The bill amends Section 42-11-2.4 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-11, which pertains to the "Department of Administration." It introduces the "State Fleet Replacement Revolving Loan Fund," a fund within the treasury for the purpose of purchasing or leasing motor vehicles and related equipment for state departments and agencies. The fund will include proceeds from various sources, including the sale of used vehicles, loan repayments, and donations. The bill also allows for the inclusion of electric vehicle charging stations in the fund's uses. It removes a previous provision that allocated $4,200,000 as a direct grant for the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority to match federal funds for bus purchases, which did not require repayment to the fund.

Additionally, the bill defines terms such as "authorized emergency vehicle," "light duty vehicle," "non-emergency vehicle," and "zero-emission vehicle." It mandates that starting in fiscal year 2024, the Department of Administration must ensure that a growing percentage of all new light duty, non-emergency state vehicle purchases or leases are zero-emission vehicles, with targets increasing annually to reach at least fifty percent by fiscal year 2031. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
30: 42-11-2.4