Increases the penalties for reckless driving from a misdemeanor first offense to a felony, with a penalty of up to five years in prison and a fine of between one thousand dollars ($1,000) and five thousand dollars ($5,000).
HB 8197 exempts the purchase of new or used bicycles and bicycle parts from state sales and use taxes. This directly affects consumers buying bikes or parts, as well as retailers selling them, by removing a tax burden on these items. The bill’s key mechanism is amending the tax code to specifically exclude bicycles and parts from taxable sales, simplifying the tax treatment for these goods. The bill was introduced on February 27, 2026, and referred to the House Finance Committee.
HB 8012, the Rhode Island Pedestrian Safety Act, allows cities and towns to use automated camera systems to detect specific traffic violations that endanger pedestrians. It authorizes fines of $50 for violations like failing to yield to pedestrians, stopping improperly at crosswalks, or ignoring stop signs, primarily in school zones, hospital areas, work zones, or high-pedestrian-risk locations. Registered vehicle owners - not drivers - are liable for fines, with municipalities required to send detailed violation notices including photos/videos and appeal options. For the first 30 days after implementation, cities must issue warnings instead of fines to educate drivers. The law does not create new traffic offenses but enables local enforcement of existing pedestrian safety rules through automated monitoring.
Allows the state to require utilities to relocate facilities for certain highway projects and to pay the cost of the relocation to the utility as part of the cost of the federally aided highway project.
Requires notice to E-ZPass users before DMV reporting, and set rules and regulations for transponder failures, requires outreach and free replacements, and allow mitigation or forgiveness of tolls and penalties from equipment failures.
HB 7869 amends vehicle size, weight, and load regulations in Rhode Island, primarily updating exemptions for specific vehicle types. It adds exemptions for Rhode Island public transit articulated buses (allowing greater length/weight on designated routes), clarifies natural gas vehicle weight allowances (accounting for fuel system differences), and refines exemptions for farm vehicles, emergency vehicles, and covered tow trucks. The bill directly affects commercial truck operators, transit authorities, farmers, and emergency services by modifying which vehicles are exempt from standard weight and size limits. These changes clarify existing rules without creating new restrictions, focusing on practical operational allowances for designated vehicle classes.
HB 7502 would require the state, not local towns or cities, to handle all maintenance of sidewalks alongside state highways - such as repairs, cleaning, and replacement - except for snow and ice removal. This directly affects municipalities that previously managed sidewalk upkeep along state roads, shifting that responsibility to the state transportation department. The bill amends existing laws to clarify the state’s authority for sidewalk construction and maintenance, while explicitly excluding snow and ice removal from the state’s duties. It does not create new sidewalks but changes who maintains existing ones along state highways. The bill is currently pending in the House Finance Committee after introduction on February 4, 2026.
HB 7581 creates new state funding streams for specific education needs in Rhode Island school districts. It provides direct funding for special education costs exceeding 4x the core foundation amount, career and technical education program setup/maintenance, voluntary pre-K access, and transportation costs for students in regional districts or out-of-district non-public schools. The bill also establishes stabilization funds for Central Falls, Davies, and the Met Center schools, and offers regional school districts a two-year bonus (2% then 1% of state aid) for regionalization. School districts seeking reimbursement must share costs if total requests exceed available funds, with the Department of Education prorating allocations annually. This bill primarily affects public school districts, special education programs, and regional education entities across Rhode Island.
Requires as part of the director of administration’s report to the general assembly to include information on the number of hybrid, combustion engine, plug-in hybrid, and ZEV vehicles in the light duty fleet. This act would take effect upon passage.
Effective July 1, 2026, annually allocates twenty percent (20%) of available proceeds in the Rhode Island highway maintenance account to RIPTA for operating expenses.
