Transportation

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7608: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- OPERATION OF RAILROADS GENERALLY

Provides that no train or light engine would be used in connection with the movement of freight could be operated unless it had a crew consisting of at least 2 persons, would also include the imposition of fines upon a company for violation of the act.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires two-person crews for freight trains to enhance safety, directly aligning with transportation safety standards as per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Freight Rail

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7489: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- MOTOR VEHICLE OFFENSES

Requires persons convicted of driving under influence or refusal to submit to chemical test, have an ignition interlock system installed in vehicle as part of sentence and to pay an assessment to pay for the interlock systems.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires ignition interlocks for DUI offenders to reduce repeat offenses, aligning with reducing recidivism, a key criminal justice reform indicator.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates ignition interlocks for DUI offenders, enhancing road safety standards under vehicle regulations per transportation topic description.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 2550: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- MOTOR VEHICLES OWNED BY A GOVERNMENTAL BODY

Requires as part of the director of administration’s report to the general assembly to include information on the number of hybrid, combustion engine, plug-in hybrid, and ZEV vehicles in the light duty fleet. This act would take effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates reporting on ZEV and hybrid vehicle adoption in government fleets, promoting sustainable transportation policies through data tracking.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 2668: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- MOTOR FUEL TAX

Sets the allocation to RIPTA at the greater of $0.1175 per gallon or 29.375% of total proceeds, with $0.005 per gallon derived from the $0.01 per gallon environmental protection fee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates motor fuel tax proceeds to RIPTA, funding public transportation as a public service.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates motor fuel tax proceeds to RIPTA for public transit funding, directly advancing transportation infrastructure and services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Transportation Funding

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 2732: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PASSING, USE OF LANES AND RULES OF THE ROAD

SB 2732 allows motorcycles to legally "filter" between stopped or slow-moving vehicles in the same direction at low speeds, such as when navigating traffic stops. This change directly affects motorcycle riders by expanding their permitted lane usage under specific conditions, while also impacting other drivers who may encounter this maneuver. The bill amends existing traffic rules to explicitly permit this practice, defining it as passing vehicles proceeding in the same direction when both are moving slowly. It does not alter speed limits or require new safety equipment for riders.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly permits motorcycle filtering in traffic, enhancing rider safety and vehicle regulation under transportation policy without restricting infrastructure or funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Roads & Highways

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 8145: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC FINANCE -- STATE FUNDS

Establishes a restricted receipt account for the benefit of the Rhode Island public transit authority funded by sales taxes collected from ride-share companies; and provided further, the account would be exempt from indirect cost recovery provisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds public transit via sales tax revenue from ride-share companies, directing tax funds to an essential public service per fiscal responsibility indicators.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds Rhode Island public transit authority via ride-share sales tax revenue, directly supporting transportation infrastructure and services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Public Transit Transportation Funding

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 11, 2026

SB 2722: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- CAUSES OF ACTION

SB 2722 creates a new legal claim (cause of action) for individuals to seek reimbursement from responsible parties for the replacement cost of a child restraint system (like a car seat) damaged in a motor vehicle accident. This directly affects parents, guardians, or caregivers who must replace such safety equipment after a crash. The key provision allows victims to file a civil lawsuit specifically to recover these replacement costs through the court system. The bill does not change accident liability rules but adds a specific financial remedy for a common post-crash expense related to child safety. It was introduced on February 27, 2026, and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates legal remedy for replacing child safety seats after accidents, directly enhancing vehicle safety and supporting transportation safety regulations.90% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 2717: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF LICENSES -- VIOLATIONS

Adds criminal penalties for operation of a motor vehicle after a suspension for lack of physical or mental fitness, or as a result of frequency of offenses pursuant to § 31-11-7 (a)(1)(i) or as result of a court ordered suspension.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds criminal penalties for driving after license suspension, expanding criminalization of traffic violations rather than advancing reform or reducing penalties.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enforces safety standards by adding penalties for driving after license suspension due to fitness issues, directly enhancing vehicle safety regulations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Driver Licensing

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 2615: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PASSING, USE OF LANES, AND RULES OF THE ROAD

SB 2615 prohibits drivers from occupying the extreme left lane on limited access highways when not passing another vehicle. This rule directly affects drivers traveling on multi-lane highways, requiring them to move right if they are not overtaking slower traffic. The bill amends existing law to clarify that using the left lane for cruising (rather than passing) is a violation subject to existing fines. It takes effect upon passage and applies specifically to highways with multiple lanes where passing is the only permitted use of the left lane.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationClarifies left lane usage to enhance highway safety, directly aligning with transportation safety indicators in the topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Roads & Highways

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 26, 2026

HB 7519: AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF STATE ROADS

HB 7519 clarifies that roads within Rhode Island's Quonset Business Park are public roads managed solely by the Quonset Development Corporation (QDC), resolving ownership uncertainty. The bill amends state highway laws to establish QDC as the sole authority responsible for maintaining these roads, including installing traffic controls and enforcing safety regulations. This directly affects the Quonset Business Park's road network and shifts management from the state to QDC under existing legal authority. The bill does not change the roads' status as public infrastructure but specifies QDC's exclusive operational control.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationClarifies road management under QDC to ensure proper maintenance and safety, resolving ownership uncertainty to protect infrastructure without defunding or restricting services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

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