FrankGoortani/open-us-law huggingface dataset:
Rhode Island Const. art. 1, § 19 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 1 / Section 19
Â Quartering of soldiers.
Status: in_force

### Section 19.Â Quartering of soldiers.

No soldier shall be quartered in any house in time of peace, without the consent of the owner; nor, in time of war, but in manner to be prescribed by law.
Rhode Island Const. art. 6, § 18 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 6 / Section 18
Â Redevelopment powers.
Status: in_force

### Section 18.Â Redevelopment powers.

The clearance, replanning, redevelopment, rehabilitation and improvement of blighted and substandard areas shall be a public use and purpose for which the power of eminent domain may be exercised, tax moneys and other public funds expended and public credit pledged. The general assembly may authorize cities, towns, or local redevelopment agencies to undertake and carry out projects approved by the local legislative body for such uses and purposes including the acquisition in such areas of such properties as the local legislative body may deem necessary or proper to effectuate any of the purposes of this article, although temporarily not required for such purposes, and the sale or other disposition of any such properties to private persons for private uses or to public bodies for public Â uses.
Rhode Island Const. art. 8, § 2 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 8 / Section 2
Lieutenant governor to be presiding officer until 2003.
Status: in_force

### Section 2. Lieutenant governor to be presiding officer until 2003.

The lieutenant governor shall preside in the senate and in grand committee until 2003. Commencing in 2003, the senate shall elect its president, who shall preside in the senate and in grand committee, as well as its secretary and other officers from among its members and shall elect its clerks. The senior member from the city of Newport, if any be present, shall preside in the organization of the senate.
Rhode Island Const. art. 6, § 16 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 6 / Section 16
Â Borrowing power of general assembly.
Status: in_force

### Section 16.Â Borrowing power of general assembly.

The general assembly shall have no powers, without the express consent of the people, to incur state debts to an amount exceeding fifty thousand dollars, except in time of war, or in case of insurrection or invasion; nor shall it in any case, without such consent, pledge the faith of the state for the payment of the obligations of others. This section shall not be construed to refer to any money that may be deposited with the state by the government of the United States.
Rhode Island Const. art. 4, § 10 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 4 / Section 10
Limitations on campaign contributions â€” Public financing of campaign expenditures of general officers.
Status: in_force

### Section 10. Limitations on campaign contributions â€” Public financing of campaign expenditures of general officers.

The general assembly shall adopt limitations on all contributions to candidates for election to state and local office in any primary, general or special election and shall provide for the adoption of a plan of voluntary public financing and limitations on total campaign expenditures of campaigns for governor and such other general officers as the general assembly shall specify.
Rhode Island Const. art. 9, § 8 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 9 / Section 8
Commissions.
Status: in_force

### Section 8. Commissions.

All commissions shall be in the name and by authority of the State of Rhode Island ; shall be sealed with the state seal, signed by the governor, and attested by the secretary.
Rhode Island Const. art. 3, § 3 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 3 / Section 3
Â Oath of general officers.
Status: in_force

### Section 3.Â Oath of general officers.

All general officers shall take the following engagement before they act in their respective offices, to wit: You being by the free vote of the electors of this state of Rhode Island , elected unto the place of do solemnly swear (or, affirm) to be true and faithful unto this state, and to support the Constitution of this state and of the United States; that you will faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties of your aforesaid office to the best of your abilities, according to law: So help you God. [Or: This affirmation you make and give upon the peril of the penalty of perjury.]
Rhode Island Const. art. 1, § 3 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 1 / Section 3
Â Freedom of religion.
Status: in_force

### Section 3. Freedom of religion.

Whereas Almighty God hath created the mind free; and all attempts to influence it by temporal punishments or burdens, or by civil incapacitations, tend to beget habits of hypocrisy and meanness; and whereas a principal object of our venerable ancestors, in their migration to this country and their settlement of this state, was, as they expressed it, to hold forth a lively experiment that a flourishing civil state may stand and be best maintained with full liberty in religious concernments; we, therefore, declare that no person shall be compelled to frequent or to support any religious worship, place, or ministry

whatever, except in fulfillment of such persons voluntary contract; nor enforced, restrained, molested, or burdened in body or goods; nor disqualified from holding any office; nor otherwise suffer on account of such persons religious belief; and that every person shall be free to worship God according to the dictates of such persons conscience, and to profess and by argument to maintain such persons opinion in matters of religion; and that the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect the civil capacity of any  person.
Rhode Island Const. art. 1, § 5 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 1 / Section 5
Entitlement to remedies for injuries and wrongs â€” Right to justice.
Status: in_force

### Section 5. Entitlement to remedies for injuries and wrongs  Right to justice.

Every person within this state ought to find a certain remedy, by having recourse to the laws, for all injuries or wrongs which may be received in ones person, property, or character. Every person ought to obtain right and justice freely, and without purchase, completely and without denial; promptly and without delay; conformably to the laws.
Rhode Island Const. art. 8, § 1 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 8 / Section 1
Composition.
Status: in_force

### Section 1. Composition.

The senate shall consist of the lieutenant governor and fifty (50) members from the senatorial districts in the state, provided, however, that commencing in 2003 the senate shall consist of thirty-eight (38) members from the senatorial districts in the state. The senate shall be constituted on the basis of population and the senatorial 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. 4, § 6 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 4 / Section 6
Elections in grand committee â€” Majority vote â€” Term of elected official.
Status: in_force

### Section 6. Elections in grand committee â€” Majority vote â€” Term of elected official.

In elections by the general assembly in grand committee the person receiving a majority of the votes shall be elected. Every person elected by the general assembly to fill a vacancy, or pursuant to Section 3 of this article, shall hold office for the remainder of the term or for the full term, as the case may be, and until a successor is elected and qualified.
Rhode Island Const. art. 9, § 3 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 9 / Section 3
Captain general and commander in chief of military and navy.
Status: in_force

### Section 3. Captain general and commander in chief of military and navy.

The governor shall be captain general and commander in chief of the military and naval forces of this state, except when they shall be called into the service of the United States.
Rhode Island Const. art. 13, § 7 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 13 / Section 7
Â Adoption of charters.
Status: in_force

### Section 7.Â Adoption of charters.

Within one year from the date of the election of the charter commission the charter framed by the commission shall be submitted to the legislativeÂ bodyÂ ofÂ theÂ cityÂ orÂ townÂ whichÂ bodyÂ shallÂ provideÂ Â for publication of said charter and shall provide for the submission of said charter to the electors of a city or town qualified to vote for general state officers at the general election next succeeding thirty days from the date of the submission of the charter by the charter commission. If said charter is approved by a majority of said electors voting thereon, it shall become effective upon the date fixed therein.
Rhode Island Const. art. 6, § 2 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 6 / Section 2
Power vested in general assembly â€” Concurrence of houses required to enact laws â€” Style of laws.
Status: in_force

### Section 2. Power vested in general assembly â€” Concurrence of houses required to enact laws â€” Style of laws.

The legislative power, under this Constitution, shall be vested in two houses, the one to be called the senate, the other the house of representatives; and both together the general assembly. The concurrence of the two houses shall be necessary to the enactment of laws. The style of their laws shall be, It is enacted by the general assembly as follows:
Rhode Island Const. art. 6, § 5 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 6 / Section 5
Â Immunities of general assembly members.
Status: in_force

### Section 5.Â Immunities of general assembly members.

The persons of all members of the general assembly shall be exempt from arrest and their estates from attachment in any civil action, during the session of the general assembly, and two days before the commencement and two days after the termination thereof, and all process served contrary hereto shall be void. For any speech in debate in either house, no member shall be questioned in any other place, except by the ethics commission as set forth in Article III, Section 8.
Rhode Island Const. art. 9, § 7 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 9 / Section 7
Convening of special sessions of the general assembly.
Status: in_force

### Section 7. Convening of special sessions of the general assembly.

The governor may, on extraordinary occasions, convene the general assembly at any town or city in this state, at any time not provided for by law; and in case of danger from the prevalence of epidemic or contagious disease, in the place in which the general assembly is by law to meet, or to which it may have been adjourned, or for other urgent reasons, the governor may by proclamation convene said assembly at any other place within this state.
Rhode Island Const. art. 11, § 3 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 11 / Section 3
Officers subject to impeachment â€” Grounds and effect of conviction.
Status: in_force

### Section 3. Officers subject to impeachment â€” Grounds and effect of conviction.

The governor and all other executive and judicial officers shall be liable to impeachment. The governor or any other executive officer shall be removed from office if, upon impeachment, such officer shall be found incapacitated or guilty of the commission of a felony or crime of moral turpitude, misfeasance or malfeasance in office. Judges shall be removed if, upon impeachment, they shall be found incapacitated or guilty of the commission of a felony or crime of moral turpitude, misfeasance or malfeasance in office or violation of the canons of judicial ethics. Judgment of incapacity or guilt in a case of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from office. The person convicted shall, nevertheless, be liable to indictment, trial and punishment, according to laws.
Rhode Island Const. art. 5, § 0 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 5 / Section 0
OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF POWERS
Status: in_force

## ARTICLE V

OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF POWERS

The powers of the government shall be distributed into three separate and distinct departments: the legislative, executive and judicial.
Rhode Island Const. art. 4, § 9 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 4 / Section 9
Â Reports of campaign contributions and expenses.
Status: in_force

### Section 9.Â Reports of campaign contributions and expenses.

The general assembly shall require each candidate for general office in any primary, general or special election to report to the secretary of state all contributions and expenditures made by any person to or on behalf of such candidate, provided however, that the general assembly may limit such disclosure to contributions or expenditures in excess of such an amount as the general assembly shall specify.
Rhode Island Const. art. 9, § 10 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 9 / Section 10
Vacancies in both offices of governor and lieutenant governor.
Status: in_force

### Section 10. Vacancies in both offices of governor and lieutenant governor.

If the offices of governor and lieutenant governor be both vacant by reason of death, resignation, impeachment, or inability to serve, the speaker of the house of representatives shall in like manner fill the office of governor during such vacancy.
Rhode Island Const. art. 11, § 2 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 11 / Section 2
Â Trial of impeachments.
Status: in_force

### Section 2.Â Trial of impeachments.

All impeachments shall be tried by the senate; and when sitting for that purpose, they shall be under oath or affirmation. No person shall be convicted except by vote of two-thirds of the members elected. When the governor is impeached, the chief or presiding justice of the supreme court, for the time being, shall preside, with a casting vote in all preliminary questions.
Rhode Island Const. art. 12, § 1 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 12 / Section 1
Duty of general assembly to promote schools and libraries.
Status: in_force

### Section 1. Duty of general assembly to promote schools and libraries.

The diffusion of knowledge, as well as of virtue among the people, being essential to the preservation of their rights and liberties, it shall be the duty of the general assembly to promote public schools and public libraries, and to adopt all means which it may deem necessary and proper to secure to the people the advantages and opportunities of education and public library services.
Rhode Island Const. art. 6, § 6 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 6 / Section 6
Election and qualification of general assembly Â members â€” Quorum and organization of houses.
Status: in_force

### Section 6. Election and qualification of general assembly Â members â€” Quorum and organization of houses.

Each house shall be the judge of the elections and qualifications of its members; and a majority shall constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may compel the attendance of absent members in such manner, and under such penalties, as may be prescribed by such house or by law. The organization of the two houses may be regulated by law, subject to the limitations contained in this Constitution.
Rhode Island Const. art. 1, § 13 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 1 / Section 13
Self-crimination.
Status: in_force

### Section 13. Self-crimination.

No person in a court of common law shall be compelled to give self-criminating evidence.
Rhode Island Const. art. 4, § 2 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 4 / Section 2
Â Election by plurality.
Status: in_force

### Section 2.Â Election by plurality.

In all elections held by the people for state, city, town, ward or district officers, the person or candidate receiving the largest number of votes cast shall be declared elected.
Rhode Island Const. art. 6, § 13 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 6 / Section 13
Â Continuance in office until successors qualify.
Status: in_force

### Section 13.Â Continuance in office until successors qualify.

The general assembly may provide by law for the continuance in office of any officers of election or appointment, until other persons are qualified to take their places.
Rhode Island Const. art. 1, § 22 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 1 / Section 22
Â Right to bear arms.
Status: in_force

### Section 22.Â Right to bear arms.

The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
Rhode Island Const. art. 1, § 17 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 1 / Section 17
Fishery rights â€” Shore privileges â€” Preservation of natural resources.
Status: in_force

### Section 17. Fishery rights â€” Shore privileges â€” Preservation of natural resources.

The people shall continue to enjoy and freely exercise all the rights of fishery, and the privileges of the shore, to which they have been heretofore entitled under the charter and usages of this state, including but not limited to fishing from the shore, the gathering of seaweed, leaving the shore to swim in the sea and passage along the shore; and they shall be secure in their rights to the use and enjoyment of the natural resources of the state with due regard for the preservation of their values; and it shall be the duty of the general assembly to provide for the conservation of the air, land, water, plant, animal, mineral and other natural resources of the state, and to adopt all means necessary and proper by law to protect the natural environment of the people of the state by providing adequate resource planning for the control and regulation of the use of the natural resources of the state and for the preservation, regeneration and restoration of the natural environment of the state.
Rhode Island Const. art. 6, § 19 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 6 / Section 19
Taking of property for highways, streets, places, parks or parkways.
Status: in_force

### Section 19. Taking of property for highways, streets, places, parks or parkways.

The general assembly may authorize the acquiring or taking in fee by the state, or by any cities or towns, of more land and property than is needed for actual construction in the establishing, laying out, widening, extending or relocating of public highways, streets, places, parks or parkways; provided, however, that the additional land and property so authorized to be acquired or taken shall be no more in extent than would be sufficient to form suitable building sites abutting on such public highway, street, place, park or parkway. After so much of the land and property has been appropriated for such public highway, street, place, park or parkway as is needed therefor, the remainder may be held and improved for any public purpose or purposes, or may be sold or leased for value with or without suitable restrictions, and in case of any such sale or lease, the person or persons from whom such remain- der was taken shall have the first right to purchase or lease the same upon such terms as the state or city or town is willing to sell or lease the same.
Rhode Island Const. art. 9, § 13 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 9 / Section 13
Pardons.
Status: in_force

### Section 13. Pardons.

The governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, shall hereafter exclusively exercise the pardoning power, except in cases of impeachment, to the same extent as such power is now exercised by the general assembly.
Rhode Island Const. art. 15, § 3 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 15 / Section 3
Â Continuation of office holders.
Status: in_force

### Section 3.Â Continuation of office holders.

All officers filling any office by election or appointment shall continue the duties thereof, until the end of the terms to which they were appointed or elected, and until their offices shall have been abolished or their successors elected and qualified in accordance with this Constitution or laws enacted pursuant thereto.
Rhode Island Const. art. 6, § 14 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 6 / Section 14
Â General corporation laws.
Status: in_force

### Section 14.Â General corporation laws.

The general assembly may provide by general law for the creation and control of corporations; provided, however, that no corporation shall be created with the power to exercise the right of eminent domain, or to acquire franchises in the streets and highways of towns and cities, except by special act of the general assembly upon a petition for the same, the pendency whereof shall be notified as may be required by law.
Rhode Island Const. art. 3, § 1 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 3 / Section 1
Â Qualified electors.
Status: in_force

### Section 1.Â Qualified electors.

No person shall hold any civil office unless that person be a qualified elector for such office.
Rhode Island Const. art. 13, § 1 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 13 / Section 1
Â Intent of article.
Status: in_force

### Section 1.Â Intent of article.

It is the intention of this article to grant and confirm to the people of every city and town in this state the right of self Â government in all local matters.
Rhode Island Const. art. 13, § 9 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 13 / Section 9
Filing of charter petitions to bicameral legislative bodies.
Status: in_force

### Section 9. Filing of charter petitions to bicameral legislative bodies.

Whenever the legislative body of any city or town consists of more than one branch, a petition for the adoption of a charter as provided in this article may be filed with either branch of said legislative body.
Rhode Island Const. art. 10, § 7 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 10 / Section 7
Â Wardens and justices of the peace.
Status: in_force

### Section 7.Â Wardens and justices of the peace.

The towns of New Shoreham and Jamestown may continue to elect their wardens as heretofore. The other towns and the city of Providence may elect such number of justices of the peace, resident therein, as they may deem proper. The jurisdiction of said justices and wardens shall be regulated by law. The justices shall be commissioned by the governor.
Rhode Island Const. art. 3, § 7 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 3 / Section 7
Â Ethical conduct.
Status: in_force

### Section 7.Â Ethical conduct.

The people of the State of Rhode Island believe that public officials and employees must adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct, respect the public trust and the rights of all persons, be open, accountable and responsive, avoid the appearance of impropriety and not use their position for private gain or advantage. Such persons shall hold their positions during good behavior.
Rhode Island Const. art. 1, § 18 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 1 / Section 18
Subordination of military to civil authority â€” Martial law.
Status: in_force

### Section 18. Subordination of military to civil authority â€” Martial law.

The military shall be held in strict subordination to the civil authority. And the law martial shall be used and exercised in such cases only as occasion shall necessarily require.
Rhode Island Const. art. 12, § 4 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 12 / Section 4
Implementation of article â€” Diversion of funds prohibited.
Status: in_force

### Section 4. Implementation of article â€” Diversion of funds prohibited.

The general assembly shall make all necessary provisions by law for carrying this article into effect. It shall not divert said money or fund from the aforesaid uses, nor borrow, appropriate, or use the same, or any part thereof, for any other purpose, under any pretence whatsoever.
Rhode Island Const. art. 1, § 20 — Rhode Island Constitution / Article 1 / Section 20
Â Freedom of press.
Status: in_force

### Section 20.Â Freedom of press.

The liberty of the press being essential to the security of freedom in a state, any person may publish sentiments on any subject, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty; and in all trials for libel, both civil and criminal, the truth, unless published from malicious motives, shall be sufficient defense to the person charged.