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SB 3295

AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- RHODE ISLAND TURNPIKE AND BRIDGE AUTHORITY

2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Burke and 2 co-sponsors

Rhode Island SB 3295 tightens toll-violation penalties and adds a rental-car provision that lets rental companies limit liability by evidencing the lessee’s operation of the vehicl

05/19/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · SB 3295

Overview

SB 3295 (Rhode Island, 2026) amends the penalties and enforcement framework for toll violations and toll evasion related to tolling projects governed by the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA). A key new provision allows motor vehicle rental companies to establish non-liability for toll violations by furnishing the lessee’s rental agreement as evidence. The act takes effect upon passage.

Main purpose and intent

  • Strengthen enforcement against toll violators and evaders to ensure toll revenue is fairly collected and toll facilities are adequately funded.
  • Create a formal process to sanction repeated nonpayment, including administrative fees and potential license and registration holds.
  • Clarify and expand liability and notification processes, including rental vehicle scenarios, to improve accountability for tolls, fees, and fines.
  • Provide rental car companies with a mechanism to limit their liability exposure by evidencing the lessee’s operation of the vehicle.

Key provisions and changes

  • Toll violator penalties (existing framework, with clarifications):
    • Toll violators must pay the toll amount within 14 days of violation notice.
    • If unpaid within 14 days, a $40 administrative fee is added.
    • If still unpaid within 45 days, an additional $35 administrative fee is added (totaling $75 in fees plus toll).
    • All tolls and fees are payable to the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority.
  • Toll evader penalties:
    • Toll evaders may be summoned to traffic court and could face up to a 6-month license/registration suspension, and fines up to $500, or both.
  • DMV coordination:
    • If a violator has at least 10 nonpayment instances and remains unpaid after 90 days, the authority may report them to the RI DMV, which can suspend license/registration until amounts are paid or a repayment agreement is made.
    • If a repayment agreement is honored, the DMV will release holds; if not honored, DMV may re-impose holds.
    • Rental vehicles are exempt from DMV hold provisions when the rental company complies with the act.
  • Definitions:
    • “Toll violator” defined as someone who uses a tolled project and does not pay.
    • “Toll evader” includes those who deliberately circumvent toll barriers or meet criteria of repeated nonpayment with notice history and lack of repayment plan.
    • “Person” for toll purposes includes registered owner, EZPass account holder, driver, rentee, or lessee; for rental vehicles, the lessee at the time of violation.
  • Administrative and regulatory framework:
    • The authority may adopt rules to administer these provisions.
    • Appeals of administrative fee assessments exist outside the typical Chapter 35 process.
  • Rental car provision (new and notable):
    • Rental companies can establish non-liability for toll violations, administrative fees, and fines by providing the traffic tribunal with a written rental/lease agreement, which serves as prima facie evidence that the lessee operated the vehicle.
    • The issuing authority must notify the rental motor vehicle owner of each toll violation, including vehicle license, date, and time.
    • Upon notification, the owner must provide the operator’s details (name, addresses, etc.) within 20 days, to the extent available.
    • The renter/lessee is not considered an agent of the owner if the owner’s business is renting/leasing vehicles.
  • Effective date:
    • Takes effect upon passage (no separate transition period).

Who is affected

  • Toll violators and toll evaders on Rhode Island tolled projects (e.g., toll facilities overseen by RITBA).
  • Regular toll-paying motorists, with enforcement tightening (fees, potential DMV holds, and court actions).
  • Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which administers license and registration holds for nonpayment cases.
  • Rental car companies and renters/lessees:
    • Rental companies gain a mechanism to establish non-liability for tolls with supporting rental agreements.
    • Lessees/renters may be held liable as operators, unless the rental agreement provides prima facie evidence otherwise.
  • General public and toll project users due to strengthened enforcement funding assurances.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Violations must be paid within 14 days; fees accrue at 40-day and 45-day milestones, with additional penalties as described.
  • DMV holds and renewals can be impacted after 90 days of nonpayment if there are at least 10 violations.
  • DMV holds can be released upon payment or satisfactory repayment arrangements; failure to honor arrangements can trigger re-imposed holds.
  • The rental-car-provision requires timely notice to rental owners and, where available, disclosure of lessee/operator information within 20 days.
  • The act authorizes the authority to promulgate rules, with a statutory process for reviewing administrative fee assessments (not subject to Chapter 35 of Title 42).

Practical impact

  • Potentially greater accountability and faster recoupment of toll revenue for violators and evaders.
  • Increased leverage for the RITBA and state authorities to suspend licenses and registrations for chronic nonpayment.
  • Clear pathway for rental car companies to limit their liability exposure while still providing a mechanism to identify lessees responsible for tolls.
  • Administrative burden shift toward rental companies and DMV processes, with new documentation requirements for rental fleets.

If you would like, I can tailor this summary for a policy brief, legislative memo, or a stakeholder explainer with a Q&A section.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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