SB 2042 Rhode Island Senate · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- SIDEWALKS

SB 2042 requires the state to handle all maintenance of sidewalks along state highways, except for snow and ice removal, which remains the responsibility of local entities. This bill directly affects state highway sidewalks by shifting the primary maintenance duty from local municipalities to the state government. The key provision amends existing laws to explicitly state that the state, not towns or cities, must maintain sidewalks (excluding snow/ice clearing). The bill takes effect upon passage and does not change sidewalk construction requirements, which still require state approval.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 9, 2026 Last action May 8, 2026
Floor votes · Senate May 7, 2026

How they voted

340
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 36
May 7, 2026
D Democratic32
30 Yea 2
93% Yea
R Republican4
4 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
6
Key actions
2
Committee
2
May 8, 2026
Committee
05/08/2026 Referred to House Finance
lower
May 7, 2026
Upper · Passed
05/07/2026 Senate read and passed
upper
Mar 12, 2026
Legislature · Passed
03/12/2026 Committee recommends passage
legislature
Jan 9, 2026
Introduced
01/09/2026 Introduced, referred to Senate Housing and Municipal Government
upper
8 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors