§ 37-12-3. Remedies of creditors and state — Priority of claims.
The remedy on the bond shall be by a civil action brought in the superior court for the counties of Providence and Bristol and in any suit brought on the bond the rights of the state shall be prior to those of all creditors. These rights shall include penalties, assessed under § 37-13-14.1(b) for nonpayment or late payment of wages due. The rights of persons who shall have performed labor as aforesaid shall be prior to the rights of all other creditors, and there shall be no priorities among laborers or among other creditors under the bond. The state, either after having recovered a judgment against the contractor on the contract or without having recovered a judgment, may bring a suit on the bond against the contractor and surety on the bond, and may join as parties defendant in the suit any persons claiming to have rights under the bond as creditors; and, if it has not brought such a suit, it may at any time before a final and conclusive decree, intervene and become a party in any suit brought, as hereafter provided in this chapter, by any person claiming to be a creditor under the bond.
History of Section.P.L. 1934, ch. 2105, § 3; G.L. 1938, ch. 79, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 37-12-3; P.L. 2016, ch. 537, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Title 37 - Public Property and Works
Chapter 37-12 - Contractors’ Bonds
Section 37-12-1. - Contractors required to give bond — Terms and conditions.
Section 37-12-2. - Rights of persons furnishing labor and materials.
Section 37-12-3. - Remedies of creditors and state — Priority of claims.
Section 37-12-4. - Intervention by creditor in suit brought by state.
Section 37-12-5. - Time limitation on creditors’ actions.
Section 37-12-6. - Intervention in suit brought by creditor — Consolidation of suits.
Section 37-12-7. - Notice of pendency of suit.
Section 37-12-8. - Certified copies of documents.
Section 37-12-9. - Payment into court by surety — Discharge.
Section 37-12-10.1. - Contractor/subcontractor retainage.
Section 37-12-11. - Substitution of securities for retained earnings.