reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 45-3-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-3 - Town Meetings|Section 45-3-8 - Clerk's warrant giving notice.

§ 45-3-8. Clerk's warrant giving notice.The notice to the electors to meet in a town meeting, prescribed by law, shall be given by the town clerk issuing his or her warrant, directed to the town sergeant or one of the town constables of the town, or in the event that the town sergeant or a town constable is not available, to any elector of that town designated by the town or city clerk, requiring him or her to post, at least seven (7) days before the day appointed for the meeting, written notifications in three (3) or more public places in the town, of the time when and place where the meeting is to be held and of the business required by law to be transacted.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 37, § 8; G.L. 1909, ch. 47, § 8; G.L. 1923, ch. 48, § 8; G.L. 1938, ch. 330, § 8; G.L. 1956, § 45-3-8; P.L. 1994, ch. 154, § 2; P.L. 2015, ch. 260, § 37; P.L. 2015, ch. 275, § 37.
RI Gen L § 45-3-9 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-3 - Town Meetings|Section 45-3-9 - Notice of meetings by request - Hour held - Business considered.

§ 45-3-9. Notice of meetings by request — Hour held — Business considered.The notice of meetings, when called by request provided in § 45-3-6, shall be given in the manner provided for meetings prescribed by law. In towns in which the hour of meetings prescribed by law is fixed by law, meetings called by request shall be held at the same hour. In other towns, the meetings shall be held at the hour named in the request. At all meetings called by request, only the business stated in the warrants directing the calling of the meetings shall be acted upon.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 37, § 9; P.L. 1901, ch. 852, § 9; G.L. 1909, ch. 47, § 9; G.L. 1923, ch. 48, § 9; G.L. 1938, ch. 330, § 9; G.L. 1956, § 45-3-9.
RI Gen L § 45-3-10 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-3 - Town Meetings|Section 45-3-10 - Meeting to elect clerk to fill vacancy.

§ 45-3-10. Meeting to elect clerk to fill vacancy.Whenever any town clerk is removed by death or otherwise, and the town council under §§ 45-4-16 and 45-5-6 fails to act to fill the vacancy, the town treasurer of the town shall issue his or her warrant to warn the electors to assemble in town meeting, to choose a town clerk in the room of him or her so removed, which warrant shall be directed as provided in § 45-3-8.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 37, § 10; G.L. 1909, ch. 47, § 10; G.L. 1923, ch. 48, § 10; G.L. 1938, ch. 330, § 10; G.L. 1956, § 45-3-10; P.L. 1999, ch. 354, § 41.
RI Gen L § 45-3-11 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-3 - Town Meetings|Section 45-3-11 - Forfeiture for neglect of duty by officers.

§ 45-3-11. Forfeiture for neglect of duty by officers.Every town clerk or town treasurer who neglects or refuses to issue a warrant as provided in § 45-3-8, and every town sergeant or constable who neglects or refuses to serve the warrant as provided in § 45-3-8,, shall forfeit for each neglect fifty dollars ($50.00); to be recovered, one-half (½) to the use of the town, and one-half (½) to the use of the person who sues for the warrant.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 37, § 11; G.L. 1909, ch. 47, § 11; G.L. 1923, ch. 48, § 11; G.L. 1938, ch. 330, § 11; G.L. 1956, § 45-3-11.
RI Gen L § 45-3-12 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-3 - Town Meetings|Section 45-3-12 - Notice of meeting to dispose of land or make tax.

§ 45-3-12. Notice of meeting to dispose of land or make tax.No vote shall be passed in any town meeting concerning the disposing of the town's land or making a tax, unless special mention is made, and notice of the meeting given, in the warrant issued for the warning of the meeting; and the town clerk of every town shall grant the warrant, except in cases where the law otherwise directs, which warrant shall be directed to the town sergeant, or to one of the constables of the town, or in the event that the town sergeant or a constable is not available, to any elector of that city or town designated by the town or city clerk. The notice for the making of a tax as provided in this section shall be in substantially the following form:"WARNING FOR TOWN MEETING STATE OF RHODE ISLAND COUNTY OFSC. GREETING: By the town clerk of the town of , R.I. (seal) to , town sergeant of the town of , or any of the constables of the town. Pursuant to chapter 3 of title 45, you are required to post, at least seven (7) days before the day of , A. D. , written notifications in three (3) or more public places in the town of , Rhode Island, notifying and warning the electors of the town of , qualified to vote upon any proposition to impose a tax or for the expenditure of money, to assemble in town meeting at the town hall (or other place designated) in the town of , on the day of , A. D. , at o'clock in the noon for the purpose of ordering a tax to be levied and assessed on the ratable property of the town and the inhabitants of the town for the payment of the town debts and interest, for the payment of the town's proportion of the state tax, for the support of schools, for the support and maintenance of the poor, for the building, repairing, and amending of highways, for the building, repairing, and amending of bridges, for the improvement in any manner deemed fit of any property belonging to the town, for all necessary charges and expenses whatsoever arising within the town, whether incidental or not to the above (here designate any further purpose, if any, for which the town may legally appropriate money), and for any or all other purposes authorized by law, and to transact any other business as may legally come before the meeting.  Given under my hand this day of , A. D. , at the town of , Rhode Island. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Town Clerk" History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 37, § 12; G.L. 1909, ch. 47, § 12; P.L. 1915, ch. 1210, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 48, § 12; P.L. 1932, ch. 1944, § 4; G.L. 1938, ch. 330, § 12; G.L. 1956, § 45-3-12; P.L. 1994, ch. 154, § 2.
RI Gen L § 45-3-13 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-3 - Town Meetings|Section 45-3-13 - Canvass prior to meeting.

§ 45-3-13. Canvass prior to meeting.Prior to any town meeting prescribed by law or called by request as provided by § 45-3-6, the list of the electors qualified to vote in town meetings shall be made out and canvassed in the same manner as provided by law with respect to elective town meetings.History of Section.G.L. 1909, ch. 47, § 13; P.L. 1917, ch. 1471, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 48, § 13; G.L. 1938, ch. 330, § 13; G.L. 1956, § 45-3-13.
RI Gen L § 45-3-14 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-3 - Town Meetings|Section 45-3-14 - Quorum.

§ 45-3-14. Quorum.Whenever the inhabitants of any town do not exceed three thousand (3,000) by the last census, whether national or state, preceding the holding of a town meeting, seven (7) electors at least shall be necessary to constitute a legal town meeting; and whenever the inhabitants of any town exceed that number, fifteen (15) electors at least shall be necessary to constitute the meeting; provided, that whenever both the warden or moderator and clerk of any ward or district meeting held in any city or town are present, they shall constitute a quorum for the opening of the polls for voting for all civil officers, except for warden and clerk.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 38, § 1; G.L. 1909, ch. 48, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 49, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 331, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 45-3-14.
RI Gen L § 45-3-15 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-3 - Town Meetings|Section 45-3-15 - Selection of moderator.

§ 45-3-15. Selection of moderator.At the annual or biennial town meeting of each town, there shall be chosen a moderator to preside in all the town meetings until the moderator's successor is elected and qualified.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 38, § 2; G.L. 1909, ch. 48, § 2; G.L. 1923, ch. 49, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 331, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 45-3-15.
RI Gen L § 45-3-16 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-3 - Town Meetings|Section 45-3-16 - Term of moderator and clerk.

§ 45-3-16. Term of moderator and clerk.The term of office of the elected moderator and clerk commences at the first regular meeting held for the election of officers, and continues until their successors are elected and qualified, unless otherwise provided by law.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 38, § 7; G.L. 1909, ch. 48, § 8; G.L. 1923, ch. 49, § 7; G.L. 1938, ch. 331, § 5; G.L. 1956, § 45-3-16.
RI Gen L § 45-3-17 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-3 - Town Meetings|Section 45-3-17 - Moderator to preside.

§ 45-3-17. Moderator to preside.In all meetings of the electors or voters in a town, representative district, or voting district, the moderator of the meeting shall preside.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 38, § 8; G.L. 1909, ch. 48, § 9; P.L. 1910, ch. 640, § 37; G.L. 1923, ch. 49, § 8; G.L. 1938, ch. 331, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 45-3-17.
RI Gen L § 45-3-18 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-3 - Town Meetings|Section 45-3-18 - Regulation of meeting by moderator.

§ 45-3-18. Regulation of meeting by moderator.Every moderator has the power to manage and regulate the business of each meeting, conforming to law, and to maintain peace and good order at the meeting.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 38, § 11; G.L. 1909, ch. 48, § 12; G.L. 1923, ch. 49, § 11; G.L. 1938, ch. 331, § 9; G.L. 1956, § 45-3-18.
RI Gen L § 45-3-19 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-3 - Town Meetings|Section 45-3-19 - Disorderly conduct at meeting.

§ 45-3-19. Disorderly conduct at meeting.If any person conducts himself or herself in a disorderly manner in any town, representative district, or voting district meeting, the moderator may order that person to withdraw from the meeting; and, on the person's refusal, may order the town sergeant, or any town constable present, or any other persons, to take him or her from the meeting and to confine him or her in some convenient place until the meeting is adjourned. The person refusing to withdraw shall, for each offense, be fined not exceeding twenty dollars ($20.00).History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 38, § 12; G.L. 1909, ch. 48, § 13; G.L. 1923, ch. 49, § 12; G.L. 1938, ch. 331, § 10; G.L. 1956, § 45-3-19; P.L. 2015, ch. 260, § 37; P.L. 2015, ch. 275, § 37.
RI Gen L § 45-3-20 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-3 - Town Meetings|Section 45-3-20 - Voting on motions.

§ 45-3-20. Voting on motions.The moderator of every town meeting shall, on a motion being made and seconded, relative to any business regularly before the meeting, after having heard all the electors entitled to vote on the motion who desire to be heard, cause the votes of the electors present to be taken on the motion. Whenever any question is pending in any town meeting involving an expenditure of money, or the incurring of liability by the town, or the disposition of town property, the vote shall be taken by ballot, if a ballot is called for and the call is seconded by at least one-fifth (⅕) of the electors present who are qualified to vote on the pending question.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 38, § 13; G.L. 1909, ch. 48, § 14; P.L. 1913, ch. 922, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 49, § 13; G.L. 1938, ch. 331, § 11; G.L. 1956, § 45-3-20.
RI Gen L § 45-3-21 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-3 - Town Meetings|Section 45-3-21 - Majority required for action.

§ 45-3-21. Majority required for action.All questions relating to town affairs, excepting elections, shall be decided by a majority of the votes of the electors present entitled to vote on the question.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 38, § 15; G.L. 1909, ch. 48, § 16; G.L. 1923, ch. 49, § 15; G.L. 1938, ch. 331, § 12; G.L. 1956, § 45-3-21.
RI Gen L § 45-3-22 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-3 - Town Meetings|Section 45-3-22 - Record of proceedings as evidence - Certificate of clerk.

§ 45-3-22. Record of proceedings as evidence — Certificate of clerk.A copy of the record of the proceedings of any town meeting, certified by the town clerk, is evidence of any act or vote of the town in town meeting assembled, and the certificate of the town clerk that no town meeting was held to consider any subject in the certificate mentioned, or that no vote of the town was taken upon the subject, is evidence of the fact, stated in the record of the proceedings.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 38, § 16; G.L. 1909, ch. 48, § 17; G.L. 1923, ch. 49, § 16; G.L. 1938, ch. 331, § 13; G.L. 1956, § 45-3-22.
RI Gen L § 45-3-23 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-3 - Town Meetings|Section 45-3-23 - Compensation of district moderators and clerks.

§ 45-3-23. Compensation of district moderators and clerks.The moderators and clerks of voting districts and representative districts in all cities and towns shall severally receive as compensation for their services the minimum sum of seventy-five dollars ($75.00) per day.History of Section.G.L. 1909, ch. 48, § 19; P.L. 1919, ch. 1776, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 49, § 18; G.L. 1938, ch. 331, § 15; G.L. 1956, § 45-3-23; P.L. 1964, ch. 18, § 2; P.L. 1979, ch. 292, § 1; P.L. 1986, ch. 425, § 2; P.L. 1986, ch. 523, § 4.
RI Gen L § 45-3-24 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-3 - Town Meetings|Section 45-3-24 - Application to voting machine meetings.

§ 45-3-24. Application to voting machine meetings.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.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 38, § 17; G.L. 1909, ch. 48, § 18; G.L. 1923, ch. 49, § 17; G.L. 1938, ch. 331, § 14; G.L. 1956, § 45-3-24.
RI Gen L § 45-3-25 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-3 - Town Meetings|Section 45-3-25 - Voting machines for municipal budget referenda.

§ 45-3-25. Voting machines for municipal budget referenda.(a) At the request of the council of a city or town, the board of elections shall furnish a sufficient number of voting machines for use in connection with votes taken at any municipal budget referenda. Any request shall be made to the board of elections not later than fifteen (15) days prior to the date of the municipal budget referenda.(b) Nothing in this section makes the provisions of title 17 applicable to municipal budget referenda.History of Section.P.L. 1988, ch. 137, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 432, § 1.
RI Gen L § 45-3-26 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-3 - Town Meetings|Section 45-3-26 - Town meetings to be open.

§ 45-3-26. Town meetings to be open.All town meetings are open to the public, including representatives of the press and news media; provided, that, in the event that there are space constraints, voters shall be admitted to the meetings before non-voters. Non-voters may be seated or assigned to a separate area as indicated by the moderator.History of Section.P.L. 1996, ch. 308, § 1.
RI Gen L § 45-4-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-4 - Election and Qualification of Officers|Section 45-4-1 - Officers to be elected.

§ 45-4-1. Officers to be elected.(a) The electors in each town shall, on their town election days, choose and elect as many town officers as are required by the laws of the state; that is to say, a moderator to preside in all the meetings of the town, and a town clerk, a town council to consist of not less than three (3) nor more than seven (7) members, a town treasurer, a town sergeant, a town sealer of weights and measures, one or more auctioneers, a number of assessors of taxes, not less than three (3) nor more than seven (7), as may be deemed necessary, one or more collectors of taxes, one or more corders of wood, one or more packers of fish, one or more poundkeepers, one sealer of leather, and as many constables, directors of public welfare, viewers of fences, gaugers of casks, and other officers as are required by law in the town and as each or any town has occasion for, including persons to superintend the building of chimneys and placing of stoves and stovepipes; provided, that in the town of East Greenwich no constables shall be elected under the provisions of this section.(b) It is further provided that in the town of Burrillville no corders of wood, packers of fish, sealers of leather, gaugers of casks, and persons to superintend the building of chimneys and placing of stoves and stovepipes shall be elected under the provisions of this section.(c) It is further provided that in the town of Exeter, no tax collector shall be elected under the provisions of this section. The town council of the town of Exeter shall amend the Exeter town ordinances to provide for and entitle the town council to appoint a tax collector who shall serve at the pleasure of the town council and who may be removed for cause shown pursuant to § 44-7-5. Qualifications for the position shall be set by the town council and compensation paid as approved by the town financial meeting. The tax collector shall perform all duties previously required of the elected tax collector in the town of Exeter and any other duties required by law.(d) It is further provided that in the town of North Kingstown, no fence viewer shall be elected or appointed under the provisions of this section.(e) It is further provided that in the town of North Kingstown, no sealer of weights and measures shall be elected or appointed under the provisions of this section.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 39, § 1; G.L. 1909, ch. 49, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 50, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 332, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 45-4-1; P.L. 1967, ch. 24, § 1; P.L. 1976, ch. 107, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 48, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 330, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 117, § 2; P.L. 2006, ch. 118, § 1.
RI Gen L § 45-4-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-4 - Election and Qualification of Officers|Section 45-4-2 - Meetings not to interfere with elections.

§ 45-4-2. Meetings not to interfere with elections.In towns not divided into voting districts, and in which town meetings for the election of town officers and for the transaction of town business are held on the same day as an election for the officers mentioned in § 17-18-5 is held, the town meetings shall be held and conducted so as not to interfere or conflict with the provisions of chapters 2 — 4 of title 17.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 39, § 2; G.L. 1909, ch. 49, § 2; G.L. 1923, ch. 50, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 332, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 45-4-2.
RI Gen L § 45-4-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-4 - Election and Qualification of Officers|Section 45-4-3 - Assistant moderator to preside over town business.

§ 45-4-3. Assistant moderator to preside over town business.Those towns mentioned in § 45-4-2 are authorized to elect an assistant moderator, who may preside at town meetings held on the same day as an election for the officers mentioned in § 17-18-5 is held, for the election of town officers and the transaction of town business, and with the power and authority in these town meetings as moderators would have.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 39, § 3; G.L. 1909, ch. 49, § 3; G.L. 1923, ch. 50, § 3; G.L. 1938, ch. 332, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 45-4-3.
RI Gen L § 45-4-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-4 - Election and Qualification of Officers|Section 45-4-4 - Duplicate lists of electors.

§ 45-4-4. Duplicate lists of electors.A duplicate list of the qualified electors in each of the towns shall be prepared for use in town meetings held under the provisions of §§ 45-4-2 and 45-4-3.All the provisions of law relative to the preparation, furnishing, and use of voting lists apply to these duplicate lists.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 39, § 4; G.L. 1909, ch. 49, § 4; G.L. 1923, ch. 50, § 4; G.L. 1938, ch. 332, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 45-4-4.
RI Gen L § 45-4-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-4 - Election and Qualification of Officers|Section 45-4-5 - Certificate of election of clerk.

§ 45-4-5. Certificate of election of clerk.The mayor of every city and the president of every town council shall, as soon as possible after the election of city or town clerk, send to the secretary of state a certificate of the election of the city or town clerk, which certificate shall be kept on file in the office of the secretary of state.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 39, § 7; G.L. 1909, ch. 49, § 7; G.L. 1923, ch. 50, § 7; G.L. 1938, ch. 332, § 5; G.L. 1956, § 45-4-5.
RI Gen L § 45-4-6 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-4 - Election and Qualification of Officers|Section 45-4-6 - Determination of number of council members to be elected.

§ 45-4-6. Determination of number of council members to be elected.Before the election of members of the town council is begun at the town meeting, the electors shall determine the number of officers to be elected, except as may otherwise be specifically prescribed by law.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 39, § 8; G.L. 1909, ch. 49, § 8; G.L. 1923, ch. 50, § 8; G.L. 1938, ch. 332, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 45-4-6.
RI Gen L § 45-4-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-4 - Election and Qualification of Officers|Section 45-4-7 - Election of council members.

§ 45-4-7. Election of council members.The members of the town council shall be chosen immediately after the election of the town clerk; and in choosing them the vote shall be taken for the whole number at the same time.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 39, § 9; G.L. 1909, ch. 49, § 9; G.L. 1923, ch. 50, § 9; G.L. 1938, ch. 332, § 7; G.L. 1956, § 45-4-7.
RI Gen L § 45-4-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-4 - Election and Qualification of Officers|Section 45-4-8 - Repealed.

§ 45-4-8. Repealed.
RI Gen L § 45-4-9 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-4 - Election and Qualification of Officers|Section 45-4-9 - Failure by electors to elect officer.

§ 45-4-9. Failure by electors to elect officer.If any town, on the day of any election for town officers, fails to elect any of the officers whom they may lawfully choose, except town clerk, town council, and town treasurer, the officers shall be elected by the town council of the town at its next meeting; provided, that town councils may postpone the election of any of the officers to some future meeting. The several towns have full power to delegate to their respective town councils the election of any of the officers whom the town may lawfully choose, except town clerk, town council, and town treasurer.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 39, § 13; G.L. 1909, ch. 49, § 13; G.L. 1923, ch. 50, § 13; G.L. 1938, ch. 332, § 9; G.L. 1956, § 45-4-9.
RI Gen L § 45-4-10 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 45 - Towns and Cities|Chapter 45-4 - Election and Qualification of Officers|Section 45-4-10 - Election of mayors.

§ 45-4-10. Election of mayors.Mayors of cities shall be elected by a plurality of the electors qualified to vote in the election of general officers, who shall vote for the candidates for that office.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 39, § 14; G.L. 1909, ch. 49, § 14; G.L. 1923, ch. 50, § 14; G.L. 1938, ch. 332, § 10; G.L. 1956, § 45-4-10.