AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL CODE PROVISIONS

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sam Azzinaro and 4 co-sponsors

Defines mobile equipment and allows incidental highway travel only within active work zones, clarifying when such equipment may operate on public roads.

06/23/2026 Signed by Governor

Summary of HB 7870 (Rhode Island, 2026)

Purpose and intent

Clarifies when mobile equipment may travel on public highways in Rhode Island.

Defines “mobile equipment” and specifies that its travel on highways should be limited to incidental participation in active work zones.

Aims to prevent ambiguous use of highways by heavy machinery not primarily designed to transport people or goods, ensuring safer and more predictable roadway operations.

Key provisions and changes

Amends Rhode Island General Laws, § 31-1-9, to redefine “mobile equipment.”

New definition scope:

Includes vehicles not designed or used primarily for transporting persons or property and that are incidentally operated on highways.
Examples listed: ditch digging apparatus, well boring apparatus, and various road construction/maintenance machinery (e.g., asphalt spreaders, bituminous mixers, tractors other than truck tractors, graders, rollers, shovels, cranes, earth-moving equipment, etc.).

Exclusions:

Does not include vehicles designed for transporting persons or property that have machinery attached (e.g., house trailers, dump trucks, truck-mounted transit mixers, cranes or shovels when the primary purpose is transport).

Incidental travel on highways:

The term “incidentally” means actively participating in work within an active work zone or crossing a highway within an active work zone.
The act clarifies that incidental travel is not the same as traveling down a highway under the vehicle’s own power for non-work purposes.

Effective date:

The act takes effect upon passage (no delayed effective date).

Affected parties and entities

Road construction and maintenance operators and contractors that deploy mobile equipment in or near public roadways.

Law enforcement and transportation agencies that enforce vehicle definitions and work-zone safety rules.

General public users of Rhode Island roadways, who may experience changes in how and when mobile equipment is permitted on highways.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced February 27, 2026, and referred to the House State Government & Elections committee.

Committee history:

February 27, 2026: Scheduled for hearing/consideration.
March 3, 2026: Committee recommended the measure be held for further study.
May 29, 2026: Scheduled for consideration (per action history).

The bill advances with opportunities for further committee input or floor action, but as introduced, it’s designed to become effective immediately upon enactment.

Practical impact and considerations

Provides a clearer framework for when mobile equipment can legally operate on public highways as incidental to active work zones.

May reduce ambiguity and potential disputes over permitting and safety compliance for construction equipment traveling on or across roadways.

Could influence traffic management around work zones and require adherence to active-work-zone protocols for mobile equipment operators.

If you’d like, I can add a brief comparison to prior law or compile potential implementation questions for stakeholders (e.g., enforcement guidance, signage, and operator training implications).