Title 47
Weights and Measures

Chapter 2
Produce Scales in Markets

R.I. Gen. Laws § 47-2-7

§ 47-2-7. Fees and compensation of sealer — Condemnation of incorrect scales or balances.

(a) The sealer of weights and measures, in any town or city, shall receive the same fee as any state sealer appointed by the state and no less than a fee of twenty-five cents (25¢) for every weight, wine, or dry measure, sealed by him or her at his or her office; the sealer shall receive a fee of twenty-five cents (25¢) for every yardstick or yard measure sealed by him or her; for sealing every spring balance of a capacity less than one hundred pounds (100 lbs.) the sealer shall receive a fee of two dollars ($2.00), for every spring balance of a capacity of one hundred (100) and less than five hundred pounds (500 lbs.), three dollars ($3.00); for every platform scale of a capacity of five thousand pounds (5,000 lbs.) or more, five dollars ($5.00); for every balance of a capacity of less than five thousand pounds (5,000 lbs.), two dollars ($2.00); for every steel yard of a capacity of fifty pounds (50 lbs.) or less, one dollar ($1.00); and for every steel yard of a capacity over fifty pounds (50 lbs.), two dollars ($2.00); every scale or balance used for weighing people shall be tested, and if found correct shall be sealed, by the sealer, and he or she shall receive a fee of two dollars ($2.00) for each and every scale or balance so sealed. If any of the scales or balances are found to be incorrect, then they shall be condemned and their use forbidden as hereinbefore provided. For proving and sealing coal and wood baskets, he or she shall receive a fee of fifty cents (50¢) each, and for every charcoal basket so sealed, sixty cents (60¢); he or she shall also have a reasonable compensation for all repairs, alterations, and adjustments that it may be necessary for the sealer to make, made by him or her, and for the expenses incurred in visiting any place, as provided for in § 47-2-5. These fees and compensation shall be paid to the sealer by the person owning or using the weights, measures, or balances so adjusted and sealed. Every person violating the provisions of this section shall be fined not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100) for each offense, one-half (½) thereof to go to the town or city and one-half (½) to the complainant. All the fees received by any sealer of weights and measures of any town or city shall be retained by him or her as compensation for his or her services except as hereinafter provided. Any town or city council may, at any time by ordinance, fix an annual salary for the sealer of weights and measures of the town or city, and in that case the fees received by him or her shall be paid over by him or her to the town or city treasurer, at the time or times prescribed by any ordinance of the town or city.

(b)(1) For every spring balance or balance scale of a capacity of less than ten pounds (10 lbs.), he or she shall receive a fee of five dollars ($5.00); for every spring balance or balance scale of a capacity of more than ten pounds (10 lbs.) and less than one hundred pounds (100 lbs.), he or she shall receive a fee of six dollars ($6.00); for every spring balance, balance scale, or platform scale of a capacity of more than one hundred pounds (100 lbs.) and less than one thousand pounds (1,000 lbs.), he or she shall receive a fee of ten dollars ($10.00).

(2) If any of the scales or balances are found to be incorrect, they shall be condemned and their use forbidden as hereinbefore provided.

History of Section.
G.L. 1896, ch. 167, § 14; G.L. 1909, ch. 194, § 14; G.L. 1923, ch. 221, § 14; G.L. 1938, ch. 407, § 13; G.L. 1956, § 47-2-7; P.L. 1970, ch. 267, § 1; P.L. 1980, ch. 192, § 1; P.L. 1984, ch. 252, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 450, § 1; P.L. 2018, ch. 211, § 1; P.L. 2018, ch. 272, § 1.