Rhode Island § 45-3-12 - Town Meetings
Full text of Rhode Island Rhode Island General Laws § 45-3-12 — Town Meetings, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 45-3-12. Town Meetings
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-3-12
§ 45-3-12. Notice of meeting to dispose of land or make tax.
No vote shall be passed in any town meeting concerning the disposing of the town’s land or making a tax, unless special mention is made, and notice of the meeting given, in the warrant issued for the warning of the meeting; and the town clerk of every town shall grant the warrant, except in cases where the law otherwise directs, which warrant shall be directed to the town sergeant, or to one of the constables of the town, or in the event that the town sergeant or a constable is not available, to any elector of that city or town designated by the town or city clerk. The notice for the making of a tax as provided in this section shall be in substantially the following form:
“WARNING FOR TOWN MEETING
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
COUNTY OF SC.
GREETING:
By the town clerk of the town of ....................................... , R.I. (seal) to ....................................... , town sergeant of the town of ....................................... , or any of the constables of the town.
Pursuant to chapter 3 of title 45, you are required to post, at least seven (7) days before the ........... day of ..................... , A. D. ........... , written notifications in three (3) or more public places in the town of ....................................... , Rhode Island, notifying and warning the electors of the town of ....................................... , qualified to vote upon any proposition to impose a tax or for the expenditure of money, to assemble in town meeting at the town hall (or other place designated) in the town of ....................................... , on the ........... day of ..................... , A. D. ........... , at ........... o’clock in the ........... noon for the purpose of ordering a tax to be levied and assessed on the ratable property of the town and the inhabitants of the town for the payment of the town debts and interest, for the payment of the town’s proportion of the state tax, for the support of schools, for the support and maintenance of the poor, for the building, repairing, and amending of highways, for the building, repairing, and amending of bridges, for the improvement in any manner deemed fit of any property belonging to the town, for all necessary charges and expenses whatsoever arising within the town, whether incidental or not to the above (here designate any further purpose, if any, for which the town may legally appropriate money), and for any or all other purposes authorized by law, and to transact any other business as may legally come before the meeting.
Given under my hand this ........... day of ..................... , A. D. ........... , at the town of ....................................... , Rhode Island.
.......................................................................Town Clerk”
History of Section.
G.L. 1896, ch. 37, § 12; G.L. 1909, ch. 47, § 12; P.L. 1915, ch. 1210, § 1; G.L. 1923,
ch. 48, § 12; P.L. 1932, ch. 1944, § 4; G.L. 1938, ch. 330, § 12; G.L. 1956, § 45-3-12;
P.L. 1994, ch. 154, § 2.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rhode Island § 45-3-12
What does Rhode Island General Laws § 45-3-12 cover?
Section 45-3-12 ("Town Meetings") is part of the Rhode Island General Laws, the codified statutory law of Rhode Island. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Rhode Island § 45-3-12?
A common citation format is "Rhode Island General Laws § 45-3-12" (Rhode Island). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Rhode Island law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Rhode Island official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Rhode Island attorney.
How does Rhode Island § 45-3-12 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Rhode Island can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Rhode Island.