Budget & Taxes

signed · Rhode Island · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 7005: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION

HB 7005 authorizes the town of Barrington to create a tax credit reduction of $16,000 for legally blind residents through local ordinance. This policy directly affects legally blind individuals who reside in Barrington and own real property, providing them with a reduction in their property tax bill. The bill requires Barrington to establish this credit via town ordinance, specifying it applies to real property and is separate from other existing exemptions. It does not change the current exemption amounts for other towns but grants Barrington the specific authority to implement this tax credit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides $16,000 property tax credit reduction for legally blind residents, directly lowering tax burden for vulnerable group. Aligns with tax relief indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HR 7011: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AUDITORY ORAL PROGRAM

This bill appropriates $1,167,100 to the Rhode Island Auditory Oral Program for fiscal year 2026-2027. The program, based in the Foster School Department, provides specialized auditory-oral instruction using hearing technology to support children with hearing loss, helping them achieve academic success and social inclusion. The funds will directly support this educational service for affected children and their families.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $1.17M for educational program supporting children with hearing loss, increasing public service funding under state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $1.167M for K-12 auditory-oral program supporting students with hearing loss, directly enhancing educational access and academic success through specialized services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Jan 23, 2026

SR 2240: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $2,000,000 TO THE ELISHA PROJECT

This resolution appropriates $2,000,000 from the state treasury for the Elisha Project, a Pawtucket-based nonprofit serving food-insecure families across Rhode Island, particularly in the Blackstone Valley. The funding supports the organization's existing operations, including providing meals and necessities to vulnerable communities, with specific programs for children, veterans, and families. The Elisha Project has previously served over 20 million meals, and this resolution authorizes the state controller to disburse the funds upon verified requests. It directly affects the Elisha Project's ability to expand services as food insecurity needs grow, without creating new policy or altering existing programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $2M from state treasury to fund Elisha Project's meal services for food-insecure families, directly increasing public service funding.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly allocates $2M to Elisha Project's veteran program, listing veterans as a specific beneficiary group in the summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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signed · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 2037: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION

SB 2037 authorizes the town of Barrington to provide a property tax credit of up to $16,000 for legally blind residents through a local ordinance. It directly affects legally blind individuals who are legal residents of Barrington and own property there. The bill specifies that this credit applies to real property and requires residents to provide certified proof of blindness and residency to claim the exemption. This change would allow Barrington to offer a specific tax reduction for eligible residents, consistent with similar provisions for other towns in the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax credit (relief) for legally blind residents, reducing their tax burden per bill's explicit tax exemption provision.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 2087: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- STATE AID

Includes municipal detention facility corporations as exempt from taxation, and requires that an amount equal to 27% of all tax that would have been collected if the property was taxable be paid to the municipality annually.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts municipal detention facilities from tax while mandating 27% of potential tax revenue be paid to municipalities, ensuring stable budgetary revenue for local governments.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives

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signed · Rhode Island · House May 6, 2026

HB 7151: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION

HB 7151 allows the town of Jamestown to create a new property tax exemption program for seniors aged 65+ who own and occupy their primary residence. The bill establishes income-based exemption tiers (ranging from 10% to 60% of property value) based on household income relative to federal poverty guidelines, with strict residency requirements (5 years in Jamestown). It explicitly excludes income-producing properties (like home offices or rental units) and requires applicants to provide income documentation. This bill directly affects eligible Jamestown seniors meeting the income, residency, and property-use criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates income-based property tax exemptions for low-income seniors, providing tax relief and reducing their tax burden per federal poverty guidelines.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides property tax relief for seniors (65+) on primary residences, reducing housing costs through income-based exemptions under federal poverty guidelines.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Sales Tax Tax Incentives Property Taxes

died · Rhode Island · House May 12, 2026

HB 7057: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PERSONAL INCOME TAX

Gradually phases in modifications to federal adjusted gross income over a five (5) year period for social security income, from twenty percent (20%) up to one hundred percent (100%), beginning on or after January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax exemption for social security income, providing relief to recipients (typically lower/middle income) by reducing state tax burden over time.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Sales Tax

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died · Rhode Island · House May 7, 2026

HB 7313: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PERSONAL INCOME TAX

HB 7313 creates a new 3% tax rate on Rhode Island taxable income exceeding $640,000 (adjusted for inflation in 2026 dollars) for tax years beginning in 2027 and later. This applies specifically to high-income earners, including individuals, estates, and trusts with annual income above this threshold. The bill amends existing tax code to add this rate to the current progressive brackets, which already include rates up to 9.9% for income over $349,700. It does not affect past tax years and will be adjusted for inflation annually as required by law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdds 3% tax on high-income earners (> $640k), increasing revenue from top brackets to fund public services and promote fiscal responsibility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax

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signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 12, 2026

HB 7127: AN ACT MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE STATE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2027

HB 7127 is a state budget bill allocating hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for Rhode Island's fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. It directs specific funding amounts to state agencies and programs, including Central Management, Health Benefits Exchange, Debt Service Payments, and infrastructure projects like building renovations and facility upgrades. The bill establishes concrete funding levels for departments such as Health and Human Services, Education, and Information Technology, with detailed allocations for both general revenue and restricted funds. This legislation directly affects state agencies and programs that will receive these designated funds to operate during the 2027 fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates hundreds of millions for state agencies, infrastructure, and essential programs like Health and Human Services, advancing fiscal management and funding public services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates specific funding to Health Benefits Exchange and Health and Human Services, directly advancing healthcare program funding per budget language.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Debt & Bonds State Budget

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 2246: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- THE RHODE ISLAND FAMILY CAREGIVER TAX CREDIT ACT

SB 2246 establishes a Rhode Island tax credit to help unpaid family caregivers offset out-of-pocket costs for caring for eligible relatives. It provides a 50% credit (up to $1,000 annually) for qualifying expenses like home modifications, medical equipment, hired aides, respite care, or adult day care, directly benefiting caregivers with household incomes under $50,000 ($100,000 for couples). To qualify, the caregiver must provide unpaid support for a relative aged 65+ or with Social Security Disability, who needs assistance with at least two daily living tasks (e.g., bathing, feeding) and resides with them in Rhode Island for six+ months. The credit applies to taxable years starting after December 31, 2026, and excludes costs covered by insurance or general home maintenance.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit (50% up to $1,000) for low-income caregivers, reducing tax burden - direct tax relief for middle/lower income households.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides tax credit for healthcare-related caregiver expenses (medical equipment, respite care), reducing financial barriers to care access for seniors and disabled relatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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