How SB 3166 changes current law

Compared against the R.I. General Laws as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill exempts rental companies from liability for toll violations of vehicles they own and modifies the procedure for notifying rental companies about toll violations.

• R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-37

  This provision of this subsection shall not apply to any vehicle owned by a rental company as defined in §31-34.1-1. → This provision of this subsection shall not apply to any vehicle owned by a rental company as defined in §31-34.1-1.

  It clarifies that toll violators from rental companies are not penalized under certain subsections.

• R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-37

  Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, a rental company, as defined in § 31-34.1-1, that is the registered owner of a motor vehicle shall be entitled to establish non-liability for toll violations, administrative fees, and fines by providing to the traffic tribunal a copy of a written rental or lease agreement which shall be prima facie evidence that the lessee was the operator of the vehicle.

  It allows rental companies to avoid liability for toll violations by proving that the lessee was responsible at the time of the violation.

• R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-37

  The issuing authority shall provide to the owner of a rented or leased vehicle a notice, in writing, of each toll violation in which a motor vehicle owned by the rental or leasing company is involved, including the license number of the vehicle and the date and time of the toll violation.

  This mandates that rental companies are notified about toll violations involving their vehicles.

• R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-37

  Upon receipt of this notice, the owner of a rented or leased vehicle shall inform the issuing authority, within twenty (20) days, to the extent available, the operator’s name, home address, employer, employer’s address, and local address, if any.

  This change requires rental companies to provide the identity and address of the renter involved in toll violations.

• R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-37

  The renter or lessee shall not be considered an agent of the owner if the owner is engaged in the business of renting or leasing vehicles.

  It clarifies the legal relationship between the rental company and the renter regarding toll violations.