Gives 20% of proceeds in RI Highway Maintenance Account to RIPTA.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would direct 20% of the money collected in Rhode Island's Highway Maintenance Account to the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA), the agency that runs the state's public bus system. Currently, funds in the Highway Maintenance Account are used for road and highway upkeep, but this legislation would set aside a fixed share of that money specifically for public transportation.

The bill would affect Rhode Island commuters and residents who rely on RIPTA buses for daily transportation, as the additional funding could help support or expand bus services, maintain schedules, and keep fares affordable. It would also affect how the state allocates money for road maintenance, since a portion of those funds would be redirected away from highway projects.

At this point, the bill has been introduced in the Senate and referred to the Senate Finance Committee, which has recommended it be held for further study — meaning lawmakers want more time to review it before taking action. It is scheduled for a hearing in April 2026, so it has not yet been passed into law.