AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF STATE ROADS (Permits municipalities to enter into contracts with the department of transportation for the municipality to perform minor and routine maintenance work on state highways, roadways, and shoulders located within the municipality.)

H7573

2026 -- H 7573
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LC004697
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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 McNamara, Hopkins, Solomon, Read, and Shanley

Date Introduced:
February 06, 2026

Referred To:
House State Government & Elections
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 24-8 of the General Laws entitled "Construction and Maintenance of
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State Roads" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
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24-8-46. Municipal work and reimbursement on certain state highways.

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(a) A municipality and the Rhode Island department of transportation (the “department”)
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shall have the power to enter into a contract (“contract”) for the municipality to perform minor and
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routine maintenance work ("project work") on the roadway and shoulders of any state highway
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located within the municipal boundaries of the municipality.
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(b) Each municipality which completes the project work described in subsection (a) of this
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section pursuant to a contract authorized by this section, shall be relieved from any tort liability
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arising after completion of such work, if the completed project work conforms to the standards of
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the contract as agreed to by the department.
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(c) Each municipality shall be entitled to receive payment or reimbursement from the
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department, in accordance with the contract, if the completed project work conforms to the
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standards of the contract as agreed to by the department.
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(d) Nothing contained in this section shall impar, suspend, contract, enlarge, extend, or
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affect in any manner the powers and duties of the department including, but not limited to, those
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contained in the provisions of chapter 13 of title 42 (“department of transportation”).

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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 permit municipalities to enter into contracts with the department of
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transportation for the municipality to perform minor and routine maintenance work on state
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highways, roadways, and shoulders located within the municipality.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC004697
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