reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-5 - Councils and Governing Bodies › Section 45-5-20.2. - Power of city and town councils and regional school districts to jointly establish a corporation to manage and operate OPEB trusts.

§ 45-5-20.2. Power of city and town councils and regional school districts to jointly establish a corporation to manage and operate OPEB trusts.
(a)
Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, corporations established pursuant to § 45-5-20.1 also shall have the power to manage and operate such other post-employment benefit (OPEB) trusts as are established pursuant to § 45-21-65 and § 16-2-9.5. Such corporations shall have the powers set forth in § 45-5-20.1, and shall have such additional powers as are necessary to effectuate the purposes of this section.
(b)
For the purpose of OPEB trusts managed and operated pursuant to this section, the corporation shall maintain discrete sub-trust accounts for each of the participating entities setting forth the contributions made by each participating entity, the allocated income assigned to each participating entity as it may be derived from investments and other revenue sources, the funds distributed to each participating entity for use in meeting its OPEB obligations, each entity’s allocated share of the administrative costs, including investment management fees, for operating the OPEB trust, and such other items as the directors of the corporation hereby established shall deem proper and necessary. Agreements made pursuant to this section may provide for pooling of administrative expenses, including investment management and advisory services, associated with the operation of the OPEB trust and sub-trusts.
(c)
The corporation shall ensure that a separate audit of OPEB trusts and sub-trusts is performed annually, copies of which shall be provided to the participating entities of the OPEB trust and the auditor general.
History of Section.
P.L. 2012, ch. 319, § 2; P.L. 2012, ch. 357, § 2; P.L. 2012, ch. 443, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-5 - Councils and Governing Bodies › Section 45-5-21. - Power of city and town councils to appropriate funds granted by the federal government.

§ 45-5-21. Power of city and town councils to appropriate funds granted by the federal government.
In addition to the powers granted by charter or the public laws of the state especially relating to city and town councils, all city and town councils are authorized, through passage of an ordinance, to appropriate and obligate funds received by the city or town from the federal government under the provisions of title II, Anti-Recession Provisions, Local Public Works Act of 1976, 42 U.S.C. § 6721 et seq.
History of Section.
P.L. 1977, ch. 177, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-5 - Councils and Governing Bodies › Section 45-5-22. - Collective bargaining fiscal impact statements.

§ 45-5-22. Collective bargaining fiscal impact statements.
(a)
Prior to executing any collective bargaining agreement between a city or town and representatives of police personnel, firefighters, and/or other municipal employees, (other than teachers and/or other school employees), the city or town council shall prepare or cause to be prepared a collective bargaining fiscal impact statement. These statements shall set forth, in dollar amounts, estimates of the fiscal impact, during the term of the proposed agreement. No comment or opinion relative to the merits of the terms of the contract shall be included, except that technical or mechanical errors or defects may be noted.
(b)
The fiscal impact statement and the awarded contract shall be publicized and shall be made immediately available upon ratification of the contract.
History of Section.
P.L. 2008, ch. 100, art. 36, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-6 - Ordinances › Section 45-6-1. - Scope of ordinances permissible.

§ 45-6-1. Scope of ordinances permissible.
(a)
Town and city councils may, from time to time, make and ordain all ordinances and regulations for their respective towns and cities, not repugnant to law, which they deem necessary for the safety of their inhabitants from fire, firearms, and fireworks; to prevent persons standing on any footwalk, sidewalk, doorstep, or in any doorway, or riding, driving, fastening, or leaving any horse or other animal or any carriage, team, or other vehicle on any footwalk, sidewalk, doorstep, or doorway within the town or city, to the obstruction, hindrance, delay, disturbance, or annoyance of passersby or of persons residing or doing business in this vicinity; to regulate the putting up and maintenance of telegraph and other wires and their appurtenances; to prevent the indecent exposure of any one bathing in any of the waters within their respective towns and cities; against breakers of the Sabbath; against habitual drunkenness; respecting the purchase and sale of merchandise or commodities within their respective towns and cities; to protect burial grounds and the graves in these burial grounds from trespassers; and, generally, all other ordinances, regulations and bylaws for the well ordering, managing, and directing of the prudential affairs and police of their respective towns and cities, not repugnant to the constitution and laws of this state, or of the United States.
(b)
Town and city councils shall furnish to their senators and representatives, upon request and at no charge, copies and updates of all ordinances and regulations.
(c)
In lieu of newspaper publication, advance notice of proposed adoption, amendment, or repeal of any ordinance or regulation by a municipality may be provided via electronic media on a website maintained by the office of the secretary of state.
History of Section.
G.L. 1896, ch. 40, § 21; G.L. 1909, ch. 50, § 22; G.L. 1923, ch. 51, § 22; G.L. 1938, ch. 333, § 22; G.L. 1956, § 45-6-1; P.L. 1989, ch. 417, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 65, art. 57, § 6; P.L. 1992, ch. 488, § 5; P.L. 1999, ch. 354, § 42; P.L. 2008, ch. 9, art. 18, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-6 - Ordinances › Section 45-6-2. - Imposition of penalties for ordinance violations.

§ 45-6-2. Imposition of penalties for ordinance violations.
Town and city councils may impose penalties for the violation of ordinances and regulations, not exceeding in amount five hundred dollars ($500) or imprisonment not exceeding thirty (30) days in some jail or house of correction, and/or require restitution in cases involving property damage or personal injury in an amount up to twenty-five hundred dollars ($2,500) and/or require community restitution for a not-for-profit entity for not more than fifty (50) hours for any one offense, to be prosecuted by some officer appointed for that purpose, and to be recovered to the use of the town or city, or of the person or persons, and in the proportions, that the councils in their ordinances and regulations designate.
History of Section.
G.L. 1896, ch. 40, § 22; G.L. 1909, ch. 50, § 23; G.L. 1923, ch. 51, § 23; G.L. 1938, ch. 333, § 23; G.L. 1956, § 45-6-2; P.L. 1971, ch. 224, § 1; P.L. 1985, ch. 405, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 77, § 2; P.L. 2017, ch. 87, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-6 - Ordinances › Section 45-6-2.2. - Imposition of penalty for illegal dumping or malicious damage to street lights in the city of Warwick.

§ 45-6-2.2. Imposition of penalty for illegal dumping or malicious damage to street lights in the city of Warwick.
(a)
The city of Warwick may impose penalties for each violation of chapter 8 of the compiled ordinances of the city of Warwick not exceeding the sum of six hundred dollars ($600), or by imprisonment of not more than six (6) months in jail or in a house of correction, unless the penalties are provided for otherwise by statute. All fines that are recovered shall inure to the benefit of the city of Warwick.
(b)
The city of Warwick may by ordinance impose a penalty that those persons who are found guilty of malicious damage to street lights in the city shall, in addition to any other penalty imposed by a court, have imposed on them a fine equivalent to the replacement cost and labor charges of those street lights. However, in no case shall the fine imposed exceed five hundred dollars ($500).
History of Section.
P.L. 1975, ch. 86, § 1; P.L. 1979, ch. 176, § 1; P.L. 1988, ch. 61, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-6 - Ordinances › Section 45-6-2.3. - Authorization for cities and towns to promulgate and enforce pretreatment and sewer-use ordinances and regulations.

§ 45-6-2.3. Authorization for cities and towns to promulgate and enforce pretreatment and sewer-use ordinances and regulations.
(a)
The cities and towns may promulgate all ordinances and regulations to implement a wastewater pretreatment program. Those ordinances and regulations may include the authority to:
(1)
Impose penalties of up to twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) per day per violation for each and every day during which a violation of the ordinance or regulation occurs either through judicial proceedings or administrative procedures established pursuant to this section;
(2)
Seek injunctive relief for any violation;
(3)
Recover damages caused by any noncompliance;
(4)
Obtain reasonable attorney fees incurred by seeking compliance, penalties, or damages;
(5)
Require compliance by all users of the city or town’s sewer system, whether or not the user is a resident of that city or town; and
(6)
Include any other provisions consistent with state and federal pretreatment programs.
(b)
To the extent that this statute conflicts with any other general or public law, this statute controls.
History of Section.
P.L. 1987, ch. 336, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 272, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-6 - Ordinances › Section 45-6-3. - Ordinances to punish indecent intoxication.

§ 45-6-3. Ordinances to punish indecent intoxication.
The several towns and cities in this state are authorized and empowered to make and ordain any ordinances, not repugnant to the constitution and laws of this state or of the United States, that they deem necessary to prevent and punish indecent intoxication in those towns and cities; and may impose penalties for the violation of those ordinances and regulations, not exceeding twenty dollars ($20.00), or imprisonment not exceeding ten (10) days in some jail or house of correction, for any one offense, to be prosecuted by some officer appointed for that purpose and to be recovered to the use of the town or city.
History of Section.
G.L. 1896, ch. 40, § 23; G.L. 1909, ch. 50, § 24; G.L. 1923, ch. 51, § 24; G.L. 1938, ch. 333, § 24; G.L. 1956, § 45-6-3.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-6 - Ordinances › Section 45-6-4. - Names of localities within towns.

§ 45-6-4. Names of localities within towns.
Town councils are authorized to fix the names of the various localities within their respective towns.
History of Section.
P.L. 1912, ch. 820, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 51, § 30; G.L. 1938, ch. 333, § 30; G.L. 1956, § 45-6-4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-6 - Ordinances › Section 45-6-5. - Names of railroad stations.

§ 45-6-5. Names of railroad stations.
No railroad corporation shall affix a name to a new station or change the present name of any existing station, until after the new name has been approved by the town council of the town in which the station is located. Every railway company violating the provisions of this section shall pay a fine of one dollar ($1.00) for each day’s violation, and all costs for prosecution and conviction.
History of Section.
P.L. 1912, ch. 820, §§ 2, 3; G.L. 1923, ch. 51, §§ 31, 32; G.L. 1938, ch. 333, §§ 31, 32; G.L. 1956, § 45-6-5.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-6 - Ordinances › Section 45-6-6. - Offenses punishable by state law.

§ 45-6-6. Offenses punishable by state law.
No ordinance or regulation, made by a town council, shall impose or at any time be construed to continue to impose, any penalty for the commission or omission of any act punishable as a crime, misdemeanor, or offense, by the statute law of the state.
History of Section.
G.L. 1896, ch. 40, § 29; G.L. 1909, ch. 50, § 30; G.L. 1923, ch. 51, § 33; G.L. 1938, ch. 333, § 33; G.L. 1956, § 45-6-6; P.L. 1990, ch. 65, art. 57, § 6; P.L. 1992, ch. 488, § 7.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-6 - Ordinances › Section 45-6-7. - Publication of ordinances.

§ 45-6-7. Publication of ordinances.
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.
History of Section.
G.L. 1896, ch. 40, § 30; G.L. 1909, ch. 50, § 31; G.L. 1923, ch. 51, § 34; G.L. 1938, ch. 333, § 34; G.L. 1956, § 45-6-7; P.L. 1979, ch. 317, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-6 - Ordinances › Section 45-6-8. - Officers for execution of ordinances — Enforcement expenses.

§ 45-6-8. Officers for execution of ordinances — Enforcement expenses.
Town and city councils may appoint all necessary officers for the execution of their ordinances, bylaws, and regulations, may define their duties, and fix their compensation, where provisions are not made by law, and may remove any of these officers at pleasure, but no expense of process, commitment, or detention, under those ordinances and regulations, is chargeable to the state.
History of Section.
G.L. 1896, ch. 40, § 31; G.L. 1909, ch. 50, § 32; G.L. 1923, ch. 51, § 35; G.L. 1938, ch. 333, § 35; G.L. 1956, § 45-6-8.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-6 - Ordinances › Section 45-6-9. - Shut off of water supply for nonpayment of sewer user fees, charges, and assessments.

§ 45-6-9. Shut off of water supply for nonpayment of sewer user fees, charges, and assessments.
(a)
The Woonsocket city council is authorized to enact an ordinance to terminate the water supply service of any person assessed by the city of Woonsocket for water service for nonpayment of sewer user fees, charges, and assessments. The ordinance provides for the notification of the user of termination in the manner prescribed in the rules and regulations governing the termination of water services as issued by the division of public utilities and carriers.
(b)
The ordinance may provide for the assessment of any fees, charges and assessments affiliated with the shut off and restoration of service.
(c)
When service is provided to a residence occupied by a tenant, the tenant may, after paying the fees, charges and assessments in order to restore or prevent termination of service, deduct the amount paid from the rent due the landlord. The tenant shall provide the landlord with a copy of the receipt from the city when making a deduction from the rent.
History of Section.
P.L. 1992, ch. 60, § 2; P.L. 1992, ch. 480, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-6 - Ordinances › Section 45-6-10. - Registration of vending machines.

§ 45-6-10. Registration of vending machines.
(a)
Every city or town, may, by ordinance require each person, corporation, partnership or other business operating a vending machine service for profit, prior to transacting or conducting business from any site within a city or town, to obtain without charge a registration certificate stating the name under which the person, corporation, partnership or other business organization is conducted or transacted and its business address.
(b)
Any vending machine ordinance may require the person, corporation, partnership or other business organization on a quarterly basis to provide the city or town with a list of each site within the city or town where a vending machine operates and the number of machines operating on each site.
The list is confidential and not subject to disclosure. Any person who discloses the information contained in the list shall be fined the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000).
(c)
No ordinance passed under this section shall take effect until sixty (60) days after its final passage.
(d)
Any person, corporation, partnership or other business organization carrying on, conducting, or transacting business as provided in this section who fails to comply with the provisions of any vending machine ordinance may be fined not exceeding seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) per machine in violation of subsection (b) or one thousand dollars ($1,000) in violation of subsection (a).
History of Section.
P.L. 1992, ch. 344, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-6 - Ordinances › Section 45-6-11. - Community restitution.

§ 45-6-11. Community restitution.
The General Assembly declares that the words “community service” which appear throughout this chapter shall now be substituted with and referred to as “community restitution”.
History of Section.
P.L. 1998, ch. 454, § 6.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-6 - Ordinances › Section 45-6-12. - Liability for illegal dumping.

§ 45-6-12. Liability for illegal dumping.
Cities and towns may, by ordinance, define as in violation of illegal dumping ordinances those people whose vehicles, either owned or leased, are used to carry materials to a place at which they are illegally dumped. Owners of title of leased vehicles and owners of vehicles that are reported stolen prior to being used for illegal dumping shall be excluded from these ordinances.
History of Section.
P.L. 2018, ch. 215, § 1; P.L. 2018, ch. 246, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-6.1 - Non-Moving Traffic Violations › Section 45-6.1-1. - Mail payment of penalty for non-moving traffic violation.

§ 45-6.1-1. Mail payment of penalty for non-moving traffic violation.
Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special act, any ordinance adopted by any of the several cities or towns (whether adopted prior to or subsequent to the passage of this chapter) providing for the regulations of the parking of motor vehicles upon the public highways, shall permit the payment of any fine imposed for violation of the ordinance by mail. Any ordinance which fails to comply with the provisions of this chapter is null and void.
History of Section.
P.L. 1965, ch. 215, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 354, § 43.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-6.1 - Non-Moving Traffic Violations › Section 45-6.1-2. - Schedule of fines.

§ 45-6.1-2. Schedule of fines.
The schedule of fines for violation of any ordinance referred to in § 45-6.1-1 may provide for higher fines for the privilege of payment by mail than the fines imposed for payment in person, but no costs are imposed.
History of Section.
P.L. 1965, ch. 215, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-6.1 - Non-Moving Traffic Violations › Section 45-6.1-3. - Payment of fine addressed to whom.

§ 45-6.1-3. Payment of fine addressed to whom.
The ordinances referred to in § 45-6.1-1 shall provide that payments be addressed to the chief of police of the city or town or to a special court that may have been established in the city or town for the disposition of motor vehicle offenses.
History of Section.
P.L. 1965, ch. 215, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-6.1 - Non-Moving Traffic Violations › Section 45-6.1-4. - Time and manner of payment.

§ 45-6.1-4. Time and manner of payment.
(a)
The ordinances referred to in § 45-6.1-1 establish times during which the privilege of paying the fine by mail may be exercised, but the time shall be not less than five (5) days from the date of the offense to the date of depositing the payment of the fine in a depository maintained by the United States post office department for the collection of mails.
(b)
Any non-moving traffic violation fines are deemed to have been paid upon the date of mailing and the postage cancellation is prima facie evidence of the time of deposit.
History of Section.
P.L. 1965, ch. 215, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 362, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-6.1 - Non-Moving Traffic Violations › Section 45-6.1-6. - Violation tags.

§ 45-6.1-6. Violation tags.
The ordinances referred to in § 45-6.1-1 provide that a notice of a violation of those ordinances be affixed to the motor vehicle which is the cause of the violation.
History of Section.
P.L. 1965, ch. 215, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-6.1 - Non-Moving Traffic Violations › Section 45-6.1-7. - Contents of tag.

§ 45-6.1-7. Contents of tag.
The notice referred to in § 45-6.1-6 states the specific violation charged, the schedules of fines for the violation, the time within which the privilege of paying the fine by mail may be exercised, and the place to which the fine may be mailed.
History of Section.
P.L. 1965, ch. 215, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-6.1 - Non-Moving Traffic Violations › Section 45-6.1-8. - North Smithfield — Non-moving traffic violations — Payment in person.

§ 45-6.1-8. North Smithfield — Non-moving traffic violations — Payment in person.
(a)
Notwithstanding the provisions of § 45-6.1-1, any person is permitted to pay any fine, in person, imposed for the violation of any non-moving traffic ordinance in effect in the town of North Smithfield at the North Smithfield police department in addition to the methods permitted by that section.
(b)
The North Smithfield police department shall establish hours and days during which fines may be paid in person.
(c)
The North Smithfield police department shall transfer all fines collected under the provisions of this section to the North Smithfield department of finance on or before the fifteenth (15th) day of each and every month.
History of Section.
P.L. 1970, ch. 270, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-7 - Town Clerk › Section 45-7-1. - Clerk’s bond.

§ 45-7-1. Clerk’s bond.
Every town clerk shall, within thirty (30) days of the time of being sworn into office, give bond to the town treasurer of the town, with sufficient surety, in the sum that the town council prescribes, conditioned for the faithful performance of the duties of the clerk’s office.
History of Section.
G.L. 1896, ch. 41, § 1; G.L. 1909, ch. 51, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 52, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 334, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 45-7-1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-7 - Town Clerk › Section 45-7-2. - Deputy clerk.

§ 45-7-2. Deputy clerk.
Town clerks may, by and with the approbation of the town council, appoint a deputy, whenever the appointment is necessary. The appointed deputy has all the powers and can perform all the duties which are incumbent on the town clerk, being so qualified by taking the oath of office.
History of Section.
G.L. 1896, ch. 41, § 2; G.L. 1909, ch. 51, § 2; G.L. 1923, ch. 52, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 334, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 45-7-2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-7 - Town Clerk › Section 45-7-3. - Deputies to register voters.

§ 45-7-3. Deputies to register voters.
In addition to the deputy town clerk provided for in § 45-7-2, the town clerk may appoint additional deputy town clerks empowered only to accept the registration of voters.
History of Section.
G.L. 1938, ch. 334, § 2; P.L. 1950, ch. 2484, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 45-7-3.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-7 - Town Clerk › Section 45-7-4. - Bond of deputy — Revocation of appointment.

§ 45-7-4. Bond of deputy — Revocation of appointment.
Every town clerk appointing a deputy as provided in § 45-7-2 is responsible for the good conduct of the deputy and may take bond with surety for any penalty that the clerk may require, conditioned for the faithful discharge of the duties of the office for the time during which the deputy exercises those duties. The clerk may revoke the appointment and cancel the bond, at the clerk’s discretion.
History of Section.
G.L. 1896, ch. 41, § 3; G.L. 1909, ch. 51, § 3; G.L. 1923, ch. 52, § 3; G.L. 1938, ch. 334, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 45-7-4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-7 - Town Clerk › Section 45-7-6. - Fees of clerk.

§ 45-7-6. Fees of clerk.
The fees of town clerks, and of other officers who perform the same duties, are as follows:
(a)
For receiving and filing a certificate of attachment of real estate ......................................... $ .35
(b)
For receiving and filing an account under the lien law ......................................... .35
(c)
For recording every certificate of marriage ......................................... .25
(d)
For recording every birth or death ......................................... .15
(e)
For every certificate of the qualification of a voter ......................................... .25
(f)
For drawing bond and license for keeping tavern ......................................... 1.00
(g)
For allowing a discharge of a mortgage on the record ......................................... .50
(h)
For receiving an appeal bond and filing it ......................................... .25
(i)
For every warrant or citation ......................................... .75
(j)
For receiving and filing every certificate of death ......................................... .15
(k)
For every summons for witnesses ......................................... .25
History of Section.
G.L. 1896, ch. 295, § 22; G.L. 1909, ch. 364, § 18; P.L. 1920, ch. 1886, § 2; G.L. 1923, ch. 417, § 18; G.L. 1938, ch. 633, § 19; G.L. 1956, § 45-7-6.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-7 - Town Clerk › Section 45-7-9. - Microfilming of records.

§ 45-7-9. Microfilming of records.
The town clerk or city clerk of any city or town may, with approval of the town council or city council, photograph, microphotograph, and/or microfilm all or any part of the records kept by the town clerk or city clerk or recorder of deeds in a manner and on film or paper that complies with the minimum standards of quality approved for photographic records by the National Bureau of Standards; and whenever these photographs or microphotographs or films shall be placed in conveniently accessible files and provisions made for preserving, examining, and using the same, the original records from which the photographs or microphotographs or films have been made, or any part thereof, may be put in storage anywhere in this state for safekeeping, and any photograph, microphotograph, or photocopy thereof, shall be admissible by any court of competent jurisdiction, the same as the original is now; provided, however, that the original may be ordered produced for good cause shown.
History of Section.
P.L. 1960, ch. 110, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-8 - Town Treasurer › Section 45-8-1. - Bond of treasurer.

§ 45-8-1. Bond of treasurer.
Every town treasurer, before he or she proceeds to discharge the duties of the treasurer’s office, shall give bond to the town for which the treasurer is appointed, in the sum and with the surety that is satisfactory to the town council, conditioned for the faithful discharge of the duties of that office.
History of Section.
G.L. 1896, ch. 42, § 1; G.L. 1909, ch. 52, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 53, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 335, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 45-8-1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-8 - Town Treasurer › Section 45-8-2. - Annual statement of accounts.

§ 45-8-2. Annual statement of accounts.
Town treasurers shall, at the annual town meeting, make a statement of their accounts in writing, showing the several sums received and paid by them during the previous year, and showing, in account details, the purpose for which the payments were made.
History of Section.
G.L. 1896, ch. 42, § 2; G.L. 1909, ch. 52, § 2; G.L. 1923, ch. 53, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 335, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 45-8-2; P.L. 1985, ch. 137, § 1; P.L. 1988, ch. 84, § 101.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-8 - Town Treasurer › Section 45-8-3. - Settlement of accounts.

§ 45-8-3. Settlement of accounts.
The treasurer’s accounts shall be settled annually by the town council, or in any other way that the towns may severally direct. When settled, the treasurer shall retain all of his or her vouchers or receipts for the payments charged in the account, to be kept on file with the other papers of the treasurer’s office.
History of Section.
G.L. 1896, ch. 42, § 3; G.L. 1909, ch. 52, § 3; G.L. 1923, ch. 53, § 3; G.L. 1938, ch. 335, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 45-8-3.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-8 - Town Treasurer › Section 45-8-4. - Certified copies of statements of accounts.

§ 45-8-4. Certified copies of statements of accounts.
Every person paying taxes on real or personal estate in the town is entitled to certified copies of a statement of accounts, and of any vouchers, from the town treasurer, upon payment to the treasurer of the fees for copying and certifying allowed to town clerks for these services.
History of Section.
G.L. 1896, ch. 42, § 4; G.L. 1909, ch. 52, § 4; G.L. 1923, ch. 53, § 4; G.L. 1938, ch. 335, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 45-8-4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-8 - Town Treasurer › Section 45-8-5. - Forfeiture for neglect to make statement.

§ 45-8-5. Forfeiture for neglect to make statement.
Every town treasurer who neglects to make the annual statement as required in § 45-8-2 shall forfeit and pay to the town the sum of one hundred dollars ($100) for every instance of neglect.
History of Section.
G.L. 1896, ch. 42, § 5; G.L. 1909, ch. 52, § 5; G.L. 1923, ch. 53, § 5; G.L. 1938, ch. 335, § 5; G.L. 1956, § 45-8-5.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-8 - Town Treasurer › Section 45-8-6. - Appointment and powers of deputy.

§ 45-8-6. Appointment and powers of deputy.
Town treasurers may, by and with the approval of the town council, appoint a deputy whenever the appointment is necessary, and the deputy so appointed has all the powers and can perform all the duties which are incumbent on the town treasurer, being qualified by taking the oath of office; provided, that in no case shall the deputy have the power to sign the bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness of the town, except with the approval of the town council.
History of Section.
G.L. 1938, ch. 335, § 6; P.L. 1940, ch. 954, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 45-8-6.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-8 - Town Treasurer › Section 45-8-7. - Liability for default of deputy — Bond — Revocation of appointment — Tenure.

§ 45-8-7. Liability for default of deputy — Bond — Revocation of appointment — Tenure.
Every town treasurer appointing a deputy as provided in § 45-8-6 is liable for any misconduct, neglect, or default of the deputy, and shall take bond with surety satisfactory to the town council in any amount of penalty that the treasurer may require for the benefit of the town, conditioned upon the faithful performance of the duties of the office for the time during which the deputy exercises those duties. The treasurer may revoke the appointment and cancel the bond at his or her discretion. In no event shall the deputy hold office beyond the tenure of office of the appointing town treasurer.
History of Section.
G.L. 1938, ch. 335, § 7; P.L. 1940, ch. 954, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 45-8-7.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-9 - Budget Commissions › Section 45-9-1. - Declaration of policy and legal standard.

§ 45-9-1. Declaration of policy and legal standard.
It shall be the policy of the state to provide a mechanism for the state to work with cities, towns, and fire districts undergoing financial distress that threatens the fiscal well-being, public safety, and welfare of such cities, towns, and fire districts or other cities, towns, fire districts or the state, with the state providing varying levels of support and control depending on the circumstances. The powers delegated by the general assembly in this chapter shall be carried out having due regard for the needs of the citizens of the state and of the city, town, or fire district and in such a manner as will best preserve the safety and welfare of citizens of the state and their property and the access of the state, its municipalities, and fire districts to capital markets, all to the public benefit and good.
History of Section.
P.L. 1927, ch. 1023, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 346, § 1; Const. Amend., art. 29, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 45-9-1; P.L. 2010, ch. 24, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 27, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 31, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 33, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-9 - Budget Commissions › Section 45-9-2. - Definitions.

§ 45-9-2. Definitions.
As used in this chapter, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:
(1)
“Budget commission” means the budget and review commission established under §§ 45-9-5 and 45-9-6.
(2)
“Charter” means the home rule charter or the legislative charter of any city, town, or fire district.
(3)
“Division of municipal finance” means the division of municipal finance in the department of revenue or any successor department or agency.
(4)
“Director of revenue” means the director of the department of revenue.
(5)
“Elected chief executive officer” means, in cities and towns having a popularly elected chief executive officer, the popularly elected chief executive officer, and in cities and towns where there is no popularly elected chief executive officer, the president of the city or town council.
(6)
“Fire district budget” means the fiscal-year operating budget of the fire district.
(7)
“Fiscal overseer” means the financial overseer appointed under § 45-9-3.
(8)
“General treasurer” means the general treasurer of the state.
(9)
“Municipal budget” means the fiscal-year operating budget of the city, town, or fire district, inclusive of the school department budget and all other departments.
(10)
“Officer” means the chief administrative and financial officer appointed under § 45-9-10 after abolition of a fiscal overseer or a budget commission or a receiver in a city, town, or fire district.
(11)
“Receiver” means the receiver appointed pursuant to §§ 45-9-7 or 45-9-8.
(12)
“School committee,” means the school committee of the city or town, but shall not mean, or include, a regional school district committee.
(13)
“State aid” means the funds made available to cities and towns:
(i)
As state aid pursuant to chapter 13 of title 45, but specifically excluding reimbursements to cities and towns for the cost of state mandates pursuant to § 45-13-9;
(ii)
As school operations aid provided for in §§ 16-7-5 — 16-7-34.3 and as school housing aid pursuant to §§ 16-7-35 — 16-7-47, but subject to any pledge to bonds issued to finance school projects by the Rhode Island health and educational building corporation;
(iii)
In replacement of motor vehicle and trailer excise taxes pursuant to chapter 34.1 of title 44;
(iv)
From the public service corporation tax pursuant to chapter 13 of title 44;
(v)
From the local meal and beverage tax pursuant to § 44-18-18.1 and the hotel tax pursuant to § 44-18-36.1; and
(vi)
Pursuant to all acts supplementing such chapters listed in subdivisions (i) through (v) above, or pursuant to any other law hereafter enacted providing for funds to municipalities in lieu of, or in substitution for, or in addition to, the funds provided pursuant to acts supplementing such chapters listed in subdivisions (i) through (v).
History of Section.
P.L. 1927, ch. 1023, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 346, § 1; Const. Amend., art. 29, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 45-9-2; P.L. 2010, ch. 24, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 27, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 31, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 33, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-9 - Budget Commissions › Section 45-9-4. - Approval of tax levy.

§ 45-9-4. Approval of tax levy.
A city, town, or fire district that is subject to the jurisdiction of a fiscal overseer or a budget commission, may not levy property taxes or motor vehicle excise taxes without prior approval of the division of municipal finance. Before the city, town, or fire district that is subject to the jurisdiction of a fiscal overseer or a budget commission, shall send out tax bills, the city, town, or fire district shall submit to the division of municipal finance a copy of its adopted municipal or fire district budget and such supporting revenue and expenditure information as the division of municipal finance shall prescribe for the succeeding fiscal year. The adopted municipal or fire district budget, and such supporting revenue and expenditure information as the division of municipal finance may prescribe, shall be submitted to the division of municipal finance no later than ten (10) days after the adoption of the budget. The division of municipal finance shall ascertain whether the budget for that fiscal year contains reasonable revenues from taxation and other sources to meet the appropriations and other amounts required by law to be raised, and the division of municipal finance shall report its conclusion to the director of revenue. If the director of revenue determines that the municipal or fire district budget as presented does not contain reasonable revenues from taxation and other sources to meet appropriations and other amounts required by law to be raised, the director of revenue shall certify this determination in writing and provide notice of the determination with a copy of the certificate to the auditor general, the governor, and the chairpersons of the house and senate finance committees; and notify the city, town, or fire district that its tax levy has not been approved and that the city, town, or fire district is not authorized to mail or otherwise transmit tax bills to city or town taxpayers. If the director of revenue has made the foregoing determination, the city, town, or fire district shall prepare a revised budget for review and approval by the director of revenue.
The city, town, or fire district shall submit the reports required by § 45-12-22.2 to the director of revenue, the division of municipal finance, the auditor general, the governor, and the chairpersons of the house and senate finance committees.
The director of revenue may waive any reporting or filing requirements contained in this section.
History of Section.
P.L. 2010, ch. 24, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 27, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 31, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 33, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-9 - Budget Commissions › Section 45-9-5. - Reports of fiscal overseer and appointment of budget and review commission.

§ 45-9-5. Reports of fiscal overseer and appointment of budget and review commission.
(a)
The fiscal overseer shall report in writing to the division of municipal finance if the fiscal overseer concludes that the city, town, or fire district: (1) Is unable to present a balanced municipal or fire district budget; (2) Faces a fiscal crisis that poses an imminent danger to the safety of the citizens of the city, town, or fire district, or their property; (3) Will not achieve fiscal stability without the assistance of a budget commission; or (4) That the tax levy of the fiscal year should not be approved.
(b)
If the fiscal overseer believes, at any time, that a budget commission should be appointed, the fiscal overseer may report that belief to the division of municipal finance.
(c)
If the fiscal overseer reports to the division of municipal finance under subsections (a) or (b), the director of revenue may immediately abolish the fiscal overseer and appoint a budget commission.
(d)
A budget commission shall have all of the powers and duties set forth in §§ 45-9-3 and 45-9-6.
(e)
If a budget commission has not been appointed, and if the division of municipal finance determines that the city, town, or fire district has taken steps necessary to achieve long-term fiscal sustainability and no longer requires active state oversight, the director of revenue may abolish the fiscal overseer.
(f)
If the division of municipal finance notifies the director of revenue in writing that the city, town, or fire district is unable to achieve a balanced municipal budget, then the director of revenue shall establish a budget commission.
(g)
Upon joint request by a city’s or town’s elected chief executive officer and city or town council, or, for a fire district, the request of the governing body as established by charter, which request is approved by the division of municipal finance, the director of revenue, in consultation with the auditor general, may establish a budget commission for such city, town, or fire district.
History of Section.
P.L. 2010, ch. 24, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 27, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 31, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 33, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-9 - Budget Commissions › Section 45-9-7. - Appointment of receiver.

§ 45-9-7. Appointment of receiver.
(a)
If the budget commission established by § 45-9-5 concludes that its powers are insufficient to restore fiscal stability to the city, town, or fire district, it shall so notify the director of revenue and shall forward to the director of revenue a statement of the reasons why it has been unable to restore fiscal stability to the city, town, or fire district. Upon receipt of such statement, the director of revenue shall terminate the existence of the budget commission, notwithstanding § 45-9-5, and the director of revenue shall appoint a receiver for the city, town, or fire district for a period as the director of revenue may determine. The director of revenue may, at any time, and without cause, remove the receiver and appoint a successor, or terminate the receivership.
(b)
The receiver shall have the following powers:
(1)
All powers of the fiscal overseer and budget commission under §§ 45-9-2 and 45-9-6. Such powers shall remain through the period of any receivership;
(2)
The power to exercise any function or power of any municipal or fire district officer or employee, board, authority or commission, whether elected or otherwise relating to or impacting the fiscal stability of the city, town, or fire district including, without limitation, school and zoning matters; and
(3)
The power to file a petition in the name of the city, town, or fire district under Chapter 9 of Title 11 of the United States Code, and to act on the city’s, town’s, or fire district’s behalf in any such proceeding.
(c)
Upon the appointment of a receiver, the receiver shall have the right to exercise the powers of the elected officials under the general laws, special laws and the city, town, or fire district charter and ordinances and rules and regulations relating to or impacting the fiscal stability of the city, town, or fire district including, without limitation, school and zoning matters; provided, further, that the powers of the receiver shall be superior to and supersede the powers of the elected officials of the city, town, or fire district shall continue to be elected in accordance with the city or town or fire district charter, and shall serve in an advisory capacity to the receiver. The receiver shall allow the city’s, town’s, or fire district’s elected officials to serve their constituents by providing advice to the receiver on the matters relating to the operation of the city, town, or fire district. In the event a conflict arises between the chief elected official or city or town council or fire district governing body and the receiver, the receiver’s decision shall prevail. The director of revenue shall determine the salary of the receiver, which salary shall be payable by the city, town, or fire district.
History of Section.
P.L. 2010, ch. 24, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 27, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 328, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 389, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 31, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 33, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-9 - Budget Commissions › Section 45-9-8. - Appointment of receiver in a fiscal emergency.

§ 45-9-8. Appointment of receiver in a fiscal emergency.
In the event the director of revenue determines, in consultation with the auditor general, that a city, town, or fire district is facing a fiscal emergency and that circumstances do not allow for appointment of a fiscal overseer or a budget commission prior to the appointment of a receiver, the director of revenue may appoint a receiver without having first appointed a fiscal overseer or a budget commission.
History of Section.
P.L. 2010, ch. 24, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 27, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 31, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 33, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-9 - Budget Commissions › Section 45-9-9. - Collective bargaining agreements.

§ 45-9-9. Collective bargaining agreements.
Notwithstanding chapter 7 of title 28 or any other general or special law or any charter or local ordinance to the contrary, new collective bargaining agreements, and any amendments, to new or existing collective bargaining agreements, (collectively, “collective bargaining agreements”) entered into by the city, town, or fire district or the school department, shall be subject to the approval of the fiscal overseer, budget commission, or receiver if the fiscal overseer, budget commission, or receiver is in effect at the time. No collective bargaining agreement shall be approved under this section unless the fiscal overseer, budget commission, or receiver has participated in the negotiation of the collective bargaining agreement and provides written certification to the director of revenue that after an evaluation of all pertinent financial information reasonably available, the city’s, town’s, or fire district’s financial resources and revenues are, and will continue to be, adequate to support such collective bargaining agreement without a detrimental impact on the provision of municipal or fire district services. A decision, by the fiscal overseer, budget commission, or receiver, to disapprove of a collective bargaining agreement under this section shall be made in a report to the parties; provided, however, that the report shall specify the disapproved portions of the agreement and the supporting reasons for the disapproval. This section shall not be construed to authorize a fiscal overseer, a budget commission, or a receiver under this chapter to reject or alter any existing collective bargaining agreement, unless by agreement, during the term of such collective bargaining agreement.
History of Section.
P.L. 2010, ch. 24, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 27, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 31, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 33, § 1.