2023 -- H 5525
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LC000908
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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A N A C T
RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- GOVERNOR'S WORKFORCE
BOARD RHODE ISLAND
Introduced By: Representatives Sanchez, Potter, Morales, Giraldo, Messier, Cardillo,
Perez, Speakman, McNamara, and Hull
Date Introduced: February 10, 2023
Referred To: House Finance
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. The general assembly makes the following findings of fact: 1
(1) Public transportation to include the services provided by the Rhode Island Public 2
Transportation Authority (RIPTA) are essential to the economy and welfare of the state's 3
population. 4
(2) A shortage of qualified RIPTA drivers adversely impacts on the ability of RIPTA to 5
provide critical and essential services to the public. 6
(3) It is in the paramount interest of the state and the public that comprehensive measures 7
are implemented to increase the number of qualified drivers employed by RIPTA. 8
SECTION 2. Chapter 42-102 of the General Laws entitled "Governor’s Workforce Board 9
Rhode Island" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 10
42-102-14. Public transportation driver's program. 11
(a) The workforce board, after consultation with the Rhode Island public transit authority 12
and the division of motor vehicles, shall formulate a program to assist RIPTA in hiring and retaining 13
additional drivers to ensure adequate driver personnel are employed to provide public 14
transportation services. 15
(b) As part of the program formulated pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of this 16
section, the board, the department of labor and training and RIPTA shall coordinate and conduct 17
an outreach program targeting various communities represented in the state to facilitate a diverse 18
LC000908 - Page 2 of 3
and robust applicant pool for program participation. 1
(c) The department of labor and training shall provide any necessary specialized instruction 2
to assist applicants for positions as public transportation drivers, specifically providing them with 3
resources and information to successfully obtain employment with RIPTA. 4
(d) The board shall issue to program participants a certificate of participation which may 5
be utilized to waive all fees otherwise required pursuant to § 31-10.3-20. The waiver of fees shall 6
be applicable for all fees necessary for the participant to acquire employment as a public 7
transportation driver. 8
(e) In order to implement the provisions of this section, the board is authorized to 9
promulgate rules and regulations in consultation with RIPTA. 10
SECTION 3. Section 31-10.3-20 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-10.3 entitled "Rhode 11
Island Uniform Commercial Driver’s License Act" is hereby amended to read as follows: 12
31-10.3-20. Fees. 13
(a) The fees charged for commercial licenses, endorsements, classifications, restrictions, 14
and required examinations shall be as follows: 15
(1) For every commercial operator’s first license, thirty dollars ($30.00); 16
(2) For every renewal of a commercial license, fifty dollars ($50.00); 17
(3) For every duplicate commercial license, ten dollars ($10.00); 18
(4) For every duplicate commercial learner’s permit, ten dollars ($10.00); 19
(5) For any change of: 20
(i) Classification(s), ten dollars ($10.00); 21
(ii) Endorsement(s), ten dollars ($10.00); 22
(iii) Restriction(s), ten dollars ($10.00); 23
(6) For every written and/or oral examination, ten dollars ($10.00); 24
(7) For the division of motor vehicles to administer the skill test, one hundred dollars 25
($100); 26
(8) For every commercial learner’s permit, sixty dollars ($60.00). 27
(9) [Deleted by P.L. 2019, ch. 49, § 1 and P.L. 2019, ch. 75, § 1]. 28
(b) The fees provided in subsection (a) of this section shall be waived for applicants 29
providing a certificate of participation pursuant to the provisions of § 42-102-14. 30
SECTION 4. This act shall take effect upon passage. 31
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LC000908
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LC000908 - Page 3 of 3
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- GOVERNOR'S WORKFORCE
BOARD RHODE ISLAND
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This act would provide initiatives by a program formulated by the Governor's Workforce Board 1
for Rhode Island Public Transit Authority to encourages applicants for bus drivers. Such initiatives 2
would waive the CDL fee, provide specialized training for applicants, and create outreach for a 3
diverse pool of applicants. 4
This act would take effect upon passage. 5
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LC000908
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