FrankGoortani/open-us-law huggingface dataset:
Rhode Island Const. art. 9, § 1 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 9 / Section 1
Â Power vested in governor.
Status: in_force

Section 1.Â Power vested in governor.

The chief executive power of this state shall be vested in a governor, who, together with a lieutenant governor, shall be elected by the people.
Rhode Island Const. art. 14, § 2 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 14 / Section 2
Â Constitutional conventions.
Status: in_force

### Section 2. Constitutional conventions.

The general assembly, by a vote of a majority of the members elected to each house, may at any general election submit the question, Shall there be a convention to amend or revise the Constitution? to the qualified electors of the state. If the question be not submitted to the people at some time during any period of ten years, the secretary of state shall submit it at the next general election following said period. Prior to a vote by the qualified electors on the holding of a convention, the general assembly, or the governor if the general assembly fails to act, shall provide for a bi-partisan preparatory commission to assemble information on constitutional questions for the electors. If a majority of the electors voting at such election on said question shall vote to hold a convention, the general assembly at its next session shall provide by law for the election of delegates to such convention. The number of delegates shall be equal to the number of members of the house of representatives and shall be apportioned in the same manner as the members of the house of representatives. No revision or amendment of this Constitution agreed upon by such convention shall take effect until the same has been submitted to the electors and approved by a majority of those voting thereon.
Rhode Island Const. art. 2, § 2 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 2 / Section 2
Nomination of candidates â€” Voter registration â€” Absentee voting â€” Conduct of elections â€” Residency.
Status: in_force

### Section 2. Nomination of candidates â€” Voter registration â€” Absentee voting â€” Conduct of elections â€” Residency.

The general assembly shall provide by law for the nomination of candidates; for a uniform system of permanent registration of voters; for the exemption from such registration of persons in the active service of the nation and their families absent from the state because of such service, and, in time of war, members of the Merchant Marine; for absentee and shut in voting; for the time, manner and place of conducting elections; for the prevention of abuse, corruption and fraud in voting; and may define by law residence for voting purposes, but no person shall acquire such residence merely by being stationed or assigned in this state in the active service of the United Â States.
Rhode Island Const. art. 6, § 20 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 6 / Section 20
Â Local off-street parking facilities.
Status: in_force

### Section 20.Â Local off-street parking facilities.

The general assembly may authorize cities and towns to acquire property by eminent domain, or otherwise for the establishment and construction of off-street parking facilities and to maintain and operate or lease the same. Without limiting the generalities of the foregoing, any of the powers or authorities consistent with the provisions of this article for the provision of off-street parking now vested in public bodies by law, shall continue in existence and may be exercised by said public bodies, except as such powers and authorities may be modified, or repealed by the general assembly.
Rhode Island Const. art. 15, § 4 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 15 / Section 4
Implementing legislation for Article III, Sections 7 and 8, and Article IV, Section 10.
Status: in_force

### Section 4. Implementing legislation for Article III, Sections 7 and 8, and Article IV, Section 10.

On or before June 1, 1988, the general assembly shall adopt implementing legislation for Article III, Sections 7 and 8, and for Article IV, Section 10.

# Constitution of the state of utah
Rhode Island Const. art. 13, § 2 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 13 / Section 2
Â Local legislative powers.
Status: in_force

### Section 2.Â Local legislative powers.

Every city and town shall have the power at any time to adopt a charter, amend its charter, enact and amend local laws relating to its property, affairs and government not inconsistent with this Constitution and laws enacted by the general assembly in conformity with the powers reserved to the general assembly.
Rhode Island Const. art. 6, § 9 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 6 / Section 9
Â Adjournment of houses.
Status: in_force

### Section 9.Â Adjournment of houses.

Neither house shall, during a session, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than two days, nor to any other place than that in which it may be sitting.
Rhode Island Const. art. 1, § 16 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 1 / Section 16
Compensation for taking of private property for public use â€” Regulation of fishery rights and shore privileges not public taking.
Status: in_force

### Section 16. Compensation for taking of private property for public use â€” Regulation of fishery rights and shore privileges not public taking.

Private property shall not be taken for public uses, without just compensation. The powers of the state and of its municipalities to regulate and control the use of land and waters in the furtherance of the preservation, regeneration, and restoration of the natural environment, and in furtherance of the protection of the rights of the people to enjoy and freely exercise the rights of fishery and the privileges of the shore, as those rights and duties are set forth in Section 17, shall be an exercise of the police powers of the state, shall be liberally construed, and shall not be deemed to be a public use of private Â property.
Rhode Island Const. art. 9, § 15 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 9 / Section 15
Â State budget.
Status: in_force

### Section 15.Â State budget.

The governor shall prepare and present to the general assembly an annual, consolidated operating and capital improvement state budget.
Rhode Island Const. art. 3, § 8 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 3 / Section 8
Â Ethics commission â€” Code of ethics.
Status: in_force

### Section 8.Â Ethics commission â€” Code of ethics.

The general assembly shall establish an independent non-partisan ethics commission which shall adopt a code of ethics including, but not limited to, provisions on conflicts of interest, confidential information, use of position, contracts with government agencies and financial disclosure. The assent of two-thirds (2/3) of the members appointed shall be required for the adoption for every rule or regulation. All elected and appointed officials and employees of state and local government, of boards, commissions and agencies shall be subject to the code of ethics. The ethics commission shall have the authority to investigate alleged violations of the code of ethics, including acts otherwise protected by Article VI, Section 5, and to impose penalties, as provided by law. Any sanction issued against any party by the ethics commission shall be appealable to the judicial branch as provided by law. The commission shall have the power to remove from office officials who are not otherwise subject to impeachment, or expulsion as provided by Article VI, Section 7.
Rhode Island Const. art. 7, § 2 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 7 / Section 2
Â Officers â€” Presiding member during organization.
Status: in_force

### Section 2.Â Officers â€” Presiding member during organization.

The house of representatives shall have authority to elect its speaker, clerks, and other officers. The senior member from the City of Newport, if any be present, shall preside in the organization of the house.
Rhode Island Const. art. 1, § 4 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 1 / Section 4
Â Slavery prohibited.
Status: in_force

### Section 4.Â Slavery prohibited.

Slavery shall not be permitted in this state.
Rhode Island Const. art. 3, § 6 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 3 / Section 6
Holding of offices under other governments â€” Senators and representatives not to hold other appointed offices under state government.
Status: in_force

### Section 6. Holding of offices under other governments â€” Senators and representatives not to hold other appointed offices under state government.

No person holding any office under the government of the United States, or of any other state or country, shall act as a general officer or as a member of the general assembly, unless at the time of taking such engagement that person shall have resigned the office under such government; and if any general officer, senator, representative, or judge shall, after election and engagement, accept any appointment under any other government, the office under this shall be immediately vacated; but this restriction shall not apply to any person appointed to take deposition or acknowledgment of deeds, or other legal instruments, by the authority of any other state or Â country.

No senator or representative shall, during the time for which he or she was elected, be appointed to any state office, board, commission or other state or quasi-public entity exercising executive power under the laws of this state, and no person holding any executive office or serving as a member of any board, commission or other state or quasi-public entity exercising executive power under the laws of this state shall be a member of the senate or the house of representatives during his or her continuance in such office.
Rhode Island Const. art. 6, § 22 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 6 / Section 22
Â Restriction of gambling.
Status: in_force

### Section 22.Â Restriction of gambling.

No act expanding the types or locations of gambling which are permitted within the state or within any city or town therein or expanding municipalities in which a particular form of gambling is authorized 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 said referendum in the municipality in which the proposed gambling would be allowed and, having been so approved in said referendum in any city or town on or after November 4, 2014, the location where the gambling is permitted in any city or town shall not be changed within said city or town without approval of the majority of those electors voting on said proposed change in a referendum in said city or town.

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 gambling is to be allowed shall certify the results of the local referendum to the secretary of state.
Rhode Island Const. art. 6, § 4 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 6 / Section 4
Restriction on general assembly membersâ€™ activities as counsel.
Status: in_force

### Section 4. Restriction on general assembly members activities as counsel.

No member of the general assembly shall take any fee, or be of counsel in any case pending before either house of the general assembly, under penalty of forfeiture of seat, upon proof thereof to the satisfaction of the house in which the member sits.
Rhode Island Const. art. 1, § 2 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 1 / Section 2
Laws for good of whole â€” Burdens to be equally distributed â€” Due process â€” Equal protection â€” Discrimination â€” No right to abortion granted.
Status: in_force

### Section 2. Laws for good of whole â€” Burdens to be equally distributed â€” Due process â€” Equal protection â€” Discrimination â€” No right to abortion granted.

All free governments are instituted for the protection, safety, and happiness of the people. All laws, therefore, should be made for the good of the whole; and the burdens of the state ought to be fairly distributed among its citizens. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied equal protection of the laws. No otherwise qualified person shall, solely by reason of race, gender or handicap be subject to discrimination by the state, its agents or any person or entity doing business with the state. Nothing in this section shall be construed to grant or secure any right relating to abortion or the funding thereof.
Rhode Island Const. art. 15, § 2 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 15 / Section 2
Validity of bonds, debts, contracts, suits, actions, and rights of actions continued.
Status: in_force

### Section 2. Validity of bonds, debts, contracts, suits, actions, and rights of actions continued.

The validity of all public and private bonds, debts and contracts, and of all suits, actions, and rights of action, shall continue as if no change had taken place.
Rhode Island Const. art. 9, § 16 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 9 / Section 16
Limitation on state spending.
Status: in_force

### Section 16. Limitation on state spending.

 (a) No appropriation, supplemental appropriation or budget act shall cause the aggregate state general revenue appropriations enacted in any given fiscal year to exceed ninety-seven percent (97%) of the estimated state general revenues for such fiscal year from all sources, including estimated unencumbered general revenues to the new fiscal year remaining at the end of the previous fiscal year. Estimated unencumbered general revenues are calculated by taking the estimated general revenue cash balance at the end of the fiscal year less estimated revenue anticipation bonds or notes, estimated general revenue encumbrances, estimated continuing general revenue appropriations and the amount of the budget reserve account at the end of said fiscal year.

 (b) The amount between the applicable percentage in (a) and one hundred percent (100%) of the estimated state general revenue for any fiscal year as estimated in accordance with subsection (a) of this section shall be appropriated in any given fiscal year into the budget reserve account; provided, however, that no such payment will be made which would increase the total of the budget reserve account to more than five percent (5%) of only the estimated state general revenues as set by subsection (a) of this section. In the event that the payment to be made into the budget reserve account would increase the amount in said account to more than five percent (5%) of estimated state general revenues that said amount shall be transferred to the Rhode Island Capital Plan fund to be used solely for funding capital projects.

 (c) Within forty-five (45) days after the close of any fiscal year, all unencumbered general revenue in the year end surplus account from the said fiscal year shall be transferred to the general fund.
Rhode Island Const. art. 6, § 21 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 6 / Section 21
Â Emergency powers in case of enemy attack.
Status: in_force

### Section 21.Â Emergency powers in case of enemy attack.

The general assembly, in order to insure continuity of state and local governmental operations, including the judicial functions, in periods of emergency resulting from disasters caused by enemy attack, shall have the power and the immediate duty to provide for prompt and temporary succession to the powers and duties of public offices, of whatever nature and whether filled by election or appointment, the incumbents of which may become unavailable for carrying on the powers and duties of such offices, to enact legislation permitting the convening of the general assembly at any place within or without the State of Rhode Island, and to adopt such other measures as may be necessary and proper for insuring the continuity of governmental operations during the period of said emergency. Any law enacted under this section shall apply to all cities and towns regardless of their form of charter. During said period of emergency the general assembly shall have the power to incur state debts exceeding the limitation set forth in Sections 16 and 17 of this article. The powers granted and the laws enacted under this section shall not be effective after two years following the inception of an enemy attack.
Rhode Island Const. art. 10, § 4 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 10 / Section 4
Â State court judges â€” Judicial selection.
Status: in_force

### Section 4. State court judges  Judicial selection.

The governor shall fill any vacancy of any justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court by nominating, on the basis of merit, a person from a list submitted by an independent non-partisan judicial nominating commission, and by and with the advice and consent of the senate, and by and with the separate advice and consent of the house of representatives, shall appoint said person as a justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court. The governor shall fill any vacancy of any judge of the Rhode Island Superior Court, Family Court, District, Workers Compensation Court, Administrative Adjudication Court, or any other state court which the general assembly may from time to time establish by nominating on the basis of merit, a person from a list submitted by the aforesaid judicial nominating commission, and by and with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint said person to the court where the vacancy occurs. The powers, duties, and composition of the judicial nominating commission shall be defined by statute.
Rhode Island Const. art. 15, § 1 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 15 / Section 1
Rights and duties of public bodies unaffected â€” Continuation of laws, ordinances, regulations and rules.
Status: in_force

### Section 1. Rights and duties of public bodies unaffected â€” Continuation of laws, ordinances, regulations and rules.

The rights and duties of all public bodies shall remain as if this Constitution had not been adopted with the exception of such changes as are contained in this Constitution. All laws, ordinances, regulations and rules of court not contrary to, or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Constitution shall remain in force, until they shall expire by their own limitation or shall be altered or repealed pursuant to this Constitution.
Rhode Island Const. art. 9, § 2 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 9 / Section 2
Â Faithful execution of laws.
Status: in_force

### Section 2.Â Faithful execution of laws.

The governor shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed.
Rhode Island Const. art. 10, § 1 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 10 / Section 1
Â Power vested in court.
Status: in_force

### Section 1.Â Power vested in court.

The judicial power of this state shall be vested in one supreme court,

and in such inferior courts as the general assembly may, from time to time, ordain and establish.
Rhode Island Const. art. 7, § 1 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 7 / Section 1
Composition.
Status: in_force

### Section 1. Composition.

There shall be one hundred (100) members of the house of representatives, provided, however, that commencing in 2003 there shall be seventy-five (75) members of the house of representatives. The house of representatives shall be constituted on the basis of population and the representative districts shall be as nearly equal in population and as compact in territory as possible. The general assembly shall, after any new census taken by authority of the United States, reapportion the representation to conform to the Constitution of the state and the Constitution of the United States.
Rhode Island Const. art. 1, § 10 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 1 / Section 10
Â Rights of accused persons in criminal proceedings.
Status: in_force

### Section 10.Â Rights of accused persons in criminal proceedings.

In all criminal prosecutions, accused persons shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury; to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation, to be confronted with the witnesses against them, to have compulsory process for obtaining them in their favor, to have the assistance of counsel in their defense, and shall be at liberty to speak for themselves; nor shall they be deprived of life, liberty, or property, unless by the judgment of their peers, or the law of the land.
Rhode Island Const. art. 1, § 12 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 1 / Section 12
Ex post facto laws â€” Laws impairing obligation of contract.
Status: in_force

### Section 12. Ex post facto laws â€” Laws impairing obligation of contract.

No ex post facto law, or law impairing the obligation of contracts, shall be passed.
Rhode Island Const. art. 1, § 14 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 1 / Section 14
Presumption of innocence â€” Securing accused persons.
Status: in_force

### Section 14. Presumption of innocence â€” Securing accused persons.

Every person being presumed innocent, until pronounced guilty by the law, no act of severity which is not necessary to secure an accused person shall be permitted.
Rhode Island Const. art. 9, § 6 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 9 / Section 6
Â Adjournment of general assembly.
Status: in_force

### Section 6.Â Adjournment of general assembly.

In case of disagreement between the two houses of the general assembly, respecting the time or place of adjournment, certified by either, the governor may adjourn them to such time and place as the governor shall think proper; provided, that the time of adjournment shall not be extended beyond the day of the next stated Â session.
Rhode Island Const. art. 6, § 12 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 6 / Section 12
Â Property valuations for tax assessments.
Status: in_force

### Section 12.Â Property valuations for tax assessments.

The general assembly shall, from time to time, provide for making new valuations of property, for the assessment of taxes, in such manner as it may deem best.
Rhode Island Const. art. 12, § 2 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 12 / Section 2
Â Perpetual school fund.
Status: in_force

### Section 2.Â Perpetual school fund.

The money which now is or which may hereafter be appropriated by law for the establishment of a permanent fund for the support of public schools, shall be securely invested and remain a perpetual fund for that purpose.
Rhode Island Const. art. 9, § 14 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 9 / Section 14
Veto power of governor â€” Veto overrides by general assembly â€” Acts effective without action by governor.
Status: in_force

### Section 14. Veto power of governor  Veto overrides by general assembly  Acts effective without action by governor.

Every bill, resolution, or vote (except such as relate to adjournment, the organization or conduct of either or both houses of the general assembly, and resolutions proposing amendment to the Constitution) which shall have passed both houses of the general assembly shall be presented to the governor. If the governor approve it the governor shall sign it, and thereupon it shall become operative, but if the governor does not approve it the governor shall return it, accompanied by the governors objections in writing to the house in which it originated, which shall enter the governors objections in full upon its journal and proceed to reconsider it. If, after such reconsideration, three-fifths of the members present and voting in that house shall vote to pass the measure, it shall be sent with the objections, to the other house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by three-fifths of the members present and voting in that house, it shall become operative in the same manner as if the governor had approved it, but in such cases the votes of both houses shall be determined by ayes and nays and the names of the members voting for and against the measure shall be entered upon the journal of each house, respectively. If the measure shall not be returned by the governor within six days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to the governor the same shall become operative unless the general assembly, by adjournment, prevents its return, in which case it shall become operative unless transmitted by the governor to the secretary of state, with the governors disapproval in writing within ten days after such adjournment.