Rhode Island Bills | MyRepTracker

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 2612: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OPEN MEETINGS

SB 2612 amends Rhode Island's open meetings law to allow advisory bodies (non-decision-making groups like commissions or committees) to participate in public meetings via videoconferencing under specific conditions. It permits remote participation for members with disabilities who cannot attend physically, requiring approval from the Governor's Commission on Disabilities and ensuring clear audio/video for all participants. The bill also specifically authorizes University of Rhode Island board members to join meetings remotely if audio/video clarity and quorum requirements are met. These changes apply only to approved scenarios and do not alter the requirement for meetings to remain open to the public.

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 2677: AN ACT RELATING TO THE UTGR MASTER CONTRACT AND THE TWIN RIVER -- TIVERTON MASTER CONTRACT -- CONSOLIDATED MARKETING PROGRAM

Restates the UTGR Master Contract and the Twin River-Tiverton Master Contract and consolidates the marketing program of each into the Consolidated Marketing Program.

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 2753: AN ACT RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- RHODE ISLAND VETERANS HOME STAFFING SUPPORT ACT OF 2026

SB 2753, the Rhode Island Veterans Home Staffing Support Act of 2026, establishes a state funding program to address staffing needs at Rhode Island Veterans Homes. The bill directly affects these state-operated facilities by providing dedicated financial support to maintain adequate staffing levels. Key provisions require the state to allocate specific funds for hiring and retaining personnel at the veterans homes. This act aims to improve operational stability and care quality at these facilities through targeted state financial assistance.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

died · Rhode Island · House May 26, 2026

HB 8152: AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY -- FORESTRY AND FOREST PARITY ACT

Establishes sales and use tax exemptions for commercial forest product operations and creates a new motor vehicle registration for "forestry vehicles".

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 2091: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- PUBLIC ASSISTANCE ACT

Exempts individual retirement accounts as a countable resource for public assistance. This act also prohibits the state as a creditor against an ABLE account in the event of death of a beneficiary.

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 2099: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SURPLUS FUNDS TAX CREDIT ACT

Mandates that any surplus state tax revenue received in any fiscal year would be refunded to the taxpayers of this state on a proportional basis in relation to the personal income tax liability incurred by the taxpayers in that fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 2084: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

SB 2084 increases the monthly personal needs allowance for nursing facility residents from $75 to $100. This change directly affects residents in state-licensed nursing homes by providing them with an additional $25 per month for personal expenses like toiletries or minor comforts. The bill amends Section 40-8-2(7)(v) of the General Laws to update this allowance amount. It will take effect on July 1, 2026. The policy change is a straightforward adjustment to existing funding without altering eligibility or other program requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 2375: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- INSPECTOR GENERAL

Establishes the office of inspector general as an independent administrative agency charged with the responsibility to investigate, detect, and prevent fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the expenditure of public funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · House May 21, 2026

HB 8562: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

Establishes the office of inspector general to investigate the management and operation of agencies in an effort to prevent and deter fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement in the expenditure of public funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · House May 21, 2026

HB 8505: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- WORKPLACE PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY ACT

Protects bullying/psychological abuse in workplace inflicted upon employees by employers/co-employees/provides civil remedies to affected employees/fines against employers/imprisonment/fines against co-employees.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · House May 21, 2026

HB 8528: AN ACT RELATING TO CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM -- 2026 BOND REFERENDA

Submits the State's 2026 capital development program requesting the issuance of general obligation bonds for approval of the electorate at the general election to be held in November 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 3300: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- RHODE ISLAND COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING AND LAND USE ACT

This bill updates Rhode Island's land use laws to strengthen how state agencies coordinate with local communities on planning and development. It requires state projects on public land to generally follow a town's or city's approved comprehensive plan, unless the state can prove the project is necessary for public safety or health. The legislation also clarifies rules for land subdivision and adds specific definitions for terms like "adaptive reuse projects" and "buildable lots" to help local officials review development applications. By streamlining these processes, the bill aims to ensure that state activities align with local community goals while providing clearer guidance for developers and municipal planners.

Topics ✓ Housing