(a)  The state of Rhode Island is divided into seven (7) regional tourism districts to be administered by the tourism council, convention and visitor’s bureau, or the Rhode Island commerce corporation established in chapter 64 of this title as designated in this section:

(1)  South County district, which shall include Westerly, Charlestown, Narragansett, South Kingstown, North Kingstown, Hopkinton, Exeter, Richmond, West Greenwich, East Greenwich, and Coventry to be administered by the South County tourism council, inc.;

(2)  Providence district consists of the city of Providence to be administered by the Convention Authority of the City of Providence.

(3)  Northern Rhode Island district consists of Pawtucket, Woonsocket, Lincoln, Central Falls, Cumberland, North Smithfield, Smithfield, Glocester, Burrillville, and East Providence to be administered by the Blackstone Valley tourism council, inc.;

(4)  Aquidneck Island district consists of Barrington, Bristol, Warren, Newport, Jamestown, Middletown, Portsmouth, Tiverton, and Little Compton to be administered by the Newport and Bristol County convention and visitors bureau;

(5)  Warwick district consists of the city of Warwick to be administered by the city of Warwick department of economic development;

(6)  Block Island district, which shall consist of the town of New Shoreham to be administered by the New Shoreham tourism council, inc.;

(7)  [Deleted by P.L. 2021, ch. 146, § 1 and P.L. 2021, ch. 328, § 1.]

(8)  Statewide district consists of all cities and towns not delineated in subdivisions (1) through (6) to be administered by the Rhode Island commerce corporation established in chapter 64 of this title.

lawyer at desk

Ask a legal question, get an answer ASAP!
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 42-63.1-5

  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Escrow: Money given to a third party to be held for payment until certain conditions are met.
  • town: may be construed to include city; the words "town council" include city council; the words "town clerk" include city clerk; the words "ward clerk" include clerk of election district; the words "town treasurer" include city treasurer; and the words "town sergeant" include city sergeant. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-9

(b)  Before receiving any funds under this chapter, the organizations designated to receive the funds on behalf of the South County regional tourism district and the Northern Rhode Island regional tourism district shall be required to apply to and receive approval from the Rhode Island commerce corporation pursuant to guidelines promulgated by the Rhode Island commerce corporation. The corporation shall review the eligibility of the regional tourism district organizations to receive the funds at least annually.

(c)  On or before January 1, 2016, and every January 1 thereafter, all regional tourism districts created under these sections shall be required to seek and obtain the approval of the executive office of commerce regarding the incorporation of common statewide marketing themes, logos, and slogans, among other features, prior to the release of lodging tax funds to the districts.

(d)  Upon proper notice to the Rhode Island division of taxation from the city of East Providence and the Blackstone Valley tourism council that the city has elected to become a member of the Northern Rhode Island district, all funds previously generated in the city of East Providence and held in escrow by the Rhode Island division of taxation shall be allocated fully and in their entirety to the Blackstone Valley tourism council for the direct benefit and support of tourism activities within the city of East Providence.

History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 506, § 2; P.L. 1988, ch. 418, § 3; P.L. 1991, ch. 180, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 28, § 1; P.L. 1995, ch. 370, art. 12, § 6; P.L. 1995, ch. 371, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 430, § 1; P.L. 2000, ch. 55, art. 29, § 1; P.L. 2000, ch. 241, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 205, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 242, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 141, art. 11, § 2; P.L. 2021, ch. 146, § 1, effective July 3, 2021; P.L. 2021, ch. 328, § 1, effective July 9, 2021.