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Rhode IslandH61732025 Regular SessionHouse

AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- RHODE ISLAND BID RIGGING ACT .

Sponsored By: Patricia A. Serpa (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.

Contract bidders face bid-rigging penalties

Effective upon passage, the law bans knowing agreements to rig state or local government contracts and related subcontracts, including attempts. Covered purchases include goods, services, materials, equipment, construction, and repairs. Rigging includes fixing prices, arranging identical or complementary bids, rotating winners, dividing territories or customers, sharing profits, or agreeing not to bid. The same person may still bid as both prime contractor and subcontractor for the same work. Chapter violations are felonies unless otherwise specified, with up to three years in prison. The maximum criminal fine is $1 million or three times the submitted bid or award value, whichever is greater. Criminal proceedings must begin within six years of the alleged act. Courts can order restitution, damages, orders stopping violations, civil penalties up to $1 million, and cancellation of certificates filed with the secretary of state. With reasonable cause, the attorney general can demand information before or during civil enforcement, subject to existing legal limits.

Public officials face contract interference rules

State and local officials and employees cannot knowingly share nonpublic contract specifications or potential subcontractor identities outside the procurement process. The restriction applies when the information could affect acceptance of a bid or offer. When competitive bidding is legally required, officials cannot deliberately steer an award outside the required process. Publicly available clarifications and generally available pre-bid conference materials remain allowed. Actions that follow federal, state, or local purchasing law are also excepted.

State purchasing violations bring misdemeanor penalties

Anyone who knowingly and intentionally violates Rhode Island's State Purchases chapter commits a misdemeanor. The penalty is a fine up to $500, up to one year in jail, or both. This penalty is separate from the bid-rigging felony penalties.

Violating vendors face state contract bans

Vendors found to violate the law can be barred from state contracting for up to five years. This ban follows state purchasing procedures and ends their existing or outstanding state contracts. Barred vendors cannot perform state work as prime contractors, consultants, subcontractors, or subconsultants. Government entities offering contracts through competitive bidding must keep current lists of those barred from their contracts or subcontracts.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Patricia A. Serpa

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Edith H. Ajello

    Democratic • House

  • Lauren H. Carson

    Democratic • House

  • Julie A. Casimiro

    Democratic • House

  • Deborah A. Fellela

    Democratic • House

  • Jon D. Brien

    Independent • House

  • Mary Messier

    Democratic • House

  • June Speakman

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 96 • No: 10

Senate vote • 6/21/2025

PUBLIC PROPERTY/WORKS -- RHODE ISLAND ANTI-BID-RIGGING ACT In Concurrence Passage

Yes: 34 • No: 0

House vote • 6/18/2025

RI ANTI-BID-RIGGING ACT PASSAGE

Yes: 62 • No: 10

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor — Chapter 307

    6/30/2025Governor

  2. Transmitted to Governor

    6/25/2025Governor

  3. Senate passed Sub A in concurrence

    6/21/2025Senate

  4. Placed on Senate Calendar (06/20/2025)

    6/18/2025Senate

  5. House passed Sub A

    6/18/2025House

  6. Placed on House Calendar (06/18/2025)

    6/16/2025House

  7. Committee recommends passage of Sub A

    6/16/2025

  8. Proposed Substitute

    6/13/2025

  9. Scheduled for consideration (06/16/2025)

    6/13/2025

  10. Committee recommended measure be held for further study

    4/24/2025

  11. Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/24/2025)

    4/18/2025

  12. Introduced, referred to House Judiciary

    4/4/2025House

Bill Text

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