R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-13-2.1 — Public service companies subject to tax

(a) Every public service company defined, foreign or domestic, engaging in any of the
same businesses within this state of any corporation enumerated in § 44-13-4, shall annually pay a tax or excise to the state for the privilege of carrying on
or being authorized to carry on business within this state during any part of the
preceding calendar year. The tax shall be in addition to any tax upon its real estate
and tangible personal property locally or otherwise assessed and shall be measured
by its gross earnings determined in the same manner as provided for corporations under
§ 44-13-1(b) for the preceding calendar year or for the portion of the year that the public service
company has carried on or was authorized to carry on business within this state, and
shall be computed at the rates prescribed in § 44-13-4. All other provisions of this chapter and title as they relate to public service
corporations shall apply to public service companies.
(b) For purposes of this chapter, “public service company” means and includes every joint
stock company, association, partnership (limited or general), joint venture, or other
entity or individual formed for or engaged in any business which, when engaged in
by a corporation, is subject to tax under this chapter.