# Rhode Island H8591: AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET TO PROVIDE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, RECONSTRUCTION, REPAIR AND EQUIPPING OF BRIDGES AND ALL COSTS INCIDENTAL OR RELATED THERETO AND AUTHORIZING THE FINANCING THEREOF, INCLUDING THE ISSUE OF NOT MORE THAN $2,000,000 BONDS AND NOTES THEREFOR, TO FUND THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE TWO FISCAL YEARS 2028 AND 2029 . Rhode Island H8591, AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET TO PROVIDE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, RECONSTRUCTION, REPAIR AND EQUIPPING OF BRIDGES AND ALL COSTS INCIDENTAL OR RELATED THERETO AND AUTHORIZING THE FINANCING THEREOF, INCLUDING THE ISSUE OF NOT MORE THAN $2,000,000 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-H8591-2026 - 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 H8591 - State: Rhode Island - Session: 2026 Regular Session - Title: AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET TO PROVIDE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, RECONSTRUCTION, REPAIR AND EQUIPPING OF BRIDGES AND ALL COSTS INCIDENTAL OR RELATED THERETO AND AUTHORIZING THE FINANCING THEREOF, INCLUDING THE ISSUE OF NOT MORE THAN $2,000,000 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 (68 yes, 0 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 5 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - Voters must approve $2 million for bridges: benefit, low. Pawtucket puts a bond question to voters at the 2026 general election, or an earlier special election. If a majority approves, the city may borrow up to $2 million to build and fix bridges in FY2028 and FY2029. Repayments start within three years and end within thirty years of each bond. The city m… - Bond rules: signatures and canceling authority: benefit, low. The mayor and city treasurer can sign documents needed to issue the bonds and meet federal tax and securities rules, including continuing disclosure. Bonds stay valid even if the signing officers leave office before delivery or payment. Seven years after the law takes effect, the council may cancel… - Invest proceeds and use premiums: benefit, low. The city can invest bond proceeds and any aid in FDIC banks, U.S. government obligations, or other lawful options. Accrued interest pays the first interest due. Premiums from the sale, and allowed investment earnings, can pay issuance costs, project costs, or debt service, or support city revenues… - Unlimited property tax pledge for bonds: cost, medium. Bonds and notes are binding city debts. Each year, the city must budget enough to pay principal and interest. Any shortfall is added to the annual property tax levy. All taxable property can be taxed without a rate or amount cap to make the payments. - Short-term notes and cash advances: mixed, low. The city can sell short-term notes to start work before selling bonds or getting aid. Original notes must be paid within five years from the first note and cannot exceed the bond limit or the treasurer’s estimate of aid. The treasurer may also advance city cash, with council approval, and repay it… ## 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 AND Notes PASSAGE | pass | 68 | 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 - H8591 - As Introduced, 2026-05-27: [HTML](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/H8591.htm), [PDF](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/H8591.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 - [H8591 - As Introduced (HTML)](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/H8591.htm) - [H8591 - As Introduced (PDF)](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/H8591.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-H8591-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).