Pending Legislation
Rhode Island Senate Bill 2124: Independent Efficiency and Performance Audit
Introduced: Senator Sam Zurier (D-3)
Summary: Requires that an independent efficiency and performance audit of the department of transportation be commissioned by the department of administration.
Design-Build Impact: The audit will evaluate the use of design-build and other alternative delivery methods such as public-private partnerships that are used by RIDOT. This could lead to expanded design-build and Public-private partnership permissions for RIDOT.
Last Action: January 16, 2026: The bill is within the SENATE Committee on HOUSING AND MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT
Status: In Committee
DBIA Position: Support
DBIA Priority Level: Medium
Rhode Island Senate Bill 2322: Public Private Partnership
Introduced: Senator Sam Zurier (D-3)
Summary: The bill creates a comprehensive framework for public-private partnerships in Rhode Island infrastructure projects. The bill would create a seven-member oversight commission to approve all requests for proposals for design-build-finance-operate-maintain or design-build-operate-maintain services. The bill addresses procurement procedures, contract requirements, financing mechanisms, and operational standards for qualified facilities including transportation, water treatment, educational, and other public infrastructure facilities.
Design-Build Impact: The oversight commission that the bill creates would have a specific mission to comment on and approve all requests for proposals for design-build-finance-operate-maintain or design-build-operate-maintain services. The bill would also allow Rhode Island to exercise the power of eminent domain to acquire property, rights of way or other rights in property for projects that are part of a public-private agreement for design-build-finance-operate-maintain or design-build-operate-maintain services. This would likely have the effect of allowing for more design-build projects that were public-private partnerships in nature within the state.
Last Action: January 23, 2026: The bill is within the SENATE Committee on LABOR and GAMING.
Status: In Committee
DBIA Position: Support
DBIA Priority Level: Low
Rhode Island House Bill 7127: Appropriations for the Support of the State
Introduced: Senator Sam Zurier (D-3)
Summary: Makes appropriations for the support of the state for the fiscal year ending on a specified date.
Design-Build Impact: The budget will likely remain consistent in accordance with previous years when it comes to the state’s funding and use of design-build projects. This includes limited progressive design-build permissions and widely permitted design-build permissions according to the 2025 DBIA state statute.
Last Action: January 15, 2026: The bill was referred to the HOUSE Committee on FINANCE with the preliminary hearing scheduled for January 29th.
Status: In Committee
DBIA Position: Neutral
DBIA Priority Level: Low
Rhode Island House Bill 7499: Efficiency and Performance Audit
Introduced: Representative Mark Abney (D-73)
Summary: Requires that an independent efficiency and performance audit of the department of transportation be commissioned by the department of administration.
Design-Build Impact: The audit will evaluate the use of design-build and other alternative delivery methods such as public-private partnerships that are used by RIDOT. This could lead to expanded design-build and Public-private partnership permissions for RIDOT.
Last Action: February 4, 2026: The bill is within the HOUSE STATE GOVERNMENT and ELECTIONS Committee.
Status: In Committee
DBIA Position: Support
DBIA Priority Level: Low