# Rhode Island H8588: AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET TO PROVIDE FOR THE PLANNING, EVALUATION, DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, EQUIPPING AND RECONSTRUCTION OF SANITARY SEWERS AND STORM SEWERS IN THE CITY AND AUTHORIZING THE FINANCING THEREOF, INCLUDING THE ISSUE OF NOT MORE THAN $4,000,000 BONDS AND NOTES THEREFOR, TO FUND THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE TWO FISCAL YEARS 2028 AND 2029 . Rhode Island H8588, AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET TO PROVIDE FOR THE PLANNING, EVALUATION, DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, EQUIPPING AND RECONSTRUCTION OF SANITARY SEWERS AND STORM SEWERS IN THE CITY AND AUTHORIZING THE FINANCING THEREOF, INCLUDING THE ISSUE OF NOT MORE THAN $4,000,000 BONDS AND NOTES THEREFOR, TO FUND THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE TWO FISCAL YEARS 2028 AND 2029 ., is a 2026 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Mary Messier (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-06-23 (Signed by Governor) (as of 2026-11-01). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H8588-2026 - 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 H8588 - State: Rhode Island - Session: 2026 Regular Session - Title: AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET TO PROVIDE FOR THE PLANNING, EVALUATION, DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, EQUIPPING AND RECONSTRUCTION OF SANITARY SEWERS AND STORM SEWERS IN THE CITY AND AUTHORIZING THE FINANCING THEREOF, INCLUDING THE ISSUE OF NOT MORE THAN $4,000,000 BONDS AND NOTES THEREFOR, TO FUND THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE TWO FISCAL YEARS 2028 AND 2029 . - Status: signed - Chamber: House - Introduced: 2026-05-27 - Last action: 2026-06-23, Signed by Governor - Sponsor: Mary Messier (Democratic) - Cosponsors: 3 - Touches household money: no - Roll calls: 1 (67 yes, 0 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 4 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - Pawtucket sewer bonds need voter approval: benefit, medium. The law lets Pawtucket issue up to $4 million in bonds to plan and fix sanitary and storm sewers for fiscal years 2028 and 2029. The bonds can be repaid over up to 30 years, with the first payment due within 3 years. Voters must approve the borrowing at the next general election, or an earlier spec… - Streamlined bond rules and disclosures: benefit, low. Bonds remain valid even if the signing officials leave office. The city can issue bonds and notes without extra agency approvals beyond this act, and bond validity does not depend on steps like condemnation. The treasurer and the mayor can sign needed tax and securities documents, including continu… - Property taxes can rise for sewer debt: cost, high. The city must set aside enough money each year to pay bond and note principal and interest. If it does not, the unpaid amount is added to the annual property tax levy. All taxable property can be taxed without a rate or amount cap to cover this debt. These debts do not count against the city’s gene… - Short-term notes and grants for sewers: mixed, low. The city can issue short‑term notes before selling bonds or getting aid, but must repay them within five years. The treasurer, with council approval, can advance city funds to the project and repay them later without interest from bonds or grants. The city can apply for and spend federal or state g… ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Mary Messier (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Karen Alzate (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Cherie L. Cruz (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Jennifer A. Stewart (Democratic), House ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2026-06-08 | House | PAWTUCKET BONDS & NOTES PASSAGE | pass | 67 | 0 | | ## Actions (9) - 2026-06-23: Signed by Governor (Governor) - 2026-06-18: Transmitted to Governor (Governor) - 2026-06-10: Senate passed in concurrence (Senate) - 2026-06-08: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar (06/10/2026) (Senate) - 2026-06-08: House read and passed (House) - 2026-06-05: Placed on House Calendar (06/08/2026) (House) - 2026-06-05: Committee recommends passage - 2026-06-02: Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (06/05/2026) - 2026-05-27: Introduced, referred to House Municipal Government & Housing (House) ## Bill text - H8588 - As Introduced, 2026-05-27: [HTML](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/H8588.htm), [PDF](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/H8588.pdf) ## Related bills - H8605: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO PAY CERTAIN CLAIMS . (became law) - H8586: AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- RHODE ISLAND TURNPIKE AND BRIDGE AUTHORITY . (became law) - H8580: AN ACT RELATING TO THE NORTH TIVERTON FIRE DISTRICT . (became law) - H8506: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- RELATING TO CENTRAL FALLS PENSION PLAN . (became law) - H8525: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES . (became law) - H8437: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION . (became law) ## Sources - [H8588 - As Introduced (HTML)](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/H8588.htm) - [H8588 - As Introduced (PDF)](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/H8588.pdf) ## Related - [H8605: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO PAY CERTAIN CLAIMS .](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H8605-2026) - [H8586: AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- RHODE ISLAND TURNPIKE AND BRIDGE AUTHORITY .](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H8586-2026) - [H8580: AN ACT RELATING TO THE NORTH TIVERTON FIRE DISTRICT .](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H8580-2026) - [H8506: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- RELATING TO CENTRAL FALLS PENSION PLAN .](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H8506-2026) - [H8525: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES .](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H8525-2026) - [H8437: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION .](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H8437-2026) - [Rhode Island bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/rhode-island/bills) - [Rhode Island state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/rhode-island) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H8588-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).