R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8.1-1: Declaration of policy.

The general assembly hereby finds and declares that the services rendered by utilities owned by private corporations, private companies, municipalities, political subdivisions, authorities, or agencies of the state are necessary to the public health, welfare, and safety and that any payments made to such utilities for the costs of state initiated relocation thereof incident to the construction of highway projects on the federal aid primary or secondary systems or on the national system of interstate and defense highways, including extensions thereof, are for a public purpose.