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H7147 • 2026

AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- LABOR AND PAYMENT OF DEBTS BY CONTRACTORS (Amends the definition of public works so that it would include any public works projects performed for any city or town or quasi-municipal entity and the state and any quasi-state entity.)

AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- LABOR AND PAYMENT OF DEBTS BY CONTRACTORS (Amends the definition of public works so that it would include any public works projects performed for any city or town or quasi-municipal entity and the state and any quasi-state entity.)

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Edwards, Bennett, Potter
Last action
2026-03-18
Official status
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The plain English breakdown is still being put together. The official documents below are already here.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-18 Committee

    Committee recommended measure be held for further study

  2. 2026-03-13 Rhode Island General Assembly

    Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/18/2026)

  3. 2026-01-16 Rhode Island General Assembly

    Introduced, referred to House Labor

Official Summary Text

AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- LABOR AND PAYMENT OF DEBTS BY CONTRACTORS (Amends the definition of public works so that it would include any public works projects performed for any city or town or quasi-municipal entity and the state and any quasi-state entity.)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
H7147

2026 -- H 7147
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LC004108
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
____________
A N A C T
RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- LABOR AND PAYMENT OF DEBTS
BY CONTRACTORS

Introduced By:
Representatives Edwards, Bennett, and Potter

Date Introduced:
January 16, 2026

Referred To:
House Labor
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Section 37-13-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 37-13 entitled "Labor and
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Payment of Debts by Contractors" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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37-13-1. Definitions.
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As used in this chapter:
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(1) “Public works” means any public work
for any municipality, city, town, or any quasi-
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municipal public entity, and the State of Rhode Island or any quasi-state public entity,
consisting
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of grading, clearing, demolition, improvement, completion, repair, alteration, or construction of
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any public road or any bridge, or portion thereof, or any public building, or portion thereof, or any
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heavy construction, or any public works projects of any nature or kind whatsoever.
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(2) “School transportation services” means those transportation and related services
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provided for the transportation of public and private students pursuant to §§ 16-21-1 and 16-21.1-
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8.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC004108
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- LABOR AND PAYMENT OF DEBTS
BY CONTRACTORS
***
1
This act would amend the definition of public works so that it would include any public
2
works projects performed for any city or town or quasi-municipal entity and the state and any quasi-
3
state entity.
4
This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC004108
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