R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-12-5.2 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-12 / Section 45-12-5.2
§ 45-12-5.2. Issuance of refunding bonds to pay outstanding bonds.
Status: in_force

(a) Any city, town or political subdivision of this state may issue refunding bonds in order to pay all or any designated part of an issue of outstanding bonds, including principal, redemption premium, if any, interest on the outstanding bonds coming due on or prior to the date on which those bonds are to be redeemed, and the costs of issuing the refunding bonds.

(b) No bonds shall be issued under this section, however, more than six (6) months prior to the date on which the outstanding bonds are to be redeemed, unless the proceedings authorizing the refunding bonds include or incorporate specific findings to the effect that the refunding will result in a financial benefit to the political subdivision.

(c) Refunding bonds shall be authorized by ordinance or resolution of the town council or city council. The proceedings authorizing the issue of refunding bonds shall contain a general description of the bonds which are to be refunded.

(d) Notwithstanding any provision of any municipal charter to the contrary, refunding bonds may be sold at public or private sale, and may provide for annual or more frequent equal, diminishing, or increasing installments of principal and deferral of the first installment of principal. In all other respects, refunding bonds shall be payable not later than the last date that could have been the final maturity date of the bonds being refunded.

(e) The proceeds of refunding bonds, exclusive of costs of issuance any premium and accrued interest shall, upon their receipt, be paid immediately to the paying agent for the bonds which are to be refunded, and that paying agent shall hold those proceeds in trust until they are applied to refund bonds. While the proceeds are held in trust they may be invested for the benefit of the issuer in obligations of the United States of America, the state of Rhode Island, or its political subdivisions.

(f) Between the authorization of refunding bonds and the use of their proceeds to refund bonds, the refunding bonds shall not be deemed debts of the issuer in determining its borrowing capacity for any purpose. Upon the use of the proceeds of refunding bonds, the refunding bonds shall be treated as debt of the issuer for the purposes and to the same extent as the refunded bonds were so treated.

(g) As used in this section, bonds includes notes, including notes in anticipation of bonds.

(h) The powers conferred by this section and the preceding section are in addition to and not in substitution for, or diminution of, any other powers conferred, cities, towns and other on political subdivisions of this state.

(i) Refunding bonds may be issued under this section by any city, town or other political subdivision without obtaining the approval of its electors, notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 45-12-19 and 45-12-20 and notwithstanding any provision of its charter to the contrary. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary of any special law authorizing the issuance of bonds by a city, town or other political subdivision, any notes in anticipation of bonds issued or to be issued under that law may be refunded prior to the maturity of the notes by the issuance, in accordance with this section, of additional notes; provided, that no refunding results in an aggregate amount of notes outstanding under a special law at any one time in excess of two hundred percent (200%) of the amount of bonds authorized but not yet issued under the special law. The officers authorized to issue the original notes being refunded are authorized, without any additional proceedings by the local legislative body, to issue the refunding notes in accordance with this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-19-4.2 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-19 / Section 45-19-4.2
§ 45-19-4.2. Tuition to police officers disabled as a result of service.
Status: in_force

(a) If an active member of the police force of a city or town becomes totally and permanently disabled from injuries received while in the performance of his or her duty as a member, or if any member of the police force of a city or town becomes totally and permanently disabled from injuries received while in the performance of his or her duty, there shall be paid out of the general fund of the state of Rhode Island the charges for the tuition of the totally and permanently disabled police officer. The benefits are extended to members who are attending or may attend the university of Rhode Island, Rhode Island college, or any other college or university operated by the state; provided, that the aid granted in this section is available for the period of time that may equal the normal time for completing the courses regularly offered by the institution, but in no case more than four (4) years.

(b) For the purpose of this section the words police officer mean and include any member of the state police or the police of any city or town regularly employed at a fixed salary or wage. Furthermore, this excludes auxiliary and volunteer police officers of city, town, or state police.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-50-27 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-50 / Section 45-50-27
§ 45-50-27. Transfer of project to governmental body.
Status: in_force

When all bonds issued under the provisions of the chapter for each specific project and its interest have been paid, or a sufficient amount for the payment of all the bonds and their interest to the maturity of the bonds have been set aside in trust for the benefit of the bondholders, that specific project financed under the provisions of this chapter may be transferred to the municipality leasing the project on terms and conditions and for consideration that the authority determines. If the authority is dissolved all funds of the authority not required for the payment of bonds shall be paid to the treasurer of the municipality in which the authority is established for the use of the municipality, and all property belonging to the authority shall be vested in the municipality and delivered to it. No part of the net earnings of the authority shall be distributable to, or inure to the benefit of, any private person.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-6-7 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-6 / Section 45-6-7
§ 45-6-7. Publication of ordinances.
Status: in_force

All ordinances, bylaws and regulations shall be printed and published in any manner that the town or city council directs; provided, that the city or town clerk delivers at least one copy of all ordinances including all amendments to those ordinances to the state law library and the state library within ten (10) days after being printed or published.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-3-24 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-3 / Section 45-3-24
§ 45-3-24. Application to voting machine meetings.
Status: in_force

The provisions of §§ 45-3-14  45-3-23, govern elective meetings held in accordance with the provisions of chapter 19 of title 17, if and so far as they are applicable, and not inconsistent with the provisions of chapter 19 of title 17.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-21-60 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-21 / Section 45-21-60
§ 45-21-60. Pensioners and beneficiaries of Plan No. 3023  Town of North Kingstown.
Status: in_force

(a) All municipal retirees of the town of North Kingstown and the beneficiaries of municipal retirees of the town of North Kingstown are given a one-time percentage increase to their original retirement benefit in multiples of two percent (2%) as follows up to a maximum of twenty percent (20%).

(b) The additional percentage is incorporated into the recipients monthly benefit retroactive to July 1, 1990.

(c) The provisions of this section are not applicable to any employees who retired under the provisions of chapter 21.2 of this title.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-9-6 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-9 / Section 45-9-6
§ 45-9-6. Composition of budget commission.
Status: reserved

(a) If a budget commission is established under §§45-9-5 or 45-12-22.7, it shall consist of five (5) members: three (3) of whom shall be designees of the director of revenue; one of whom shall be the elected chief executive officer of the city; and one of whom shall be a council member of the town or city elected to serve on the budget commission as chosen by a majority vote of said town or city council. In cities or towns in which the elected chief executive officer for purposes of this chapter is the president of the city or town council, one member shall be the appointed city or town manager or town administrator (or, if none, the city or town chief financial officer) as the fifth member. For a fire district, it shall consist of five (5) members: three (3) of the members of the budget commission shall be designees of the director of revenue; one shall be the chairperson of the districts governing body; and one shall be the fire chief of the district. The budget commission shall act by a majority vote of all its members. The budget commission shall initiate and ensure the implementation of appropriate measures to secure the financial stability of the city, town, or fire district. The budget commission shall continue in existence until the director of revenue abolishes it.

The budget commission shall be subject to chapter 2 of title 36, Access to Public Records, and chapter 14 of title 36, Code of Ethics. The budget commission shall be subject to chapter 46 of title 42 Open Meetings when meeting to take action on the following matters:

(1) Levy and assessment of taxes;

(2) Rulemaking or suspension of rules;

(3) Adoption of a municipal or fire district budget;

(4) Approval of collective bargaining agreements and amendments to collective bargaining agreements; and

(5) Making a determination under §45-9-7 that the powers of the budget commission are insufficient to restore fiscal stability to the city, town, or fire district.

(b) Action by the budget commission under this chapter shall constitute action by the city, town, or fire district for all purposes under the general laws, under any special law, and under the city, town, or fire district charter.

(c) Until the budget commission ceases to exist, no appropriation, borrowing authorization, transfer, or other municipal or fire district spending authority, shall take effect until approved by the budget commission. The budget commission shall approve all appropriations, borrowing authorizations, transfers, and other municipal or fire district spending authorizations, in whole or part.

(d) In addition to the authority and powers conferred elsewhere in this chapter, and notwithstanding any city, town, or fire district charter provision, or local ordinance, or rule or regulation to the contrary, the budget commission shall have the power to:

(1) Amend, formulate, and execute the annual municipal or fire district budget and supplemental municipal or fire district budgets of the city, town, or fire district, including the establishment, increase, or decrease of any appropriations and spending authority for all departments, budget commissions, committees, agencies or other units of the city, town, or fire district; provided, however, that notwithstanding §§16-2-9 and 16-2-18, this clause shall fully apply to the school department and all school spending purposes;

(2) Implement and maintain uniform budget guidelines and procedures for all departments;

(3) Amend, formulate and execute capital budgets, including amending any borrowing authorization, or financing or refinancing of any debt in accordance with the law;

(4) Amortize operational deficits in an amount as the director of revenue approves and for a term not longer than five (5) years;

(5) Develop and maintain a uniform system for all financial planning and operations in all departments, offices, boards, commissions, committees, agencies, or other units of the citys, towns, or fire districts government;

(6) Review and approve or disapprove all proposed contracts for goods or services;

(7) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, establish, increase, or decrease any fee, rate, or charge, for any service, license, permit, or other municipal or fire district activity, otherwise within the authority of the city, town, or fire district;

(8) Appoint, remove, supervise, and control all city, town, or fire district employees and have control over all personnel matters other than disciplinary matters; provided, that the budget commission shall hold all existing powers to hire and fire and set the terms and conditions of employment held by other employees or officers of the city, town, or fire district; provided, further, that the budget commission shall have the authority to exercise all powers otherwise available to a municipality or fire district regarding contractual obligations during a fiscal emergency; provided, further, that no city, town, or fire district employee or officer shall hire, fire, transfer, or alter the compensation or benefits of a city, town, or fire district employee except with the written approval of the budget commission; and provided, further, that the budget commission may delegate or otherwise assign these powers with the approval of the director of revenue;

(9) Alter or eliminate the compensation and/or benefits of elected officials of the city, town, or fire district to reflect the fiscal emergency and changes in the responsibilities of the officials as provided by this chapter;

(10) Employ, retain, and supervise such managerial, professional, and clerical staff as are necessary to carry out its responsibilities; provided, however, that such employment, retention and supervisory decisions are subject to the approval of the director of revenue; provided, further, that the budget commission shall not be subject to chapter 2 of title 37 or chapter 55 of title 45 in employing such staff; provided, further, that the budget commission, with the approval of the director of revenue, shall have authority to set the compensation, terms, and conditions of employment of its own staff; provided, further, that the city, town, or fire district shall annually appropriate amounts sufficient for the compensation of personnel hired under this clause as determined and fixed by the budget commission; provided, further, that, if the city, town, or fire district fails to appropriate such amounts, the director of revenue shall direct the general treasurer to deduct the necessary funds from the citys, towns, or fire districts distribution of state aid and shall expend those funds directly for the benefit of the budget commission;

(11) Reorganize, consolidate, or abolish departments, commissions, authorities, boards, offices, or functions of the city, town, or fire district, in whole or in part, and to establish such new departments, commissions, authorities, boards, offices, or functions as it deems necessary, and to transfer the duties, powers, functions and appropriations of one department, commission, board, office, or other unit to another department, commission, authority, board, or office, and in connection therewith, remove and appoint new members for any such commission, authority, board, or department which appointees shall serve the remainder of any unexpired term of their predecessor;

(12) Appoint, in consultation with the director of revenue, persons to fill vacancies on any authority, board, committee, department, or office;

(13) Sell, lease, or otherwise transfer, real property and other assets of the city, town, or fire district with the approval of the director of revenue;

(14) Purchase, lease, or otherwise acquire, property or other assets on behalf of the city, town, or fire district with the approval of the director of revenue;

(15) Enter into contracts, including, but not limited to, contracts with other governmental entities, and such other governmental entities are hereby authorized to enter into such contracts;

(16) Adopt rules and regulations governing the operation and administration of the city, town, or fire district that permit the budget commission to effectively carry out this chapter under §42-35-3(b);

(17) Alter or rescind any action or decision of any municipal or fire district officer, employee, board, authority, or commission within fourteen (14) days after receipt of notice of such action or decision;

(18) Suspend, in consultation with the director of revenue, any rules and regulations of the city, town, or fire district;

(19) Notwithstanding any other general law, special act, charter provision, or ordinance, and in conformity with the reserved powers of the general assembly pursuant to Article XIII, section 5 of the constitution of the state, a budget commission is authorized to issue bonds, notes, or certificates of indebtedness to fund the deficit of a city, town, or fire district without regard to §45-12-22.4, to fund cash flow and to finance capital projects. Bonds, notes, or certificates of indebtedness issued under authority of this chapter shall be general obligation bonds backed by the full faith and credit and taxing power of the city, town, or fire district; provided, however, that the budget commission may pledge future distributions of state aid for the purpose of retiring such bonds, notes, or certificates of indebtedness. If any state aid is so pledged, the budget commission shall execute on behalf of the city, town, or fire district a trust agreement with a corporate trustee, which may be any bank or trust company having the powers of a trust company within the state, and any state aid so pledged shall be paid by the general treasurer directly to the trustee to be held in trust and applied to the payment of principal and interest on such bonds, notes, or certificates of indebtedness; any earnings derived from the investment of such pledged aid shall be applied as needed to the payment of that principal and interest and for trustees fees and related expenses, with any excess to be paid to the city, town, or fire district. Bonds, notes, or certificates of indebtedness authorized under authority of this chapter shall be executed on behalf of the city, town, or fire district by a member of the commission and, except as provided for in this chapter, may be subject to the provisions of chapter 12 of title 45 so far as apt, or may be subject to the provisions of any special bond act enacted authorizing the issuance of bonds of a city, town, or fire district so far as apt; provided, however, that any bonds or notes issued for school purposes must be approved by the general assembly in order to qualify for school housing aid as set forth in chapter 7 of title 16; and

(20) Exercise all powers under the general laws and this chapter, or any special act, any charter provision or ordinance that any elected official of the city, town, or fire district may exercise, acting separately or jointly; provided, however, that with respect to any such exercise of powers by the budget commission, the elected officials shall not rescind nor take any action contrary to such action by the budget commission so long as the budget commission continues to exist.

(21) Certify to the Rhode Island department of revenue the need to advance payments of the states basic education program under chapter 7 of title 16 in the amount determined by the budget commission. Said amount shall be advanced, subject to approval of the director of the department of revenue, notwithstanding any general or public law to the contrary. The director of the department of revenue shall provide notice of any advance payments to the fiscal advisors of the house and senate finance committees. The state general treasurer shall deduct the estimated cost to the states general fund resulting from any advance payments.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-54-4 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-54 / Section 45-54-4
§ 45-54-4. Resolution conclusive as to capacity of corporation.
Status: in_force

In any suit, action, or proceeding involving the validity or enforcement of, or relating to, any contract by, or on behalf of, a corporation, the corporation is exclusively deemed to be established and authorized to transact business and exercise its powers upon proof of the adoption of a resolution by the city or town council declaring the need for the corporation to function.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-54-9 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-54 / Section 45-54-9
§ 45-54-9. Eminent domain proceedings.
Status: in_force

(a) The corporation has the right to acquire any land, or any interest in it, including development rights, by the exercise of the power of eminent domain, whenever it is determined by the corporation that the acquisition of the land, or interest, is necessary for the construction or the operation of any project.

(b) The power of eminent domain shall be exercised only within the boundaries of the city or town whose council established the corporation.

(c) The necessity for acquisition is conclusively presumed upon the adoption by the corporation of a resolution declaring that the acquisition of the land, or interest in it, described in the resolution is necessary for the construction or operation of any project. Within six (6) months thereafter, the corporation shall cause to be filed, in the land evidence records of the city or town in which the land is located, a copy of the resolution of the corporation, together with a plat of the land, or interest in it described, and a statement signed by the chairperson of the corporation, that the land, or interest in it, is taken pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. Thereupon, the corporation shall file, in the superior court in and for the county in which the land, or interest in it, lies, a statement of the sum of money estimated by the corporation to be just compensation for the land taken.

(d) Upon filing of the copy of the resolution, plat, and statement in the land evidence records of the city or town, the filing, in the superior court, of the statement, and the depositing in the superior court, to the use of the person entitled to it, of such a sum as the court determines to be amply sufficient to satisfy the claims of all persons interested in the land (and the court may, in its discretion, take evidence on the question to determine the sum to be deposited), title to the land, or interest in it, shall vest in the corporation in fee simple absolute and the corporation thereupon may take possession of the land, or interest in it.

(e) No sum so paid into the court shall be charged with clerks fees of any nature. After the filing of the copy, plat, and statement, notice of the taking of the land, or interest in it, shall be served upon the owners of and persons having an estate in and interest in the land by the sheriff or the sheriffs deputies of the county in which the land, or interest in it, lies, leaving a true and attested copy of the description and statement with each of the persons personally, or at their last and usual place of abode in this state with some person living there, and in case any of the persons are absent from this state and have no last and usual place of abode in this state occupied by any person, the copy shall be left with the persons, if any, in charge of or having possession of the land, or interest in it, taken of the absent persons if the persons are known to the officer; and after the filing of the resolution, plat, and statement, the secretary of the corporation shall cause a copy of the resolution and statement to be published in some newspaper published or having general circulation in the county where the land, or interest in it, may be located, at least once a week for three (3) successive weeks. If any persons agree with the corporation for the price of land, or interest in it, so taken, the court, upon the application of the parties in interest, may order that the sum agreed upon be paid immediately from the money deposited, as the just compensation to be awarded in the proceeding.

(f) Any owner of or person entitled to any estate in or interest in any part of the land, or interest in it, so taken, who cannot agree with the corporation for the price of the land, or interest in it, so taken, in which he or she is interested, may, within three (3) months after personal notice of the taking, or, if he or she has no personal notice, within one year from the first publication of the copy of the resolution and statement, apply, by petition, to the superior court in and for the county in which the land, or interest in it, lies, setting forth the taking of his or her land or interest in it, and praying for an assessment of damages by a jury. Upon the filing of the petition, the court shall cause twenty (20)days notice of the pendency of the petition to be given to the corporation with a certified copy, and may proceed after the notice to the trial; and the trial shall determine all questions of fact relating to the value of the land, or interest in it, and the amount and judgment shall be entered upon the verdict of the jury and execution shall be issued against the money so deposited in court and in default against any other property of the corporation. In case two (2) or more conflicting petitioners make claim to the same land, or to any interests in it, or to different interests in the same parcel of land, the court, upon motion, shall consolidate their several petitions for trial at the same time by the same jury, and may frame all necessary issues for the trial; and all proceedings taken pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall take precedence over all other civil matters then pending before the court, or if the superior court, in and for the county in which the land, or interest in it, lies, is not in session in that county, then the proceedings may be heard in the superior court for the counties of Providence and Bristol.

(g) If any lands, or interests in them, in which any minor, or other person not capable in law to act in his or her own behalf, is interested are taken by the corporation under the provisions of this chapter, the superior court, upon the filing of any petition by or in behalf of the minor or other person, may appoint a guardian ad litem for the minor or other person, and the guardian may appear and be heard in behalf of the minor or other person, and the guardian may also, with the advice and consent of the superior court and upon those terms that the superior court may prescribe, release to the corporation all claims for damages for the lands of the minor or other persons, or for any interest in them. Any lawfully appointed, qualified, and acting guardian or other fiduciary of the estate of any minor or other person, with the approval of the court of probate within this state having jurisdiction to authorize the sale of lands and properties within this state of any minor or other person, may, before the filing of any petition, agree with the corporation upon the amount of damages suffered by the minor or other person by any taking of his or her lands or of his or her interests in any lands, and may, upon receiving that amount, release to the corporation all claims of damages of the minor or other person for the taking.

(h) Whenever, from time to time, the corporation has satisfied the court that the amount deposited with the court is greater than is amply sufficient to satisfy the claims of all persons interested in the land, the court may order that the amount of any excess, including any interest or increment on any sums so deposited, shall be repaid to the corporation. Whenever the corporation has satisfied the court that the claims of all persons interested in the land taken have been satisfied, the unexpended balance, including any interest or increment on any sums so deposited, shall immediately be paid to the corporation.

(i) In any proceedings for the assessment of compensation and damages for land or interest in it taken or to be taken by eminent domain by the corporation, the following provision is applicable: At any time during the pendency of any action or proceeding, the corporation or an owner may apply to the court for an order directing an owner or the corporation, as the case may be, to show cause why further proceedings should not be expedited, and the court may upon that application make an order requiring that the hearings proceed and that any other steps be taken with all possible expedition.

(j) If any of the land, or interest therein, is devoted to a public use, it may be acquired, and the taking is effective, provided that no land, or interest in it, belonging to a public utilities administrator or other officer or tribunal having regulatory power over a public utility is taken. Any land, or interest in it, already acquired by the corporation may nevertheless be included within the taking for the purpose of acquiring any outstanding interests in the land.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-25-18.12 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-25 / Section 45-25-18.12
§ 45-25-18.12. Housing for people who are elderly  Criminal records check.
Status: in_force

Every housing authority or any housing for people who are elderly subsidized by the federal government shall, as part of the application process for prospective tenants of housing for people who are elderly projects, request that the division of criminal identification in the department of the attorney general conduct a criminal records investigation of the prospective tenant. This request shall be made immediately prior to the final approval of the application. The division of criminal identification shall not assess a fee for providing the service.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-2-62.1 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-2 / Section 45-2-62.1
§ 45-2-62.1. Town of Portsmouth  Municipal court  Municipal housing court.
Status: in_force

(a) The town council of the town of Portsmouth may establish a municipal court and confer upon that court original jurisdiction, notwithstanding any other provisions of the general laws, to hear and determine causes involving the violation of any ordinance; provided, however, that any defendant found guilty of any offense, excluding violations outlined in subsection (b) of this section, may, within seven (7) days of conviction, file an appeal from the conviction to the superior court and be entitled in the latter court to a trial de novo.

(b) The town council of the town of Portsmouth may establish a municipal housing court and confer upon the court original jurisdiction, notwithstanding any other provisions of the general laws, to hear and determine causes involving the violation of the zoning ordinances of the town and any violation of the provisions of chapter 24 of this title (Rhode Island zoning enabling act of 1991); any violation of chapter 24.1 of this title (historical zoning act); any violation of chapter 24.2 of this title (minimum housing standards act); any violation of chapter 24.3 of this title (housing maintenance and occupancy code); any violation of chapter 23 of this title (subdivision and land development act); any violation of any local Portsmouth ordinance or regulation enacted pursuant to these chapters; and any violation of the provisions of chapter 27.3 of title 23 (Rhode Island state building code); and any violation of the provisions of those regulations promulgated by the state building code commission entitled SBC-1 Rhode Island state building code; SBC-2 Rhode Island state one- and two-family (2) dwelling code; SBC-3 Rhode Island state plumbing code; SBC-4 Rhode Island state mechanical code; SBC-5 Rhode Island state electrical code; SBC-6 state property maintenance code; SBC-8 Rhode Island state energy conservation code; and SBC-20 Rhode Island state fuel and gas code; and provided, further, that any party aggrieved by a final judgment, decree, or order of the Portsmouth housing court may, within twenty (20) days after entry of this judgment, decree, or order, file an appeal to the superior court and be entitled in the latter court to a trial de novo.

(c) With respect to violations falling under the jurisdiction of the Portsmouth housing court, as outlined in subsection (b) of this section, the town council may also confer upon the housing court, in furtherance of the courts jurisdiction, the power to proceed according to equity:

(1) To restrain, prevent, enjoin, abate, or correct a violation;

(2) To order the repair, vacation, or demolition of any dwelling existing in violation;

(3) To otherwise compel compliance with all of the provisions of those ordinances, regulations, and statutes; and

(4) To order a dwelling into receivership and to order the removal of any cloud on the title to the building or property that shall be binding upon all those claiming by, through, under, or by virtue of any inferior liens or encumbrances pursuant to chapter 44 of title 34.

(d) The municipal court shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the Rhode Island traffic tribunal to hear and adjudicate those violations conferred upon the municipal court and enumerated in § 8-18-3. Adjudication of summons by the municipal court shall be in conformance with § 8-18-4. The municipal court shall hear and decide traffic matters in a manner consistent with the procedures of the traffic tribunal, and subject to review by the chief magistrate of the traffic tribunal in accordance with § 8-18-11. Any person desiring to appeal from an adverse decision of the municipal court for violations enumerated in § 8-18-3, may seek review thereof pursuant to the procedures set forth in § 31-41.1-8.

(e) The town council of the town of Portsmouth is authorized and empowered to appoint a judge and clerk of the municipal court. The town council of the town of Portsmouth is also authorized to appoint a judge and clerk of the housing court, who may be, but is not required to be, the same person(s) holding the judgeship over the municipal court. The town council is authorized and empowered to enact ordinances governing the personnel, operation, and procedure to be followed in the court and to establish a schedule of fees and costs and to otherwise provide for the operation and management of the court. The municipal court may impose fines not in excess of five hundred dollars ($500) and is empowered to administer oaths; compel the attendance of witnesses; and punish persons for contempt.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-52-11 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-52 / Section 45-52-11
§ 45-52-11. Taxes  Levy, assessment, and collection.
Status: in_force

(a) All real property in the district shall be taxed to the owners, whether individuals, copartnerships, or corporations, according to the last valuation made by the assessor of taxes of the town of Charlestown, prior to the next assessment, adding, however, any taxable real property which may have been omitted by the assessor of taxes of the town of Charlestown or afterwards acquired, and in all cases where the town assessor may have included property within the district and property without the district in one valuation, the tax assessor of the district shall make an equitable valuation of that portion of the property lying within the district.

(b) In assessing and collecting taxes, the proceedings shall be had by the officers of the district, as near as may be, as are required to be had by the corresponding officers of towns in the state in assessing and collecting town taxes.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-2-42 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-2 / Section 45-2-42
§ 45-2-42. Town of East Greenwich  Smoking prohibited in municipal buildings.
Status: in_force

(a) Smoking tobacco in any form is a public nuisance and dangerous to public health and is not permitted in any municipal building within the town of East Greenwich.

(b) Municipal building means any publicly owned building and offices. Smoking is prohibited in all indoor places or portions of those places owned, leased or rented by the town of East Greenwich or by agencies supported by appropriation of the towns municipal taxes.

(c) The town council of East Greenwich is authorized to adopt rules and regulations necessary for the implementation and enforcement of this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-33-17 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-33 / Section 45-33-17
§ 45-33-17. Previously issued bonds ratified.
Status: in_force

All proceedings taken before April 2, 1956, by a legislative body of a community authorizing the issuance of bonds of a community to provide funds for a redevelopment revolving fund under § 46 of chapter 1802 of the Public Laws of 1946, as amended, or for a redevelopment revolving fund under § 49 of chapter 2574 of the Public Laws of 1950, where the issuance of bonds has been approved by the voters of the community, are ratified, confirmed, and declared legal in all respects, and the issuance of any bonds so authorized is approved and reauthorized, notwithstanding the repeal of chapter 1802 of the Public Laws of 1946, as amended, or of chapter 2574 of the Public Laws of 1950, and notwithstanding the provisions of the charter of any community or of any general or special law.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-19-5 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-19 / Section 45-19-5
§ 45-19-5. Board of fire fighters relief.
Status: in_force

(a) Within the department of labor and training there is a board of fire fighters relief, consisting of three (3) members, which administer the fund for the relief of fire fighters, as provided in this chapter. One member of the board is appointed by the director of labor and training, one member is appointed by the Rhode Island State Association of Fire Fighters, AFL-CIO-CLC, and the third member an active member of a Volunteer Fire Department who is appointed by the Rhode Island State Firemens League to represent volunteer fire fighters on the board; provided, that all financial powers and duties concerning the board of fire fighters relief is administered by the general treasurer.

(b) A volunteer fire fighter shall be appointed by the Rhode Island State Firemens League for a term of three (3) years and shall continue to hold office until a successor has been appointed. A member may be reappointed to succeed himself or herself.

(c) Members shall be appointed to fill vacancies for unexpired terms due to death, resignation, or cause. A member appointed for less than a full term (to fill a vacancy) may serve three (3) full years in addition to that part of a full term.

(d) The appointing authority may remove a member for cause.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-23-67 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-23 / Section 45-23-67
§ 45-23-67. Appeals from decision of administrative officer.
Status: in_force

(a) Process and timing. Local regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter shall provide that an appeal from any decision of the administrative officer charged in the regulations with enforcement of any provisions, except as provided in this section, may be taken to the board of appeal by an aggrieved party as set forth in this section. Decisions by the administrative officer approving or denying projects shall not be subject to this section and shall proceed directly to superior court as set forth in § 45-23-71.

(1) An appeal to the board of appeal from a decision or action of the administrative officer may be taken by an aggrieved party to the extent provided in this section. The appeal must be taken within twenty (20) days after the decision has been recorded in the citys or towns land evidence records and posted in the office of the city or town clerk.

(2) The appeal shall be in writing and state clearly and unambiguously the issue or decision that is being appealed, the reason for the appeal, and the relief sought. The appeal shall either be sent by certified mail, with a return receipt requested, or be hand-delivered to the board of appeal. The city or town clerk shall accept delivery of an appeal on behalf of the board of appeal, if the local regulations governing land development and subdivision review so provide.

(3) Upon receipt of an appeal, the board of appeal shall require the administrative officer to immediately transmit to the board of appeal, all papers, documents, and plans, or a certified copy thereof, constituting the record of the action that is being appealed.

(b) Stay. An appeal stays all proceedings in furtherance of the action being appealed.

(c) Hearing.

(1) The board of appeal shall hold a hearing on the appeal within forty-five (45) days of the receipt of the appeal and give public notice of the hearing, as well as due notice to the parties of interest. At the hearing the parties may appear in person, or be represented by an agent or attorney. The board shall render a decision within ten (10) days of the close of the public hearing. The cost of any notice required for the hearing shall be borne by the applicant.

(2) The board of appeal shall only hear appeals of the actions of an administrative officer at a meeting called especially for the purpose of hearing the appeals and that has been so advertised.

(3) The hearing, which may be held on the same date and at the same place as a meeting of the zoning board of review, must be held as a separate meeting from any zoning board of review meeting. Separate minutes and records of votes shall be maintained by the board of appeal.

(d) Standards of Review.

(1) As established by this chapter, in instances of a board of appeals review of an administrative officers decision on matters subject to this chapter, the board of appeal shall not substitute its own judgment for that of the administrative officer but must consider the issue upon the findings and record of the administrative officer. The board of appeal shall not reverse a decision of the administrative officer except on a finding of prejudicial procedural error, clear error, or lack of support by the weight of the evidence in the record.

(2) The concurring vote of three (3) of the five (5) members of the board of appeal sitting at a hearing, is necessary to reverse any decision of the administrative officer.

(3) In the instance where the board of appeal overturns a decision of the administrative officer, the proposed project application is remanded to the administrative officer, at the stage of processing from which the appeal was taken, for further proceedings before the administrative officer and/or for the final disposition, which shall be consistent with the board of appeals decision.

(4) The board of appeal shall keep complete records of all proceedings including a record of all votes taken, and shall put all decisions on appeals in writing. The board of appeal shall include in the written record the reasons for each decision.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-29-13 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-29 / Section 45-29-13
§ 45-29-13. Power of city to take property for authority.
Status: in_force

Any city from time to time may take real property located in it improved or unimproved, for an authority created by it under any housing authorities law of this state now in force or enacted in the future.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-5-11 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-5 / Section 45-5-11
§ 45-5-11. Burial lands and funds.
Status: in_force

(a) Town councils may take and hold, to them and their successors in office, all lands within their towns, conveyed to them in trust for burial purposes and, in like manner, may receive, hold, and manage all funds conveyed to them for the purpose of ornamenting or keeping in repair these burial lots within their towns, and execute the trusts in accordance with the terms contained in the instruments of conveyance. Funds received, or already received, may be placed in a general burial lot fund and this fund may be invested in securities which are legal for investment of funds of savings banks in this state. The earnings of this fund shall be apportioned to the various individual trusts in the proportion each trust, including any undisbursed earnings, bears in relation to the total of the general burial lot fund. Funds received or already received for the purpose of ornamenting or keeping in repair burial lots in town-owned cemeteries may be placed in a general burial lot fund, and this fund may be invested in securities which are legal for investment of funds of savings banks in this state. The earnings of this fund shall be apportioned to the individual trusts in the proportion that the principal of each trust bears in relation to the total principal in the general burial lot fund.

(b) Effective July 1, 1976, the town of Bristol shall not apportion the earned income of the fund, and it shall be used for maintenance of the entire burial ground.

(c) Effective July 1, 1979, the towns of Tiverton and Richmond shall not apportion the earned income of their respective funds, and it shall be used for maintenance of their entire burial grounds.

(d) Effective July 1, 2013, the town of Middletown shall not apportion the earned income of the fund, and it shall be used for maintenance of the entire burial ground.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-24-66 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-24 / Section 45-24-66
§ 45-24-66. Appeals  Public hearing by zoning board of review.
Status: in_force

The zoning board of review shall fix a reasonable time for the hearing of the appeal, and shall give public notice, at least fourteen (14) days prior to the date of the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the city or town. Notice of the hearing, which shall include the street address of the subject property, shall be sent by first class mail, postage prepaid, to the appellant and to those requiring notice under § 45-24-53. The zoning board of review shall decide the matter within a reasonable time. Upon the hearing, any party may appear in person or by agent or by attorney. The cost of any notice required for the hearing shall be borne by the appellant.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-2-26 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-2 / Section 45-2-26
§ 45-2-26. Town of West Warwick  Municipal court.
Status: in_force

(a) The town council of the town of West Warwick may establish a municipal court and confer upon the court original jurisdiction, notwithstanding any other provisions of the general laws, to hear and determine causes involving the violation of any ordinance, including minimum housing ordinances of the town and any violation of the provisions of chapter 24.3 of this title, entitled the Rhode Island Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Code; provided, however, that any defendant found guilty of any offense, excluding violations of the minimum housing ordinances or chapter 24.3 within the jurisdiction of the court, may within seven (7) days of conviction, file an appeal from the conviction to the superior court and be entitled in the latter court to a trial de novo; and provided further, however, that any defendant found guilty of any violation of a minimum housing ordinance or of chapter 24.3, may, within seven (7) days of the conviction, file an appeal from the conviction to the third division of the district court and be entitled to a trial de novo in accordance with §§ 8-8-3(a)(4) and 8-8-3.2.

(b) With respect to violations of either municipal ordinances dealing with minimum housing or chapter 24.3 et seq., of this title dealing with housing maintenance and occupancy, the town council may also confer upon the municipal court, in furtherance of the courts jurisdiction, the power to proceed according to equity:

(1) To restrain, prevent, enjoin, abate, or correct a violation;

(2) To order the repair, vacation, or demolition of any dwelling existing in violation; or

(3) To otherwise compel compliance with all of the provisions of the ordinances and statutes.

(c) The town council of the town of West Warwick is authorized and empowered to appoint a judge of the municipal court. The town council of that town is authorized and empowered to enact ordinances governing the personnel, operation, and procedure to be followed in the court and to establish a schedule of fees and costs, and to otherwise provide for the operation and management of the court. The municipal court may impose a sentence not to exceed thirty (30) days in jail and impose a fine not in excess of five hundred dollars ($500), or both. The court is empowered to administer oaths, compel the attendance of witnesses, and punish persons for contempt.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-12-5.1 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-12 / Section 45-12-5.1
§ 45-12-5.1. Callable bonds.
Status: in_force

(a) Bonds issued by any cities, towns or other political subdivisions of this state may be issued subject to call and prepayment prior to their stated maturities at the option of the issuer. All, or less than all, of the bonds comprising an issue may be subject to call simultaneously or from time to time.

(b) Every bond issued subject to prepayment shall indicate:

(1) That the bond is subject to call and prepayment;

(2) The time or times at which the bond may be prepaid;

(3) The schedule of premiums, if any, which are payable; and

(4) The time and type of notice which must be given by the issuer before the bond can be prepaid.

(c) The coupons, if any, attached to the bonds shall, as appropriate, indicate that they may become void as a result of the bond being called for prepayment. Unless otherwise provided in the proceedings authorizing the issue of bonds, the officers of the city, town or other political subdivision authorized to sell the bonds shall determine whether the bonds shall be issued subject to call and prepayment, and if issued, the officers shall decide the details of these bonds. No bond shall be called for prepayment, unless the issuer has deposited with the paying agent or agents for the bond for prepayment a sufficient amount of cash, or securities issued by the United States of America, the state of Rhode Island, or its political subdivisions, with maturities and interest rates adequate to provide a sufficient amount of cash, to pay the bond in full on the date on which it is prepayable. The notice may state: (1) that it is conditioned on the deposit of moneys, in an amount necessary to effect the redemption with the paying agent or agents no later than the redemption date; and/or (2) that the city, town or political subdivision retains the right to rescind such notice on or prior to the scheduled redemption date, and such notice and optional redemption shall be of no effect if such monies are not so deposited or if the notice is rescinded. Bonds may be prepaid with the proceeds of refunding bonds as provided in the following section, or with other funds available for that purpose; and cities, towns and other political subdivisions may raise money by taxation for the purpose of prepaying bonds. For the purposes of this section bond shall include note. The powers conferred by this section may be used with regard to bonds authorized for any purpose by any general, special, or other law, including § 45-12-5.2.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-21-66 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-21 / Section 45-21-66
§ 45-21-66. Severability.
Status: in_force

The holding of any section or sections or parts of this chapter to be void, ineffective, or unconstitutional for any cause shall not be deemed to affect any other section or part hereof.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-19-1 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-19 / Section 45-19-1
§ 45-19-1. Salary payment during line of duty illness or injury.
Status: in_force

(a)(1) Whenever any police officer of the Rhode Island airport corporation or whenever any police officer, firefighter, crash rescue crewperson, fire marshal, chief deputy fire marshal, or deputy fire marshal of any city, town, fire district, or the state of Rhode Island is wholly or partially incapacitated by reason of injuries received or sickness contracted in the performance of their duties or due to their rendering of emergency assistance within the physical boundaries of the state of Rhode Island at any occurrence involving the protection or rescue of human life which necessitates that they respond in a professional capacity when they would normally be considered by their employer to be officially off-duty, the respective city, town, fire district, state of Rhode Island, or Rhode Island airport corporation by which the police officer, firefighter, crash rescue crewperson, fire marshal, chief deputy fire marshal, or deputy fire marshal, is employed, shall, during the period of the incapacity, pay the police officer, firefighter, crash rescue crewperson, fire marshal, chief deputy fire marshal, or deputy fire marshal, the salary or wage and benefits to which the police officer, firefighter, crash rescue crewperson, fire marshal, chief deputy fire marshal, or deputy fire marshal, would be entitled had he or she not been incapacitated, and shall pay the medical, surgical, dental, optical, or other attendance, or treatment, nurses, and hospital services, medicines, crutches, and apparatus for the necessary period, except that if any city, town, fire district, the state of Rhode Island, or Rhode Island airport corporation provides the police officer, firefighter, crash rescue crewperson, fire marshal, chief deputy fire marshal, or deputy fire marshal, with insurance coverage for the related treatment, services, or equipment, then the city, town, fire district, the state of Rhode Island, or Rhode Island airport corporation is only obligated to pay the difference between the maximum amount allowable under the insurance coverage and the actual cost of the treatment, service, or equipment. In addition, the cities, towns, fire districts, the state of Rhode Island, or Rhode Island airport corporation shall pay all similar expenses incurred by a member who has been placed on a disability pension and suffers a recurrence of the injury or illness that dictated his or her disability retirement, subject to the provisions of subsection (j) herein.

(2) A police officer or firefighter diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, current edition, published by the American Psychiatric Association) by an individual who holds the title of an independent licensed mental health professional with a masters degree, related to the exposure of potentially traumatic events, resulting from their acting within the course of their employment or from the rendering of emergency assistance in the state of Rhode Island, at any occurrence involving the protection or the rescue of human life while off-duty, as set forth in subsection (h) of this section, shall be presumed to have sustained an injury in the line of duty, as that term is used in subsection (a)(1) of this section, unless the contrary is proven by a fair preponderance of the evidence that the post-traumatic stress injury/PTSD is not related to their job as a police officer or firefighter. The benefits provided for under this section shall not be extended to a police officer or firefighter, if their post-traumatic stress injury/PTSD diagnosis arises out of any disciplinary action, work evaluation, job transfer, layoff, demotion, termination, or similar adverse job actions.

(b) As used in this section, police officer means and includes any chief or other member of the police department of any city or town regularly employed at a fixed salary or wage and any deputy sheriff, member of the fugitive task force, or capitol police officer, permanent environmental police officer or criminal investigator of the department of environmental management, or airport police officer.

(c) As used in this section, firefighter means and includes any chief or other member of the fire department or rescue personnel of any city, town, or fire district, and any person employed as a member of the fire department of the town of North Smithfield, or fire department or district in any city or town.

(d) As used in this section, crash rescue crewperson means and includes any chief or other member of the emergency crash rescue section, division of airports, or department of transportation of the state of Rhode Island regularly employed at a fixed salary or wage.

(e) As used in this section, fire marshal, chief deputy fire marshal, and deputy fire marshal mean and include the fire marshal, chief deputy fire marshal, and deputy fire marshals regularly employed by the state of Rhode Island pursuant to the provisions of chapter 28.2 of title 23.

(f) Any person employed by the state of Rhode Island, except for sworn employees of the Rhode Island state police, who is otherwise entitled to the benefits of chapter 19 of this title, shall be subject to the provisions of chapters 29  38 of title 28 for case management procedures and dispute resolution by the workers compensation court, for all petitions filed on or after July 1, 2025, for the following benefit and disability determinations:

(1) The nature and status of disability of the injured employee;

(2) The nature and location of injury relative to the work incident;

(3) Maximum medical improvement (MMI), as it is defined under § 28-33-2(9);

(4) All issues of legal and/or medical causation; and

(5) The assignment of fees and costs pursuant to the provisions of § 28-35-32.

The court may, in its discretion, appoint an impartial medical examiner in accordance with § 28-33-35. The court shall hereby be empowered to enforce all of its orders, decrees, and consent agreements of the parties.

(g) In order to receive the benefits provided for under this section, a police officer or firefighter must prove to their employer that they had reasonable grounds to believe that there was an emergency that required an immediate need for their assistance for the protection or rescue of human life.

(h) Any claims to the benefits provided for under this section resulting from the rendering of emergency assistance in the state of Rhode Island at any occurrence involving the protection or rescue of human life while off-duty, shall first require those covered by this section to submit a sworn declaration to their employer attesting to the date, time, place, and nature of the event involving the protection or rescue of human life causing the professional assistance to be rendered and the cause and nature of any injuries sustained in the protection or rescue of human life. Sworn declarations shall also be required from any available witness to the alleged emergency involving the protection or rescue of human life.

(i) All declarations required under this section shall contain the following language:

Under penalty of perjury, I declare and affirm that I have examined this declaration, including any accompanying schedules and statements, and that all statements contained herein are true and correct.

(j) Any person, not employed by the state of Rhode Island, receiving injured-on-duty benefits pursuant to this section, and subject to the jurisdiction of the state retirement board for accidental retirement disability, for an injury occurring on or after July 1, 2011, shall apply for an accidental disability retirement allowance from the state retirement board not later than the later of eighteen (18) months after the date of the persons injury that resulted in the persons injured-on-duty status or sixty (60) days from the date on which the treating physician certifies that the person has reached maximum medical improvement. Nothing herein shall be construed to limit or alter any and all rights of the parties with respect to independent medical examination or otherwise, as set forth in the applicable collective bargaining agreement. Notwithstanding the forgoing, any person receiving injured-on-duty benefits as the result of a static and incapacitating injury whose permanent nature is readily obvious and ascertainable shall be required to apply for an accidental disability retirement allowance within sixty (60) days from the date on which the treating physician certifies that the persons injury is permanent, or sixty (60) days from the date on which the determination of permanency is made in accordance with the independent medical examination procedures as set forth in the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

(1) If a person with injured-on-duty status fails to apply for an accidental disability retirement allowance from the state retirement board within the time frame set forth above, that persons injured-on-duty payment shall terminate. Further, any person suffering a static and incapacitating injury as set forth in subsection (j) above and who fails to apply for an accidental disability benefit allowance as set forth in subsection (j) shall have their injured-on-duty payment terminated.

(2) A person who so applies shall continue to receive injured-on-duty payments, and the right to continue to receive IOD payments of a person who so applies shall terminate in the event of a final ruling of the workers compensation court allowing accidental disability benefits. Nothing herein shall be construed to limit or alter any and all rights of the parties with respect to independent medical examination or otherwise, as set forth in the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

(k) Any person employed by the state of Rhode Island who is currently receiving injured-on-duty benefits or any person employed by the state of Rhode Island who in the future is entitled to injured-on-duty benefits pursuant to this chapter, and subject to the jurisdiction of the state retirement board for accidental retirement disability, shall apply for an accidental disability retirement allowance from the state retirement board the later of eighteen (18) months after the date of the persons injury that resulted in the persons injured-on-duty status or sixty (60) days from the date on which the treating physician certifies that the person has reached maximum medical improvement. Nothing herein shall be construed to limit or alter any and all rights of the parties with respect to independent medical examination or otherwise, as set forth in the applicable collective bargaining agreement. Notwithstanding the forgoing, any person receiving injured-on-duty benefits as the result of a static and incapacitating injury whose permanent nature is readily obvious and ascertainable shall be required to apply for an accidental disability retirement allowance within sixty (60) days from the date on which a treating physician or an independent medical examiner certifies that the persons injury is permanent, or sixty (60) days from the date on which such determination of permanency is made in accordance with the independent medical examination procedures as set forth in the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

(1) If a person employed by the state of Rhode Island with injured-on-duty status fails to apply for an accidental disability retirement allowance from the state retirement board within the time frame set forth in subsection (k) above, that persons injured-on-duty payment shall terminate. Further, any person employed by the state of Rhode Island suffering a static and incapacitating injury as set forth in subsection (k) above and who fails to apply for an accidental disability benefit allowance as set forth in subsection (k) shall have his or her injured-on-duty payment terminated.

(2) A person employed by the state of Rhode Island who so applies shall continue to receive injured-on-duty payments, and the right to continue to receive injured-on-duty payments of a person who so applies shall terminate upon final adjudication by the state retirement board approving or denying either ordinary or accidental disability payments and, notwithstanding § 45-31.2-9, this termination of injured-on-duty benefits shall not be stayed.

(3)(i) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all persons employed by the state of Rhode Island entitled to benefits under this section who were injured prior to July 1, 2019, and who have been receiving injured-on-duty benefits pursuant to this section for a period of eighteen (18) months or longer as of July 1, 2019, shall have up to ninety (90) days from July 1, 2019, to apply for an accidental disability retirement benefit allowance. Any person employed by the state of Rhode Island receiving injured-on-duty benefits for a period less than eighteen (18) months as of July 1, 2019, shall apply for an accidental disability retirement benefit allowance within eighteen (18) months of the date of injury that resulted in the person receiving injured-on-duty pay; provided however, said person shall have a minimum of ninety (90) days to apply.

Applications for disability retirement received by the state retirement board by any person employed by the State of Rhode Island receiving injured-on-duty payments that shall be deemed untimely pursuant to § 36-10-14(b) shall have ninety (90) days from July 1, 2019, to apply for an accidental disability retirement benefit allowance. Failure to apply for an accidental disability retirement benefit allowance within the timeframe set forth herein shall result in the termination of injured-on-duty benefits.

(ii) Any person employed by the state of Rhode Island receiving injured-on-duty payments who has been issued a final adjudication of the state retirement board on an application for an ordinary or accidental disability benefit, either approving or denying the application, shall have his or her injured-on-duty payments terminated.

(4) If awarded an accidental disability pension, any person employed by the state of Rhode Island covered under this section shall receive benefits consistent with § 36-10-15.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-33-3 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-33 / Section 45-33-3
§ 45-33-3. Abolition of revolving fund.
Status: in_force

The legislative body of any community may abolish the redevelopment revolving fund whenever it finds that the purposes for which the fund was established have been accomplished. At the time of abolishing the fund, the legislative body shall transfer all moneys in the fund to the general obligation bond redemption fund, and shall provide that all moneys thereafter deposited or redeposited in the redevelopment revolving fund are deposited in the general obligation or revenue bond redemption fund. Any surplus existing in the general obligation or revenue bond redemption fund after payment of principal and interest shall be transferred to the general fund of the community.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-2-24 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-2 / Section 45-2-24
§ 45-2-24. Town of Coventry  Municipal court.
Status: in_force

(a) The town council of the town of Coventry may establish a municipal court and confer upon the court original jurisdiction, notwithstanding any other provisions of the general laws, to hear and determine causes involving the violation of any ordinance, including minimum housing ordinances, of the town and any violation of the provisions of chapter 24.3 of this title, entitled the Rhode Island Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Code; provided, however, that any defendant found guilty of any offense, excluding violations of minimum housing ordinances or chapter 24.3 within the jurisdiction of the court, may, within seven (7) days of the conviction, file an appeal from the conviction to the Kent County superior court and be entitled in the latter court to a trial de novo; and provided further, however, that any defendant found guilty of any violation of a minimum housing ordinance, or of chapter 24.3, may, within seven (7) days of the conviction, file an appeal from the conviction to the third division of the district court and be entitled to a trial de novo in accordance with §§ 8-8-3(a)(4) and 8-8-3.2.

(b) With respect to violations of either municipal ordinances dealing with minimum housing or chapter 24.3 et seq. of this title dealing with housing maintenance and occupancy, the town council may also confer upon the municipal court, in furtherance of the courts jurisdiction, the power to proceed according to equity:

(1) To restrain, prevent, enjoin, abate, or correct a violation;

(2) To order the repair, vacation, or demolition of any dwelling existing in violation; or

(3) To otherwise compel compliance with all of the provisions of said ordinances and statutes.

(c) The town council of the town of Coventry is be authorized and empowered to appoint a judge of the municipal court. The town council of the town is authorized and empowered to enact ordinances governing the personnel, operation, and procedure to be followed in the court and to establish a schedule of fees and costs. The municipal court may impose a sentence not to exceed thirty (30) days in jail and impose a fine not in excess of three hundred dollars ($300), or both. The court is empowered to administer oaths, compel the attendance of witnesses, and punish persons for contempt.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-30-4 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-30 / Section 45-30-4
§ 45-30-4. Cooperation of state public bodies.
Status: in_force

Any state public body, as defined in the Housing Authorities Law, chapters 25  27 of this title has the same rights and powers to cooperate with housing authorities, or with the federal government, with respect to the development or administration of projects to assure the availability of safe and sanitary dwellings for persons engaged in national defense activities, or to provide housing for service personnel and returning veterans and their families, that the state public body has pursuant to that law for the purpose of assisting the development or administration of slum clearance or housing projects for persons of low income.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-27-13 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-27 / Section 45-27-13
§ 45-27-13. Remedies cumulative.
Status: in_force

All the rights and remedies conferred in this chapter are cumulative and in addition to all other rights and remedies that may be conferred upon an obligee of the authority by law or by contract with the authority.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-24-41 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-24 / Section 45-24-41
§ 45-24-41. General provisions  Variances.
Status: in_force

(a) An application for relief from the literal requirements of a zoning ordinance because of hardship may be made by any person, group, agency, or corporation by filing with the zoning enforcement officer or agency an application describing the request and supported by any data and evidence as may be required by the zoning board of review or by the terms of the ordinance. The zoning enforcement officer or agency shall immediately transmit each application received to the zoning board of review and a copy of each application to the planning board or commission.

(b) A zoning ordinance shall provide that the zoning board of review, immediately upon receipt of an application for a variance in the application of the literal terms of the zoning ordinance, may request that the planning board or commission and/or staff report its findings and recommendations, including a statement on the general consistency of the application with the goals and purposes of the comprehensive plan of the city or town, in writing, to the zoning board of review within thirty (30) days of receipt of the application from that board. The zoning board shall hold a public hearing on any application for variance in an expeditious manner, after receipt, in proper form, of an application, and shall give public notice at least fourteen (14) days prior to the date of the hearing in a newspaper of local circulation in the city or town. Notice of hearing shall be sent by first-class mail to the applicant, and to at least all those who would require notice under § 45-24-53. The notice shall also include the street address of the subject property. A zoning ordinance may require that a supplemental notice, that an application for a variance is under consideration, be posted at the location in question. The posting is for information purposes only and does not constitute required notice of a public hearing. The same notice shall be posted in the town or city clerks office and one other municipal building in the municipality and the municipality must make the notice accessible on the municipal home page of its website at least fourteen (14) days prior to the hearing. For any notice sent by first-class mail, the sender of the notice shall submit a notarized affidavit to attest to such mailing. The cost of newspaper and mailing notification shall be borne by the applicant.

(c) A zoning ordinance may provide for unified development review, pursuant to § 45-24-46.4. Requests for dimensional and use variances submitted under a unified development review provision of a zoning ordinance shall be submitted as part of the subdivision or land development application to the administrative officer of the planning board or commission, pursuant to § 45-24-46.4(a). All subdivision or land development applications submitted under the unified development review provisions of a zoning ordinance shall have a public hearing, which shall meet the requirements of § 45-23-50.1(d).

(d) In granting a variance, the zoning board of review, or, where unified development review is enabled pursuant to § 45-24-46.4, the planning board or commission, shall require that evidence to the satisfaction of the following standards is entered into the record of the proceedings:

(1) That the hardship from which the applicant seeks relief is due to the unique characteristics of the subject land or structure and not to the general characteristics of the surrounding area; and is not due to a physical or economic disability of the applicant, excepting those physical disabilities addressed in § 45-24-30(a)(16);

(2) That the hardship is not the result of any prior action of the applicant; and

(3) That the granting of the requested variance will not alter the general character of the surrounding area or impair the intent or purpose of the zoning ordinance or the comprehensive plan upon which the ordinance is based.

(4) [Deleted by P.L. 2023, ch. 304, § 1 and P.L. 2023, ch. 305, § 1.]

(e) The zoning board of review, or, where unified development review is enabled pursuant to § 45-24-46.4, the planning board or commission, shall, in addition to the above standards, require that evidence is entered into the record of the proceedings showing that:

(1) In granting a use variance, the subject land or structure cannot yield any beneficial use if it is required to conform to the provisions of the zoning ordinance. Nonconforming use of neighboring land or structures in the same district and permitted use of lands or structures in an adjacent district shall not be considered in granting a use variance; and

(2) In granting a dimensional variance, that the hardship suffered by the owner of the subject property if the dimensional variance is not granted amounts to more than a mere inconvenience, meaning that relief sought is minimal to a reasonable enjoyment of the permitted use to which the property is proposed to be devoted. The fact that a use may be more profitable or that a structure may be more valuable after the relief is granted is not grounds for relief. The zoning board of review, or, where unified development review is enabled pursuant to § 45-24-46.4, the planning board or commission has the power to grant dimensional variances where the use is permitted by special-use permit.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-32-35 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-32 / Section 45-32-35
§ 45-32-35. Representation of infants and incompetents.
Status: in_force

If any real property, or any estate or interest in it, in which any infant or other person not capable in law to act in his or her own behalf is interested, is taken by the agency under the provisions of this chapter, the superior court, upon the filing in the court of a petition by the agency or by or in behalf of the infant or person, may appoint a guardian ad litem for the infant or other person. Guardians may, with the advice and consent of the superior court and upon terms that the superior court may prescribe, release to the agency all claims for damages for the land of the infant or other person or for any interest in the land. Any lawfully appointed, qualified, and acting guardian or other fiduciary of the estate of the infant or other person, with the approval of a court of probate within this state having jurisdiction to authorize the sale of lands and properties within this state of the infant or other person, may, before the filing of the petition, agree with the agency upon the amount of damages suffered by the infant or other person for any taking of his or her real property or of his or her interest in it, and may, upon receiving that amount, release to the agency all claims of damages of the infant or other person for the taking.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-54-27 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-54 / Section 45-54-27
§ 45-54-27. Severability.
Status: in_force

If any one or more sections, clauses, sentences, or parts of this chapter shall, for any reason, be adjudged unconstitutional or otherwise invalid in any court, that judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remaining provisions, but shall be confined in its operation to the specific provisions so held unconstitutional or invalid; and the inapplicability or invalidity of any section, clause, or provision of this chapter in any one or more instances or circumstances shall not be taken to affect or prejudice in any way its applicability or validity in any other instance.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-2-6 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-2 / Section 45-2-6
§ 45-2-6. Lands given for specific use not subject to disposal.
Status: in_force

Nothing in § 45-2-5 shall be construed to authorize the sale, lease, or conveyance of lands or improvements acquired by gift or devise for the public use, whether or not the gift or devise is subject to a condition subsequent or reverter; and no property held by any city or town as part of a charitable trust shall be considered to come within the provisions of § 45-2-5.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-25-15 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-25 / Section 45-25-15
§ 45-25-15. Powers of authority enumerated.
Status: in_force

(a) An authority constitutes a public body and a body corporate and politic, exercising public powers, and has all the powers necessary or convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of chapters 25  27 of this title, including the following powers in addition to others granted in this chapter:

(1) To investigate into living, dwelling, and housing conditions and into the means and methods of improving these conditions;

(2) To determine where unsafe, or unsanitary dwelling or housing conditions exist;

(3) To study and make recommendations concerning the plan of any city or municipality located within its boundaries in relation to the problem of clearing, replanning, and reconstruction of areas in which unsafe, or unsanitary dwelling or housing conditions exist, and the providing of dwelling accommodations for persons of low income, and to cooperate with any city, municipal or regional planning agency;

(4) To prepare, carry out, and operate housing projects;

(5) To provide for the construction, reconstruction, improvement, alteration, or repair of any housing project or any part of it;

(6) To take over by purchase, lease, or otherwise, any housing project located within its boundaries undertaken by any government, or by any city or municipality located in whole or in part within its boundaries;

(7) To manage as agent of any city or municipality any housing project located in whole or in part within its boundaries;

(8) To act as agent for the federal government in connection with the acquisition, construction, operation, and/or management of a housing project or any part of it;

(9) To arrange with any city or municipality located in whole or in part within its boundaries or with a government for the furnishing, planning, replanning, installing, opening or closing of streets, roads, roadways, alleys, sidewalks, or other places or facilities or for the acquisition by the city, municipality, or, a government of property, options, or property rights, or for the furnishing of property or services in connection with a project;

(10) To arrange with the state, its subdivisions and agencies, and any county, city, town, or municipality of the state, to the extent that it is within the scope of each of their respective functions, (i) to cause the services customarily provided by each of them to be rendered for the benefit of the housing authority and/or the occupants of any housing projects, (ii) to provide and maintain parks and sewage, water, and other facilities adjacent to or in connection with housing projects, and (iii) to change the city or municipality map, to plan, replan, zone, or rezone any part of the city or municipality;

(11) To lease or rent any of the dwelling or other accommodations or any of the lands, buildings, structures, or facilities embraced in any housing project and to establish and revise the rents or charges for the project; to enter upon any building or property in order to conduct investigations or to make surveys or soundings;

(12) To purchase, lease, obtain options upon, acquire by gift, grant, bequest, devise, or otherwise any property real or personal or any interest therein from any person, firm, corporation, city, municipality, or government;

(13) To acquire any real property, including improvements and fixtures to this property; to sell, exchange, transfer, assign, or pledge any property real or personal or any interest to this property to any person, firm, corporation, municipality, city, or government;

(14) To own, hold, clear, and improve property;

(15) To insure or provide for the insurance of the property or operations of the authority against risks as the authority may deem advisable;

(16) To procure insurance or guaranties from the federal government of the payment of any debts or parts of debts secured by mortgages made or held by the authority on any property included in any housing project;

(17) To borrow money upon its bonds, notes, debentures, or other evidences of indebtedness, and to secure them by pledges of its revenues, and (subject to the limitations imposed by this section) by mortgages upon property held or to be held by it, or in any other manner;

(18) In connection with any loan, to agree to limitations upon its right to dispose of any housing project or part of a project or to undertake additional housing projects;

(19) In connection with any loan by a government, to agree to limitations upon the exercise of any powers conferred upon the authority by this chapter;

(20) To invest any funds held in reserves or sinking funds, or any funds not required for immediate disbursements, in property or securities in which savings banks may legally invest funds subject to their control; to sue and be sued;

(21) To have a seal and to alter that seal at pleasure; to have perpetual succession;

(22) To make and execute contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient to the exercise of the powers of the authority;

(23) To make and, from time to time, amend and repeal bylaws, rules, and regulations not inconsistent with this chapter, and to carry into effect the powers and purposes of the authority;

(24) To conduct examinations and investigations, and to hear testimony and take proof under oath at public or private hearings on any matter material for its information;

(25) To issue subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses or the production of books and papers and to issue commissions for the examination of witnesses who are out of the state or unable to attend before the authority, or excused from attendance;

(26) To make available to those agencies, boards or commissions as are charged with the duty of abating or requiring the correction of nuisances or like conditions, or of demolishing unsafe or unsanitary structures within its territorial limits, its findings and recommendations with regard to any building or property where conditions exist which are dangerous to the public health, morals, safety, or welfare; and

(27) To request and receive from the various state and federal departments and agencies income information relating to unemployment compensation, child support, alimony, supplemental nutritional assistance and public welfare payments to be held in strict confidentiality by the authority and shared as part of the process established with the federal department of housing and urban developments earned income information system in cooperation with other federal and state agencies for the purpose of determining the current income of any applicant regarding rental calculations.

(b) Any of the investigations or examinations provided for in this chapter may be conducted by the authority or by a committee appointed by it, consisting of one or more commissioners, or by counsel, or by an officer or employee specially authorized by the authority, to conduct it. Any commissioner, counsel for the authority, or any person designated by it to conduct an investigation or examination has power to administer oaths, take affidavits, and issue subpoenas or commissions. An authority may exercise any or all the powers conferred upon it, either generally or with respect to any specific housing project or projects, through or by an agent or agents which it may designate, including any corporation or corporations which are or shall be formed under the laws of this state, and, for these purposes, an authority may cause one or more corporations to be formed under the laws of this state or may acquire the capital stock of any corporation or corporations. Any corporate agent, all of the stock of which is owned by the authority or its nominee or nominees, may, to the extent permitted by law exercise any of the powers conferred upon the authority. In addition to all of the other powers conferred upon it, an authority may do all things necessary and convenient to carry out the powers expressly given in chapters 25 and 27 of this title. No provisions with respect to the acquisition, operation, or disposition of property by other public bodies are applicable to an authority unless stated specifically by the legislature.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-55-2 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-55 / Section 45-55-2
§ 45-55-2. Method of source selection.
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise authorized by law, all municipal contracts shall be awarded by:

(1) Competitive sealed bidding, pursuant to § 45-55-5;

(2) Competitive negotiations, pursuant to § 45-55-6;

(3) Non-competitive negotiations, pursuant to §§ 45-55-7 and 45-55-8;

(4) Small purchase procedures, pursuant to § 45-55-9; and

(5) Qualification-based selection (QBS) process for architects/engineers pursuant to § 45-55-8.1, and program managers, construction managers, or construction managers at risk pursuant to § 45-55-8.2.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-31-15 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-31 / Section 45-31-15
§ 45-31-15. Suspension and removal of agency members.
Status: in_force

For inefficiency, neglect of duty, or misconduct in office, a member of an agency may be suspended by the appointing authority. A member of an agency may be removed by the legislative body only after he or she has been given a copy of the charges against him, or her which copy shall be served on him or her at least ten (10) days prior to a public hearing, and after he or she has had an opportunity to be heard in person or by counsel, at the hearing to be held within thirty (30) days after the date of the suspension.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-12-2.1 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-12 / Section 45-12-2.1
§ 45-12-2.1. Ministerial approval.
Status: in_force

Effective January 1, 2008, a city or town shall have authority to incur debt for money borrowed, through the issuance of bonds, if such application for approval of bonds is approved by the auditor general as described below, as meeting all of the following standards:

(1) The city or town has a long-term unenhanced credit rating from one nationally recognized credit rating agency in at least the A rating category without regard to gradations within such category;

(2) The city or town has represented in the application that the proposed bonds will finance a capital asset or assets and the average useful life of the capital asset or assets to be financed will be greater than or equal to the average maturity of the proposed borrowing as determined by an appropriate official of the city or town at the time of the issuance of bonds therefore under this section or notes therefore under § 45-12-18;

(3) The city or town is in compliance with financial reporting requirements as set forth in § 45-10-5 and is not subject to enforcement proceedings or remedies as provided for in § 45-12-22.7; and

(4) The authorization for the issuance of such bonds has been approved by local referendum at a general or special election or financial town meeting.

(5) Notwithstanding any provision of the general or public laws, or rule or regulation to the contrary, the projects or activities set forth in this act receiving ministerial approval shall not qualify for school housing aid as set forth in Chapter 16-7 of the general laws.

The auditor general shall establish standards and rules for the submission of applications for approval of bonds by cities and towns in accordance with this section. Upon the submission of a complete application from a city or town, the auditor general shall within thirty (30) days determine whether the standards set forth in this section have been met. If the standards have been met, then the auditor general shall give approval to the application and the city or town shall have the power under law to issue bonds, provided it is otherwise lawful; if the auditor general finds that the borrowing does not meet said standards, the city or town shall be notified that the certification standards have not been met, which notification shall state the standards that were and were not met, and if otherwise required, the city or town shall seek special statutory authority as provided in § 45-12-2. No ministerial approval pursuant to this section shall be given by the auditor general for tax year synchronization bonds, pension obligation bonds or bonds to fund other post employment benefits. The auditor general shall submit a copy of each approval and each notification that approval has been denied within five (5) business days after issuance to the director of administration and the chairpersons of the house committees on corporations and finance and the chairpersons of the senate committees on housing and municipal government and finance.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-16-1 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-16 / Section 45-16-1
§ 45-16-1. Refusal to serve as sergeant  Maximum service required.
Status: in_force

Whoever is legally chosen to the office of town sergeant, and refuses to serve in that office, shall pay a fine of seven dollars ($7.00), to and for the use of the town, to be levied and collected, upon conviction, by warrant of distress issued by any justice of the peace of a town, the warrant to be directed to the division of sheriffs, and no person is obliged to serve in the office more often than once in seven (7) years.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-65-8 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-65 / Section 45-65-8
§ 45-65-8. Study commission.
Status: in_force

A study commission for locally administered plans shall be established to review existing legislation and pension plan administrative practices and to make recommendations for the improved security and funding of locally administered plans and other post-retirement benefit obligations of cities and towns. The commission shall consist of fourteen (14) members: the director of the department of revenue, or his or her designee; who shall be the chair, the auditor general, one member each representing the department of administration, the general treasurer, the League of Cities and Towns and the Rhode Island Public Expenditures Council, and three (3) members appointed by the governor representing municipal police, fire and non-public safety employees. In addition, the Speaker of the House and President of the State Senate shall each appoint one member to the commission and then shall jointly select and appoint one elected mayor from a city or town with a population greater than 50,000, one elected mayor from a city or town with a population less than 50,000 and one appointed town administrator.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-32-12 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-32 / Section 45-32-12
§ 45-32-12. Conduct of hearing.
Status: in_force

At the hearing the legislative body, or its committee to which the plan has been referred, shall consider the plan, any report of the planning commission, and any recommendations the agency may make, and take any other evidence and testimony that may be presented concerning the matters under consideration.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-12-19 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-12 / Section 45-12-19
§ 45-12-19. Charter provisions as to referendum.
Status: in_force

The charter of any city or town may provide that the issuance of bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness of the city or town be by ordinance or by resolution after the issuance of the bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness of the city or town have been authorized by general or special law. The charter may provide that the ordinance or resolution becomes effective only upon approval by a majority of electors voting thereon; provided, that the charter provision is inoperative and ineffective, and the ordinance or resolution becomes effective without approval by the electors of the city or town, whenever the general or special law which authorizes the issuance of the bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness provides substantially that the general or special law becomes effective upon acceptance or approval by the electors of the city or town; and provided, further, that the charter provision shall be operative and effective as to this ordinance or resolution only whenever the general or special law which authorizes the issuance of the bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness has become effective without acceptance or approval by the electors of the city or town, and contains no provision requiring the acceptance or approval of the electors of the city or town as a prerequisite to the issuance of the bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness of the city or town.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-32-28 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-32 / Section 45-32-28
§ 45-32-28. Deposit in superior court of compensation for property taken.
Status: in_force

Upon the filing of the copy of the resolution, plat, and declaration, as described in § 45-32-27, the agency shall file in the superior court in and for the county in which the real property lies a statement of the sum of money estimated by the agency to be just compensation for the property taken, and shall deposit in the superior court, to the use of the persons entitled to it, the sum established in the statement or a greater or lesser sum in accordance with an order by the court determining the sum which should be considered sufficient to satisfy the claims of all persons having an estate or interest in the real property.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-29-22 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-29 / Section 45-29-22
§ 45-29-22. Proceedings and report by appraisers.
Status: in_force

The appraisers appointed pursuant to § 45-29-21, after being sworn to the faithful performance of their duties, shall immediately view the premises, and within fourteen (14) days of appointment, and after notice as the superior court may prescribe, proceed to hear the parties in interest as to their respective damages for the taking, and if the taking is less than the whole, then the damages to the remainder by reason of the taking. Within thirty (30) days after the commencement of hearings, or any longer period that the court may permit, the appraisers, or a majority of them, shall file in the office of the clerk of the superior court for the county where the land lies, a written report of their doings and their estimate of the damages so sustained, stating the names of the owners, and a brief description of their respective rights and interests taken, and damages consequent thereon.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-49-1 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-49 / Section 45-49-1
§ 45-49-1. Purpose of chapter.
Status: in_force

In recognition of the growing number of school age children who have no adult supervision at certain periods when school is not in session, the purposes of this chapter are as follows:

(1) To encourage the development of partnerships among parents, school systems, municipal governments, and child care providers to serve the interests of school age children in need of before and after school care;

(2) To promote the availability of child care services to school age children in need of these services;

(3) To encourage and assure maximum use of the public schools in the establishment and operation of and provision for school age child care programs;

(4) To provide financial assistance for the establishment and operation of school age child care programs; and

(5) To encourage school committees, municipal governments, and community organizations to assess the need for school age child care services, and to promote public awareness of the need to provide before and after school child care and of the availability of programs to provide these services.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-16-13 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-16 / Section 45-16-13
§ 45-16-13. Removal of town constables from office.
Status: in_force

Any town constable, except a constable elected by the electors of any town or city, may be removed for cause from office at any time by the town council or other body appointing him or her, after notice, in writing, to the town constable of the charges against him or her and an opportunity given him or her for a hearing.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-44-11 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-44 / Section 45-44-11
§ 45-44-11. Responsibilities and duties of board.
Status: in_force

The board is empowered and has the duty and responsibility to:

(1) Review and publicize, by newspaper advertising or some other effective method, the availability of homestead program properties.

(2) Accept and review applications and determine the qualifications of applicants within the criteria established by this chapter and the regulations promulgated under this chapter.

(3) Approve and certify applicants with a view towards compatibility of the applicant and the parcel assigned to him or her.

(4) Approve and recommend the execution, by the duly authorized officer of the city or town, of a conditional deed to the assigned parcel upon the applicant being approved.

(5) Approve and recommend the execution, by the duly authorized representative of the city or town, of all documents necessary to convey fee simple title to the assigned parcel to the applicant upon the applicants fulfillment of all conditions enumerated in § 45-44-4.

(6) Accept any real property donated to the city or town which qualifies or is eligible for rehabilitation under the homestead program.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-21-2 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-21 / Section 45-21-2
§ 45-21-2. Definitions.
Status: repealed

The following words and phrases as used in this chapter have the following meanings unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context:

(1) Accumulated contributions means the sum of all amounts deducted from the compensation of a member and credited to the members individual account in the members contribution reserve account.

(2) Active member means any employee of a participating municipality as defined in this section for whom the retirement system is currently receiving regular contributions pursuant to § 45-21-41, § 45-21-41.1, or § 45-21.2-14.

(3) Actuarial reserve means the present value of all payments to be made on account of any annuity, retirement allowance, or benefit, computed upon the basis of mortality tables adopted by the retirement board with regular interest.

(4) Beneficiary means any person in receipt of a retirement allowance, annuity, or other benefit as provided by this chapter.

(5) For purposes of this chapter, domestic partner shall be defined as a person who, prior to the decedents death, was in an exclusive, intimate, and committed relationship with the decedent, and who certifies by affidavit that their relationship met the following qualifications:

(i) Both partners were at least eighteen (18) years of age and were mentally competent to contract;

(ii) Neither partner was married to anyone else;

(iii) Partners were not related by blood to a degree which would prohibit marriage in the state of Rhode Island;

(iv) Partners resided together and had resided together for at least one year at the time of death; and

(v) Partners were financially interdependent as evidenced by at least two (2) of the following:

(A) Domestic partnership agreement or relationship contract;

(B) Joint mortgage or joint ownership of primary residence;

(C) Two (2) of: (I) Joint ownership of motor vehicle; (II) Joint checking account; (III) Joint credit account; (IV) Joint lease; and/or

(D) The domestic partner had been designated as a beneficiary for the decedents will, retirement contract, or life insurance.

(6) Effective date of participation means the date on which the provisions of this chapter have become applicable to a municipality accepting the provisions of the chapter in the manner stated in § 45-21-4.

(7) Employee means any regular and permanent employee or officer of any municipality, whose business time at a minimum of twenty (20) hours a week is devoted to the service of the municipality, including elective officials and officials and employees of city and town housing authorities. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, the term employee, for the purposes of this chapter, does not include any person whose duties are of a casual or seasonal nature. The retirement board shall decide who are employees within the meaning of this chapter, but in no case shall it deem as an employee any individual who annually devotes less than twenty (20) business hours per week to the service of the municipality and who receives less than the equivalent of minimum wage compensation on an hourly basis for their services, except as provided in § 45-21-14.1 [repealed]. Casual employees mean those persons hired for an occasional period or a period of emergency to perform special jobs or functions not necessarily related to the work of regular employees. Any commissioner of a municipal housing authority, or any member of a part-time state board commission, committee, or other authority is not deemed to be an employee within the meaning of this chapter.

(8)(a) Final compensation for members who are eligible to retire on or prior to June 30, 2012, means the average annual compensation, pay, or salary of a member for services rendered during the period of three (3) consecutive years within the total service of the member when the average was highest, and as the term average annual compensation is further defined in § 36-8-1(5)(a). For members eligible to retire on or after July 1, 2012, final compensation means the average of the highest five (5) consecutive years of compensation within the total service when the final compensation was the highest. For members eligible to and who retire on or after July 1, 2024, final compensation means the average of the highest three (3) consecutive years of compensation within the total service when the final compensation was the highest.

(b) For members who become eligible to retire on or after July 1, 2012, if more than one half (Â½) of the members total years of service consist of years of service during which the member devoted less than thirty (30) business hours per week to the service of the municipality, but the members average compensation consists of three (3) or more years during which the member devoted more than thirty (30) business hours per week to the service of a municipality, such members average compensation shall mean the average of the highest ten (10) consecutive years of compensation within the total service when the average compensation was the highest; provided however, effective July 1, 2015, if such members average compensation as defined in subsection (a) above is equal to or less than thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000), such amount to be indexed annually in accordance with § 45-21-52(d)(1)(B), such members average compensation shall mean the greater of: (i) The average of the highest ten (10) consecutive years of compensation within the total service when the average compensation was the highest; or (ii) The members average compensation as defined in subsection (a) above. To protect a members accrued benefit on June 30, 2012, under this subsection (8)(b), in no event shall a members average compensation be lower than his or her average compensation determined as of June 30, 2012.

Notwithstanding the preceding provisions, in no event shall a members final compensation be lower than the members final compensation determined as of June 30, 2012.

(9) Fiscal year means the period beginning on July 1 in any year and ending on June 30 of the next succeeding year.

(10) Full actuarial costs or full actuarial value mean the lump sum payable by a member claiming service credit for certain employment for which payment is required, which is determined according to the age of the member and their annual rate of compensation at the time he or she applies for service credit, and which is expressed as a rate percent of the annual rate of compensation to be multiplied by the number of years for which the member claims the service credit, as prescribed in a schedule adopted by the retirement board, from time to time, on the basis of computation by the actuary. Except as provided in §§ 16-16-7.1, 36-5-3, 36-9-31, 36-10-10.4, and 45-21-53: (i) All service credit purchases requested after June 16, 2009, and prior to July 1, 2012, shall be at full actuarial value; and (ii) All service credit purchases requested after June 30, 2012, shall be at full actuarial value which shall be determined using the systems assumed investment rate of return minus one percent (1%).

(11) Governing body means any and all bodies empowered to appropriate monies for, and administer the operation of, the units as defined in subdivision (13) of this section.

(12) Member means any person included in the membership of the retirement system as provided in § 45-21-8.

(13) Municipality means any town or city in the state of Rhode Island, any city or town housing authority, fire, water, sewer district, regional school district, public building authority as established by chapter 14 of title 37 [repealed], or any other municipal financed agency to which the retirement board has approved admission in the retirement system.

(14) Participating municipality means any municipality which has accepted this chapter, as provided in § 45-21-4.

(15) Prior service means service as a member rendered before the effective date of participation as defined in this section, certified on the members prior service certificate, and allowable as provided in § 45-21-15.

(16) Regular interest means interest at the assumed investment rate of return, compounded annually, as may be prescribed from time to time by the retirement board.

(17) Retirement allowance or annuity means the amounts paid to any member of the municipal employees retirement system of the state of Rhode Island, or a survivor of the member, as provided in this chapter. All retirement allowances or annuities shall be paid in equal monthly installments for life, unless otherwise specifically provided.

(18) Retirement board or board means the state retirement board created by chapter 8 of title 36.

(19) Retirement system means the municipal employees retirement system of the state of Rhode Island as defined in § 45-21-32.

(20) Service means service as an employee of a municipality of the state of Rhode Island as defined in subdivision (7).

(21) Total service means prior service as defined in subdivision (15) plus service rendered as a member on or after the effective date of participation.

(22) Any term not specifically defined in this chapter and specifically defined in chapters 8 through 10 of title 36 shall have the same definition as set forth in chapters 8 through 10 of title 36.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-16-8 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-16 / Section 45-16-8
§ 45-16-8. Election of special town constables.
Status: in_force

Every town council may elect for any amount of time, not exceeding one year, that they may determine, one or more special town constables who shall be commissioned and engaged but shall not be required to give bond.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-63-3 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-63 / Section 45-63-3
§ 45-63-3. Special assessment.
Status: in_force

(a) The town of Middletown, by ordinance, is authorized to impose and collect a special assessment to defray the cost of construction of said stormwater control systems in areas not presently served by subsurface stormwater control systems. The town council shall prescribe a just and equitable annual assessment to all owners of land abutting on that portion of any street, highway or right-of-way in which storm water drainage pipes, catch basins and lines are installed at the expense of the town of Middletown. Said assessment shall be adopted by ordinance of the town council after public hearing thereon, shall be imposed only after said stormwater control system shall have been installed and shall be formulated to repay to the town the actual costs of construction of said storm water control system, including design, permitting, debt service and costs on any issuance of bonds or notes issued to finance the same, or such portion thereof as the town shall deem appropriate, over a period not to exceed twenty (20) years, (or the repayment term of any bonds or notes utilized to finance same, whichever may be greater). Said assessment to owners of abutting land shall be at a uniform rate for each foot of frontage of land abutting on a street, highway or right-of-way, into which a subsurface stormwater control system shall have been installed by the town; provided, however, that a minimum rate may be established for any lot having foot frontage of less than fifty (50) feet which rate may be equal to that charged for a lot with foot frontage of fifty (50) feet; provided, that a higher rate per foot frontage may be assessed to a lot of land upon which a dwelling or other structure is located than an unimproved lot of land, and further provided, that whenever any lot is located at the intersection of two (2) streets, highways or rights-of-way in which stormwater drainage lines have been constructed at the expense of the town of Middletown hereunder the assessment on such lot shall be made only for the stormwater drainage line on one street, highway or right-of-way, that being the street, highway or right-of-way having the greatest linear foot frontage. It is hereby determined that assessment made under this section will not exceed the benefits to the abutting owners.

(b) Said ordinance shall provide that the amount of said special assessment shall be payable to the town in equal annual installments for a period not exceeding twenty (20) years, (or the repayment term of any bonds or notes utilized to finance same, whichever may be greater), with interest thereon, if any, at a rate to be determined by the town council not exceeding six percent (6%) per annum or the interest rate payable on any bonds or notes issued to finance same, whichever may be greater, payable at such time as each installment becomes due. Any property owner shall have the right to prepay unpaid installments with interest to time of prepayment.

(c) The town council shall annually, prior to the first day of July, certify to the finance director all assessments made by it under the authority of this section. Each such assessment made by the town council pursuant to this section shall be a lien upon the lands, buildings and improvements upon which it is made in the same way and manner in which taxes assessed on real estate and if not paid as required shall be collected in the same manner that taxes assessed on real estate are by law collected. Such assessment shall be due and payable at the time the next regular town taxes are first due and payable next after receipt by the finance director of the certification of assessments from the town council, except that payment may be made in quarterly installments and installment payments shall be due beginning at such time, and the finance director shall forthwith certify to the tax collector for collection, and the tax collector shall proceed to collect such assessment in the same manner and at the same time the regular taxes of the town are first due and payable, with provision for installments as provided in this section. Interest at the rate per annum for nonpayment of town taxes shall be charged and collected upon all overdue assessments and installments from the date they are payable until paid.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-24-67 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-24 / Section 45-24-67
§ 45-24-67. Appeals  Participation in zoning hearing.
Status: in_force

Participation in a zoning hearing or other proceeding by a party is not a cause for civil action or liability except for acts not in good faith, intentional misconduct, a knowing violation of law, transactions where there is an improper personal benefit, or malicious, wanton, or willful misconduct.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-24-47 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-24 / Section 45-24-47
§ 45-24-47. Special provisions  Land development projects.
Status: in_force

(a) A zoning ordinance shall provide for land development projects which are defined in § 45-23-32.

(b) A zoning ordinance adopted pursuant to this chapter that permits or requires the creation of land development projects in one or more zoning districts shall require that any land development project shall be reviewed, in accordance with the procedures established by chapter 23 of this title, including those for appeal and judicial review, and with any ordinances or regulations adopted pursuant to the procedures, whether or not the land development project constitutes a subdivision, as defined in chapter 23 of this title. No land development project shall be initiated until a plan of the project has been submitted and approval has been granted by the authorized permitting authority. In reviewing, hearing, and deciding upon a land development project, the authorized permitting authority may be empowered to allow zoning incentives within the project; provided, that standards for the zoning incentives are described in the zoning ordinance, and may be empowered to apply any special conditions and stipulations to the approval that may, in the opinion of the authorized permitting authority, be required to maintain harmony with neighboring uses and promote the objectives and purposes of the comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance.

(c) In regulating land development projects, an ordinance adopted pursuant to this chapter may include, but is not limited to, regulations governing the following:

(1) A minimum area or site size for a land development project;

(2) Uses to be permitted within the development;

(3) Ratios of residential to nonresidential uses where applicable;

(4) Maximum density per lot and maximum density for the entire development;

(5) Roads, driveways, utilities, parking, and other facilities; regulations may distinguish between those facilities intended to remain in private ownership or to be dedicated to the public; and

(6) Buffer areas, landscaping, screening, and shading.

(d) In regulating land development projects, an ordinance adopted pursuant to this chapter shall include provisions for zoning incentives that include the adjustment of applicable lot density and dimensional standards where open space is to be permanently set aside for public or common use, and/or where the physical characteristics, location, or size of the site require an adjustment, and/or where the location, size, and type of housing, commercial, industrial, or other use require an adjustment, and/or where housing for low and moderate income families is to be provided, or where other amenities not ordinarily required are provided, as stipulated in the zoning ordinance. Provision may be made for adjustment of applicable lot density and dimensional standards for payment or donation of other land or facilities in lieu of an on-site provision of an amenity that would, if provided on-site, enable an adjustment.

(e)(1) A zoning ordinance requiring open land in a cluster development or other land development project for public or common use, shall provide that such open land either: (i) Be conveyed to the city or town and accepted by it for park, open space, agricultural, or other specified use or uses; or (ii) Be conveyed to a nonprofit organization, the principal purpose of which is the conservation of open space or resource protection; or (iii) Be conveyed to a corporation or trust owned or to be owned by the owners of lots or units within the development, or owners of shares within a cooperative development. If such a corporation or trust is used, ownership shall pass with conveyances of the lots or units; or (iv) Remain in private ownership if the use is limited to agriculture, habitat or forestry, and the city or town has set forth in its community comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance that private ownership is necessary for the preservation and management of the agricultural, habitat or forest resources.

(2) In any case where the land is not conveyed to the city or town:

(i) A restriction, in perpetuity, enforceable by the city or town or by any owner of property in the cluster or other land development project in which the land is located shall be recorded providing that the land is kept in the authorized condition(s) and not built upon or developed for accessory uses such as parking or roadway; and

(ii) The developmental rights and other conservation easements on the land may be held, in perpetuity, by a nonprofit organization, the principal purpose of which is the conservation of open space or resource protection.

(3) All open space land provided by a cluster development or other land development project shall be subject to a community-approved management plan that will specify the permitted uses for the open space.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-43-4 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-43 / Section 45-43-4
§ 45-43-4. Bylaws.
Status: in_force

The council shall adopt bylaws designating the officers of the council and providing for the conduct of its business.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-16-4.2 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-16 / Section 45-16-4.2
§ 45-16-4.2. Action on bond of constables.
Status: in_force

Any person injured by the breach of the bond of any town constable may commence an action for his or her own use, under like circumstances and in the same manner and subject to the same provisions as that person might do in the name of the general treasurer upon a bond given by the sheriff, if the person were injured by the breach of the bond.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-12-22.4 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-12 / Section 45-12-22.4
§ 45-12-22.4. Deficit, pension and other post-employment benefit financing  Approval required.
Status: in_force

(a) Except as provided in chapter 9 of this title, no municipality shall sell a long-term bond in order to fund a deficit or to fund pension obligations or other post-employment benefits without prior approval by the state auditor general and director of the state department of revenue.

(b) If any provision of this section or the application thereof shall for any reason be judged invalid, that judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder of the law, but shall be confined in its effect to the provisions or application directly involved in the controversy giving rise to the judgment.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-43-1 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-43 / Section 45-43-1
§ 45-43-1. Establishment.
Status: in_force

The municipal legislative bodies of any two (2) or more cities or towns, by appropriate action, may enter into an agreement with each other, or with the governing bodies of any municipalities of any other state to the extent that laws of the other state permit the establishment of a regional council of local governments.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-38-6 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-38 / Section 45-38-6
§ 45-38-6. Tax exemption.
Status: in_force

Any educational facility owned by the state or a municipality, as provided by § 45-38-3, is declared to be public property, and is exempt from all taxes and special assessments of the state or any of its political subdivisions.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-32-30 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-32 / Section 45-32-30
§ 45-32-30. Vesting of title to property taken.
Status: in_force

Upon the filing of the copy of the resolution, plat, and declaration in the land evidence records of the city or town, and upon the making of a deposit in accordance with the order of the superior court, title to the real property in fee simple absolute or the lesser estate or interest in it, as is specified in the declaration, shall vest in the agency, and the real property deemed to be condemned and taken for the use of the agency, and the right to just compensation for it vested in the persons entitled to it.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-70-3 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-70 / Section 45-70-3
§ 45-70-3. Land use law and planning  Required education for local planning and zoning board members and historic district commission members.
Status: in_force

(a) Every current member or alternate member of a local planning and zoning board or commission or combined board or commission or historic district commission performing land planning or zoning functions shall be required to have satisfactorily completed an education program in land use law and planning to be prepared by the director of the department of administration.

(b) The education program pursuant to this chapter shall be prepared and offered within twelve (12) months of the enactment of this chapter and shall include an introductory program offered for new or prospective board members and continuing education courses offered for existing board members. Furthermore, the education program shall be sufficient in design and duration to adequately and reasonably address the topic areas related to land use and planning, including all topics determined relevant by the director, and shall consist of no less than three (3) hours of scheduled instruction for the introductory course or courses and no less than one hour of scheduled instruction for any subsequent annual continuing education requirements. Reasonable efforts shall be made by the director to have the course of study structured in such a manner that a member may satisfy these requirements through a variety of instructional means including, but not limited to: traditional style classroom and seminar training, distance learning, webinars, on-site presentations, and by other means as deemed appropriate by the director. Education program topics to be considered may include, but not be limited to, the following:

(1) History and purposes of planning and zoning;

(2) State laws and local ordinances, rules and regulations applicable to the work of planning and zoning members, including a full review of chapter 53 of this title (Rhode Island Low and Moderate Income Housing Act);

(3) Overview of the functions of the boards, statutory requirements, and the main tools of planning, zoning, and subdivision review;

(4) Role of others in the planning and zoning process (citizens, applicants, planning and zoning staff, and elected officials);

(5) Understanding and interpreting local comprehensive plans in helping to make land use decisions;

(6) Understanding basic property rights;

(7) Legal context for the decision-making process and making legal, defensible decisions;

(8) Basics of findings of fact, making the record, and the legal context for planning;

(9) Public hearings, voting requirements and other key procedural requirements;

(10) How to review site plans and subdivisions;

(11) Types of conditions boards may impose when approving special permit(s) or variance application(s);

(12) Open meetings/ethics requirements/avoiding ethical dilemmas; and

(13) Proper ways to manage public meetings including quorums, recusals, and rules of order.

(c) Every current member or alternate member of a local planning board pursuant to chapter 22 of this title shall, in addition to any other education requirement promulgated pursuant to this chapter, complete two (2) hours of training and education concerning the effects of development in a flood plain and the effects of sea-level rise once every two (2) years. Each member shall complete two (2) hours of training in order to be certified for the two (2) years required by this chapter.

(d) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, any person who is serving as a member or alternate member of a planning, zoning, or combined board or commission or historic district commission performing land use and planning pursuant to general laws, shall be required to complete the introductory education program within twenty-four (24) months of January 1, 2023, or within (24) months of appointment, whichever is later, and shall also complete the required annual continuing education requirements as may be required. No decision of a planning board, zoning board, or historic district commission shall be voided or declared invalid because of failure of a member to comply with these training requirements.

(e) Upon completion of the training required pursuant to this chapter, the local planning and zoning board or commission or combined board or commission or historic district commission member shall file with the municipal clerk a statement asserting the training course has been completed.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-33-7 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-33 / Section 45-33-7
§ 45-33-7. Terms and form of bonds.
Status: in_force

Bonds of an agency are authorized by its resolution, and may be issued in one or more series, and shall bear a date or dates, mature at time or times, bear interest at a rate or rates, be in a denomination or denominations, be in a form, either coupon or registered, carry conversion or registration privileges, have a rank or priority, be executed in a manner, be payable in a medium of payment, at a place or places, and be subject to terms of redemption (with or without premium) that the resolution, its trust indenture, or mortgage may provide. Bonds of an agency may be sold at public or private sale at a price or prices to be determined by the agency.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-53-4_45-53-4 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-53 / Section 45-53-4_45-53-4
§ 45-53-4. Procedure for approval of construction of low- or moderate-income housing. [Effective until January 1, 2026.]45-53-4. Procedure for approval of construction of low- or moderate-income housing. [Effective January 1, 2026, inclusive of existing language in § 45-53-4.]
Status: reserved

(a) Any applicant proposing to build low- or moderate-income housing may submit to the local review board a single application for a comprehensive permit to build that housing in lieu of separate applications to the applicable local boards. This procedure is only available for proposals in which at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the housing is low- or moderate-income housing.

(b) Municipal government subsidies, including density bonuses, adjustments, and zoning incentives, are to be made available to applications under this chapter to offset the differential costs of the low- or moderate-incoming housing units in a development under this chapter. At a minimum, the following zoning incentives shall be allowed for projects submitted under this chapter:

(1) Density bonus. A municipality shall provide an applicant with more dwelling units than allowed by right under its zoning ordinance in the form of a density bonus to allow an increase in the allowed dwelling units per acre (DU/A), as well as other incentives and municipal government subsidies as defined in § 45-53-3.

Furthermore, a municipality shall provide, at a minimum, the following density bonuses for projects submitted under this chapter, provided that the total land utilized in the density calculation shall exclude wetlands; area devoted to roadway infrastructure necessary for development; and easements or rights of way of record:

(i) For properties connected to public sewer and water, or eligible to be connected to public sewer and water based on written confirmation from each respective service provider, the density bonus for a project that provides at least twenty-five percent (25%) low- and moderate-income housing shall be at least five (5) units per acre;

(ii) For properties connected to public sewer and water, or eligible to be connected to public sewer and water based on written confirmation from each respective service provider, the density bonus for a project that provides at least fifty percent (50%) low- and moderate-income housing shall be at least nine (9) units per acre;

(iii) For properties connected to public sewer and water, or eligible to be connected to public sewer and water based on written confirmation from each respective service provider, the density bonus for a project that provides one hundred percent (100%) low- and moderate-income housing shall be at least twelve (12) units per acre;

(iv) For properties not connected to either public water or sewer or both, but which provide competent evidence as to the availability of water to service the development and/or a permit for on-site wastewater treatment facilities to service the dwelling units from the applicable state agency, the density bonus for a project that provides at least twenty-five percent (25%) low- and moderate-income housing shall be at least three (3) units per acre;

(v) For properties not connected to either public water or sewer or both, but which provide competent evidence as to the availability of water to service the development and/or a permit for on-site wastewater treatment facilities to service the dwelling units from the applicable state agency, the density bonus for a project that provides at least fifty percent (50%) low- and moderate-income housing shall be at least five (5) units per acre;

(vi) For properties not connected to either public water or sewer or both, but which provide competent evidence as to the availability of water to service the development and/or a permit for on-site wastewater treatment facilities to service the dwelling units from the applicable state agency, the density bonus for a project that provides one hundred percent (100%) low- and moderate-income housing shall be at least eight (8) units per acre;

(2) Parking. A municipality shall not require more than one off-street parking space per dwelling unit for units up to and including two (2) bedrooms in applications submitted under this chapter;

(3) Bedrooms. A municipality shall not limit the number of bedrooms for applications submitted under this chapter to anything less than three (3) bedrooms per dwelling unit for single-family dwelling units;

(4) Floor area. A municipality shall not utilize floor area requirements to limit any application, except as provided by § 45-24.3-11.

(c) A municipality shall not restrict comprehensive permit applications and permits by any locally adopted ordinance or policy that places a limit or moratorium on the development of residential units.

(d) The application and review process for a comprehensive permit shall be as follows:

(1) Pre-application conference. A municipality may require an applicant proposing a project under this chapter, who is not electing to have master plan review, to complete, or the applicant proposing a project under this chapter may request a pre-application conference with the local review board, the technical review committee established pursuant to § 45-23-56, or with the administrative officer for the local review board as appropriate. In advance of a pre-application conference, the applicant shall be required to submit only a short description of the project in writing including the number of units, type of housing, density analysis, preliminary list of adjustments needed, as well as a location map, and conceptual site plan. The purpose of the pre-application conference shall be to review a concept plan of the proposed development and to elicit feedback from the reviewing person or board. Upon receipt of a request by an applicant for a pre-application conference, the municipality shall have thirty (30) days to schedule and hold the pre-application conference, unless a different timeframe is agreed to by the applicant in writing. If thirty (30) days has elapsed from the filing of the pre-application submission and no pre-application conference has taken place, nothing shall be deemed to preclude an applicant from thereafter filing and proceeding with an application for preliminary plan review for a comprehensive permit.

(2) Optional master plan. An applicant may elect to apply for and be heard on master plan review prior to preliminary plan submission. If a master plan review is elected by the applicant the following shall apply:

(i) Submission requirements. Submission requirements for master plan review shall be limited to the following:

(A) An application form and fee;

(B) A short description of the project in writing including the number of units, type of housing, density analysis, list of adjustments needed, as well as a location map, and preliminary determinations as to site constraints;

(C) Conceptual site plans showing infrastructure locations for roadways, preliminary locations and design of conceptual stormwater facilities, location of sewer and water lines and/or wells and on-site wastewater treatment systems, locations of housing units, estimated locations of site constraints and wetlands;

(D) A preliminary traffic opinion for projects of over thirty (30) dwelling units;

(E) A letter of eligibility issued by the Rhode Island housing and mortgage finance corporation, or in the case of projects primarily funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or other state or federal agencies, an award letter indicating the subsidy, or application in such form as may be prescribed for a municipal government subsidy;

(F) If the applicant submits any requests for adjustments at master plan, a public hearing shall be held in the same manner as during preliminary plan review as set forth in this section and the applicant shall be responsible for providing the list of abutters and all advertising costs.

(ii) Certification of completeness. The master plan application must be certified complete or incomplete by the administrative officer according to the provisions of § 45-23-36; provided, however, that the certificate shall be granted within twenty-five (25) days of submission of the application. The running of the time period set forth herein will be deemed stopped upon the issuance of a written certificate of incompleteness of the application by the administrative officer and will recommence upon the resubmission of a corrected application by the applicant. However, in no event will the administrative officer be required to certify a corrected submission as complete or incomplete less than ten (10) days after its resubmission. If the administrative officer certifies the application as incomplete, the officer shall set forth in writing with specificity the missing or incomplete items.

(iii) Review of applications. A master plan application filed in accordance with this chapter shall be reviewed in accordance with the following provisions:

(A) Timeframe for review. The local review board shall render a decision on the master plan application within sixty (60) days of the date the application is certified complete, or within a further amount of time that may be consented to by the applicant through the submission of a written consent.

(B) Failure to act. Failure of the local review board to act within the prescribed period constitutes approval of the master plan, and a certificate of the administrative officer as to the failure of the local review board to act within the required time and the resulting approval shall be issued on request of the applicant.

(C) Required findings. In voting on an application, the local review board shall make findings, supported by legally competent evidence on the record that discloses the nature and character of the observations upon which the fact finders acted, on the standards required for preliminary plan review in this section, to the extent applicable at the master plan. The failure to provide information which is required later at preliminary plan review shall not form a basis for denial. If the board votes to defer a finding to preliminary plan it shall do so on the record during the proceedings and in the written decision and specify what items are necessary for review at the preliminary plan stage in order to address that finding.

(iv) Vesting. The approved master plan is vested for a period of two (2) years with the right to extend for two (2), one-year extensions upon written request by the applicant, who must appear before the planning board for each annual review. Thereafter, vesting may be extended for a longer period, for good cause shown, if requested, in writing by the applicant, and approved by the local review board. The vesting for the master plan approval includes all ordinance provisions and regulations at the time of the approval, general and specific conditions shown on the approved master plan drawings and supporting material.

(3) Preliminary plan review.

(i) Submission requirements. Applications for preliminary plan review under this chapter shall include:

(A) Unless already submitted at a master plan stage, a letter of eligibility issued by the Rhode Island housing and mortgage finance corporation, or in the case of projects primarily funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or other state or federal agencies, an award letter indicating the subsidy, or application in such form as may be prescribed for a municipal government subsidy; and

(B) A letter signed by the authorized representative of the applicant, setting forth the specific sections and provisions of applicable local ordinances and regulations from which the applicant is seeking adjustments; and

(C) A proposed timetable for the commencement of construction and completion of the project; and

(D) Those items required by local regulations promulgated pursuant to applicable state law, with the exception of evidence of state or federal permits; and for comprehensive permit applications included in the checklist for the preliminary plan review in the local regulations promulgated pursuant to chapter 23 of this title; and

(E) Notwithstanding the submission requirements set forth above, the local review board may request additional, reasonable documentation throughout the public hearing, including, but not limited to, opinions of experts, credible evidence of application for necessary federal and/or state permits, statements and advice from other local boards and officials.

(ii) Certification of completeness. The preliminary plan application must be certified complete or incomplete by the administrative officer according to the provisions of § 45-23-36; provided, however, that the certificate shall be granted within twenty-five (25) days of submission of the application. The running of the time period set forth herein will be deemed stopped upon the issuance of a written certificate of incompleteness of the application by the administrative officer and will recommence upon the resubmission of a corrected application by the applicant. However, in no event will the administrative officer be required to certify a corrected submission as complete or incomplete less than ten (10) days after its resubmission. If the administrative officer certifies the application as incomplete, the officer shall set forth in writing with specificity the missing or incomplete items.

(iii) Review of applications. An application filed in accordance with this chapter shall be reviewed in accordance with the following provisions:

(A) Public hearing. A public hearing shall be noticed and held as soon as practicable after the issuance of a certificate of completeness.

(B) Notice. Public notice for the public hearing will be the same notice required under local regulations for a public hearing for a preliminary plan promulgated in accordance with § 45-23-42. The cost of notice shall be paid by the applicant.

(C) Timeframe for review. The local review board shall render a decision on the preliminary plan application within ninety (90) days of the date the application is certified complete, or within a further amount of time that may be consented to by the applicant through the submission of a written consent.

(D) Failure to act. Failure of the local review board to act within the prescribed period constitutes approval of the preliminary plan, and a certificate of the administrative officer as to the failure of the local review board to act within the required time and the resulting approval shall be issued on request of the applicant. Further, if the public hearing is not convened or a decision is not rendered within the time allowed in subsections (d)(3)(iii)(A) and (d)(3)(iii)(C) of this section, the application is deemed to have been allowed and the preliminary plan approval shall be issued immediately.

(E) Required findings. In voting on an application, the local review board shall make findings, supported by legally competent evidence on the record that discloses the nature and character of the observations upon which the fact finders acted, on each of the following standards, where applicable:

(I) Whether the proposed development is consistent with local needs as identified in the communitys affordable housing plan and/or has satisfactorily addressed the issues where there may be inconsistencies. If the local board finds that the proposed development is inconsistent with the communitys affordable housing plan, it must also find that the municipality has made significant progress in implementing its housing plan.

(II) Whether the proposed development is in compliance with the standards and provisions of the municipalitys zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations, and/or where adjustments are requested by the applicant, whether local concerns that have been affected by the relief granted do not outweigh the state and local need for low- and moderate-income housing.

(III) Whether the low- and moderate-income housing units proposed are integrated throughout the development; are compatible in scale, meaning that: (1) The size of the low- and moderate-income units shall not be less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the size of the market rate units, unless otherwise allowed by the local board; (2) The affordable units are of similar architectural style to the market rate units within the project so that the exterior of the units look like an integrated neighborhood with similar rooflines, window patterns, materials and colors; and (3) The affordable units will be built and occupied in a proportional manner with the construction and occupancy of the market rate units. Except that for housing units that are intended to be occupied by persons fifty-five (55) years of age or older, or sixty-two (62) years of age or older, as permitted by the federal Fair Housing Act pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 3607(b) and 24 C.F.R. §§ 100.300-308 and the Rhode Island fair housing practices act pursuant to § 34-37-4.1, such units need not be integrated in any building or phase within the development that contains housing units that are not age-restricted, and neither age-restricted housing units nor any building or phase containing age-restricted housing units must be compatible in scale and architectural style to other housing unit types to the extent the age-restricted housing units are designed to meet the physical or social needs of older persons or necessary to provide housing opportunities for older persons.

(IV) Whether there will be significant negative impacts on the health and safety of current or future residents of the community, in areas including, but not limited to, safe circulation of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, provision of emergency services, sewerage disposal, availability of potable water, adequate surface water run-off, and the preservation of natural, historical, or cultural features.

(V) Whether the proposed land developments or subdivisions lots will have adequate and permanent physical access to a public street in accordance with the requirements of § 45-23-60(a)(5), or the local review board has approved other access, such as a private road.

(VI) Whether the proposed development will result in the creation of individual lots with any physical constraints to development that building on those lots according to pertinent regulations and building standards would be impracticable, unless created only as permanent open space or permanently reserved for a public purpose on the approved, recorded plans.

(F) [Deleted by P.L. 2025, ch. 363, § 1 and P.L. 2025, ch. 364, § 1.]

(iv) Vesting. The approved preliminary plan is vested for a period of two (2) years with the right to extend for two (2), one-year extensions upon written request by the applicant, who must appear before the planning board for each annual review and provide proof of valid state or federal permits as applicable. Thereafter, vesting may be extended for a longer period, for good cause shown, if requested, in writing by the applicant, and approved by the local review board. The vesting for the preliminary plan approval includes all ordinance provisions and regulations at the time of the approval, general and specific conditions shown on the approved preliminary plan drawings and supporting material.

(4) Final plan review. The second and final stage of review for the comprehensive permit project shall be done administratively, unless an applicant has requested and been granted any waivers from the submission of checklist items for preliminary plan review, and then, at the local review boards discretion, it may vote to require the applicant to return for final plan review and approval.

(i) Submission requirements. Applications for final plan review under this chapter shall include:

(A) All required state and federal permits must be obtained prior to the final plan approval or the issuance of a building permit; and

(B) A draft monitoring agreement which identifies an approved entity that will monitor the long-term affordability of the low- and moderate-income units pursuant to § 45-53-3.2; and

(C) A sample land lease or deed restriction with affordability liens that will restrict use as low- and moderate-income housing in conformance with the guidelines of the agency providing the subsidy for the low- and moderate-income housing, but for a period of not less than thirty (30) years; and

(D) Those items required by local regulations promulgated pursuant to applicable state law included in the checklist for final plan review in the local regulations promulgated pursuant to chapter 23 of this title, including, but not limited to:

(I) Arrangements for completion of the required public improvements, including construction schedule and/or financial guarantees; and

(II) Certification by the tax collector that all property taxes are current; and

(III) For phased projects, the final plan for phases following the first phase, shall be accompanied by copies of as-built drawings not previously submitted of all existing public improvements for prior phases.

(ii) Certification of completeness. The final plan application must be certified complete or incomplete by the administrative officer according to the provisions of § 45-23-36; provided however, that the certificate shall be granted within twenty-five (25) days of submission of the application. The running of the time period set forth herein will be deemed stopped upon the issuance of a written certificate of incompleteness of the application by the administrative officer and will recommence upon the resubmission of a corrected application by the applicant. However, in no event will the administrative officer be required to certify a corrected submission as complete or incomplete less than ten (10) days after its resubmission. If the administrative officer certifies the application as incomplete, the officer shall set forth in writing with specificity the missing or incomplete items.

(iii) Review of applications.

(A) Timeframe for review. The reviewing authority shall render a decision on the final plan application within forty-five (45) days of the date the application is certified complete.

(B) Modifications and changes to plans:

(I) Minor changes, as defined in the local regulations, to the approved plans may be approved administratively, by the administrative officer. The changes may be authorized without additional public hearings, at the discretion of the administrative officer. All changes shall be made part of the permanent record of the project application. This provision does not prohibit the administrative officer from requesting a recommendation from either the technical review committee or the local review board. Denial of the proposed change(s) shall be referred to the local review board for review as a major change.

(II) Major changes, as defined in the local regulations, to the plans may be approved only by the local review board and must follow the same review and public hearing process required for approval of preliminary plans as described in subsection (d)(3)(iii) of this section.

(III) The administrative officer shall notify the applicant in writing within fourteen (14) days of submission of the final plan application if the administrative officer is referring the application to the local review board under this subsection.

(C) Decision on final plan. An application filed in accordance with this chapter shall be approved by the administrative officer unless such application does not satisfy conditions set forth in the preliminary plan approval decision or such application does not have the requisite state and/or federal approvals or other required submissions, does not post the required improvement bonds, or such application is a major modification of the plans approved at preliminary plan.

(D) Failure to act. Failure of the reviewing authority to act within the prescribed period constitutes approval of the final plan, and a certificate of the administrative officer as to the failure to act within the required time and the resulting approval shall be issued on request of the applicant.

(iv) Vesting. The approved final plan decision is vested for a period of two (2) years with the right to extend for one one-year extension upon written request by the applicant, who must appear before the planning board for the extension request, unless, within that period, the plat or plan has been submitted for signature and recording as specified in § 45-23-64. Thereafter, vesting may be extended for a longer period, for good cause shown, if requested, in writing by the applicant, and approved by the local review board.

(5) Infeasibility of conditions of approval. The burden is on the applicant to show, by competent evidence before the local review board, that proposed conditions of approval are infeasible, as defined in § 45-53-3. Upon request, the applicant shall be provided a reasonable opportunity to respond to such proposed conditions prior to a final vote on the application.

(6) Fees. Municipalities may impose fees on comprehensive permit applications that are consistent with but do not exceed fees that would otherwise be assessed for a project of the same scope and type, but not proceeding under this chapter; provided, however, the imposition of such fees shall not preclude a showing by an applicant that the fees make the project financially infeasible.

(7) Recording of written decisions. All written decisions on applications under this chapter shall be recorded in the land evidence records within twenty (20) days after the local review boards vote or the administrative officers decision, as applicable. A copy of the recorded decision shall be mailed within one business day of recording, by any method that provides confirmation of receipt, to the applicant and to any objector who has filed a written request for notice with the administrative officer.

(8) Local review board powers. The local review board has the same power to issue permits or approvals that any local board or official who would otherwise act with respect to the application, including, but not limited to, the power to attach to the permit or approval, conditions, and requirements with respect to height, site plan, size or shape, or building materials, as are consistent with the terms of this section.

(9) Majority vote required. All local review board decisions on comprehensive permits shall be by majority vote of the members present at the proceeding.

(10) Construction timetable. A comprehensive permit shall expire unless construction is started within twelve (12) months and completed within sixty (60) months of the recording of the final plan unless a longer and/or phased period for development is agreed to by the local review board and the applicant. Low- and moderate-income housing units shall be built and occupied prior to, or simultaneous with the construction and occupancy of market rate units.

(11) For-profit developers  Limits. A town or city with an approved affordable housing plan and that is meeting local housing needs, as defined in this chapter, may by council action limit the annual total number of dwelling units in comprehensive permit applications from for-profit developers to an aggregate of one percent (1%) of the total number of year-round housing units in the town or city, as recognized in the affordable housing plan and notwithstanding the timetables set forth elsewhere in this section, the local review board shall have the authority to consider comprehensive permit applications from for-profit developers, which are made pursuant to this paragraph, sequentially in the order in which they are submitted.

(12) Report. The local review board of a town with an approved affordable housing plan shall report the status of implementation to the housing resources commission, including the disposition of any applications made under the plan, as of June 30, 2006, by September 1, 2006, and for each June 30 thereafter by September 1 through 2010. The housing resources commission shall prepare by October 15 and adopt by December 31, a report on the status of implementation, which shall be submitted to the governor, the speaker and the president of the senate, and shall find which towns are not in compliance with implementation requirements.

(13) Remanded applications. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 45-53-4 in effect on February 13, 2004, a local review board shall commence hearings within thirty (30) days of receiving an application remanded pursuant to § 45-53-5 or, effective January 1, 2024, § 45-53-5.1. In any town with more than one remanded application, applications may be scheduled for hearing in the order in which they were received, and may be taken up sequentially, with the thirty-day (30) requirement for the initiation of hearings, commencing upon the decision of the earlier filed application.

(e)(1) The general assembly finds and declares that in January 2004 towns throughout Rhode Island have been confronted by an unprecedented volume and complexity of development applications as a result of private for-profit developers using the provisions of this chapter and that in order to protect the public health and welfare in communities and to provide sufficient time to establish a reasonable and orderly process for the consideration of applications made under the provisions of this chapter, and to have communities prepare plans to meet low- and moderate-income housing goals, that it is necessary to impose a moratorium on the use of comprehensive permit applications as herein provided by private for-profit developers; a moratorium is hereby imposed on the use of the provisions of this chapter by private for-profit developers, which moratorium shall be effective on passage and shall expire on January 31, 2005, and may be revisited prior to expiration and extended to such other date as may be established by law. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, private for-profit developers may not utilize the procedure of this chapter until the expiration of the moratorium.

(2) No for-profit developer shall submit a new application for comprehensive permits until July 1, 2005, except by mutual agreement with the local review board.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (e)(2) of this section, a local review board in a town which has submitted a plan in accordance with subsection (f) of this section, shall not be required to accept an application for a new comprehensive permit from a for-profit developer until October 1, 2005.

(f) Towns and cities that are not in conformity with the provisions of § 45-53-3(5)(i) shall prepare by December 31, 2004, a comprehensive plan housing element for low- and moderate-income housing as specified by § 45-53-3(5)(ii), consistent with applicable law and regulation. That the secretary of the planning board or commission of each city or town subject to the requirements of this paragraph shall report in writing the status of the preparation of the housing element for low- and moderate-income housing on or before June 30, 2004, and on or before December 31, 2004, to the secretary of the state planning council, to the chair of the house committee on corporations and to the chair of the senate committee on commerce, housing and municipal government.

(g) If any provision of this section or the application thereof shall for any reason be judged invalid, the judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder of this section or of any other provision of this chapter, but shall be confined in its effect to the provision or application directly involved in the controversy giving rise to the judgment, and a moratorium on the applications of for-profit developers pursuant to this chapter shall remain and continue to be in effect for the period commencing on the day this section becomes law [February 13, 2004] and continue until it shall expire on January 31, 2005, or until amended further.

(h) In planning for, awarding, and otherwise administering programs and funds for housing and for community development, state departments, agencies, boards and commissions, and public corporations, as defined in chapter 18 of title 35, shall among the towns subject to the provision of § 45-53-3(5)(ii), give priority to the maximum extent allowable by law to towns with an approved affordable housing plan. The director of administration shall adopt not later than January 31, 2005, regulations to implement the provisions of this section.

(i) Multi-family rental units built under a comprehensive permit may be calculated towards meeting the requirements of a municipalitys low- or moderate-income housing inventory, as long as the units meet and are in compliance with the provisions of § 45-53-3.1.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-3-3 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-3 / Section 45-3-3
§ 45-3-3. Adjournment to complete election of officers.
Status: in_force

If, on the day of the town meeting for the election of town officers, any town fails to make an election of town clerk, town council, or town treasurer, the meeting may be adjourned for the purpose of completing the election of those officers, but of no others, from day to day, not exceeding three (3) days beyond the first day of meeting.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-23-45 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-23 / Section 45-23-45
§ 45-23-45. General provisions  Public design and improvement standards.
Status: in_force

(a) Public design and improvement standards for development projects shall be specified, through reasonable, objective standards and criteria, in the design and improvement standards section of the local regulations. Appropriate public improvement standards shall be specified for each area or district of the municipality. Standards may include, but are not limited to, specifications for rights-of-way, streets, sidewalks, lighting, landscaping, public access, utilities, drainage systems, fire protection, and soil erosion control.

(b) All public improvements required in a land development project or subdivision by a municipality shall reflect the physical character and design for that district that is specified by the municipalitys adopted comprehensive plan. Public improvement requirements and standards need not be the same in all areas or districts of a municipality. The technical details of the improvement standards may be contained in an appendix to the local regulations but shall be considered part of the regulations.

(c) A town or city that requires the installation of a common cistern or any other water reservoir for fire protection purposes in a residential subdivision may, by ordinance, provide the developer the option in lieu thereof to require the installation of code-compliant residential sprinkler systems in structures for human habitation.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-55-5.2 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-55 / Section 45-55-5.2
§ 45-55-5.2. Town of North Smithfield  Exemption.
Status: in_force

The town of North Smithfield is exempt from the provisions of this chapter with regard to the contracting for fire and rescue services with the Primrose Volunteer Fire Department and/or North Smithfield Fire Department and/or their respective successors and assigns.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-60-5 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-60 / Section 45-60-5
§ 45-60-5. Annual report.
Status: in_force

At the end of each fiscal year which is defined to begin on July 1 and continue through June 30 of each year, the board shall submit a report concerning its activities to the town council. More frequent reports may be given as requested. The report shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(1) A list and description of activities funded by the board during the preceding year;

(2) A list of taxes and/or contributions received by the board, whatever their form or nature, and the source of the taxes and/or contributions, unless anonymity is a condition of a particular contribution. The record of individual payments shall be kept confidential, as are sales and income tax records;

(3) A full report of the boards activities;

(4) Fund statements will be audited annually by a certified public accounting firm engaged by the housing board.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-70-2 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-70 / Section 45-70-2
§ 45-70-2. Applicability.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall apply to the following:

(1) All members, including alternate members, of any local planning board or commission authorized pursuant to chapter 22 of this title.

(2) All members, including alternate members, of any zoning board or commission authorized pursuant to chapter 24 of this title.

(3) All members, including alternate members, of any combined board or commission authorized pursuant to the general laws to have a role in local land use and planning.

(4) All members, including alternate members, of any historic district commission authorized pursuant to chapter 24.1 of this title.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-12-26 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-12 / Section 45-12-26
§ 45-12-26. Commercial agreements relating to registered bonds and notes.
Status: in_force

In connection with the issuance by a city, town, or other political subdivision of this state of original or replacement bonds or notes in registered form, the treasurer of the city, town, or other political subdivision, with the approval of any other officers authorized to sign those bonds or notes, is authorized to contract for and engage the services of any bank, trust company, or other banking or financial institution within or without the state to perform authentication, registration, transfer, exchange, record, and paying agent functions, and for the preparation, signing, and issuance of checks in payment of those bonds or notes, the preparation and maintenance of reports and accounts and the performance of related duties. The treasurer, with this approval, may also enter into agreements with custodian banks, trust companies, or other financial institutions and financial intermediaries and nominees of any of them in connection with the establishment and maintenance by others of a central depository system for the transfer or pledge of those bonds and notes. The agreements may provide for limitation of liabilities of the parties, indemnification, or payment of liquidated damages, and shall include those provisions that the treasurer may deem necessary or desirable to protect the city, town, or other political subdivision, including provisions indemnifying it for losses sustained by it as the result of negligence of the other party or parties or any breach of the duties imposed upon them under the agreement.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-44-10 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-44 / Section 45-44-10
§ 45-44-10. Regulations promulgated by board.
Status: in_force

The board shall promulgate regulations consistent with the purpose and spirit of the homestead program as outlined in this chapter, the regulations to be approved by the city or town solicitor.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-27-7 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-27 / Section 45-27-7
§ 45-27-7. Repurchase of bonds.
Status: in_force

The authority has power, out of any funds available therefor, to purchase any bonds issued by it at a price not more than the principal amount of the bonds and the accrued interest; provided, that bonds payable exclusively from the revenues of a designated project or projects shall be purchased out of any revenues available therefor. All bonds so purchased shall be cancelled. This section does not apply to the redemption of bonds.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-29-4 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-29 / Section 45-29-4
§ 45-29-4. Vesting of title to land taken by authority.
Status: in_force

Upon the filing of the copy of the resolution, plat, and statement in the land evidence records of the city, the filing in the superior court of the statement, as described in § 45-29-3, and the depositing in the superior court, to the use of the persons entitled to this, of a sum that the court determines to be amply sufficient to satisfy the claims of all persons interested in the land (and the court may, in its discretion, take evidence on the question to determine the sum to be deposited), title to the land, or interest in it, shall vest in the authority in fee simple absolute, and the authority thereupon may take possession of the land, or interest in it.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-9-19 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-9 / Section 45-9-19
§ 45-9-19. Expenditures by elected officials in excess of appropriations prohibited.
Status: in_force

(a) No elected official of a city, town, or fire district that is subject to the jurisdiction of a fiscal overseer, budget commission, or receiver, except in the case of an emergency involving the health and safety of the people or the peoples property declared by the city or town council or fire district governing body, shall knowingly expend, or cause to be expended, in any fiscal year any sum in excess of that officials departmental or other governmental units appropriation duly made in accordance with the law, nor commit the city, town, or fire district, nor cause it to be committed, to any obligation for the future payment of money in excess of that appropriation, with the exception of court judgments.

(b) An elected official who intentionally violates this section shall be personally liable to the city, town, or fire district for any amounts expended in excess of an appropriation to the extent that the city, town, or fire district does not recover such amounts from the person or persons to whom such amounts were paid and shall not be indemnified by the city, town, or fire district for any such amounts. The superior court shall have jurisdiction to adjudicate claims brought by the city or town, or on the citys, towns, or fire districts behalf by a budget commission established under this chapter, and to order relief that the court finds appropriate to prevent further violations of this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-24-53 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-24 / Section 45-24-53
§ 45-24-53. Adoption  Notice and hearing requirements.
Status: repealed

(a) No zoning ordinance shall be adopted, repealed, or amended until after a public hearing has been held upon the question before the city or town council. The city or town council shall first give notice of the public hearing by publication of notice in a newspaper of local circulation within the city or town at least once each week for three (3) successive weeks prior to the date of the hearing, which may include the week in which the hearing is to be held, at which hearing opportunity shall be given to all persons interested to be heard upon the matter of the proposed ordinance. Written notice shall be mailed to the parties specified in subsections (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f) of this section, at least two (2) weeks prior to the hearing. The same notice shall be posted in the town or city clerks office and one other municipal building in the municipality and the municipality must make the notice accessible on the municipal home page of its website at least fourteen (14) days prior to the hearing. The notice shall:

(1) Specify the place of the hearing and the date and time of its commencement;

(2) Indicate that adoption, amendment, or repeal of a zoning ordinance is under consideration;

(3) Contain a statement of the proposed amendments to the ordinance that may be printed once in its entirety, or summarize and describe the matter under consideration as long as the intent and effect of the proposed ordinance is expressly written in that notice;

(4) Advise those interested where and when a copy of the matter under consideration may be obtained or examined and copied; and

(5) State that the proposals shown on the ordinance may be altered or amended prior to the close of the public hearing without further advertising, as a result of further study or because of the views expressed at the public hearing. Any alteration or amendment must be presented for comment in the course of the hearing.

(b) Where a proposed general amendment to an existing zoning ordinance includes changes in an existing zoning map, public notice shall be given as required by subsection (a) of this section.

(c) Where a proposed text amendment to an existing zoning ordinance would cause a conforming lot of record to become nonconforming by lot area or frontage, written notice shall be given to all owners of the real property as shown on the current real estate tax assessment records of the city or town. The notice shall be given by first-class mail at least two (2) weeks prior to the hearing at which the text amendment is to be considered, with the content required by subsection (a). If the city or town zoning ordinance contains an existing merger clause to which the nonconforming lots would be subject, the notice shall include reference to the merger clause and the impacts of common ownership of nonconforming lots. For any notice sent by first-class mail, the sender of the notice shall submit a notarized affidavit to attest to such mailing.

(d) Where a proposed amendment to an existing ordinance includes a specific change in a zoning district map, but does not affect districts generally, public notice shall be given as required by subsection (a) of this section, with the additional requirements that:

(1) Notice shall include a map showing the existing and proposed boundaries, zoning district boundaries, existing streets and roads and their names, and city and town boundaries where appropriate; and

(2) Written notice of the date, time, and place of the public hearing and the nature and purpose of the hearing shall be sent to all owners of real property whose property is located in or within not less than two hundred feet (200²) of the perimeter of the area proposed for change, whether within the city or town or within an adjacent city or town. Notice shall also be sent to any individual or entity holding a recorded conservation or preservation restriction on the property that is the subject of the amendment. The notice shall be sent by first-class mail to the last known address of the owners, as shown on the current real estate tax assessment records of the city or town in which the property is located; provided, for any notice sent by first-class mail, the sender of the notice shall submit a notarized affidavit to attest to such mailing.

(e) Notice of a public hearing shall be sent by first-class mail to the city or town council of any city or town to which one or more of the following pertain:

(1) That is located in or within not less than two hundred feet (200²) of the boundary of the area proposed for change; or

(2) Where there is a public or quasi-public water source, or private water source that is used, or is suitable for use, as a public water source, within two thousand feet (2,000²) of any real property that is the subject of a proposed zoning change, regardless of municipal boundaries.

(f) Notice of a public hearing shall be sent to the governing body of any state or municipal water department or agency, special water district, or private water company that has riparian rights to a surface water resource or surface watershed that is used, or is suitable for use, as a public water source and that is within two thousand feet (2,000²) of any real property that is the subject of a proposed zoning change; provided, that the governing body of any state or municipal water department or agency, special water district, or private water company has filed with the building inspector in the city or town a map survey, that shall be kept as a public record, showing areas of surface water resources and/or watersheds and parcels of land within two thousand feet (2,000²) thereof.

(g) Notwithstanding any of the requirements set forth in subsections (a) through (e), each municipality shall establish and maintain a public notice registry allowing any person or entity to register for electronic notice of any changes to the zoning ordinance. The city or town shall provide public notice annually of the existence of the electronic registry by publication of notice in a newspaper of general circulation within the city or town. In addition, each municipality is hereby encouraged to provide public notice of the existence of the public notice registry in all of its current and future communications with the public, including, but not limited to, governmental websites, electronic newsletters, public bulletins, press releases, and all other means the municipality may use to impart information to the local community.

(1) Provided, however, notice pursuant to a public notice registry as per this section does not alone qualify a person or entity on the public notice registry as an aggrieved party under § 45-24-31.

(h) No defect in the form of any notice under this section shall render any ordinance or amendment invalid, unless the defect is found to be intentional or misleading.

(i) Costs of newspaper and mailing notices required under this section shall be borne by the applicant.

(j) In granting a zoning ordinance amendment, notwithstanding the provisions of § 45-24-37, the town or city council may limit the change to one of the permitted uses in the zone to which the subject land is rezoned and impose limitations, conditions, and restrictions, including, without limitation: (1) Requiring the petitioner to obtain a permit or approval from any and all state or local governmental agencies or instrumentalities having jurisdiction over the land and use that are the subject of the zoning change; (2) Those relating to the effectiveness or continued effectiveness of the zoning change; and/or (3) Those relating to the use of the land as it deems necessary. The responsible town or city official shall cause the limitations and conditions so imposed to be clearly noted on the zoning map and recorded in the land evidence records; provided, that in the case of a conditional zone change, the limitations, restrictions, and conditions shall not be noted on the zoning map until the zone change has become effective. If the permitted use for which the land has been rezoned is abandoned or if the land is not used for the requested purpose for a period of two (2) years or more after the zone change becomes effective, the town or city council may, after a public hearing, change the land to its original zoning use before the petition was filed. If any limitation, condition, or restriction in an ordinance is held to be invalid by a court in any action, that holding shall not cause the remainder of the ordinance to be invalid.

(k) The above requirements are to be construed as minimum requirements.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-19-1.2 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-19 / Section 45-19-1.2
§ 45-19-1.2. Lien of state or municipality.
Status: in_force

Any employer paying compensation under the provisions of § 45-19-1 shall, if the employee recovers damages from a third person on account of the injuries or sickness for which compensation is payable, have a lien upon that part going to the employee, of any recovery or sum had or collected or to be collected by the employee, or by the employees heirs or personal representatives in the case of the employees death, whether by judgment or by settlement or compromise, up to the amount of compensation paid; provided, that the lien set forth in this section is not applied or considered valid against anyone coming under the workers compensation act in this state; and, provided, further, that nothing enacted in this section is so construed as to give the lien created in this section precedence over the lien of an attorney.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-24-60 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-24 / Section 45-24-60
§ 45-24-60. Administration  Violations.
Status: in_force

(a) A zoning ordinance adopted pursuant to this chapter shall provide for a penalty for any violation of the zoning ordinance, or for a violation of any terms or conditions of any action imposed by the zoning board of review or of any other agency or officer charged in the ordinance with enforcement of any of its provisions. The penalty for the violation must reasonably relate to the seriousness of the offense, and not exceed five hundred dollars ($500) for each violation, and each day of the existence of any violation is deemed to be a separate offense. Any fine shall inure to the city or town.

(b) The city or town may also cause suit to be brought in the supreme or superior court, or any municipal court, including a municipal housing court having jurisdiction, in the name of the city or town, to restrain the violation of, or to compel compliance with, the provisions of its zoning ordinance. A city or town may consolidate an action for injunctive relief and/or fines under the ordinance in the superior court of the county in which the subject property is located.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-2-18 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-2 / Section 45-2-18
§ 45-2-18. City of Providence  Establishment of department of public parks.
Status: in_force

(a) There is hereby created, in the city of Providence, a department of public parks. The division of public lands and parks of the department of public property is hereby eliminated.

(b) The department of public parks is responsible, subject to the authority of the board of park commissioners of the city of Providence, for all public parks and for all structures and facilities located therein including the zoo and museum located in Roger Williams park, for all municipal burial grounds and for all structures and facilities located therein, and for all street trees within the city of Providence. It is responsible for the administration, planning, design, construction, planting, alterations, maintenance, operations, and repairs to the public parks. No other city department, board, bureau, commission, or other agency may undertake any plan, activity, construction, or operation in or involving any public park of the city except by permission of the board of park commissioners.

(c) The department of public parks is headed by the superintendent of parks who is appointed by the board of park commissioners and who has the status of a department head with all the powers and duties appertaining thereto, is subject to all provisions of the city charter relating to department heads, and takes an oath of office as provided in § 4.4 of the city charter. The department of public parks consists of five (5) divisions. The head of each division is appointed by the superintendent and will be subordinate to the superintendent of parks. The five (5) divisions are as follows:

(1) The division of parks, headed by the deputy superintendent of parks.

(2) The division of burial grounds, headed by the superintendent of the north burial ground.

(3) The zoo division, headed by the director of the Roger Williams park zoo.

(4) The division of forestry, by the city forester.

(5) The museum division, headed by the director of the Roger Williams park museum.

(d) In addition to the heads of divisions, the superintendent of parks will be assisted by assistant superintendents and other employees that may be authorized for the department of public parks under ordinances previously or hereafter enacted.

(e) It is hereby prescribed that in an open, public, equitable, and competitive manner, the department of public parks shall select the vendor and negotiate the price and terms of any procurement for the department of public parks of value less than the amount set by law for procurement through the board of contract and supply. Authorization for payment of these purchases issued by the department of public parks shall be paid within thirty (30) days by the city controller up to the total amount appropriated in the city budget for the operation of the department.

(f) No funds appropriated to the department of public parks or income from trust funds donated to the city for the facilities or programs thereof or income derived from the sale of surplus property belonging to the department of parks may be transferred to or used to pay the bills of any other city department, board, bureau, commission, or other agency, nor may any personnel paid from funds appropriated to the department of public parks be transferred to or assigned to work on any program or project of any other city department, board, bureau, commission, or other agency without the express written permission of the superintendent, subject to the approval by the board of park commissioners. No expenditure shall be made by the city controller or by any other city employee of any funds appropriated to or trust funds donated for the facilities or programs of the department of public parks except upon written authorization of the superintendent of parks or the board of park commissioners. No park land, structure, or facility may be transferred to any other city department, board, bureau, commission, or other agency without the consent of the board of park commissioners.

(g) In any case where the provisions of this section or of any regulation issued by the superintendent of parks or the board of park commissioners of the city pursuant to this section is found to be in conflict with the provisions of any ordinance, resolution, rule, or regulation of the city of Providence other than the city charter, the provisions of this section shall apply. Nothing in this section shall be construed to abolish, affect, or in any way reduce or diminish any of the powers previously granted by charter and ordinance to the board of park commissioners.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-57-3 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-57 / Section 45-57-3
§ 45-57-3. Annual and special meetings  Voting.
Status: in_force

(a) The district will hold an annual meeting during the month of October in every year.

(b) Special meetings of the district shall be called by the secretary upon order of the board of directors or upon written application of at least fifteen (15) electors; and whenever the subject of ordering an assessment is to be acted on at any special meeting, the assessment must be mentioned in the notice. It is the duty of the secretary to fix a suitable place for the holding of all meetings and to give notice of each meeting, both annual and special, by posting a notice in at least one public place within the town of Tiverton and mailing or hand delivering the notice to each elector in the district, at least ten (10) days before the meeting, and the notice will contain a statement of the time and place when and where the meeting will be held. One notice may be mailed or hand delivered where more than one elector resides, addressed to all electors there residing. It is the duty of the secretary of the district to maintain and correct the voting list on a regular basis, using ownership records of the town of Tiverton.

(c) No vote, except upon an adjournment, or in the annual election of officers, may be taken at any meeting of the district unless at least fifteen (15) electors are present at the meeting. On demand of at least one fifth ( ) of the qualified electors of the district present at any meeting for a ballot on any question pending at the meeting, the ballot will be allowed; and all votes except on motion to adjourn, or on amendment to any pending proposition, will be required by the secretary to be so taken, the votes affirmative and negative may be counted by the secretary, and the result entered by the secretary on the minutes of the meeting.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-21-4 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-21 / Section 45-21-4
§ 45-21-4. Acceptance by municipalities  Effective date.
Status: in_force

(a) Any municipality may accept this chapter by an ordinance or resolution of its governing body stating the group or groups of employees to be included as provided in § 45-21-7. When the ordinance or resolution has been approved, a certified copy of it shall be forwarded to the retirement board by the city clerk or the moderator of the financial town meeting. After the system has begun operations, the effective date of participation of any municipality shall be the first day of July at least ninety (90) days following the receipt by the retirement board of the certified copy of the ordinance or resolution as provided in this section.

(b) The Smithfield Town Council may by resolution provide that regular police officers hired after July 2, 1999 and/or regular firefighters who are members of Smithfields private pension system may become members of the Municipal Employees Retirement System of the State of Rhode Island in accordance with chapters 21 or 21.2 of this title. No resolution may be adopted by the Town of Smithfield pursuant to this subsection until an actuary study has been completed to determine the potential cost of the resolution. The cost of the actuary study shall be paid by the Town of Smithfield.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-37-4 — RI Code / Title 45 / Chapter 45-37 / Section 45-37-4
§ 45-37-4. Acquisition by state.
Status: in_force

In the exercise of the powers conferred upon the state by § 45-37-3, title to any industrial facility may be vested in the state or in a department, board, body, or commission of the state as shall be designated by the governor.