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Sponsor, constable urge increase in fees for serving court papers after decades‑old rate remains unchanged
Summary
Chairman Corvaci's HB 5070 would raise maximum fees payable to sheriffs, sergeants and constables for serving writs and subpoenas from $45 to $70; the state constable told the committee the $45 figure dates to the early 1990s and said an increase could aid recruitment and retention without state budget cost, while the committee requested
House Bill 5070 would increase the maximum fee for serving writs, citations and subpoenas payable to sheriffs, sergeants and constables from $45 to $70. Representative Corvaci said the fee has been unchanged for approximately three decades and that a modest increase reflects higher costs and could help recruitment and retention.
Rhode Island State Constable George Clark testified the last fee increase took place in the early 1990s and described increased costs for vehicles, insurance and living expenses. Clark said the bill would not result in a cost to the state budget and argued it would make compensation more neutral for officers serving court process.
The committee heard the testimony, asked no substantive questions about operation or state cost and left the bill in committee for further consideration.
