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S 2425Roads & Highways

Highways - Construction and Maintenance of State Roads

This legislation requires the Department of Transportation to plant native, pollinator-friendly plants along state roads and highways.

Held for study
Population
Affected
45
Email Legislator
Introduced Jan 30, 2026Committee Senate Housing & Municipal Government

Plain-English Summary

This bill amends existing law regarding the construction and maintenance of state roads to focus on environmental beautification. It requires the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (DOT) to plant native species that are friendly to pollinators, such as bees, along state highways whenever appropriate. The bill adds "forbs" to the list of allowed plantings. It also mandates that the DOT consult with beekeepers (apiarists) and plant experts to identify the best plants and locations. Finally, it defines "pollinators" and ensures these activities align with federal best practices for roadside management.

For younger readers

This new rule helps nature by changing how the state takes care of the grass and gardens along the highways. It tells the road workers that when they plant things, they should try to pick flowers and plants that bees and butterflies like. These insects are called pollinators, and they are important for growing food. The workers will talk to bug and plant experts to make sure they pick the right flowers. This helps make the roads look nice and gives bees a safe place to live and eat.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
Department of TransportationApiarists (Beekeepers)HorticulturistsFarmersDrivers
Impacted communities
All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost
Amount unknown
Estimated revenue
None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Promotes environmental sustainability and biodiversity by mandating the use of native plants that support declining pollinator populations, addressing a critical ecological concern.
  • Encourages science-based public policy by requiring the Department of Transportation to consult with certified professionals like apiarists and horticulturists.
  • Utilizes existing public infrastructure to create ecological corridors, maximizing the social and environmental value of state-maintained lands without acquiring new property.
  • Does not explicitly ban the use of harmful pesticides or herbicides in these areas, which could undermine the effort to protect pollinators.
  • Relies on funding "not otherwise needed" for road construction, potentially making this environmental initiative a low priority that could be easily underfunded.
  • Focuses solely on state roads rather than mandating broader ecological standards for all state-owned properties or commercial developments.
For Conservatives
  • Supports the agricultural industry by bolstering pollinator populations, which are essential for crop yields and food security in the state.
  • Ensures fiscal responsibility by specifying that funding must come from monies not otherwise needed for essential road construction or maintenance.
  • Utilizes expert consultation from private sector professionals (apiarists and horticulturists) rather than creating a new permanent government bureau to manage plant selection.
  • Imposes new government mandates on the Department of Transportation, potentially distracting them from their core mission of paving and repairing roads.
  • Ties state operations to federal regulations (23 U.S.C. 332), potentially reducing state sovereignty over local highway management decisions.
  • Could lead to increased taxpayer costs for specialized landscaping and consultation fees under the guise of environmentalism.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 15 additions · 1 deletion

SECTION 1. Section 24-8-11 of the General Laws in Chapter 24-8 entitled "Construction and Maintenance of State Roads" is hereby amended to read as follows: 24-8-11. Beautification.

(a) The department of transportation is hereby authorized and empowered to plant trees, shrubs, forbs, and grasses and otherwise beautify the area within the limits of a road, including state highways in a manner and at locations as the department may deem advisable,. Plantings shall include pollinator-friendly native species when appropriate and the cost of the work shall be paid from moneys, appropriated for highway purposes, not otherwise needed for the construction, reconstruction and maintenance of state roads and bridges; and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of such sums as may from time to time be required, upon receipt by him or her of proper vouchers approved by the director of transportation. The department shall seek suggestions from apiarists, horticulturists and other certified professionals to identify the appropriate types of plants and locations that benefits pollinators. For purposes of this section "pollinators" means insects to include, but not limited to, bees that help carry pollen from the male part of the flower to the female part of the same or another flower.

(b) Any and all activities performed by the department of transportation to benefit pollinators on roadsides and state highways shall be consistent with the best practices required in § 23 U.S.C. 332.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.