The bill amends Section 44-18-30 of the General Laws to redefine and specify exemptions from sales and use taxes in the state. It includes new insertions such as the definition of "newspaper," "returnable containers," and "consumed" in the context of manufacturing, and outlines exemptions for items like newspapers, school meals, containers, charitable organizations, gasoline, and purchases for manufacturing purposes. The bill also details the tax exemption process for contractors working with exempt organizations and conditions for exemptions on tangible personal property, software, and utilities used in manufacturing. No deletions from current law are mentioned.

Additionally, the bill provides exemptions for various other items and services, including food and food ingredients, medicines, drugs, durable medical equipment, prosthetic devices, motor vehicles for nonresidents, sales by blind people, air and water pollution control facilities, and adaptive equipment for persons with disabilities. It also specifies exemptions for heating fuels, electricity, gas, manufacturing machinery, trade-in value of motor vehicles, precious metal bullion, commercial vessels, commercial fishing vessels, clothing and footwear, and if applicable, remote seller tax collection. The bill includes insertions for exemptions on water for domestic use, sales of boats to nonresidents, youth activities equipment, farm equipment, U.S. and Rhode Island flags, textbooks, hazardous waste recycling, promotional literature, food stamps, transportation charges, coins, and materials for farm structures. It also proposes an exemption for machinery and equipment used to provide broadband communications service, with a detailed definition of what constitutes such service. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
2166: 44-18-30