The bill amends Section 45-6-2 of the General Laws regarding the imposition of penalties for violations of municipal ordinances. It allows town and city councils to impose penalties for such violations. Whenever a municipality issues a fine for a violation of an ordinance, those fines shall be a lien against the real property owned by the violator located within the municipality. If the fine is not paid by the violator within ninety (90) days of issuance, a lien shall be recorded with the records of land evidence of the municipality where the violating property is located. The lien shall incur interest at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per year from the date of recording.

Additionally, the costs incurred by the municipality to remediate issues caused by the ordinance violations, along with any unpaid fines, shall be added to the amount of taxes due on the real estate where the violation occurred. The tax collector of that municipality shall include these amounts on tax bills owed by the property owner. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
494: 45-6-2