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HB 7976

AN ACT RELATING TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- PERMANENT JOINT COMMITTEE ON NAMING ALL NEW BUILDINGS, BRIDGES, EDIFICES AND OTHER STATE CONSTRUCTIONS

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kathleen Fogarty and 4 co-sponsors

The bill designates the URI football practice field as “Mark S. Cruise ’81 ’84 Football Practice Field” with immediate effect upon passage.

06/19/2026 Signed by Governor
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 7976

Purpose of the bill

  • HB 7976, introduced in the 2026 Rhode Island General Assembly, would designate a named athletic facility at the University of Rhode Island (URI).
  • Specifically, it seeks to rename the URI football practice field to honor Mark S. Cruise, class years ’81 ’84.

Key provisions

  • Amendment to the governing statute: Adds a new section 22-7.4-160 to the Rhode Island General Laws, under the chapter for the Permanent Joint Committee on Naming All New Buildings, Bridges, Edifices and Other State Constructions.
  • Official name change: URI football practice field, located at 5E West Alumni Avenue, Kingston, RI 02881, shall be “Mark S. Cruise ’81 ’84 Football Practice Field.”
  • Effective date: The act takes effect upon passage (i.e., immediately after the bill becomes law).

Who/what would be affected

  • The University of Rhode Island, specifically the football program and its facilities management.
  • The facility currently known as the URI football practice field would be publicly recognized by the new name.
  • No other facilities or programs are identified as affected.

Procedural/timeline aspects

  • Sponsor(s): Representatives Fogarty, Tanzi, Spears, McEntee, and Stewart with co-sponsors Tina Spears, Kathleen Fogarty, Carol McEntee, Teresa Tanzi, and Jennifer Stewart.
  • Schedule:
    • Introduced February 27, 2026.
    • Referred to House Special Legislation.
    • March 13, 2026: Scheduled for hearing/consideration; committee recommended hold for further study on March 17, 2026.
    • June 5, 2026: Scheduled for consideration (as of the action history).
  • Enactment timing: If passed, the designation takes effect upon passage.

Substantive impact

  • The bill creates a formal, permanent naming recognition for an on-campus athletic facility.
  • It aligns with Rhode Island practice of honoring notable individuals through official namings approved by the General Assembly and the Permanent Joint Committee on Naming All New Buildings, Bridges, Edifices and Other State Constructions.
  • No fiscal provisions (e.g., funding, maintenance costs) are specified in the text. Responsibilities for signage changes or related costs would presumably be handled by URI and state naming procedures if applicable.

Summary assessment

  • A straightforward naming action recognizing Mark S. Cruise for the URI football program, with immediate effect upon passage.
  • Targeted to a single facility and does not alter operations, funding, or governance beyond the name designation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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