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

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jake Bissaillon and 7 co-sponsors

Designates a Providence bridge as the George Nee Bridge, codifying the ceremonial naming with no changes to construction or operations.

06/23/2026 Signed by Governor

Summary of SB 3170 (Rhode Island, 2026)

Purpose and intent

This act designates a specific bridge in Providence, Rhode Island as the George Nee Bridge.

It is an amendment to the state’s naming statute for new public constructions, establishing the official name for a named bridge.

Key provisions

Adds a new section to Chapter 22-7.4, named “Permanent Joint Committee on Naming All New Buildings, Bridges, Edifices and Other State Constructions.”

Section 22-7.4-160 designates:

Bridge 44-000000000007010, located in Providence, at the crossing where U.S. Route 44 (Smith Street) goes over both northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 95, approximately one-tenth of a mile south of the Route 146 junction.
The bridge shall be named the “George Nee Bridge.”

Affected entities and scope

Public infrastructure: a specific bridge in Providence.

Naming authority: the act fits within the existing framework that designates names for state constructions via the Permanent Joint Committee on Naming All New Buildings, Bridges, Edifices and Other State Constructions.

No changes to construction, funding, maintenance, or operations are proposed; the bill solely changes the naming designation.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Effective date: the act takes effect upon passage.

Legislative history highlights:

Introduced March 27, 2026.
Referred to Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs.
Scheduled and rescheduled multiple times for hearings and consideration in spring 2026.
Committee recommended hold for further study on April 8, 2026.
Scheduled for consideration on May 14, 2026.

Notable details

Bill number: SB 3170 (Session 2026).

Sponsor and co-sponsors include Senators Bissaillon, Lawson, Ciccone, Tikoian, Gallo, Murray, Burke, Britto, with Britto, Tikoian, Gallo, Burke, Lawson, Ciccone, Murray, and Bissaillon listed as sponsors.

The naming focuses specifically on a bridge located at the intersection of Smith Street (US 44) and I-95 in Providence, just south of I-95’s junction with Route 146.

Impact assessment

Public recognition: honors an individual (George Nee) by naming a state bridge after him.

Operational impact: none beyond the ceremonial naming; no changes to traffic patterns, tolling, or responsibilities are indicated.

Legislative clarity: codifies the name in statutory form for official usage in signage and governmental references.