Rhode Island Congressional Bills

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Dec 17, 2025

SRES 555: A resolution recognizing that climate change poses a threat to the mortgage market and to home values.

This Senate resolution (SRES 555) formally recognizes that climate change threatens U.S. home values and the mortgage market, based on cited evidence including $7.4 billion in coastal home value losses (2005-2017) across five states and projections of $1.5 trillion in residential property value decline over 30 years due to climate risks. It highlights specific climate impacts like sea-level rise flooding and increased insurance costs, noting that property values in vulnerable areas could decline significantly, potentially triggering broader economic consequences similar to the Great Recession. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but serves as a formal acknowledgment of these risks by the Senate, directly affecting homeowners in climate-exposed regions and mortgage industry stakeholders.

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Dec 17, 2025

SRES 550: A resolution recognizing that climate change is not a hoax, but sound science.

This is a non-binding Senate resolution (SRES 550) affirming scientific consensus on climate change. It states that climate change caused by fossil fuels is "not a hoax" and "sound science," citing historical scientific findings and recent NASA/Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change data. The resolution specifically criticizes the 2025 decision by the Trump administration to dismantle climate research programs and remove the National Climate Assessment. It calls on Congress to protect mandated climate research programs but does not create new laws or affect any individuals or entities. As a symbolic resolution, it has no legal force or direct impact on policy or constituents.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Dec 17, 2025

SRES 563: A resolution affirming that the Federal Government should support school district investment in clean school buses.

SRES 563 is a non-binding Senate resolution affirming that the federal government should support school districts in replacing diesel school buses with cleaner alternatives like electric models. It highlights that diesel exhaust - harmful pollutants linked to asthma, missed school days, and long-term health risks for children - directly affects over 30% of U.S. students who ride school buses. The resolution cites bipartisan past efforts, including funding in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, to support this transition but does not create new funding or mandates. It serves as a statement of policy preference, not a legislative action.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Healthcare ✓ Transportation

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Dec 17, 2025

SRES 558: A resolution recognizing that climate change-driven extreme weather events are increasing at the same time that the government is dismantling weather monitoring and alert systems.

This Senate resolution (SRES 558) recognizes the growing link between climate change and increasingly severe weather events while highlighting reduced staffing and funding for weather monitoring. It cites scientific consensus that climate change intensifies hurricanes, flooding, and heavy rainfall, and notes the National Weather Service has lost over 550 employees since 2025 with proposed $2.2 billion NOAA budget cuts. The resolution formally acknowledges climate-driven weather risks, mourns lives lost to such events, and calls for maintaining adequate funding and staffing for weather monitoring systems. As a non-binding resolution, it expresses the Senate's position but does not create new policy or funding.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Dec 17, 2025

SRES 553: A resolution recognizing that climate change is real.

SRES 553 is a non-binding Senate resolution introduced on December 17, 2025, by Senators Whitehouse, Merkley, Schatz, Markey, Van Hollen, Duckworth, Padilla, Welch, and Blunt Rochester. It formally recognizes that climate change is real, citing decades of scientific evidence linking it to fossil fuel emissions. The resolution does not create new laws, impose requirements, or directly affect any specific groups - it serves solely as a declarative statement of scientific consensus. This is a procedural resolution with no legislative or policy impact.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Rhode Island · House Dec 17, 2025

HRES 956: Condemning the antisemitic shooting in Sydney, Australia, and all forms of hatred and violence directed at religious communities.

HRES 956 is a symbolic resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives condemning an antisemitic attack that occurred during a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia, on December 14, 2025. It expresses strong condemnation of the shooting (which caused deaths and injuries), extends condolences to victims and the Australian Jewish community, and affirms the right to worship freely. The resolution also reaffirms the U.S. commitment to combating antisemitism and terrorism and urges the Australian government to address rising antisemitism and protect religious communities. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or directly affect any individuals or groups.

Gregory W. Meeks (D) · 21 co-sponsors

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Dec 17, 2025

S 3546: Sunset Section 230 Act

This bill repeals Section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934, which currently shields online platforms from most liability for user-generated content. It would remove this legal protection, potentially making platforms more liable for content posted by users. The bill also updates references to Section 230 in other federal laws (like the Trademark Act and criminal codes) to instead reference Section 223 of the Communications Act. The changes would take effect two years after the bill is enacted.

Topics ✗ Technology

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Dec 17, 2025

S 3523: Clean Competition Act

The Clean Competition Act imposes a carbon intensity charge on covered primary goods produced domestically or imported into the U.S., calculated based on how much a facility's carbon intensity exceeds industry benchmarks. The charge starts at $60 per metric ton of CO2-e in 2026 and increases annually, determined by (excess carbon intensity) x (quantity of goods) x (cost of pollution). The bill includes provisions for rebates on exports, reductions for emissions captured directly from the air, and mechanisms to support decarbonization through investments in clean technology. It also establishes "carbon clubs" for international cooperation on climate policies, affecting manufacturers in specific energy-intensive industries and importers of covered goods.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Dec 17, 2025

S 3533: Shadow Docket Sunlight Act of 2025

The Shadow Docket Sunlight Act of 2025 would require the U.S. Supreme Court to publish written explanations and disclose each justice's vote when issuing emergency orders about temporary court orders that block government actions (preliminary injunctions) or stays of such orders. The written explanation must address specific factors, such as whether the applicant is likely to succeed on the merits and whether the order serves the public interest. This rule does not apply to routine administrative decisions or requests to hear full cases. The bill also mandates biennial reports to Congress on how well the Court follows these transparency requirements.

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Dec 17, 2025

S 3547: Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act

The Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act would expand benefits for part-time workers by reducing the eligibility requirement for family and medical leave from 12 months of employment to just 90 days. It prohibits discrimination against part-time employees based on their work hours and requires employers to offer preferred work schedules to existing part-time employees before hiring new staff or using contractors. The bill mandates that employers compensate part-time workers for hours they could not schedule due to new hires, and establishes enforcement mechanisms through the Department of Labor. This legislation directly affects part-time workers and employers with more than 15 employees across various sectors, including government agencies.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Dec 17, 2025

S 3550: Schedules That Work Act

The Schedules That Work Act would require employers in retail, food service, cleaning, hospitality, and warehouse sectors to provide workers with at least 14 days' advance notice of their schedules and pay predictability pay for last-minute changes. It gives employees the right to request schedule changes for reasons including health conditions, caregiving responsibilities, or enrollment in career training programs. Employers must engage in a good-faith process to address these requests unless they have a legitimate business reason to deny them. The bill aims to address widespread problems with unpredictable schedules that make it difficult for low-wage workers to manage family responsibilities, access healthcare, and secure stable housing and child care.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Elizabeth Warren (D) · 20 co-sponsors

in committee · Rhode Island · House Dec 17, 2025

HR 6818: Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act

HR 6818, the Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act, would expand rights for part-time workers by reducing eligibility requirements for family and medical leave from 12 months to 90 days of employment under the FMLA. The bill prohibits employers from discriminating against part-time workers based on hours worked, requiring equal treatment for benefits, promotions, and scheduling. It mandates that employers obtain written statements from employees about their desired work hours and prioritize offering available work hours to existing employees before hiring new external workers. The bill establishes enforcement mechanisms including civil penalties for violations and allows employees to file private lawsuits for damages, with the Secretary of Labor having investigative authority to ensure compliance. This legislation directly affects part-time workers and employers with more than 15 employees across both private and public sectors.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Rhode Island Congressional Bills

Bill results