Budget & Taxes (State Budget)

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 7596: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

Exempts from the sales tax eligible school supplies, costing less than $50.00, purchased within one week prior to the commencement of the academic year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts school supplies under $50 from sales tax, providing direct tax relief for families on essential items.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts school supplies from sales tax, reducing costs for families and schools, directly supporting educational access and affordability for K-12.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax State Budget

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 7803: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- HOUSING -- STATE-FUNDED RENTAL SUBSIDY PROGRAM

HB 7803 establishes a state-funded rental subsidy program in Rhode Island to help extremely low, very low, and low-income households experiencing or at risk of homelessness. It allocates $25 million from the state general fund (starting July 2026) to provide project-based rental assistance, meaning the subsidy is tied to specific housing units rather than individual tenants. The program requires that tenants pay no more than 30% of their gross income toward rent (after utility allowances), regardless of area median income thresholds, and prioritizes households referred through Rhode Island’s Continuum of Care or Olmstead Plan. The program will be administered by the state’s executive office of housing, ensuring units meet federal safety standards and comply with fair housing laws.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $25M from state general fund to fund housing subsidies for low-income households, advancing state budget for essential services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes $25M state-funded rental subsidy for low-income households with 30% income rent cap, directly advancing affordable housing access and homelessness prevention.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Housing Finance Renters Tenant Rights

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 7982: AN ACT RELATING TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AUDIT AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT

HB 7982 establishes a new performance audit division within the Office of the Auditor General. This division will conduct regular audits to assess how effectively state agencies are using public funds and delivering services. The bill directly affects state agencies by requiring them to undergo these performance reviews, aiming to improve government efficiency and accountability.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes performance audits to improve fiscal accountability and efficiency in state spending, directly promoting fiscal responsibility as a SUPPORT indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability State Budget

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died · Rhode Island · House May 12, 2026

HB 7797: AN ACT RELATING TO PROBATE PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE -- UNCLAIMED INTANGIBLE AND TANGIBLE PROPERTY

This bill funds Rhode Island's Baby Bonds program by allocating $3,000 annually per eligible newborn (born in the prior calendar year) from unclaimed property funds, rather than using taxpayer dollars. It directs the state administrator to set aside this amount from unclaimed intangible/tangible property remittances before depositing remaining funds into the general fund. The program provides financial resources to newborns in Rhode Island through this dedicated funding stream. The law takes effect July 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds Baby Bonds program using unclaimed property funds instead of taxpayer dollars, demonstrating fiscal responsibility without increasing tax burden or general fund usage.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 2548: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

Amends State funding calculations for special education, revising extraordinary cost calculations for FY 2028-2029, and providing additional funds for excess costs when special education students move into a district after the budget is approved.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides property tax relief and increases special education funding, aligning with tax relief and public service investment indicators.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides additional funds for special education student cost coverage, directly increasing educational funding for districts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax State Budget School Funding Special Education

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 8146: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC FINANCE -- STATE BUDGET--PROGRAM PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT

HB 8146 requires state agencies managing capital projects and budgets to submit additional performance and audit reports to the legislature. It directly affects state departments overseeing infrastructure spending and public projects by mandating more detailed tracking of how funds are used. Key provisions include new requirements for agencies to measure program outcomes and report audit findings more frequently. This bill aims to improve transparency in how state funds are spent on large projects without changing funding levels or creating new programs. The bill is currently in the House Finance committee after its February 27, 2026, introduction.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates detailed performance reports for budget transparency, promoting fiscal responsibility in state spending management.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates detailed reporting on infrastructure spending, ensuring transparency in fund allocation for transportation-related capital projects.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability State Budget

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in committee · Rhode Island · House Feb 27, 2026

HB 8158: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

HB 8158, titled "The Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act," requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to review how funding formulas calculate aid for high-need students. This review focuses on the specific components used to determine support levels, aiming to ensure equitable resource allocation. The bill directly affects the state education department and the students designated as high-need under current funding formulas. As referenced in its title, the bill connects to broader education equity efforts, though its core mechanism is the mandated formula review process. The bill was introduced on February 27, 2026, and referred to the House Finance Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExplicitly titled 'Property Tax Relief Act' providing tax relief to homeowners, directly aligning with support indicators for tax relief measures.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates review of funding formulas to ensure equitable resource allocation for high-need students, advancing educational equity through fairer funding distribution.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax State Budget School Funding

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2546: AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY -- STATE FORESTS AND FORESTRY PROJECTS

Directs the general assembly to fund ten full time equivalent positions in FY 2027 to support DEM's efforts in the areas of forestry and forestry projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly directs funding for 10 forestry positions, supporting budgetary appropriations for state programs under DEM.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds DEM forestry positions to support forest management and conservation, directly advancing environmental protection through resource allocation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Forestry

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 2340: AN ACT RELATING TO MAKING REVISED APPROPRIATIONS IN SUPPORT OF FY 2026 RELATING TO ROGER WILLIAMS MEDICAL CENTER AND OUR LADY OF FATIMA HOSPITAL AND AUTHORIZING THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND TO PROVIDE FINANCING SUPPORT TO ASSIST THE SALE OF THE HOSPITALS TO CHARTERCARE HEALTH OF RHODE ISLAND, INC.

SB 2340 authorizes the state of Rhode Island to provide up to $18 million in financing support to assist the sale of Roger Williams Medical Center and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital to CharterCARE Health of Rhode Island, Inc. The bill creates a debt service reserve fund or credit facility to bolster bond financing for this acquisition, ensuring the hospitals' financial viability. This support directly affects the two hospitals (which served over 110,000 annual emergency and outpatient visits) and CharterCARE as the buyer, while preserving approximately 2,700 jobs. The state’s contribution is capped at $18 million and requires annual legislative appropriations, with funds reverting to the state budget if unused.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $18M state financing for hospital sale, directly increasing public spending to ensure healthcare facility viability and service continuity.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes $18M state financing to support hospital acquisition and financial viability, ensuring continued healthcare services for 110k+ annual patients.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds State Budget Hospitals

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 7243: AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY -- STATE FORESTS AND FORESTRY PROJECTS

Directs the general assembly to fund ten full time equivalent positions in FY 2027 to support DEM's efforts in the areas of forestry and forestry projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly directs funding for 10 state positions in forestry, increasing public service appropriations under budget allocations.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds DEM forestry positions to support forest conservation projects, directly advancing environmental protection through resource management.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Forestry

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