H 8388Licensing & Accreditation

Motor and Other Vehicles - Regulation of Rental of Motorized Bicycles, Motor Scooters and Motorized Tricycles in New Shoreham

This bill gradually reduces the maximum number of moped and scooter rental licenses allowed in New Shoreham over time.

Held for study

Population
Affected

Introduced Apr 1, 2026Committee House Municipal Government & Housing

Plain-English Summary

This bill updates the rules for renting motorized bicycles, motor scooters, and motorized tricycles in the town of New Shoreham. It adds motor scooters to the list of regulated rental vehicles. It also states that if an existing rental license is surrendered, revoked, or expires without being renewed, the maximum number of allowed licenses in the town (which is currently capped at five) will be permanently reduced by one.

For younger readers

In a town called New Shoreham, there are rules for businesses that rent out small motorized bikes and scooters. Right now, the town only allows five businesses to have a license to rent them. This bill says that if one of those businesses closes, gives up its license, or loses its license, the town will not give that license to anyone else. Instead, the total number of allowed licenses will shrink permanently so there will be fewer places to rent these scooters in the future.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Scooter and motorized bicycle rental business ownersTourists and visitors to New ShorehamTown council of New ShorehamLocal pedestrians and motoristsEntrepreneurs seeking to open rental businesses

Impacted communities

New Shoreham

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely. The regulation of local business licenses, particularly regarding public safety and traffic on local roads, falls squarely within standard municipal police powers delegated by the state. Capping and reducing business licenses does not typically violate Constitutional rights, provided the revocation processes follow due process.

Estimated cost

None

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

By permanently reducing the number of rental licenses as they expire, the bill will likely decrease the total number of gas-powered scooters on the road, reducing localized air and noise pollution.
Fewer motorized scooters and bicycles available for rent could lead to improved traffic safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and residents in the community.
The legislation prioritizes the welfare and livability of the local community over the commercial expansion of private rental businesses by strictly capping and reducing the number of rental operators.
Reducing the availability of scooter and motorized bicycle rentals limits accessible and affordable transportation options for tourists and visitors who do not own cars.
By permanently retiring licenses rather than reissuing them, the bill prevents new, potentially minority- or women-owned small businesses from entering the local rental market.
The strict limitation on alternative transportation rentals could indirectly encourage more visitors to bring full-sized automobiles to the island, worsening traffic congestion and carbon emissions.

For Conservatives

Empowers local town councils to maintain strict control over commerce and preserve the traditional character of their community by reducing the presence of motorized rentals.
The permanent retirement of revoked licenses serves as a strong penalty for businesses that fail to comply with regulations, promoting adherence to the rule of law.
Protects the existing license holders from new competition by capping the market and permanently retiring unused licenses, which benefits incumbent business owners.
The bill severely restricts free market competition by permanently eliminating licenses as they expire, preventing new entrepreneurs from entering the rental industry.
Imposes arbitrary caps and government interference on the supply of rental vehicles, limiting the ability of private businesses to meet consumer demand.
By permanently shrinking the number of allowed licenses, the government is artificially stifling economic growth and corporate freedom in the local tourism sector.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 14 additions

SECTION 1. Section 31-19.3-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-19.3 entitled "Regulation of Rental of Motorized Bicycles, Motor Scooters and Motorized Tricycles in New Shoreham" is hereby amended to read as follows: 31-19.3-5. Ordinances.

(a) The town council of the town of New Shoreham may enact reasonable ordinances establishing procedures and standards for the licensing, supervision, regulation, and control of the rental of motorized bicycles, motor scooters and motorized tricycles.

(b) An ordinance enacted pursuant to this section may:

(1) Establish a fee to be charged for the issuance or renewal of any license for the rental of motorized bicycles, motor scooters and/or motorized tricycles the holder of the license is authorized to rent or lease and shall not exceed the sum of forty dollars ($40.00) per motorized bicycle, motor scooters or motorized tricycle.

(2) Establish a maximum number of licenses, not to exceed that authorized by subsection

(c) of this section, which may be adjusted pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, which may be granted for the rental of motorized bicycles, motor scooters and/or motorized tricycles.

(3) Establish hours during which motorized bicycles, motor scooters and/or motorized tricycles may be rented.

(4) Establish a maximum number of motorized bicycles, motor scooters and/or motorized tricycles which a license holder may rent or lease under the license, which shall not exceed thirty- four (34) motorized bicycles, motor scooters and/or motorized tricycles.

(5) Provide that no motorized bicycle, motor scooters or motorized tricycle shall be rented or leased in the town of New Shoreham unless the operator thereof has a valid license issued under the provisions of § 31-10-1, or a similar license issued by a state other than Rhode Island.

(6) Require all motorized bicycles, motor scooters and/or motorized tricycles to pass inspection annually and be issued a certificate by a duly authorized state inspection facility indicating that the vehicle has passed inspection to be conducted at inspection agencies which shall be created and governed by rules and regulations promulgated by the department of revenue.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter, the town council of the town of New Shoreham shall not grant more than five (5) licenses, which may be adjusted pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, for the rental of motorized bicycles, motor scooters and/or motorized tricycles.

(d) Upon the voluntary surrender, expiration without renewal, revocation, or other retirement of a license for the rental of motorized bicycles, motor scooters and/or motorized tricycles, the maximum number of licenses authorized under subsection (c) of this section, shall be permanently reduced by one for each license voluntarily surrendered, expired without renewal, revoked, or otherwise retired.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.