S2615 • 2026

AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PASSING, USE OF LANES, AND RULES OF THE ROAD (Makes a violation using the passing lane on limited access highways when not passing another vehicle.)

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Paolino, Lauria, de la Cruz, Acosta, Bissaillon
Last action: 2026-04-09
Official status: Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PASSING, USE OF LANES, AND RULES OF THE ROAD (Makes a violation using the passing lane on limited access highways when not passing another vehicle.)

What This Bill Does

AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PASSING, USE OF LANES, AND RULES OF THE ROAD (Makes a violation using the passing lane on limited access highways when not passing another vehicle.)

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

2026-04-09 Committee
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
2026-04-03 Rhode Island General Assembly
Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/09/2026)
2026-02-13 Rhode Island General Assembly
Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary

Official Summary Text

AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PASSING, USE OF LANES, AND RULES OF THE ROAD (Makes a violation using the passing lane on limited access highways when not passing another vehicle.)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

S2615

2026 -- S 2615
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LC004399
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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 MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PASSING, USE OF LANES, AND
RULES OF THE ROAD

Introduced By:
Senators Paolino, Lauria, de la Cruz, Acosta, and Bissaillon

Date Introduced:
February 13, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Section 31-15-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-15 entitled "Passing, Use
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of Lanes, and Rules of the Road" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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31-15-2. Slow traffic to right.
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(a)
Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the
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time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then
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available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except
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when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing
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for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway. Violations of this section are
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subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
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(b) On any multi-lane, limited access highway, the extreme left-hand lane shall be reserved
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for passing slower vehicles only, and occupation of that lane when not passing shall be a violation
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of this section and subject to the fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC004399
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PASSING, USE OF LANES, AND
RULES OF THE ROAD
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This act would make a violation using the passing lane on limited access highways when
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not passing another vehicle.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC004399
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