2025 -- H 5393
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LC001298
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025
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A N A C T
RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- SIDEWALKS
Introduced By: Representatives Shallcross Smith, Nardone, Hopkins, Fascia, Santucci,
Place, Paplauskas, Quattrocchi, Phillips, and Roberts
Date Introduced: February 07, 2025
Referred To: House Finance
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 24-7-8 of the General Laws in Chapter 24-7 entitled "Sidewalks" is 1
hereby amended to read as follows: 2
24-7-8. Sidewalks along state highways. 3
(a) Nothing in this chapter shall be held to oust the state of jurisdiction over any such 4
sidewalks and curbing as may be made, laid, or constructed upon state highways within a town, but 5
no sidewalks or curbing on state highways shall be made, laid, or constructed without the approval 6
of the director of transportation first being had and obtained as to the feasibility, location, type, and 7
time of construction. 8
(b) All maintenance of sidewalks along state highways shall be the responsibility of the 9
state with the exception of snow and ice removal on those sidewalks. 10
SECTION 2. Section 24-8-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 24-8 entitled "Construction 11
and Maintenance of State Roads" is hereby amended to read as follows: 12
24-8-6. Authority for sidewalks and curbs. 13
(a) The director of transportation shall have the power and authority to make, lay in and 14
upon, and construct sidewalks, including curbs, adjacent to and along either or any one side or both 15
sides of any state road, now constructed, in the process of construction, or to be constructed, which 16
in his or her opinion and judgment require sidewalks and curbs for pedestrian travel. 17
(b) All maintenance of sidewalks along state highways shall be the responsibility of the 18
state with the exception of snow and ice removal on those sidewalks. 19
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SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage. 1
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- SIDEWALKS
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This act would require that all maintenance of sidewalks along state highways, with the 1
exception of snow and ice removal, be the responsibility of the state. 2
This act would take effect upon passage. 3
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LC001298
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