Emergency Change Concerning Cash and Credit Card Toll Transactions
855-RICR-10-00-3 INACTIVE RULE EMERGENCY RULE
855-RICR-10-00-3
TITLE 855 – RHODE ISLAND TURNPIKE AND BRIDGE AUTHORITY
CHAPTER 10 – BRIDGES AND TOLLS
SUBCHAPTER 00 - N/A
PART 3 – Emergency Change Concerning Cash and Credit Card Toll Transactions
3.1 AUTHORIZATION AND PURPOSE
3.1.1 AUTHORIZATION FOR REGULATIONS
The following rules and regulations concerning an emergency change to the cash and credit card toll transactions (“Rules and Regulations”) are promulgated by the Rhode Island Turnpike & Bridge Authority (“Authority”) in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-37 and § 42-35-2.10, as enabled by Executive Order of the Governor.
3.1.2 PURPOSE
These Rules and Regulations are intended to provide the public with information regarding an emergency change to the cash and credit card toll transactions. This emergency is necessitated by staffing and health and safety issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
3.2 EMERGENCY CHANGE CONCERNING CASH AND CREDIT CARD TOLL TRANSACTIONS
From time to time, including in time of a state of emergency declared by the Governor pursuant to § 30-15-9 or other applicable statute, the Authority may close one or more cash/credit card lanes for any reason. If cash/credit card lanes are closed, then such traffic may be directed through the EZPASS lanes normally designated for vehicles equipped with E-ZPass transponders, in which case no Administrative Fee shall be charged, but an invoice shall be mailed to the registered vehicle owner or the E-ZPass account holder. If the invoiced individual or entity makes timely payment of the toll, as specified in said notice in accordance with the invoice terms, then the invoiced individual or entity will not be deemed a Toll Violator or Toll Evader, as defined in Part 2 of these Regulations, for purposes of the invoiced transaction.
| Title | 855 | Turnpike and Bridge Authority |
| Chapter | 10 | Bridges, Facilities and Tolls |
| Subchapter | 00 | N/A |
| Part | 3 | Emergency Change Concerning Cash and Credit Card Toll Transactions |
| Type of Filing | Adoption |
| Regulation Status | Inactive |
| Effective | 03/27/2020 to 09/25/2020 |
Regulation Authority:
R.I. Gen. Laws § R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-37
R.I. Gen. Laws § R.I Gen Laws § 42-35-2.10
Purpose and Reason:
The Regulation is necessitated by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Specifically, the regulation is intended to provide the public with information regarding an emergency change to the cash and credit card toll transactions needed because of staffing and health and safety issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Specifically, from time to time, the Authority may close one or more cash/credit card lanes. If cash/credit card lanes are closed, then such traffic may be directed through the EZPASS lanes normally designated for vehicles equipped with E-ZPass transponders, in which case no Administrative Fee shall be charged, but an invoice shall be mailed to the registered vehicle owner or the E-ZPass account holder. If the invoiced individual or entity makes timely payment of the toll, as specified in said notice in accordance with the invoice terms, then the invoiced individual or entity will not be deemed a Toll Violator or Toll Evader, as defined in Part 2 of these Regulations, for purposes of the invoiced transaction.
Brief statement of Reason for Finding Imminent Peril:
WHEREAS, due to the worldwide coronavirus pandemic, the Governor of the State of Rhode Island, by Executive Order 20-02 dated March 9, 2020, declared a state of emergency in Rhode Island pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 30-15-9; WHEREAS, the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (“Authority”) collects some of its toll revenue via cash and credit cards at the Claiborne Pell Bridge Toll Plaza in Jamestown, Rhode Island; WHEREAS, the Authority finds that the pandemic poses an imminent peril to the public health, safety, and welfare which justifies the promulgation of an emergency rule concerning cash and credit card toll transactions (“Emergency Rule”); and WHEREAS, the Authority has electronically submitted the Emergency Rule with the Office of the Secretary of State pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-35-10.