R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-8-12
The director of environmental management has power to investigate upon the complaint of any interested person, or of his or her own motion, the record of any person, firm, or corporation applying for or holding a license, or any transaction involving the purchase of milk for shipment as provided for in this chapter; and for that purpose may examine the ledgers, books of account, memoranda, or other documents of any person, firm, association, or corporation applying for or holding a license and may take testimony under oath; but information relating to the general business of any that person, firm, association, or corporation, disclosed by this investigation and not relating to the immediate purpose shall be deemed of a confidential nature by the director and his or her assistants.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-8-12