Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 9, 2026

SB 2897: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION

Exempts from taxation the real and tangible personal property of MAP Behavioral Health Services, Inc. and MAP Development Corporation, located in the city of Providence. Effective retroactively to 12/31/2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill exempts property from taxation for a behavioral health service provider, providing tax relief that supports fiscal management by reducing tax burden on essential services.90% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · House May 14, 2026

HR 8339: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $500,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND PARENT INFORMATION NETWORK

This bill allocates $500,000 in state funding to the Rhode Island Parent Information Network (RIPIN), a nonprofit organization that provides support to families navigating special education, healthcare, and aging services. The funding is designated for fiscal year 2027 and will be used to sustain RIPIN's peer-led programs, which include individualized family support, health insurance assistance, and community resources for parents and caregivers. As Rhode Island's federally designated parent training and information center, RIPIN serves thousands of families annually through workshops, online content, and direct consultations with state agencies. The resolution authorizes the state controller to release funds from the general treasury upon receipt of proper documentation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $500,000 in state funding to support Rhode Island Parent Information Network programs for families, directly advancing budget appropriations for public services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $500,000 to fund healthcare assistance programs for families, including health insurance support and community resources for caregivers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Insurance

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 7984: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC FINANCE -- INDEPENDENT PERFORMANCE AND EFFICIENCY AUDIT OF THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

HB 7984 requires the Rhode Island Auditor General to conduct an independent audit of the Department of Transportation's performance and efficiency. This bill directly affects the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (DOT) by mandating a review of its operations and resource use. The key provision is the requirement for a formal, external audit focused on identifying areas for cost savings and improved service delivery. The bill is currently pending, having been referred to the House State Government & Elections Committee for further study.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires DOT audit for cost savings, promoting fiscal responsibility in government spending efficiency per budget topic indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Government Spending

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2441: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- COMPOSTING AND ORGANIC WASTE DIVERSION

SB 2441 imposes a $2-per-ton fee on solid waste disposal in Rhode Island, collected from waste haulers and landfill operators. Revenue from this fee funds a Compost Fund that awards grants to support composting facilities, organic waste diversion programs, and municipal waste reduction initiatives. Municipalities must opt into the fee program to qualify for related grants. The bill directly affects waste disposal companies, participating municipalities, and organizations seeking funding for composting infrastructure, aiming to reduce landfill use as Rhode Island's central landfill is projected to fill by 2043.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $2/ton fee (tax) on waste disposal, revenue funds Compost Fund for grants. Directly establishes new revenue stream for government spending, advancing fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill imposes waste disposal fee to fund composting/grants, reducing landfill waste and advancing organic waste diversion for environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 7683: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- TEACHERS' RETIREMENT

HB 7683 increases the minimum monthly death benefits for spouses, domestic partners, and former spouses of deceased teachers. The bill raises the lowest benefit tier from $825 to $1,025 per month for those with a deceased member's salary of $17,000 or less, with proportional increases across all salary brackets. It applies to individuals who were living with the deceased teacher at death or receiving support, and who meet age and remarriage requirements. Benefits will adjust annually based on Social Security cost-of-living changes. The bill takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state spending on teacher retirement benefits by raising minimum death benefits, directly allocating additional funds for survivor support within public sector fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases teacher retirement death benefits, directly supporting educator financial security and family welfare through enhanced survivor protections.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases death benefits for teachers' dependents, expanding post-employment financial protection under employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 8159: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

Provides that in local education agencies when over 45% of the children have a family income that is at or below 185% of federal poverty guidelines, then the student success factor will be 50% by the core instruction per-pupil amount.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly names 'PROPERTY TAX RELIEF' in title and adjusts education funding toward low-income districts, aligning with tax relief and equitable funding indicators.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirects increased per-pupil funding (50% student success factor) to schools with >45% low-income students, advancing educational equity through targeted resource allocation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax School Funding

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 7675: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- COMPOSTING AND ORGANIC WASTE DIVERSION

HB 7675 establishes a $2-per-ton surcharge on solid waste disposal (paid by waste haulers and landfill operators) to fund composting initiatives. The revenue flows into a dedicated "Compost Fund," which supports three grant programs: competitive grants for composting projects, municipal waste diversion grants (available only to towns that opt-in), and infrastructure development. The bill directly affects waste disposal entities and municipalities, aiming to reduce landfill use by incentivizing organic waste diversion. Key provisions include quarterly surcharge collection starting in 2027, annual adjustments tied to inflation or a 20% increase, and requiring funds to stay within the Compost Fund rather than returning to the general state budget.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes $2/ton surcharge on waste disposal to fund composting initiatives via dedicated Compost Fund, directly increasing state revenue allocation for environmental programs.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds composting initiatives via $2/ton waste surcharge to reduce landfill use, directly advancing waste diversion and environmental protection through dedicated grant programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing State Budget Recycling Waste Management

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signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 19, 2026

SB 2674: AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE TO ISSUE NOT TO EXCEED $25,000,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND NOTES TO FUND THE PROVIDENCE HOUSING TRUST FUND TO FINANCE AFFORDABLE MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING PROJECTS IN THE CITY

Authorizes the city of Providence to issue not more than $25,000,000 in general obligation bonds and notes to fund the providence housing trust fund to finance affordable multi-family housing projects in the city.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $25M in bonds to fund affordable housing projects, directly allocating public funds for essential housing services under fiscal management.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds affordable multi-family housing projects via $25M bond issuance for Providence Housing Trust Fund, directly advancing affordable housing development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Housing Finance

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 7491: AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE TO ISSUE NOT TO EXCEED $25,000,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND NOTES TO FUND THE PROVIDENCE HOUSING TRUST FUND TO FINANCE AFFORDABLE MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING PROJECTS IN THE CITY

Authorizes the city of Providence to issue not more than $25,000,000 in general obligation bonds and notes to fund the providence housing trust fund to finance affordable multi-family housing projects in the city.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $25M in bonds to fund affordable housing, advancing public service spending under government fiscal management.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly authorizes $25M in bonds to fund affordable multi-family housing projects via Providence Housing Trust Fund, directly advancing affordable housing development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Housing Finance

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7680: AN ACT RELATING EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

Specifies that pre-k programs for three (3) – and four (4) – year olds be added to programs to increase access to voluntary, free, high-quality pre-kindergarten programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill title explicitly includes 'Property Tax Relief,' directly aligning with tax relief indicators for homeowners, supporting fiscal management.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands access to free pre-K programs for 3-4 year olds, increasing educational access and equity as stated in the bill's summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Early Childhood K-12 Education School Funding

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