Chapter 340
2017 -- S 0949 SUBSTITUTE A
Enacted 09/28/2017

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

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 ยง24-12-37 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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LC002809/SUB A
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