AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF STATE ROADS (Requires the department of transportation to plant pollinator friendly native species of trees, shrubs, grasses and plants within limits of a roadway, including state highways)

H7074

2026 -- H 7074
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LC003544
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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 HIGHWAYS -- CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF STATE
ROADS

Introduced By:
Representatives McGaw, Speakman, Boylan, Carson, Kislak, Cortvriend,
Fogarty, Donovan, Alzate, and Spears

Date Introduced:
January 14, 2026

Referred To:
House Environment and Natural Resources
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Section 24-8-11 of the General Laws in Chapter 24-8 entitled "Construction
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and Maintenance of State Roads" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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24-8-11. Beautification.
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(a)
The department of transportation is hereby authorized and empowered to plant trees,
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shrubs and otherwise beautify the area within the limits of a road
, including state highways
in a
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manner and at locations as the department may deem advisable
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. Plantings shall include pollinator-
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friendly native species when appropriate
and the cost of the work shall be paid from moneys,
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appropriated for highway purposes, not otherwise needed for the construction, reconstruction and
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maintenance of state roads and bridges; and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed
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to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of such sums as may from time
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to time be required, upon receipt by him or her of proper vouchers approved by the director of
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transportation.
The department shall seek suggestions from apiarists, horticulturists and other
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certified professionals to identify the appropriate types of plants and locations that benefit
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pollinators. For the purposes of this section "pollinators" means insects to include, but not be
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limited to, bees that help carry pollen from the male part of the flower to the female part of the
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same or another flower.
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(b) Any and all activities performed by the department of transportation to benefit
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pollinators on roadsides and state highways shall be in compliance with § 23 U.S.C. 332.

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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF STATE
ROADS
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This act would require the department of transportation to plant pollinator friendly native
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species of trees, shrubs, grasses and plants within limits of a roadway, including state highways.
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The department would follow guidelines to benefit pollinators in compliance with § 23
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U.S.C. 332.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC003544
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