2016 -- H 7561

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LC004793

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- THE RHODE ISLAND BRIDGE AND TURNPIKE

AUTHORITY--TOLL EVADERS

     Introduced By: Representatives Edwards, Carson, Abney, Canario, and Ruggiero

     Date Introduced: February 11, 2016

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 24-12-37.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 24-12 entitled "Rhode

Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority" is hereby repealed.

     24-12-37.1. Additional penalties -- Toll evaders. -- (a) Any toll evader who fails or

refuses to pay or prepay the required toll, and such violation may be evidenced by video or

photograph, shall be required to pay a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500) and shall

pay the toll amount due and an administrative fee of six dollars ($6.00) or may have his or her

driver's license suspended for up to six (6) months for the violation, or both. A toll evader under

this subsection shall receive a traffic violation summons which shall be subject to the jurisdiction

of the Traffic Tribunal. The administrative fee and toll amount due under this subsection shall be

remitted to the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority.

      (b) "Toll Evader" means, for the purposes of this section, any person who: (1) Uses any

project and fails or refuses to pay the required toll; (2) Does not accept an unpaid toll invoice

from the authority upon entering the toll plaza area or uses the project without obtaining an

unpaid toll invoice prior to using the project; and (3) Whose actions can be reasonably construed

as a deliberate attempt to avoid paying the toll.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- THE RHODE ISLAND BRIDGE AND TURNPIKE

AUTHORITY--TOLL EVADERS

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     This act would repeal the law providing for additional penalties for toll evaders on Rhode

Island bridges and turnpikes.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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