2025 -- S 0510 AS AMENDED

========

LC001460

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF STATE

ROADS

     Introduced By: Senator Lammis J. Vargas

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2025

     Referred To: Senate Housing & Municipal Government

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 24-8-11 of the General Laws in Chapter 24-8 entitled "Construction

and Maintenance of State Roads" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     24-8-11. Beautification.

     (a) The department of transportation is hereby authorized and empowered to plant trees,

shrubs, forbs, and grasses and otherwise beautify the area within the limits of a road, including state

highways in a manner and at locations as the department may deem advisable,. Plantings shall

include pollinator-friendly native species when appropriate and the cost of the work shall be paid

from moneys, appropriated for highway purposes, not otherwise needed for the construction,

reconstruction and maintenance of state roads and bridges; and the state controller is hereby

authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of such

sums as may from time to time be required, upon receipt by him or her of proper vouchers approved

by the director of transportation. The department shall seek suggestions from apiarists,

horticulturists and other certified professionals to identify the appropriate types of plants and

locations that benefits pollinators. For purposes of this section "pollinators" means insects to

include, but not limited to, bees that help carry pollen from the male part of the flower to the female

part of the same or another flower.

     (b) Any and all activities performed by the department of transportation to benefit

pollinators on roadsides and state highways shall be consistent with the best practices required in §

23 U.S.C. 332.

LC001460 - Page 2 of 4

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC001460

========

LC001460 - Page 3 of 4

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF STATE

ROADS

***

     This act would authorize and empower the department of transportation to plant pollinator

friendly native species of trees, shrubs, grasses and plants within limits of a roadway, including

state highways.

     The department would follow guidelines to benefit pollinators consistent with § 23 U.S.C.

332.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC001460

========

LC001460 - Page 4 of 4