2014 -- H 7507

========

LC003678

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES

     Introduced By: Representative Spencer E.Dickinson

     Date Introduced: February 13, 2014

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 45-6-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-6 entitled "Ordinances"

is hereby amended to read as follows:

     45-6-6. Offenses punishable by state law. – (a) No ordinance or regulation, made by a

city or town council, shall impose or at any time be construed to continue to impose, any penalty

for the commission or omission of any act punishable as a crime, misdemeanor, or offense, by the

statute law statutory laws of the state.

     (b) No ordinance or regulation, made by a city or town council, shall be established

which exceeds the authority imposed by any statutory law of the state, and any ordinance or

regulation made by a city or town council must be consistent with the statutory laws of the state.

     (c) Any person aggrieved by acts constituting a violation of this section may bring a civil

action in the superior court for the judicial district where the violation occurred for relief

including a temporary or permanent injunction and double the amount of actual damages. In

addition to any other relief, the court may, in its discretion, award costs and reasonable attorney's

fees.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC003678

========

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES

***

     This act would prohibit a municipality from establishing an ordinance which exceeds the

authority of an existing state law.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC003678

========

LC003678 - Page 2 of 2