Bill Sponsors
Senator Walter S. Felag
Committee
Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar
Summary
Select
This bill allows a specific business, Charlie's Oil Co., Inc., to restore its corporate charter, which was previously revoked. To do this, the company must file all required tax returns, pay any back taxes owed to the state, and pay all necessary fees to the Secretary of State by December 31, 2026. Once these conditions are met, the company will regain all its legal rights, privileges, and responsibilities as if the revocation never happened.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Ensures the collection of overdue corporate taxes, which provides necessary revenue to fund public services and social safety nets.
- Requires strict compliance with state regulations and reporting before corporate privileges are restored, holding the business accountable.
- Helps preserve a local business, which protects the jobs and livelihoods of the workers employed by the company.
Cons for Progressives
- Grants special legislative treatment to a specific corporation, which could be perceived as favoring businesses with political connections over marginalized groups.
- Restores the legal standing of a business that previously failed to meet its tax obligations, potentially setting a poor precedent for corporate accountability.
- Uses state legislative time and resources to assist a private oil company, conflicting with progressive environmental goals to transition away from fossil fuels.
Pros for Conservatives
- Supports private enterprise and corporate freedom by providing a pathway for a business to regain its legal standing and continue operations.
- Preserves a local business and its economic contributions to the community without relying on government subsidies or financial assistance.
- Offers a clear, defined mechanism to correct past administrative errors, reducing permanent government interference in the company's ability to operate.
Cons for Conservatives
- Forces the business to pay all back taxes and state fees, imposing a financial burden on the company.
- Highlights an inefficient system where businesses must seek special legislative acts rather than using streamlined administrative processes to resolve paperwork issues.
- Reinstates a corporation that failed to follow the rule of law regarding tax and reporting requirements, which could be seen as rewarding non-compliance.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely. This is a standard legislative act to reinstate a specific corporate charter after administrative revocation, which is a routine and lawful use of legislative authority in Rhode Island.
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Charlie's Oil Co., Inc.
- State tax administrators
- The Rhode Island Secretary of State
Towns Affected
All
Cost to Taxpayers
None
Revenue Generated
Amount unknown
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Regulatory
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Environmental Impact
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Privacy Impact
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Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 05/05/2026 Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar (05/07/2026)
• 05/07/2026 Senate read and passed
• 05/08/2026 Referred to House Municipal Government & Housing
• 05/07/2026 Senate read and passed
• 05/08/2026 Referred to House Municipal Government & Housing
Bill Text
SECTION 1. If, on or before December 31, 2026, Charlie’s Oil Co., Inc., qualified on December 26, 1978, shall file any corporation tax returns as may be required, and shall pay all taxes which were due or should have been due to the state, and shall file with the secretary of state a certificate signed by the tax administrator that such tax returns and such taxes have been paid; and shall also file all reports and pay all fees which may be required by the secretary of state, then the revocation of the charter of said corporation shall thereupon to wit, upon the filing of said certificate, said reports and the payment of said fees, be vacated and said corporation shall thereupon be entitled to all privileges, benefits and powers and subject to all of the same duties and liabilities as though no revocation of its charter had taken place.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.