Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · House May 7, 2026

HB 8192: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION

HB 8192 imposes a 2% tax on the portion of a private college's endowment exceeding $1 billion. It directly affects private institutions of higher education with endowments over $1 billion, requiring them to pay this tax on the amount above that threshold. The bill's key provision is the specific tax rate applied to the excess value, creating a new revenue source for the state. Introduced on February 27, 2026, it is currently under review by the House Finance committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 2% tax on private college endowments >$1B, creating new state revenue source per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 8035: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- PROPERTY TAX/RENT FREEZE BILL

Prohibits cities or towns that implement a rent control ordinance from raising property taxes and such prohibition would last for as long as the rent control ordinance is in effect.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesProhibits property tax increases in rent-controlled areas, restricting government tax revenue growth.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill prohibits property tax increases on rent-controlled properties, directly supporting tenant protections by maintaining rent control stability and preventing financial pressure on landlords that could undermine rent control.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes Renters Tenant Rights

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died · Rhode Island · House May 21, 2026

HB 8190: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- ESTATE AND TRANSFER TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

Increase the estate exemption to $5,000,000 for January 1, 2027, $7,500,000 for January 1, 2029, $10,000,000 for January 1, 2031. This act would eliminate the estate tax for decedents whose death occurs on or after January 1, 2033.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill eliminates estate tax for high-value estates, reducing tax revenue and creating tax breaks for wealthy individuals, weakening state tax collection.95% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · House May 7, 2026

HB 7504: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- CATASTROPHE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS ACT

HB 7504 creates tax-advantaged "catastrophe savings accounts" for homeowners to cover disaster-related costs. Taxpayers can deduct contributions (capped at $25,000 for those with standard deductibles or $250,000 for self-insured homeowners) and earn tax-exempt interest. Withdrawals remain tax-free if used for qualified expenses like uncovered repair costs or insurance deductibles after a declared disaster. The program applies only to primary residences with one account allowed per home, effective for 2027 tax years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax deductions and exemptions for disaster savings accounts, providing tax relief to homeowners. Explicitly framed as tax-advantaged program.95% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · House May 5, 2026

HB 7692: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OFFICE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Sets controls on Medicaid prescription drug costs by imposing transparency and accountability requirements on managed care organizations (MCOs) and their pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes cost controls on Medicaid drug spending to reduce state expenditure, promoting fiscal responsibility in government spending.80% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareImposes transparency requirements on MCOs/PBMs to control Medicaid drug costs, improving patient access and cost management.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Prescription Drugs

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signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 2678: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- TEACHERS' RETIREMENT

SB 2678 increases the monthly minimum retirement benefit paid to spouses, domestic partners, and former spouses of retired teachers. This change directly affects individuals who receive survivor benefits under the teachers' retirement system. The bill raises the minimum monthly payment amount without altering other retirement eligibility rules. It was introduced on February 27, 2026, and referred to the Senate Finance Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases government spending on teacher retirement benefits, directly funding a public program through higher monthly payments without tax changes.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases retirement benefits for teachers' families, directly supporting educator welfare and financial security within education policy.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions

died · Rhode Island · House May 7, 2026

HB 7594: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PERSONAL INCOME TAX

HB 7594 increases Rhode Island's earned-income tax credit (EITC) rate to 30% for tax years beginning in 2027 and later. This change directly benefits low-to-moderate income workers who qualify for the EITC, providing them with a larger refundable tax credit. The bill amends the state's tax code to adjust the credit percentage while maintaining the existing eligibility rules for qualifying individuals and families. This is a concrete policy change that will increase tax refunds for eligible working residents starting in 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases EITC rate to 30% for low-to-moderate income workers, providing direct tax relief and larger refunds per tax code amendment.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases EITC rate to 30% for low-to-moderate income workers, directly expanding tax refunds and financial support for qualifying employees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 7523: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- DUTIES OF UTILITIES AND CARRIERS

Establishes a five (5) year moratorium from July 1, 2026, until June 30, 2031, on the RE growth program charge, renewable energy distribution charge and the energy efficiency programs public policy charges on electricity bills.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMoratorium on utility charges provides direct tax relief for electricity consumers by pausing specific fees on bills.90% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyMoratorium on renewable energy and energy efficiency program charges directly defunds clean energy initiatives, weakening renewable energy development and efficiency programs.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentMoratorium on renewable energy and efficiency program charges defunds environmental initiatives, directly opposing climate action efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy

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died · Rhode Island · House May 27, 2026

HB 7910: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY FOR PACKAGING AND PAPER ACT

HB 7910 creates a program requiring companies that produce packaging and paper products (like food containers, boxes, and paper goods) to manage their recycling. It directly affects manufacturers and brands by shifting the financial and operational responsibility for recycling these materials from taxpayers and local governments to the producers themselves. Key provisions mandate that producers fund, organize, and oversee the recycling system for their packaging and paper waste, rather than relying on public recycling programs. This policy change aims to increase recycling rates and reduce landfill waste by making producers accountable for the end-of-life management of their products.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesShifts recycling costs from taxpayers to producers, reducing state budget burden and promoting fiscal responsibility.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentShifts recycling responsibility to producers, reducing waste and pollution through extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 2447: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- TAX CREDIT FOR FOOD DONATION

SB 2447 creates a tax credit for businesses and organizations that donate "apparently wholesome food" (food safe to eat but not sold due to appearance or other factors) to nonprofits serving the needy. Eligible taxpayers - including restaurants, grocers, farms, and hospitals - can claim a credit equal to 75% of the donated food's fair market value, capped at $5,000 per year. To qualify, donations must go to 501(c)(3) nonprofits that provide food to people in need, and nonprofits must provide a certificate confirming the donation meets safety standards. The credit applies to taxes under specific chapters of state law and takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit (75% of food value, capped at $5k) for businesses donating to nonprofits serving needy, incentivizing charitable giving and supporting food assistance programs through tax relief.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits

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