# Rhode Island H7869: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SIZE, WEIGHT, AND LOAD LIMITS .

Rhode Island H7869, AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SIZE, WEIGHT, AND LOAD LIMITS ., is a 2026 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Megan L. Cotter (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-06-23 (Signed by Governor — Chapter 296); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H7869-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Rhode Island H7869
- State: Rhode Island
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SIZE, WEIGHT, AND LOAD LIMITS .
- Status: signed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-02-27
- Last action: 2026-06-23, Signed by Governor — Chapter 296
- Sponsor: Megan L. Cotter (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: yes
- Roll calls: 2 (102 yes, 4 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 8

## Summary

No summary available.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Easier road rules for farms and milk: benefit, medium. Farm machinery used for farming can be wider or longer on the road. Front and rear loads can extend up to 15 feet. When you haul non‑divisible farm machinery for farming, axle and weight limits do not apply. Trucks hauling fodder or forage for farm use do not need to cover the load. Loads of fluid…
- Extra weight allowed for natural gas trucks: benefit, low. Trucks that use natural gas can weigh more to offset the heavier fuel tanks and gear. The gross weight can increase by the exact weight difference between the natural‑gas system and a similar diesel system, up to 82,000 lbs total.
- Longer buses allowed on set routes: benefit, low. The public transit agency can run articulated passenger buses that exceed standard length, axle, and weight limits on routes it designates. The transportation department reviews these buses and routes to keep travel safe. This applies only to transit‑owned and operated buses on those routes.
- Special rules for emergency and tow trucks: benefit, low. Emergency vehicles can weigh up to 86,000 lbs and must meet axle limits: under 24,000 lbs on a steering axle, 33,500 lbs on a single‑drive axle, 62,000 lbs on a tandem axle, and 52,000 lbs on a tandem rear drive steer axle. Road‑work machines are exempt from size and weight rules only while working…
- Higher fines and stricter trucking enforcement: cost, high. Overweight fines scale by size. At 10,000 lbs GVW or less: $100 per 1,000 lbs (or part) overweight. Over 10,000 lbs GVW: $125 per 500 lbs (or part) overweight, plus $1,025 extra if over 104,800 lbs and $2,500 extra if over 130,000 lbs. Axle or tandem‑axle overweight is $125 per 100 lbs (or part). Y…
- When oversize loads can travel: cost, low. If your vehicle is over 10 ft wide, over 80 ft long, or over 130,000 lbs, you cannot use freeways or arterials 7–9 a.m. or 3–7 p.m., Monday–Friday. Holiday travel is also banned on listed days, including Juneteenth. Blanket permits cannot be used on the Blackstone River Viaduct on I‑295. Blanket‑pe…
- Blanket permits and fees for heavy loads: mixed, medium. You pay $40 for each single‑trip permit for a non‑divisible load. Or you can buy a $400 annual blanket permit that covers eligible intrastate construction equipment, boats, or marine assets under 130,000 lbs. Blanket permits have limits: length 55–80 ft, width up to 12 ft 4 in, gross weight up to 1…
- Updated size and axle limits for trucks: mixed, low. Non‑exempt vehicles can now be up to 45 feet long, bumper to bumper. But the weight on any one axle may not exceed 22,400 lbs or the vehicle maker’s axle rating, whichever limit applies.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Megan L. Cotter (Democratic), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-06-10 | Senate | MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SIZE, WEIGHT, AND LOAD LIMITS In Concurrence | pass | 34 | 4 |   |
| 2026-06-08 | House | VEHICLES - SIZE & LOAD LIMITS PASSAGE | pass | 68 | 0 |   |

## Actions (12)

- 2026-06-23: Signed by Governor — Chapter 296 (Governor)
- 2026-06-18: Transmitted to Governor (Governor)
- 2026-06-10: Senate passed Sub A in concurrence (Senate)
- 2026-06-08: Placed on Senate Calendar (06/10/2026) (Senate)
- 2026-06-08: House passed Sub A (House)
- 2026-06-05: Placed on House Calendar (06/08/2026) (House)
- 2026-06-04: Committee recommends passage of Sub A
- 2026-05-29: Proposed Substitute
- 2026-05-29: Scheduled for consideration (06/04/2026)
- 2026-03-03: Committee recommended measure be held for further study
- 2026-02-27: Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/03/2026)
- 2026-02-27: Introduced, referred to House State Government & Elections (House)

## Bill text

- H7869 - As Introduced, 2026-02-27: [HTML](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/H7869.htm), [PDF](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/H7869.pdf)
- H7869 - Substitute, 2026-02-27: [HTML](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/H7869A.htm), [PDF](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/H7869A.pdf)

## Related bills

- H8104: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- MORTGAGES OF REAL PROPERTY . (became law)
- H8046: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- FEES . (became law)
- H8025: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION . (became law)
- H7866: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- UNFAIR CLAIMS SETTLEMENT PRACTICES ACT . (became law)
- H7642: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- DISTRICT COURT PRACTICE . (became law)
- S3363: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION . (became law)

## Sources
- [H7869 - As Introduced (HTML)](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/H7869.htm)
- [H7869 - As Introduced (PDF)](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/H7869.pdf)
- [H7869 - Substitute (HTML)](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/H7869A.htm)
- [H7869 - Substitute (PDF)](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/H7869A.pdf)

## Related
- [H8104: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- MORTGAGES OF REAL PROPERTY .](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H8104-2026)
- [H8046: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- FEES .](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H8046-2026)
- [H8025: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION .](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H8025-2026)
- [H7866: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- UNFAIR CLAIMS SETTLEMENT PRACTICES ACT .](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H7866-2026)
- [H7642: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- DISTRIC…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H7642-2026)
- [S3363: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION .](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-S3363-2026)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H7869-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).