This bill proposes amendments to Section 44-18-30 of the General Laws in Chapter 44-18, which pertains to sales and use taxes in Rhode Island. It introduces a new definition for "Newspaper" and provides tax exemptions for sales to charitable, educational, and religious organizations. The bill specifies that contractors working for these organizations are exempt from paying sales tax on essential materials and supplies. It also exempts certain sales, such as gasoline, manufacturing materials, and items purchased for manufacturing that become part of a finished product or are consumed in the manufacturing process. The bill clarifies the definitions of "consumed," "manufacturing," and "process of manufacturing," and details what is included and excluded from these definitions. Additionally, it outlines exemptions for various items, including food, medicines, and vehicles, and specifies conditions under which these exemptions apply.

The bill further expands sales tax exemptions to include items such as water for domestic use, Bibles, boats sold to nonresidents, youth activities equipment, farm equipment, and certain vehicles and adaptive equipment for veterans. It also exempts materials for farm structure construction, telecommunications services, winter storage of boats, jewelry display products, and several other specific items, each with their own conditions and limitations. Moreover, the bill extends tax exemptions to renewable energy products, specifically battery energy storage system equipment and solar thermal collectors for commercial applications, while making insertions and deletions to refine the language regarding solar equipment and systems. The act is intended to take effect immediately upon passage, indicating that the exemptions would be applicable as soon as the bill is enacted.

Statutes affected:
8032: 44-18-30