(a)  The board may investigate the activities of any person engaged in the building and construction industry to determine compliance with this chapter.

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 5-65-16

  • Board: means the contractors' registration and licensing board established pursuant to the provisions of § 5-65-14 or its designees. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-65-1
  • Contractor: includes , but is not limited to, any person who purchases or owns property and constructs, or for compensation arranges for the construction of, one or more structures. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-65-1
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Office: means the state building office established pursuant to § 5-84-3. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-65-1
  • Person: means any natural person, joint venture, partnership, corporation, or other business or legal entity who or that enters into a contract for construction. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-65-1
  • Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
  • Testify: Answer questions in court.

(b)  The board may conduct investigations with the assistance of the local building officials.

(c)  The board has the power to administer oaths; issue notices and subpoenas in the name of the board; compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of evidence; hold hearings; and perform any other acts that are reasonably necessary to carry out its duties under this chapter.

(d)  If any person fails to comply with a subpoena issued under subsection (c) or refuses to testify on matters on which the person may be lawfully interrogated, such person shall be considered in contempt and the board or director may compel compliance and/or punish any contempt of the authority in like manner as may be punished in either the supreme or the superior court.

(e)  The board shall have the authority to hire private investigators or constables to carry out the duties of this chapter. The costs and expenses incurred by the hiring of private investigators may be borne by the contractor or nonprevailing party.

(f)  In addition to all powers granted to the board and office under this chapter, the board and office, and their designees, shall have the power and authority to:

(1)  Assess fines as provided by this chapter;

(2)   [Deleted by P.L. 2022, ch. 251, § 1 and P.L. 2022, ch. 252, § 1.]

(3)  Provide any other relief and/or remedy provided by this chapter and the board’s rules and regulations.

(g)  The board may, at its discretion, require any contractor who has had action taken against his/her registration to obtain a bond in such amount as determined by the board.

History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 222, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 323, § 1; P.L. 2008, ch. 364, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 310, § 42; P.L. 2022, ch. 251, § 1, effective June 28, 2022; P.L. 2022, ch. 252, § 1, effective June 28, 2022.