Rhode Island Bill Allows Municipalities to Maintain State Roads and Highways

Original title: AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF STATE ROADS (Permits municipalities to enter into contracts with the department of transportation for the municipality to perform minor and routine maintenance work on state highways, roadways, and shoulders located within the municipality.)

Last action · March 12, 2026: Committee recommended measure be held for further studySponsors: Mark McKenney and 2 others

Companion · H 7573same policy, House version

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Proposed

Municipalities are permitted to enter into contracts with the Department of Transportation to perform minor and routine maintenance work on , roadways, and shoulders located within their boundaries.

Why it matters

Local governments gain the legal authority to take over routine upkeep of state-owned roads within city or town limits if agreements are reached with the state transportation agency.

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Municipalities

Cities and towns are granted the option to enter into contracts with the state transportation department to perform minor and routine maintenance on state roads within their borders.

Directly affected

Department of Transportation

The state agency is authorized to enter into contracts with local municipalities for the upkeep of state highways, roadways, and shoulders.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is allowed to maintain state roads under this measure?

Municipalities are permitted to enter into contracts with the Department of Transportation to perform minor and routine maintenance work on , roadways, and shoulders located within their boundaries.

What type of road work is covered by these contracts?

The contracts cover minor and routine maintenance work on , roadways, and shoulders.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in Senate committee.

Procedural history

3 actions

Mar 12, 2026
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Mar 9, 2026
Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/12/2026)
Feb 6, 2026Introduced
Introduced, referred to Senate Housing and Municipal Government

Version history

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