Rhode IslandRhode Island law ties work-equipment status to active highway work zones
Rhode Island law counts certain work vehicles as mobile equipment only while they work in an active highway work zone or cross a highway within one.
What it does
Work vehicles count as mobile equipment only when their highway use is incidental to work in an active work zone or crossing a highway within one. The definition excludes several kinds of vehicles, including dump trucks.
Argument forTying the definition to active work zones could help keep work equipment from being treated as mobile equipment during ordinary highway travel.
Argument againstExcluding equipment traveling under its own power may make it harder for owners to know when this definition applies.
More detail
The law defines when a vehicle counts as mobile equipment based on its work near a highway. The definition covers work vehicles that are only incidentally operated or moved on a highway, including road construction machinery. The vehicle must not be designed or used mainly to carry people or property. It must be working in an active work zone or crossing a highway within one; traveling down a highway under its own power does not count. The definition excludes house trailers, dump trucks, truck-mounted transit mixers, and vehicles designed to carry people or property with machinery attached. The law takes effect upon passage.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 2306/23/2026 Signed by Governor Dan McKeeBecame Law
- Jun 1806/18/2026 Transmitted to GovernorTo Governor
- Jun 1006/10/2026 Senate passed in concurrencePassed Senate
- Jun 806/08/2026 Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar (06/10/2026)Minor
- Vote recorded PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Jun 806/08/2026 House read and passedPassed House
- Jun 506/05/2026 Placed on House Calendar (06/08/2026)Minor
- Jun 406/04/2026 Committee recommends passageMinor
- May 2905/29/2026 Scheduled for consideration (06/04/2026)
- Mar 303/03/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further studyMinor
- Feb 2702/27/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/03/2026)
- Feb 2702/27/2026 Introduced, referred to House State Government & ElectionsIntroduced
Transportation