S 2440Criminal Procedure

Motor and Other Vehicles - Adjudication of Traffic Offenses

The government cannot collect fines for traffic violations more than seven years after the penalty becomes final.

Introduced

Population
Affected

Introduced Feb 6, 2026Committee Senate Finance

Plain-English Summary

This bill establishes a statute of limitations for the collection of fines related to traffic violations in Rhode Island. Specifically, it prohibits the state, municipalities, or courts from collecting fines or costs associated with motor vehicle violations more than seven years after the penalty has become final and is no longer subject to appeal. Once this seven-year period passes, the government can no longer pursue the motorist for payment of that specific debt.

For younger readers

When grown-ups break driving rules, they often have to pay money called a fine. This bill creates a time limit on collecting that money. It says that if the government waits more than seven years after the fine is set and final, they are not allowed to ask the driver to pay it anymore. It means that after seven years, the debt for that traffic ticket goes away and the driver does not have to pay it.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

MotoristsMunicipal GovernmentsState GovernmentCourt SystemTraffic Court Defendants

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

None

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Prevents low-income residents from being trapped in indefinite cycles of debt caused by old traffic fines they may have been unable to pay at the time.
Promotes economic stability by allowing individuals to eventually clear their records of old financial burdens, potentially improving their access to credit and housing.
Reduces the disproportionate long-term impact of traffic enforcement on marginalized communities by ensuring that minor infractions do not result in lifetime liabilities.
Reduces potential revenue available for state and municipal public services, which could impact funding for social programs or infrastructure.
Could theoretically benefit wealthier individuals who have the resources to delay payment or legal proceedings until the statute of limitations expires.
Might diminish the accountability of drivers who endangered public safety, effectively erasing the penalty for their actions without restitution being made to the community.

For Conservatives

Checks government power by preventing the state and municipalities from pursuing citizens indefinitely for minor financial penalties.
Encourages government efficiency by compelling agencies to collect fines in a timely manner rather than relying on a backlog of old debt.
Protects individuals from administrative bureaucracy by establishing a clear statute of limitations and finality for legal interactions with the state.
Undermines the rule of law by allowing individuals who violated traffic statutes to eventually escape the financial consequences of their actions.
Deprives local municipalities of legitimate revenue owed by lawbreakers, potentially shifting the financial burden of government to law-abiding taxpayers.
Weakens the deterrence factor of traffic fines, as individuals may gamble on the state's inability to collect within the seven-year window.

Votes

Loading votes...

Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 5 additions

SECTION 1. Chapter 31-41.1 of the General Laws entitled "Adjudication of Traffic Offenses" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 31-41.1-4.1. Limitation on collection of motor vehicle violation fines. Notwithstanding any general law, rule or regulation to the contrary, no fines and/or costs assessed as a result of a motor vehicle violation(s) of title 31 may be collected against the motorist responsible for the violation by the state, any municipality or a court, more than seven (7) years after the violation fine and/or cost became final and unappealable.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.