S 2095Public Transit

Public Utilities and Carriers - Transportation Investment and Debt Reduction Act of 2011

This bill increases the percentage of state highway maintenance funds allocated to RIPTA from 5% to 20% by 2026.

Held for study

Population
Affected

Introduced Jan 16, 2026Committee Senate Finance

Plain-English Summary

This legislation amends the "Transportation Investment and Debt Reduction Act of 2011" regarding how funds in the Rhode Island highway maintenance account are distributed. Currently, the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) receives 5% of the available proceeds from this account for its operating costs. This bill increases that allocation in steps: it raises the amount to 10% for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and further increases it to 20% annually starting July 1, 2026. This results in a significant shift of funding from general highway maintenance to public transit operations.

For younger readers

The state of Rhode Island has a special bank account used to fix roads and bridges. Right now, the state takes a small amount of money (5 percent) from that account and gives it to the buses that carry people around the state (RIPTA) to help pay for their trips. This new rule says that starting in 2025, the state will take a bigger scoop of money, and by 2026, they will take significantly more (20 percent) from that account to give to the buses so they can keep running and help people get where they need to go.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

RIPTA RidersVehicle OwnersDepartment of TransportationRhode Island Public Transit AuthorityCommuters

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

None

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Significantly increases funding for public transportation, ensuring reliable mobility for low-income residents, the elderly, and those who cannot afford private vehicles.
Promotes environmental justice and sustainability by supporting a robust mass transit system, which helps reduce carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels.
Strengthens the social safety net by securing operating funds for RIPTA, helping to prevent service cuts, route eliminations, or fare hikes that would hurt the working class.
Reduces available funding for road and bridge maintenance, which could negatively impact infrastructure safety in neglected urban areas.
Relies on revenue derived from vehicle fees (the highway maintenance account) rather than establishing a new, more progressive sustainable revenue source for transit.
Delays the full funding increase until 2026, meaning immediate transit budget shortfalls or service gaps may not be fully addressed right away.

For Conservatives

Utilizes existing state revenue streams to fund public transit operations rather than creating new taxes or raising income taxes on residents.
Provides a structured, predictable timeline for funding changes, allowing the state budget to adjust gradually rather than facing an immediate fiscal shock.
Ensures that the costs of transportation infrastructure and services remain tied to transportation-related fees rather than the general fund.
Diversts a significant portion (20%) of funds away from road and bridge repairs, potentially degrading infrastructure quality for private vehicle owners and businesses.
Increases government spending on a subsidized public entity (RIPTA) without mandating operational efficiencies or increased farebox recovery.
Prioritizes mass transit users over the drivers and vehicle owners who primarily fund the highway maintenance account through their fees.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 6 additions

SECTION 1. Section 39-18.1-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 39-18.1 entitled "Transportation Investment and Debt Reduction Act of 2011" is hereby amended to read as follows: 39-18.1-5. Allocation of funds.

(a) The monies in the highway maintenance fund to be directed to the department of transportation pursuant to § 39-18.1-4(b)(1) — (b)(3) shall be allocated through the transportation improvement program process to provide the state match for federal transportation funds, in place of borrowing, as approved by the state planning council. The expenditure of moneys in the highway maintenance fund shall only be authorized for projects that appear in the state’s transportation improvement program.

(b) Provided, however, that beginning with fiscal year 2015 and annually thereafter, the department of transportation will allocate necessary funding to programs that are designed to eliminate structural deficiencies of the state’s bridge, road, and maintenance systems and infrastructure.

(c) Provided, that beginning July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2025, five percent (5%) of available proceeds in the Rhode Island highway maintenance account shall be allocated annually to the Rhode Island public transit authority for operating expenditures.

(d) Provided, that beginning July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, ten percent (10%) of available proceeds in the Rhode Island highway maintenance account shall be allocated annually to the Rhode Island public transit authority for operating expenditures.

(e) Provided, that beginning July 1, 2026, twenty percent (20%) of available proceeds in the Rhode Island highway maintenance account shall be allocated annually to the Rhode Island public transit authority for operating expenditures.

(f) Provided, further, that from July 1, 2017, and annually thereafter, in addition to the amount above, the Rhode Island public transit authority shall receive an amount of not less than five million dollars ($5,000,000) each fiscal year, except for the period July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2022, during which such amount or a portion thereof may come from federal coronavirus relief funds.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.