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

S2425

2026 -- S 2425
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LC003422
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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:
Senators Vargas, Urso, DiMario, Bell, Valverde, Britto, Murray, and
Thompson

Date Introduced:
January 30, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Housing & Municipal Government
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
, forbs, and grasses
and otherwise beautify the area within the limits of a road
, including state
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highways
in a manner and at locations as the department may deem advisable
,
. Plantings shall
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include pollinator-friendly native species when appropriate
and the cost of the work shall be paid
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from moneys, appropriated for highway purposes, not otherwise needed for the construction,
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reconstruction and maintenance of state roads and bridges; and the state controller is hereby
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authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of such
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sums as may from time to time be required, upon receipt by him or her of proper vouchers approved
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by the director of transportation.
The department shall seek suggestions from apiarists,
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horticulturists and other certified professionals to identify the appropriate types of plants and
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locations that benefits pollinators. For purposes of this section "pollinators" means insects to
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include, but not limited to, bees that help carry pollen from the male part of the flower to the female
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part of the 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 consistent with the best practices required in §

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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 authorize and empower the department of transportation to plant pollinator
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friendly native species of trees, shrubs, grasses and plants within limits of a roadway, including
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state highways.
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The department would follow guidelines to benefit pollinators consistent 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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LC003422
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