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S 2750Government Assets

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

This bill names the University of Rhode Island football practice field after Mark S. Cruise.

Signed into law
Population
Affected
5
Email Legislator
Introduced Feb 27, 2026Committee Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

Plain-English Summary

This bill officially designates the name of the football practice field at the University of Rhode Island. The field, located at 5E West Alumni Avenue in Kingston, will be named the "Mark S. Cruise '81 '84 Football Practice Field." This legislation adds a specific section to the existing state laws that govern the naming of permanent state constructions, such as buildings and bridges.

For younger readers

This law gives a special name to a football field at the University of Rhode Island. The field where the football team practices will now be called the "Mark S. Cruise '81 '84 Football Practice Field." This is just like when a school names a library or a gym after a specific person to honor them. The law makes sure this name is official.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
URI StudentsURI AlumniURI Football TeamCruise FamilyURI Administration
Impacted communities
South Kingstown

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost
None
Estimated revenue
None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Acknowledges and honors the contributions of a community member to a public university, fostering a sense of history and connection within the state's public higher education system.
  • Supports the University of Rhode Island, a public institution, by enhancing its campus culture and alumni relations without imposing significant administrative burdens.
  • Provides a symbolic benefit to the university community and the individual's family without diverting funds from essential social services or safety net programs.
  • Focuses legislative time and resources on naming a sports facility rather than addressing urgent systemic issues affecting the poor, disadvantaged, or marginalized communities in the state.
  • Prioritizes athletics within the university system, which some may view as a distraction from the primary educational mission and the need for affordable higher education.
  • Codifies a specific individual's name into state law, which can be difficult to reverse if future standards or community values regarding public honors change.
For Conservatives
  • Honors individual achievement and legacy within the state's university system, upholding traditional values of recognizing contributions to the community.
  • Executes a simple administrative function without expanding government bureaucracy, creating new regulatory agencies, or increasing the size of the state government.
  • Facilitates the naming of a specific facility without mandating new taxes or creating expensive entitlement programs that burden the taxpayer.
  • Occupies the legislature with trivial matters regarding the naming of a field instead of focusing on reducing taxes, cutting regulations, or securing public safety.
  • Uses state statutes to dictate the management of university facilities, which could be viewed as unnecessary government micromanagement rather than allowing the university administrative autonomy.
  • Creates a permanent statutory name for a government-owned asset, potentially complicating future privatization or management decisions regarding the property.

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.