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SB 2055

AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- LIGHTING EQUIPMENT AND REFLECTORS

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Pete Appollonio and 5 co-sponsors

Expands forward-facing emergency-style lights to more vehicle types, adds amber light permits ($25) for many non-emergency roles, and standardizes colors and usage for safer visibi

05/12/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 2055

Summary of SB 2055 (Rhode Island) – Lighting Equipment and Reflectors

Purpose and intent

SB 2055, introduced January 9, 2026, amends Rhode Island law governing lighting equipment and reflectors on motor vehicles. The bill clarifies and expands the use of forward-facing emergency-style lights for certain non-emergency and utility vehicles, and establishes permit and fee provisions for specific flashing light configurations. The overall aim is to designate which vehicles may display flashing lights, what colors are permitted, and under what conditions, to improve visibility and safety for responders, utility workers, and related personnel.

Key provisions

  • Existing flashing light rules (a):

    • Flashing lights remain prohibited on most vehicles, with exceptions for:
    • Authorized emergency vehicles, school buses, snow-removal equipment, or vehicles indicating a right or left turn.
    • A compliance standard is set: front lamps at the same level flashing white or amber, rear lamps flashing red, visible from at least 500 feet, to satisfy § 31-24-33.

  • Forward viewing or rotating beam lights (b):

    • Access to forward viewing or rotating beam lights is expanded to multiple vehicle categories, with color designations:
    • Emergency response vehicles (fire, rescue, ambulance, and certain officials), hospital emergency response vehicles, disaster-related teams, and select utility and press/photography vehicles. The lights can be red, white, or amber as specified, and at least for some categories, flashing patterns must be visible from a distance.
    • Utility and service vehicles (e.g., wrecker trucks, service station trucks, safety and maintenance vehicles, snowplows/tractors, utility company trucks, press/photography, rural mail carriers, and certain DOT and related fleet vehicles). These may use amber flashing lights at the front and rear when assisting or transporting a disabled vehicle, with a specific fee structure for permits.
      • A one-time flashing lights permit fee of $25 applies to most vehicle categories in this subsection.
      • State, town, or fire district safety and maintenance vehicles are exempt from permit fees.
    • Police units have specific configurations: center rotating beams must be blue or red; outboard mounted lights must be blue or red.
    • Emergency and disaster-related vehicles are expressly included, with some caveats about color usage and activation timing.

  • Fees and permits (b)(2):

    • Amber flashing lights permits: $25 for most categories.
    • Exemption from fees for state, town, or fire district safety and maintenance vehicles.

  • Violations (b)(3) and (4):

    • Violations are subject to fines as outlined in § 31-41.1-4.

  • Section 2 – Effective date:

    • The act takes effect upon passage.

Who is affected

  • Vehicles owned or operated by:
    • Rhode Island Disaster Medical Assistance Team, Inc. and affiliates/subsidiaries (new allowance for forward-facing red and white lights).
    • Emergency response and hospital-related fleets.
    • Utilities, wrecker/tow/travel and service fleets, media/press transportation, rural mail carriers, and certain DOT/state/municipal operations.
    • Law enforcement, with specified blue/red lighting requirements.
  • State and local governments, fire departments, and certain emergency management and disaster response agencies.
  • Private contractors and entities operating under PUC licenses for roadside assistance (with amber lighting allowances).

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Referred to Senate Judiciary upon introduction.
  • Scheduled for hearing/consideration around May 12, 2026 (per action history).
  • Takes effect immediately upon passage.

Potential impact

  • Improves visibility and safety for a broader range of responders and utility workers by codifying acceptable lighting configurations and color schemes.
  • Creates a formal permitting framework for amber warning lights on many non-emergency vehicles, with modest fees and fee exemptions for public safety entities.
  • Reduces confusion by standardizing front vs. rear lighting and color usage for specific vehicle types.

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

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