2017 -- H 5909

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LC001019

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF

     AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- RESTRICTION ON TOLLING

     Introduced By: Representatives Lima, Canario, Solomon, and Costantino

     Date Introduced: March 10, 2017

     Referred To: House Finance

     RESOLVED, That a majority of all members elected to each house of the general

assembly voting therefor, the following amendment to the Constitution of the state be proposed to

the qualified electors of the state in accordance with the provisions of Article XIV of the

Constitution for their approval, to read as follows:

ARTICLE 6

     Section 23. Restriction on tolling. No act authorizing the imposition of tolls upon

passenger vehicles being operated on any bridge or roadway, other than those subject to tolls as

of January 1, 2016, shall take effect until it has been approved by the majority of those electors

voting in a statewide referendum and by the majority of those electors voting in a referendum in

the municipality in which the proposed tolling would be allowed.

     The secretary of state shall certify the results of the statewide referendum and the local

board of canvassers of the city or town where the tolling is to be allowed shall certify the results

of the local referendum to the secretary of state.

     RESOLVED, That the said proposition of amendment shall be submitted to the electors

for their approval or rejection at the next statewide general election. The voting places in the

several cities and towns shall be kept open during the hours required by law for voting therein for

general officers of the state; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State shall cause the said proposition of amendment

to be published as a part of the resolution in the newspapers of the state prior to the date of the

said meetings of the said electors; and the said proposition shall be inserted in the warrants or

notices to be issued previous to said meetings of the electors for the purpose of warning the town,

ward, or district meetings, and said proposition shall be read by the town, ward, or district

meetings to be held as aforesaid; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the town, ward, and district meetings to be held as aforesaid shall be

warned, and the list of voters shall be canvassed and made up, and the said town, ward, and

district meetings shall be conducted in the same manner as now provided by law for the town,

ward, and district meetings for the elections of general officers of the state.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF

     AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- RESTRICTION ON TOLLING

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     This Joint Resolution would propose a Constitutional Amendment providing that any

new highway or bridge would require voter approval statewide and also in the municipalities

affected.

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LC001019

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