Permits municipalities to enter into contracts with the department of transportation for the municipality to perform minor and routine maintenance work on state highways, roadways, and shoulders located within the municipality.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would allow cities and towns in Rhode Island to sign contracts with the state Department of Transportation (RIDOT) to handle minor, routine upkeep work on state-owned roads and highway shoulders that run through their communities. Currently, this type of maintenance on state roads is managed directly by RIDOT. Under this bill, a municipality could take on that responsibility through a formal agreement with the state.

The types of work covered would be minor and routine in nature — think tasks like filling small potholes, clearing debris, mowing roadsides, or other day-to-day upkeep — rather than major construction or repair projects. The specifics of each arrangement would be spelled out in individual contracts between the municipality and RIDOT.

This bill primarily affects local governments — mayors, town managers, and municipal public works departments — as well as RIDOT. Residents could potentially benefit if their local crews are able to respond more quickly to road maintenance needs in their area, since local workers are already on the ground in the community. However, the details of how municipalities would be compensated and what standards they must meet would depend on the contracts negotiated with the state.

The bill was introduced in the Rhode Island Senate and referred to the Senate Housing and Municipal Government Committee, which has recommended holding it for further study. A hearing is scheduled for March 2026, meaning lawmakers are still evaluating the proposal before deciding whether to move it forward.