2026 -- H 8181

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LC005684

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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 STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE RHODE ISLAND BRIDGE

REPLACEMENT, RECONSTRUCTION, AND MAINTENANCE FUND -- EXEMPTIONS

FROM TOLLING FOR WASTE MANAGEMENT VEHICLES

     Introduced By: Representatives Edwards, Voas, Casey, Place, Potter, Cotter, Kennedy,
Cortvriend, and Handy

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2026

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 42-13.1-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-13.1 entitled "The

Rhode Island Bridge Replacement, Reconstruction, and Maintenance Fund" is hereby amended to

read as follows:

     42-13.1-4. Authority to collect tolls on large commercial trucks only.

     (a) The department is hereby authorized to fix, revise, charge, and collect tolls for the

privilege of traveling on Rhode Island bridges to provide for replacement, reconstruction,

maintenance, and operation of Rhode Island bridges. The tolls shall be fixed after conducting a

cost-benefit analysis and providing an opportunity for public comment. The tolls shall be collected

on large commercial trucks only and shall not be collected on any other vehicle; provided, however,

no vehicle shall be tolled other than a tractor or truck tractor as defined in 23 C.F.R. 658.5, pulling

a trailer or trailers. No act authorizing tolls on passenger vehicles pursuant to this chapter shall take

effect until it has been approved by the majority of those electors voting in a statewide referendum.

The secretary of state shall certify the results of the statewide referendum. Tolls on large

commercial trucks may be implemented utilizing all-electric toll collection methodologies on a

cash-less basis, or utilizing any other methodologies determined by the department.

     (b) Subject to § 42-13.1-14, the department will establish a program to limit the assessment

of the tolls upon the same individual large commercial truck using a RFID to once per toll facility,

per day in each direction, or an equivalent frequency use program based upon individual large

commercial truck use.

     (c) Subject to § 42-13.1-14, the total amount of tolls imposed upon the same individual

large commercial truck using a RFID for making a border-to-border through trip on Route 95

Connecticut to Route 95 Massachusetts, or the reverse, shall not exceed twenty dollars ($20.00).

     (d) Subject to § 42-13.1-14, the daily maximum amount of the tolls collected upon the same

individual large commercial truck using a RFID shall not exceed forty dollars ($40.00).

     (e) All large commercial trucks or accessory trailers, operating on a contract with any

municipality in the state, and engaged in the business of waste management as defined in § 23-19-

5, which is transporting solid waste to the central landfill facility, as defined in § 23-19-5, or

returning from said facility to any other location, shall be exempt from any tolls established by this

chapter except those tolls generated on the Pell Bridge in Newport. Said trucks shall be outfitted

with a device similar to an RFID, exempting said trucks.

     (e)(f) Tolls shall not be subject to supervision or regulation by any commission, board,

bureau, agency, or official of the state or any municipality or other political subdivision of the state

except the department.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC005684

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE RHODE ISLAND BRIDGE

REPLACEMENT, RECONSTRUCTION, AND MAINTENANCE FUND -- EXEMPTIONS

FROM TOLLING FOR WASTE MANAGEMENT VEHICLES

***

     This act would exempt trucks engaged in waste management collection at the central

landfill from tolls operated by the R.I. Turnpike and Bridge authority.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC005684

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