TITLE 31
Motor and Other vehicles
CHAPTER 31-13
Traffic Control Devices
SECTION 31-13-1
§ 31-13-1 State traffic commission
Manual of traffic control devices.
(a) There is established a state traffic commission consisting of the
superintendent of state police or his or her designee from within the
department of state police, the director of the department of revenue or his or
her designee from within the division of motor vehicles, the director of the
department of transportation or his or her designee from within the department
of transportation, the governor's representative to the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration or his or her designee, and a member of the
public appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate,
with respect to which appointment the governor shall solicit and give due
consideration to the recommendation of the Rhode Island Police Chief's
Association. The commission shall elect from among the members a chair and such
other officers as it deems necessary.
(b) For the purpose of standardization and uniformity, the
commission shall adopt and cause to be printed for publication a manual of
regulations and specifications establishing a uniform system of traffic control
signals, devices, signs, and marking consistent with the provisions of this
chapter for use upon the public highways. The commission shall establish the
traffic regulations under chapters 12 27 of this title. The commission
shall meet not less frequently than monthly. The department of transportation
shall provide all staff services and quarters required by the commission.
(c) Within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal
year, the commission shall approve and submit an annual report to the governor,
the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, and
the secretary of state, of its activities during that fiscal year. The report
shall provide: an operating statement summarizing meetings or hearings held,
including meetings minutes, subjects addressed, decisions rendered,
applications considered and their disposition, rules or regulations
promulgated, studies conducted, policies and plans developed, approved, or
modified, and programs administered or initiated; a consolidated financial
statement of all funds received and expended including the source of the funds,
a listing of any staff supported by these funds, and a summary of any clerical,
administrative or technical support received; a summary of performance during
the previous fiscal year including accomplishments, shortcomings and remedies;
a synopsis of hearings, complaints, suspensions, or other legal matters related
to the authority of the counsel; a summary of any training courses held
pursuant to the provisions of this chapter; a briefing on anticipated
activities in the upcoming fiscal year, and findings and recommendations for
improvements. The report shall be posted electronically on the websites of the
general assembly and the secretary of state pursuant to the provisions of
§ 42-20-8.2. The director of the department of transportation shall be
responsible for the enforcement of the provisions of this subsection.
(d) To conduct a training course for newly appointed and
qualified members within six (6) months of their qualification or designation.
The course shall be developed by the chair of the commission, be approved by
the commission, and be conducted by the chair of the commission. The commission
may approve the use of any commission and/or staff members and/or individuals
to assist with training. The training course shall include instruction in the
following areas: the provisions of chapters 42-46, 36-14 and 38-2; and the
commission's rules and regulations. The director of the department of
transportation shall, within ninety (90) days of the effective date of this act
[June 16, 2006], prepare and disseminate training materials relating
to the provisions of chapters 42-46, 36-14, and 38-2.
History of Section.
(P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 22, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 31-13-1; P.L. 1968,
ch. 113, § 1; P.L. 1970, ch. 5, § 1; P.L. 1970, ch. 111, § 4;
P.L. 1971, ch. 7, § 1; P.L. 1975, ch. 259, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 103,
§ 4; P.L. 2006, ch. 144, § 4; P.L. 2008, ch. 98, § 13; P.L.
2008, ch. 145, § 13; P.L. 2011, ch. 46, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 50,
§ 1.)