R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-1-21
The commissioners, the attorney general, and the agents of the division, as provided in §§ 39-1-15 and 39-1-20, while engaged in the performance of their duties, may, at all reasonable times, enter any premises, buildings, cars, plant, or equipment, or other places belonging to, or controlled by, any public utility, communications carrier, or contract carrier, and inspect the same or any part thereof, and any person obstructing, hindering, or in any way causing to be obstructed or hindered, any commissioner or the attorney general or any agent of the division, in the performance of his or her duties, or who shall refuse to permit any commissioner, the attorney general, or any agent of the division entrance into any premises, building, cars, plant, or equipment, or other places belonging to or controlled by any public utility, communications carrier, or contract carrier, in the performance of his or her duties as such, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and fined not more than five hundred dollars ($500).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-1-21