Transportation

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 2286: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SPECIAL LICENSES FOR MOTORCYCLES, MOTOR SCOOTERS, LOW-SPEED VEHICLES AND OTHER MOTOR DRIVEN CYCLES

SB 2286 requires all motorcycle operators in Rhode Island to wear a helmet of an approved type, regardless of age. This directly affects every motorcycle, motor scooter, and motor-driven cycle rider on public roads. The bill removes previous age exemptions for helmet use and adds a one-year helmet requirement for new riders during their first year of licensing. Violations carry fines that fund highway safety education programs promoting helmet use. The law takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates helmet use for motorcycles/scooters, directly enhancing vehicle safety standards under transportation regulations. Fines fund highway safety education, aligning with transportation safety indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

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died · Rhode Island · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 7354: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PASSING, USE OF LANES AND RULES OF THE ROAD

HB 7354 permits motorcycles to legally "lane filter" - passing stopped or very slow-moving vehicles (under 10 mph) in the same lane - under specific conditions. It requires motorcycle riders to filter at speeds no faster than 20 mph, only when lanes are wide enough for safe passing, and when road conditions allow continued safe operation. The bill directly affects motorcycle riders and drivers on roads where this practice is permitted, modifying existing traffic rules to explicitly allow this maneuver. It takes effect upon passage and does not change general speed limits or traffic laws beyond this specific provision.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationPermits safer motorcycle lane filtering under specific conditions, enhancing road safety and traffic flow within transportation regulations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 28, 2026

SB 2028: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

SB 2028 imposes a tiered sales tax on digital advertising services sold within Rhode Island, affecting large digital advertising companies based on their global revenue (2.5% for $100M-$1B revenue, 5% for $1B-$5B, 7.5% for $5B-$15B). The tax revenue will be distributed annually to specific state funds: 10% to public transit (RIPTA), 15% to climate resiliency, 5% to university research, 20% to housing, 10% to school lunches, 20% to municipal resilience, and 20% to the general fund. The tax applies to purchases of digital ads within Rhode Island and takes effect on July 1, 2026. It does not allow companies to add the tax as a separate fee on customer invoices but requires clear disclosure of the amount.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes tiered tax on digital ads to fund public transit, housing, school lunches, and climate programs, directly allocating revenue to state priorities per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates 10% of tax revenue to school lunches, directly funding K-12 meal programs per bill's distribution formula.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates 15% of tax revenue to climate resiliency, directly funding environmental protection initiatives per bill summary.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates 20% of tax revenue specifically to housing programs, directly funding housing initiatives without restrictions or opposition indicators.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates 10% of tax revenue to RIPTA (public transit), directly funding transportation infrastructure per bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax State Budget Higher Education Public Transit

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 2095: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- TRANSPORTATION INVESTMENT AND DEBT REDUCTION ACT OF 2011

SB 2095 directs 20% of annual revenue from Rhode Island's highway maintenance account to fund the Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority (RIPTA) starting July 1, 2026, for its operating costs. Previously, RIPTA received 5% (2015-2025), then 10% (2025-2026), with a fixed $5 million annual allocation (except during federal relief funding periods). The bill gradually increases transit funding from the highway fund to support RIPTA's operations without requiring new taxes. This policy change specifically affects RIPTA's budget and Rhode Island's transportation infrastructure funding structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing highway revenue to fund RIPTA operations without new taxes, strengthening public transit funding through fiscal reallocation.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases RIPTA transit funding from 10% to 20% of highway revenue for operating costs, directly advancing public transportation infrastructure without new taxes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 2402: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- MOTOR VEHICLE OFFENSES

SB 2402 increases penalties for drivers convicted of causing death or serious injury through reckless driving or driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs. The bill raises maximum prison sentences (e.g., from 10 to 20 years for causing death while driving recklessly), fines (e.g., from $10,000 to $20,000 for first-time DUI causing death), and license suspension periods. It also adds requirements for alcohol/drug treatment programs and longer financial responsibility proof before license reinstatement. This bill directly affects drivers convicted under sections 31-27-1, 31-27-1.1, 31-27-2.2, and 31-27-2.6 of the state’s motor vehicle laws. The bill is currently in committee (introduced January 30, 2026) and has not yet passed.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases prison sentences and fines for DUI causing death, strengthening punitive measures rather than advancing reform or rehabilitation.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill increases penalties for reckless driving/DUI causing death/injury, directly enhancing road safety standards under transportation regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 2146: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- PEER-TO-PEER CAR SHARING PROGRAM ACT

SB 2146 creates a regulatory framework for peer-to-peer car sharing through apps (like Turo), requiring specific insurance coverage for rentals. It directly affects users who rent vehicles via these apps and owners who list their cars for rent. The bill prescribes minimum insurance standards to cover liability during rentals, ensuring both renters and vehicle owners have protection under the program.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes mandatory insurance standards for peer-to-peer car sharing, enhancing liability coverage and safety during vehicle rentals, directly supporting transportation safety regulations.85% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 7244: AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- RELOCATION OF UTILITY SERVICES

HB 7244 requires the state to pay 50% of relocation costs for private utility companies (like electricity or gas providers) when highway projects necessitate moving their facilities. For public entities (such as cities, counties, or state agencies), the state covers 100% of these relocation costs. The bill applies specifically to highway projects on federal aid systems (like interstate highways) where the state receives federal funding. This change ensures that both private and public utility owners are compensated for relocation expenses tied to state highway construction, with no reimbursement for improvements ("betterment").

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill ensures state funding for utility relocations during highway projects, facilitating infrastructure development on federal-aid systems without burdening public entities or private utilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 2411: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SIZE, WEIGHT, AND LOAD LIMITS

Authorizes a blanket permit and fee to allow the movement of self-propelled cranes which are in excess of size and weight load requirements, to move on state highways.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAuthorizes permits for oversized cranes on highways, enabling infrastructure-related transport and supporting transportation infrastructure needs.90% confidence

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signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 5, 2026

HB 7218: AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- CROOK POINT BRIDGE AUTHORITY ACT

HB 7218 creates the Crook Point Bridge Authority, an independent entity separate from Providence city government and the state, to maintain the Crook Point Bascule Bridge and related property. The authority will be governed by a 3-member board appointed by the mayor (with city council approval), with members serving five-year terms and no compensation. Key provisions include the authority’s power to manage finances, enter contracts, borrow funds, and handle maintenance without burdening city or state budgets or taxes. The bill ensures the bridge’s upkeep is managed through a dedicated body, with annual financial reports submitted to city officials.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates authority to maintain Crook Point Bridge infrastructure, ensuring transportation asset upkeep without burdening city government.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bridges

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 2105: AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- RELOCATION OF UTILITY SERVICES

SB 2105 requires the state to reimburse utility companies and local governments for costs related to relocating utility lines (like power or water) when highway projects need them moved. Private utility companies receive 50% reimbursement for relocation costs, while municipalities and public entities receive full reimbursement. This applies only to highway projects eligible for federal funding, and reimbursement is limited to actual relocation expenses - not improvements or "betterment." The bill mandates that relocations must meet state-set deadlines and design standards to qualify for payment.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationReimburses utility relocation costs for highway projects, enabling infrastructure development under federal funding criteria.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

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