2016 -- S 2556

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LC004925

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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 STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE RHODE ISLAND BRIDGE

REPLACEMENT, RECONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE FUND

     Introduced By: Senators Cote, Jabour, Pagliarini, Algiere, and Satchell

     Date Introduced: February 25, 2016

     Referred To: Senate Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 42-13.1-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-13.1 entitled "Rhode

Island Bridge Replacement, Reconstruction and Maintenance Fund" is hereby amended to read as

follows:

     42-13.1-4. Authority to collect tolls on large commercial trucks only. -- (a) The

department is hereby authorized to fix, revise, charge, and collect tolls for the privilege of

traveling on Rhode Island bridges to provide for replacement, reconstruction, maintenance and

operation of Rhode Island bridges. The tolls shall be fixed after conducting a cost-benefit analysis

and providing an opportunity for public comment. Provided, further, that both the toll rates and

the locations of tolling facilities proposed by the department shall require general assembly

approval prior to the collection of any tolls or the construction of any tolling facilities. Such

approval shall be provided only through a legislative act of the general assembly. The tolls shall

be collected on large commercial trucks only and shall not be collected on any other vehicle;

provided, however, no vehicle shall be tolled other than a tractor or truck tractor as defined in 23

CFR 658.5, pulling a trailer or trailers. No act authorizing tolls on passenger vehicles pursuant to

this chapter shall take effect until it has been approved by the majority of those electors voting in

a statewide referendum. The secretary of state shall certify the results of the statewide

referendum. Tolls on large commercial trucks may be implemented utilizing all-electric toll

collection methodologies on a cash-less basis, or utilizing any other methodologies determined by

the department.

     (b) Subject to §42-13.1-14, the department will establish a program to limit the

assessment of the tolls upon the same individual large commercial truck using a RFID to once per

toll facility, per day in each direction, or an equivalent frequency use program based upon

individual large commercial truck use.

     (c) Subject to §42-13.1-14, the total amount of tolls imposed upon the same individual

large commercial truck using a RFID for making a border-to-border through trip on Route 95

Connecticut to Route 95 Massachusetts, or the reverse, shall not exceed twenty dollars ($20.00).

     (d) Subject to §42-13.1-14, the daily maximum amount of the tolls collected upon the

same individual large commercial truck using a RFID shall not exceed forty dollars ($40.00).

     (e) Tolls shall not be subject to supervision or regulation by any commission, board,

bureau, agency, or official of the state or any municipality or other political subdivision of the

state except the department.

     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 STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE RHODE ISLAND BRIDGE

REPLACEMENT, RECONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE FUND

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     This act would require that toll rates and the location of tolling facilities would require

general assembly approval prior to the collection of any tolls or the construction of any tolling

facilities. Such approval would be provided only through a legislative act of the general assembly.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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