AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE RHODE ISLAND BRIDGE REPLACEMENT, RECONSTRUCTION, AND MAINTENANCE FUND -- EXEMPTIONS FROM TOLLING FOR WASTE MANAGEMENT VEHICLES (Exempts trucks engaged in waste management collection at the central landfill from tolls operated by the R.I. Turnpike and Bridge authority.)

H8181

2026 -- H 8181
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LC005684
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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 STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE RHODE ISLAND BRIDGE
REPLACEMENT, RECONSTRUCTION, AND MAINTENANCE FUND -- EXEMPTIONS
FROM TOLLING FOR WASTE MANAGEMENT VEHICLES

Introduced By:
Representatives Edwards, Voas, Casey, Place, Potter, Cotter, Kennedy,
Cortvriend, and Handy

Date Introduced:
February 27, 2026

Referred To:
House Finance
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Section 42-13.1-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-13.1 entitled "The
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Rhode Island Bridge Replacement, Reconstruction, and Maintenance Fund" is hereby amended to
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read as follows:
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42-13.1-4. Authority to collect tolls on large commercial trucks only.
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(a) The department is hereby authorized to fix, revise, charge, and collect tolls for the
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privilege of traveling on Rhode Island bridges to provide for replacement, reconstruction,
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maintenance, and operation of Rhode Island bridges. The tolls shall be fixed after conducting a
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cost-benefit analysis and providing an opportunity for public comment. The tolls shall be collected
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on large commercial trucks only and shall not be collected on any other vehicle; provided, however,
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no vehicle shall be tolled other than a tractor or truck tractor as defined in 23 C.F.R. 658.5, pulling
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a trailer or trailers. No act authorizing tolls on passenger vehicles pursuant to this chapter shall take
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effect until it has been approved by the majority of those electors voting in a statewide referendum.
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The secretary of state shall certify the results of the statewide referendum. Tolls on large
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commercial trucks may be implemented utilizing all-electric toll collection methodologies on a
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cash-less basis, or utilizing any other methodologies determined by the department.
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(b) Subject to § 42-13.1-14, the department will establish a program to limit the assessment
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of the tolls upon the same individual large commercial truck using a RFID to once per toll facility,
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per day in each direction, or an equivalent frequency use program based upon individual large

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commercial truck use.
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(c) Subject to § 42-13.1-14, the total amount of tolls imposed upon the same individual
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large commercial truck using a RFID for making a border-to-border through trip on Route 95
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Connecticut to Route 95 Massachusetts, or the reverse, shall not exceed twenty dollars ($20.00).
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(d) Subject to § 42-13.1-14, the daily maximum amount of the tolls collected upon the same
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individual large commercial truck using a RFID shall not exceed forty dollars ($40.00).
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(e) All large commercial trucks or accessory trailers, operating on a contract with any
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municipality in the state, and engaged in the business of waste management as defined in § 23-19-
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5, which is transporting solid waste to the central landfill facility, as defined in § 23-19-5, or
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returning from said facility to any other location, shall be exempt from any tolls established by this
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chapter except those tolls generated on the Pell Bridge in Newport. Said trucks shall be outfitted
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with a device similar to an RFID, exempting said trucks.
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(e)
(f)
Tolls shall not be subject to supervision or regulation by any commission, board,
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bureau, agency, or official of the state or any municipality or other political subdivision of the state
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except the department.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC005684
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE RHODE ISLAND BRIDGE
REPLACEMENT, RECONSTRUCTION, AND MAINTENANCE FUND -- EXEMPTIONS
FROM TOLLING FOR WASTE MANAGEMENT VEHICLES
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This act would exempt trucks engaged in waste management collection at the central
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landfill from tolls operated by the R.I. Turnpike and Bridge authority.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC005684
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