Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official PDF posted by the Rhode Island General Assembly, fetched 2026-07-29. Page and line markers are part of the official record; nothing is edited or removed. The official bill page.
S2425 2026 -- S 2425 ======== LC003422 ======== STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ 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: 1 SECTION 1. Section 24-8-11 of the General Laws in Chapter 24-8 entitled Construction 2 and Maintenance of State Roads is hereby amended to read as follows: 3 24-8-11. Beautification. 4 (a) The department of transportation is hereby authorized and empowered to plant trees, 5 shrubs , forbs, and grasses and otherwise beautify the area within the limits of a road , including state 6 highways in a manner and at locations as the department may deem advisable , . Plantings shall 7 include pollinator-friendly native species when appropriate and the cost of the work shall be paid 8 from moneys, appropriated for highway purposes, not otherwise needed for the construction, 9 reconstruction and maintenance of state roads and bridges; and the state controller is hereby 10 authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of such 11 sums as may from time to time be required, upon receipt by him or her of proper vouchers approved 12 by the director of transportation. The department shall seek suggestions from apiarists, 13 horticulturists and other certified professionals to identify the appropriate types of plants and 14 locations that benefits pollinators. For purposes of this section pollinators means insects to 15 include, but not limited to, bees that help carry pollen from the male part of the flower to the female 16 part of the same or another flower. 17 (b) Any and all activities performed by the department of transportation to benefit 18 pollinators on roadsides and state highways shall be consistent with the best practices required in § 1 23 U.S.C. 332. 2 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. ======== LC003422 ======== LC003422 - Page 2 of 3 EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF A N A C T RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF STATE ROADS *** 1 This act would authorize and empower the department of transportation to plant pollinator 2 friendly native species of trees, shrubs, grasses and plants within limits of a roadway, including 3 state highways. 4 The department would follow guidelines to benefit pollinators consistent with § 23 5 U.S.C.332. 6 This act would take effect upon passage. ======== LC003422 ======== LC003422 - Page 3 of 3
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