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H 7976Government Assets

General Assembly - Permanent Joint Committee on Naming All New Buildings, Bridges, Edifices and Other State Constructions

This bill officially names the University of Rhode Island's football practice field the "Mark S. Cruise '81 '84 Football Practice Field."

Signed into law
Population
Affected
5
Email Legislator
Introduced Feb 27, 2026Committee House Special Legislation

Plain-English Summary

This legislation formally designates the name of the football practice field located at the University of Rhode Island. Specifically, the field situated at 5E West Alumni Avenue in Kingston will be legally named the "Mark S. Cruise '81 '84 Football Practice Field." This action amends the existing state laws governing the permanent joint committee responsible for naming state buildings, bridges, and other constructions.

For younger readers

This law gives a special official name to a sports field at the University of Rhode Island. This is the field where the college football team practices. From now on, the state will call this place the "Mark S. Cruise '81 '84 Football Practice Field." This law makes sure that the name is written down in the state's rule book so everyone knows what to call it.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
University of Rhode Island StudentsUniversity of Rhode Island AlumniURI Football TeamFamily of Mark S. CruiseURI Administration
Impacted communities
South Kingstown

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost
None
Estimated revenue
None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Strengthens the sense of community and history at a public university by honoring an alumnus, which can foster greater engagement with public higher education.
  • Encourages philanthropic support for public institutions by demonstrating that contributions and legacy are recognized by the state.
  • Provides a specific identity to a public space, potentially enhancing the campus environment for students and student-athletes.
  • Redirects legislative time and resources toward symbolic naming measures rather than addressing substantive systemic issues like tuition costs or student housing.
  • Perpetuates the practice of naming public infrastructure after individuals, which some may view as prioritizing individual legacy over collective community values or concepts.
  • Lacks immediate transparency within the text regarding the specific contributions or background of the individual being honored to ensure alignment with progressive values.
For Conservatives
  • Honors individual achievement and school spirit, reinforcing traditional values of loyalty and alumni connection to institutions.
  • Incurs virtually no financial cost to the taxpayer while managing the designation of state assets.
  • Encourages private association and voluntary support of universities, potentially reducing reliance on state funding if the naming is tied to donations.
  • Represents a trivial use of legislative power, focusing on minor administrative details rather than significant economic or regulatory reforms.
  • Involves the state government in the micro-management of university facilities, which could be handled at the institutional level.
  • Creates a permanent statute for a name, potentially complicating future changes if the university's needs or the individual's reputation changes.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 4 additions

SECTION 1. Chapter 22-7.4 of the General Laws entitled "Permanent Joint Committee on Naming All New Buildings, Bridges, Edifices and Other State Constructions" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 22-7.4-160. Mark S. Cruise '81 '84 Football Practice Field. The University of Rhode Island football practice field, located at 5E West Alumni Avenue, Kingston, RI 02881, shall hereafter be named and known as "Mark S. Cruise '81 '84 Football Practice Field."

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.