2026 -- H 7573

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LC004697

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF STATE

ROADS

     

     Introduced By: Representatives McNamara, Hopkins, Solomon, Read, and Shanley

     Date Introduced: February 06, 2026

     Referred To: House State Government & Elections

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 24-8 of the General Laws entitled "Construction and Maintenance of

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State Roads" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     24-8-46. Municipal work and reimbursement on certain state highways.

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     (a) A municipality and the Rhode Island department of transportation (the “department”)

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shall have the power to enter into a contract (“contract”) for the municipality to perform minor and

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routine maintenance work ("project work") on the roadway and shoulders of any state highway

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located within the municipal boundaries of the municipality.

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     (b) Each municipality which completes the project work described in subsection (a) of this

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section pursuant to a contract authorized by this section, shall be relieved from any tort liability

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arising after completion of such work, if the completed project work conforms to the standards of

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the contract as agreed to by the department.

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     (c) Each municipality shall be entitled to receive payment or reimbursement from the

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department, in accordance with the contract, if the completed project work conforms to the

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standards of the contract as agreed to by the department.

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     (d) Nothing contained in this section shall impar, suspend, contract, enlarge, extend, or

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affect in any manner the powers and duties of the department including, but not limited to, those

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contained in the provisions of chapter 13 of title 42 (“department of transportation”).

 

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF STATE

ROADS

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     This act would permit municipalities to enter into contracts with the department of

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transportation for the municipality to perform minor and routine maintenance work on state

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highways, roadways, and shoulders located within the municipality.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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