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House approves series of motor-vehicle and criminal-procedure measures; votes at a glance
Summary
On April 3 the Rhode Island House passed multiple bills on motor-vehicle offenses, distracted driving, reckless driving penalties, search-warrant duration for tracking devices, and license/ID rules; the session included brief debate on several measures.
The Rhode Island House of Representatives on April 3 approved a package of bills relating to motor vehicles, distracted driving and criminal-procedure standards. Several bills drew short debate on enforcement, safety and implementation; all were reported passed by the clerk after recorded roll calls.
Key actions and vote totals recorded on the House floor:
- Item 1 (No. 5640): Wrong-way travel on interstate/ramps — The act adds an increased penalty (up to $5,000 or up to six months license suspension as described on the floor) for motorists who travel the wrong way on an interstate or on an entrance/exit ramp. Vote: 54 in favor, 1 opposed. Motion moved by Chairman Craven; outcome — approved.
- Item 2 (No. 5898): Pedestrian right-of-way/adjudication schedule — The act amends the law on pedestrian right of way to reference section 31-14-1.1 and sets an increased minimum ticket amount (sponsor said a minimum of $85). Vote: 56 in favor, 2 opposed. Motion moved by Chairman Craven; outcome — approved.
- Item 3 (No. 5644): Window tint penalties — See separate article for full coverage. Vote: 52 in favor, 9 opposed. Outcome — approved.
- Item 4 (No. 5901): Use of cell phones for navigation — The act prohibits using a cell phone for navigation unless the device is mounted or otherwise affixed and not in the motorist27s hands; sponsor described a three-step fine schedule of $100 (first), $150 (second) and $250 (third). Vote reported on the floor as 16 in favor, 1 opposed. Outcome — approved.
- Item 5 (No. 5900): Reckless driving repeat offense — The act distinguishes a first offense for reckless driving as a misdemeanor and a second offense as a felony; the chair confirmed a 5-year look-back for determining a second offense. Vote: 16 in favor, 2 opposed. Outcome — approved.
- Item 6 (No. 5438): Search warrants and tracking devices — The act sets the default duration of a search warrant authorizing a tracking device at 15 days, with an additional 15 days available for good cause and judicial approval. Vote: 63 in favor, 0 opposed. Outcome — approved.
- Item 7 (No. 5929): Multiple licenses/ID cards and "rebuilt salvage" title language — The act prohibits holding multiple driver's licenses or ID cards that create duplicate records and changes salvage/title language to "rebuilt salvage" for certain repaired vehicles. Vote: 61 in favor, 2 opposed. Outcome — approved.
Several bills were introduced as departmental or committee requests and included limited floor debate. Questions from members touched on enforcement mechanics (for example, how DMV cross-checks out-of-state IDs) and look-back periods for repeat offenses (5 years for the reckless-driving provision). Chairman Craven handled the calendar and moved the bills on behalf of sponsors in several instances.
Motions on the calendar were recorded by the clerk and each act was announced as prevailing after locking the voting machine and publishing roll-call tallies on the floor. Details of each act, including the exact statutory text and section numbers, were not read in full on the floor transcript; members referenced certain statutory cross-references (for example, section 31-14-1.1 for pedestrian adjudication) during remarks.
The House concluded its calendar business and moved to announcements and resolutions following the votes.
