§ 31-3-6.3. Unpaid out-of-state toll amounts, administrative fees, and fines - Denial of registration - Denial of transfer of registration - Denial of renewal of registration and licenses. (a) Upon receipt of a request from another state or other entity with similar tolling authority with which the Rhode Island turnpike and bridge authority has entered into an agreement providing for the reciprocal treatment of out-of-state toll violators to take action against a toll violator, the Rhode Island turnpike and bridge authority shall conduct an independent review of each toll violation that forms the basis for such request, which shall include a review of photographic, video, or other visual evidence, to determine that the requesting state or other entity with similar tolling authority imposed any toll amounts, administrative fees, and/or fines against the actual registered owner of the motor vehicle.

(b) As part of its independent review, the Rhode Island turnpike and bridge authority shall provide written notice to the registered owner of the motor vehicle in question. The registered owner shall have ten (10) days from the date on the written notice to contact the Rhode Island turnpike and bridge authority and to provide information, documentation, and any other evidence contesting the requested action against the out-of-state toll violator. Thereafter, the Rhode Island turnpike and bridge authority shall consider all of the information, documentation, and any other evidence provided as part of its independent review.

(c) If after its independent review the Rhode Island turnpike and bridge authority is satisfied that any toll amounts, administrative fees, and/or fines are properly imposed against the actual registered owner of the motor vehicle and the registered owner could be subject to reporting to the division of motor vehicles pursuant to § 24-12-37 if such toll violations had occurred on tolled projects in this state, the Rhode Island turnpike and bridge authority may report the registered owner to the division of motor vehicles.

(d) The division of motor vehicles shall not renew any operator's license or registration upon expiration thereof; register any motor vehicle; or transfer the registration of any motor vehicle of any person reported to it pursuant to subsection (c) of this section until any toll amounts, administrative fees, and/or fines owed to the other state or other entity with similar tolling authority have been paid in full or the person has entered into, and is in current compliance with, a repayment agreement with respect to any amounts owed. The Rhode Island turnpike and bridge authority shall provide a copy of any notification received from the other state or other entity with similar tolling authority regarding full payment of amounts owed or the existence of a repayment agreement to the division of motor vehicles within five (5) business days of receipt. Within five (5) business days of receiving such notification, the division of motor vehicles shall renew the person's license and renew, transfer, or issue the person's registration.

History of Section. (P.L. 2017, ch. 336, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 340, § 1.)