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Rhode Island Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress
All 25,118 Active 5 In committee 20,549 Passed 5,917 Signed 4,510 Failed 6,972
died · Rhode Island · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 7055: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- COUNCIL ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

HB 7055 changes how longevity payments (extra pay for years of service) are handled for certain state employees in Rhode Island. Starting July 1, 2026, non-classified state employees under grade 19 (excluding faculty) will be able to negotiate these payments through collective bargaining agreements, reversing a 2011 ban. The bill specifies payments cannot be counted toward base salary and clarifies rules for employees with existing agreements. It applies to employees of the Board of Governors for Higher Education, Board of Regents for Elementary/Secondary Education, and other state departments. This is a policy change to allow future negotiations, not a new benefit.
Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentReverses 2011 ban on collective bargaining for longevity payments, enabling employee negotiations over additional pay, strengthening labor rights.95% confidence
Joseph Solomon (D) Tom Noret (D) Bill O'Brien (D) Brian Kennedy (D) Doc Corvese (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 2, 2026

SB 2369: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RHODE ISLAND EARLY EDUCATOR WORKFORCE ACT

SB 2369, the Rhode Island Early Educator Workforce Act, directs state departments to collaborate on managing existing programs supporting early educators in licensed child care and early learning programs. It specifically allocates at least $1 million annually to continue the Child Care WAGE$ program, which provides salary supplements based on education to help improve compensation and retention. The bill focuses on sustaining current workforce development initiatives like the T.E.A.C.H. scholarship program and registered apprenticeships for early educators. This directly affects early educators (including infant/toddler caregivers) who currently earn low wages - averaging $16.74/hour in Rhode Island - by strengthening existing compensation support mechanisms.
Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $1M annually for early educator salary supplements via WAGE$ program, directly supporting compensation and retention in early education workforce.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllocates $1M+ annually for WAGE$ salary supplements based on education to improve early educator compensation and retention, directly advancing employment standards.85% confidence
Sam Zurier (D) Lou DiPalma (D) Hanna Gallo (D) Ana Quezada (D) Lori Urso (D)
died · Rhode Island · House May 29, 2026

HB 8032: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING

Eliminates mandated housing densities/density bonuses for public drinking water supply watersheds/groundwater. Requires densities not exceed water availability, introduce pollution, stay within public water or sewer system capacity limits.
Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill restricts housing density in watersheds to prevent pollution and ensure water availability, directly aligning with environmental protection goals.85% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingEliminates density bonuses for housing in watersheds, restricting development to water capacity limits and potentially limiting affordable housing options.85% confidence
Mike Chippendale (R) Megan Cotter (D) Brian Kennedy (D) Julie Casimiro (D) Michelle McGaw (D)
died · Rhode Island · House May 28, 2026

HB 8500: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OFFICE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Promotes fiscal integrity, transparency, and accountability in the state’s healthcare system by mandating that certain reporting covered health entities submit quarterly financial reports to the secretary.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates quarterly financial reporting to promote fiscal integrity, transparency, and accountability, directly supporting responsible budget management.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates financial transparency and accountability for health entities, which strengthens the healthcare system's integrity and trust.75% confidence
Susan Donovan (D) Lauren Carson (D) Jennifer Boylan (D) Megan Cotter (D) Brandon Potter (D)
died · Rhode Island · House May 28, 2026

HR 8557: HOUSE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY PRIMARY CARE MEDICINE IN RHODE ISLAND

This bill creates a special legislative commission to study and offer recommendations on how to support primary care medicine in Rhode Island. The commission will consist of fourteen members, including legislators, state officials, medical society leaders, and healthcare professionals, who will meet for approximately two years without receiving compensation. Their main tasks include reviewing current primary care practices, exploring ways to improve revenue and reduce financial burdens for doctors, and examining successful strategies from other states. The group is required to submit their final findings and recommendations to the House by April 28, 2028.
Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a commission to study and improve primary care medicine, aiming to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and support medical professionals.85% confidence
Stephen Casey (D) Joseph Solomon (D) Susan Donovan (D) Tom Noret (D) Jennifer Boylan (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate May 28, 2026

SB 3227: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- CITY OF PROVIDENCE: TRANSFER OF PORTION OF STATE INCOME TAXES OF NEW EMPLOYEES OF NOT-FOR-PROFIT HEALTH CARE INSTITUTIONS AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Provides that a portion of state income taxes from employees working at not-for-profit healthcare institutions, health service institutions, and educational institutions be allocated to the city of Providence.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill reallocates state income taxes to fund the City of Providence, directly increasing local government revenue for budget purposes.90% confidence
Brian Thompson (D) Meghan Kallman (D) Todd Patalano (D) John Burke (D) Tiara Mack (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate May 28, 2026

SB 3017: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PERSONAL INCOME TAX

Allows a modification to federal adjusted gross income for personal income tax for qualified tips and overtime income consistent with the federal tax treatment.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax relief by aligning state tax treatment with federal treatment for tips and overtime, benefiting middle and lower income workers.85% confidence
Brian Thompson (D) David Tikoian (D) Andrew Dimitri (D) Lou Raptakis (D) Stefano Famiglietti (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate May 28, 2026

SB 3109: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- COUNTY GRAND JURIES

This bill allows county and statewide grand juries in Rhode Island to issue public reports on matters involving code of ethics violations or other public concerns, provided at least twelve jurors agree to the report. The legislation establishes a review process where the superior court examines each report to ensure it is based on evidence, gives named individuals a chance to respond, and removes confidential or prejudicial information before making it public. Named individuals in the reports can appeal the decision to release them to the state supreme court, and the court may seal reports if they could interfere with ongoing criminal cases. The changes apply to both county and statewide grand juries, which will now have the authority to investigate and publish findings beyond traditional indictments.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances transparency and accountability in grand jury proceedings by allowing public reports on ethics violations, strengthening oversight mechanisms in criminal justice.85% confidence
Bob Britto (D) Sam Zurier (D) Mark McKenney (D) Victoria Gu (D) Sue Sosnowski (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate May 28, 2026

SB 3104: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL

This bill creates a new Bureau of Public Protection within Rhode Island's Department of Attorney General, led by an assistant attorney general and staffed with specialized advocates for consumer protection, healthcare, civil rights, environmental issues, and antitrust enforcement. The bureau will have the authority to investigate and seek court orders against businesses or government entities engaged in repeated illegal acts or persistent illegality, allowing the attorney general to request injunctions, restitution, damages, and penalties on behalf of the state. The law defines illegal conduct as violations of federal or state civil law and explicitly excludes criminal law enforcement from this authority. Additionally, the attorney general may issue civil investigative demands to gather facts before filing applications, and the department must submit an annual report to state legislators detailing the bureau's activities and outcomes.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates Bureau of Public Protection with civil rights enforcement, strengthening oversight and protecting rights within criminal justice framework.75% confidence
Matt LaMountain (D) Mark McKenney (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate May 28, 2026

SB 2938: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--COURTS -- JUDICIAL SELECTION

Permits RI Supreme Court Committee on Racial and Ethnic Fairness, in consultation with RI Bar Association and its Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, to appoint members of JNC and requires judicial candidates to disclose political donations.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes racial and ethnic fairness in judicial selection and requires political donation disclosure, enhancing transparency and equity in criminal justice.85% confidence
Ryan Pearson (D) Jonathon Acosta (D) Meghan Kallman (D) Bridget Valverde (D) Linda Ujifusa (D)
Showing 25 to 36 of 6,972 bills
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