# Rhode Island H8620: AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF CRANSTON TO FINANCE THE REPAIR, CONSTRUCTION AND REHABILITATION OF STORM DRAINS AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS, AND THE REMEDIATION AND MITIGATION OF DRAINAGE AND FLOODING PROBLEMS, BY THE ISSUANCE OF NOT MORE THAN $4,000,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND NOTES THEREFOR . Rhode Island H8620, AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF CRANSTON TO FINANCE THE REPAIR, CONSTRUCTION AND REHABILITATION OF STORM DRAINS AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS, AND THE REMEDIATION AND MITIGATION OF DRAINAGE AND FLOODING PROBLEMS, BY THE ISSUANCE OF NOT MORE THAN $4,000,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND NOTES THEREFOR ., is a 2026 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Christopher G. Paplauskas (Republican); status became law, last action 2026-06-26 (Effective without Governor's signature) (as of 2026-11-01). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H8620-2026 - 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 H8620 - State: Rhode Island - Session: 2026 Regular Session - Title: AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF CRANSTON TO FINANCE THE REPAIR, CONSTRUCTION AND REHABILITATION OF STORM DRAINS AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS, AND THE REMEDIATION AND MITIGATION OF DRAINAGE AND FLOODING PROBLEMS, BY THE ISSUANCE OF NOT MORE THAN $4,000,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND NOTES THEREFOR . - Status: became law - Chamber: House - Introduced: 2026-06-05 - Last action: 2026-06-26, Effective without Governor's signature - Sponsor: Christopher G. Paplauskas (Republican) - Cosponsors: 7 - Touches household money: no - Roll calls: 1 (71 yes, 0 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 5 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - Up to $4M for flood fixes: benefit, medium. The law lets Cranston raise up to $4 million to fix storm drains and cut flood risk. Money can pay for construction, repairs, bond costs, interest during work, and repaying short-term city advances. The city can bundle these bonds with other city bonds, but must spend this money only on drainage an… - Managing and selling the bonds: benefit, low. The city can issue these bonds without approval from other agencies, as long as it follows this law. The finance director and mayor can sign needed tax and securities documents and long‑term disclosure agreements. Bonds stay valid even if signing officers leave office before delivery. The treasurer… - Property tax backstop for bonds: cost, medium. The city must set aside enough each year to pay bond and note payments. If it does not, that amount is added to the annual tax levy. All taxable property in Cranston can be taxed without limit to cover these debts. This creates a potential tax impact for property owners and renters. - Voters must approve borrowing: mixed, low. Cranston voters must approve this borrowing. The vote is at the November 3, 2026 general election, unless the city holds a special citywide election earlier. The ballot question language is set by law. - Rules for how Cranston borrows: mixed, low. Bonds can be zero‑coupon, capital‑appreciation, serial, or term. The first principal payment is due within 5 years, and the last within 30 years. The city can issue short‑term notes up to $4 million, payable within 5 years; refunding notes outstanding are capped at $8 million. These bonds do not co… ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Christopher G. Paplauskas (Republican), House - Cosponsor: Jacquelyn M. Baginski (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: David A. Bennett (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Richard R. Fascia (Republican), House - Cosponsor: Arthur Handy (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Joseph M. McNamara (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Brandon C. Potter (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Robert J. Quattrocchi (Republican), House ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2026-06-11 | House | CRANSTON - BONDS & NOTES PASSAGE | pass | 71 | 0 | | ## Actions (9) - 2026-06-26: Effective without Governor's signature (Governor) - 2026-06-18: Transmitted to Governor (Governor) - 2026-06-11: Senate passed in concurrence (Senate) - 2026-06-11: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar (06/11/2026) (Senate) - 2026-06-11: House read and passed (House) - 2026-06-10: Placed on House Calendar (06/11/2026) (House) - 2026-06-10: Committee recommends passage - 2026-06-08: Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (06/10/2026) - 2026-06-05: Introduced, referred to House Municipal Government & Housing (House) ## Bill text - H8620 - As Introduced, 2026-06-05: [HTML](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/H8620.htm), [PDF](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/H8620.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 - [H8620 - As Introduced (HTML)](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/H8620.htm) - [H8620 - As Introduced (PDF)](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/H8620.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-H8620-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).