2017 -- S 0949 SUBSTITUTE A

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LC002809/SUB A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

     Introduced By: Senators DiPalma, Seveney, Felag, and Coyne

     Date Introduced: June 08, 2017

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 31-3 of the General Laws entitled "Registration of Vehicles" is

hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     31-3-6.3. Unpaid out-of-state toll amounts, administrative fees, and fines - Denial of

registration - Denial of transfer of registration - Denial of renewal of registration and

licenses.

     (a) Upon receipt of a request from another state or other entity with similar tolling

authority with which the Rhode Island turnpike and bridge authority has entered into an

agreement providing for the reciprocal treatment of out-of-state toll violators to take action

against a toll violator, the Rhode Island turnpike and bridge authority shall conduct an

independent review of each toll violation that forms the basis for such request, which shall

include a review of photographic, video, or other visual evidence, to determine that the requesting

state or other entity with similar tolling authority imposed any toll amounts, administrative fees,

and/or fines against the actual registered owner of the motor vehicle.

     (b) As part of its independent review, the Rhode Island turnpike and bridge authority

shall provide written notice to the registered owner of the motor vehicle in question. The

registered owner shall have ten (10) days from the date on the written notice to contact the Rhode

Island turnpike and bridge authority and to provide information, documentation and any other

evidence contesting the requested action against the out-of-state toll violator. Thereafter, the

Rhode Island turnpike and bridge authority shall consider all of the information, documentation

and any other evidence provided as part of its independent review.

     (c) If after its independent review the Rhode Island turnpike and bridge authority is

satisfied that any toll amounts, administrative fees, and/or fines are properly imposed against the

actual registered owner of the motor vehicle and the registered owner could be subject to

reporting to the division of motor vehicles pursuant to §24-12-37 if such toll violations had

occurred on tolled projects in this state, the Rhode Island turnpike and bridge authority may

report the registered owner to the division of motor vehicles.

     (d) The division of motor vehicles shall not renew any operator's license or registration

upon expiration thereof, register any motor vehicle or transfer the registration of any motor

vehicle of any person reported to it pursuant to subsection (c) of this section until any toll

amounts, administrative fees, and/or fines owed to the other state or other entity with similar

tolling authority have been paid in full or the person has entered into, and is in current compliance

with, a repayment agreement with respect to any amounts owed. The Rhode Island turnpike and

bridge authority shall provide a copy of any notification received from the other state or other

entity with similar tolling authority regarding full payment of amounts owed or the existence of a

repayment agreement to the division of motor vehicles within five (5) business days of receipt.

Within five (5) business days of receiving such notification, the division of motor vehicles shall

renew the person's license and renew, transfer, or issue the person's registration.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on April 1, 2018.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

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     This act would subject toll violators of out-of-state tolled projects to license and

registration denial under certain circumstances.

     This act would take effect on April 1, 2018.

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