2023 -- H 5525

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LC000908

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- GOVERNOR'S WORKFORCE

BOARD RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Sanchez, Potter, Morales, Giraldo, Messier, Cardillo,
Perez, Speakman, McNamara, and Hull

     Date Introduced: February 10, 2023

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. The general assembly makes the following findings of fact:

     (1) Public transportation to include the services provided by the Rhode Island Public

Transportation Authority (RIPTA) are essential to the economy and welfare of the state's

population.

     (2) A shortage of qualified RIPTA drivers adversely impacts on the ability of RIPTA to

provide critical and essential services to the public.

     (3) It is in the paramount interest of the state and the public that comprehensive measures

are implemented to increase the number of qualified drivers employed by RIPTA.

     SECTION 2. Chapter 42-102 of the General Laws entitled "Governor’s Workforce Board

Rhode Island" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     42-102-14. Public transportation driver's program.

     (a) The workforce board, after consultation with the Rhode Island public transit authority

and the division of motor vehicles, shall formulate a program to assist RIPTA in hiring and retaining

additional drivers to ensure adequate driver personnel are employed to provide public

transportation services.

     (b) As part of the program formulated pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of this

section, the board, the department of labor and training and RIPTA shall coordinate and conduct

an outreach program targeting various communities represented in the state to facilitate a diverse

and robust applicant pool for program participation.

     (c) The department of labor and training shall provide any necessary specialized instruction

to assist applicants for positions as public transportation drivers, specifically providing them with

resources and information to successfully obtain employment with RIPTA.

     (d) The board shall issue to program participants a certificate of participation which may

be utilized to waive all fees otherwise required pursuant to § 31-10.3-20. The waiver of fees shall

be applicable for all fees necessary for the participant to acquire employment as a public

transportation driver.

     (e) In order to implement the provisions of this section, the board is authorized to

promulgate rules and regulations in consultation with RIPTA.

     SECTION 3. Section 31-10.3-20 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-10.3 entitled "Rhode

Island Uniform Commercial Driver’s License Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     31-10.3-20. Fees.

     (a) The fees charged for commercial licenses, endorsements, classifications, restrictions,

and required examinations shall be as follows:

     (1) For every commercial operator’s first license, thirty dollars ($30.00);

     (2) For every renewal of a commercial license, fifty dollars ($50.00);

     (3) For every duplicate commercial license, ten dollars ($10.00);

     (4) For every duplicate commercial learner’s permit, ten dollars ($10.00);

     (5) For any change of:

     (i) Classification(s), ten dollars ($10.00);

     (ii) Endorsement(s), ten dollars ($10.00);

     (iii) Restriction(s), ten dollars ($10.00);

     (6) For every written and/or oral examination, ten dollars ($10.00);

     (7) For the division of motor vehicles to administer the skill test, one hundred dollars

($100);

     (8) For every commercial learner’s permit, sixty dollars ($60.00).

     (9) [Deleted by P.L. 2019, ch. 49, § 1 and P.L. 2019, ch. 75, § 1].

     (b) The fees provided in subsection (a) of this section shall be waived for applicants

providing a certificate of participation pursuant to the provisions of § 42-102-14.

     SECTION 4. 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 -- GOVERNOR'S WORKFORCE

BOARD RHODE ISLAND

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     This act would provide initiatives by a program formulated by the Governor's Workforce Board

for Rhode Island Public Transit Authority to encourages applicants for bus drivers. Such initiatives

would waive the CDL fee, provide specialized training for applicants, and create outreach for a

diverse pool of applicants.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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