weight in comparison to the actual weight {DEL . DEL} {ADD and shall be heard and adjudicated at the traffic tribunal. ADD}

(1) The overweight penalties for vehicles with ten thousand pounds (10,000 lbs.) gross vehicle weight or less shall be forty dollars ($40.00) per thousand pounds overweight or portion thereof.

(2) The overweight penalties for vehicles exceeding ten thousand pounds (10,000 lbs.) gross vehicle weight shall be eighty dollars ($80.00) per thousand pounds overweight or portion thereof.

(3) 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 dollars ($1,000) in addition to the penalties enumerated in subsection (b)(2) hereof.

SECTION 14. Sections 31-27-13 and 31-27-16 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-27 entitled "Motor Vehicle Offenses" are hereby amended to read as follows:

{DEL 31-27-13. Misdemeanors -- Penalty. DEL} {ADD -- 31-27-13. Offense -- Penalty. ADD} --(a) It is a {DEL misdemeanor DEL} {ADD civil violation ADD} for any person to violate any of the provisions of chapters 1 to 27, inclusive, or chapter 34 of this title, unless the violation, is by the chapters or other law of this state declared to be a felony {ADD or a misdemeanor or unless the offense is punishable by a fine of more than five hundred dollars ($500) or by imprisonment ADD}.

(b) Unless another penalty is provided by {DEL the DEL} chapters {ADD 1 to 27, inclusive, or chapter 34 of this title, ADD} or by the laws of this state, every person convicted of a misdemeanor for the violation of any provision of the chapters shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500) {ADD . ADD} {DEL , or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by both such fine and imprisonment. DEL}

{ADD (c) Unless another penalty is provided by chapters 1 to 27, inclusive, or chapter 34 of this title or by the laws of this state, every person convicted of a misdemeanor violation of these chapters shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, or by both such fine and imprisonment. ADD}

31-27-16. Funeral processions. -- (a) Any person who operates a motor vehicle on any of the highways of this state in such manner as to wilfully interject a funeral cortege shall be guilty of a {DEL misdemeanor. DEL} {ADD civil violation. ADD}

(b) For the purpose of this section, a funeral cortege is defined as a procession of motor vehicles clearly identified by operating headlights, signs, flags, or other identifying devices, as participating in a funeral.

SECTION 15. Section 31-36.1-17 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-36.1 entitled "Fuel Use Reporting Law" is hereby amended to read as follows:

31-36.1-17. Penalties. -- (a) Any motor carrier failing to secure or display upon demand the license or identification device required in section 31-36.1-3, or under the International Fuel Tax Agreement shall be guilty of a {DEL misdemeanor DEL} {ADD civil violation ADD} and subject to a fine not exceeding fifty dollars ($50) for the first offense or not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100) for subsequent offenses. Any motor carrier willfully violating any other provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a {DEL misdemeanor DEL} {ADD civil violation ADD} and subject to a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100) for the first offense and not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500) for subsequent offenses.

(b) Filing of a false statement to obtain credit or refund.. - Any person who willfully and knowingly makes a false statement orally, or in writing, or in the form of a receipt for the sale of motor fuel, for the purpose of obtaining or attempting to obtain or to assist any other person, partnership, or corporation to obtain or attempt to obtain a credit or refund or reduction of liability for taxes under this chapter, shall be fined not less than five thousand dollars ($5,000) or more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or be imprisoned not more than one year or be both so fined and imprisoned.

(c) Failure to file report or pay tax.. - When any motor carrier fails to file a report within the time prescribed by this chapter for the filing thereof or fails to pay the amount of taxes due when the same are payable, a penalty of ten percent (10%) or ten dollars ($10.00), whichever is greater, shall be added to the amount of the tax due, and the penalty shall immediately accrue, and thereafter the tax shall bear interest at the annual rate provided by section 44-1-7, as amended, until the tax is paid. The tax administrator may waive all or part of the penalties provided herein, when it is proved to the tax administrator's satisfaction that the failure to file the report or pay the taxes on time was due to reasonable cause.

SECTION 16. JOINT RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE IMPACT OF BUNDLING ON THE DISTRICT COURT AND THE TRAFFIC TRIBUNAL.

RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created consisting of seven (7) members: four (4) of whom shall be from the house of representatives, not more than three (3) from the same political party to be appointed by the speaker; three (3) of whom shall be from the senate, not more than two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the majority leader.

In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a permanent advisory commission, a legislative study commission, or any commission created by a general assembly resolution, the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu of a legislator, provided that the majority leader or the minority leader of the political party which is entitled to the appointment consents to the appointment of the member of the general public.

The purpose of said commission shall be to study the impact of bundling on the district court and the traffic tribunal {ADD, and the impact of the changes made by this legislation on the prompt and efficient administration of justice involving traffic safetyADD}.

Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at the call of the speaker of the house and organize and shall select from among the legislators a chairperson. Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.

The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information, documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

The speaker of the house is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters for said commission; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the general assembly {ADD annually, beginningADD} on or before February 1, 2000 and said commission shall expire on {DELMay 1, 2000DEL} {ADDFebruary 1, 2003ADD}.

SECTION 1. This act shall take effect on July 1, 1999.