Rhode Island General Laws Title 37. Public Property and Works § 37-27-5. Penalties

(a) Unless otherwise specified, any violation of § 37-27-3 or § 37-27-4 shall be deemed a felony punishable by imprisonment not exceeding three (3) years and by a fine of up to one million dollars ($1,000,000) or three (3) times the value of the submitted award or bid, whichever is greater.  Any criminal proceeding brought pursuant to this chapter must be commenced within three (3) years after the alleged criminal act occurred.

(b) It shall not constitute a violation of this chapter when any person who is an official of or employed by any unit of state or local government follows procedures established by federal, state, or local laws or regulations including, but not limited to, processes established pursuant to chapter 2 of this title or chapter 55 of title 45, or regulations promulgated thereto.

(c) It shall not constitute a violation of this chapter for any person who is an official of or employed by any unit of state or local government to provide to any person a copy of the transcript or other summary of any pre-bid conference when such transcript or summary is also made generally available to the public.