Budget & Taxes

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 11, 2026

SB 2365: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PERSONAL INCOME TAX

This bill amends Rhode Island's personal income tax code to remove the age limit for modifying Social Security income, allowing residents of all ages to exclude these funds from their taxable income. The legislation also updates tax calculations to include new federal provisions, such as taxing forgiven Paycheck Protection Program loans over $250,000 and adjusting how tuition savings program withdrawals are handled. By aligning state tax rules with recent federal changes, the bill ensures that residents pay state taxes on income that is no longer exempt under federal law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax threshold for social security/retirement income, providing relief to lower/middle-income retirees. Directly modifies tax calculation to reduce taxable income without defunding or increasing burdens.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Pensions

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 2095: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- TRANSPORTATION INVESTMENT AND DEBT REDUCTION ACT OF 2011

SB 2095 directs 20% of annual revenue from Rhode Island's highway maintenance account to fund the Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority (RIPTA) starting July 1, 2026, for its operating costs. Previously, RIPTA received 5% (2015-2025), then 10% (2025-2026), with a fixed $5 million annual allocation (except during federal relief funding periods). The bill gradually increases transit funding from the highway fund to support RIPTA's operations without requiring new taxes. This policy change specifically affects RIPTA's budget and Rhode Island's transportation infrastructure funding structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing highway revenue to fund RIPTA operations without new taxes, strengthening public transit funding through fiscal reallocation.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases RIPTA transit funding from 10% to 20% of highway revenue for operating costs, directly advancing public transportation infrastructure without new taxes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7245: 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 explicitly provides property tax relief via education funding adjustments, directly aligning with tax relief indicators for support.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides additional funds for special education excess costs when students move districts, directly increasing K-12 school funding and addressing equity needs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax State Budget School Funding Special Education

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 2228: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PERSONAL INCOME TAX

SB 2228 modifies Rhode Island's personal income tax code to adjust how social security income is treated for tax purposes. Starting with tax years beginning January 1, 2027, the bill allows a modification to federal adjusted gross income specifically for all social security benefits received by residents. This change directly affects Rhode Island residents who receive Social Security payments, as it alters how those benefits are counted toward their state taxable income. The bill does not change the federal tax treatment of social security benefits but adjusts the state-level calculation. The provision is part of broader tax code amendments but focuses specifically on social security income for state tax computation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdjusts tax treatment of Social Security benefits, providing relief to recipients by excluding them from taxable income, aligning with tax relief indicators for lower/middle income.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 2141: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- FEES

SB 2141 increases the daily fee for jurors serving in Rhode Island's superior court from $25 to $50 per day, effective July 1, 2026. It directly affects all jurors summoned for grand or petit jury duty in superior court cases. The bill also allows jurors to voluntarily donate their daily fee to the Rhode Island Veterans Home Community Living Center, with donations deposited into the state general fund. The change takes effect upon passage, with annual funding to be appropriated by the General Assembly.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases juror fees (from $25 to $50) and directs voluntary donations to state general fund, directly increasing state revenue for public services like Veterans Home.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill allows voluntary juror fee donations to Rhode Island Veterans Home Community Living Center, directly funding veterans' housing/services through state general fund.85% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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signed · Rhode Island · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 7408: AN ACT RELATING TO MAKING REVISED APPROPRIATIONS IN SUPPORT OF FY 2026 RELATING TO ROGER WILLIAMS MEDICAL CENTER AND OUR LADY OF FATIMA HOSPITAL

HB 7408 authorizes Rhode Island to set aside up to $18 million in a debt service reserve fund to support financing for the sale of Roger Williams Medical Center and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital to CharterCARE Health of Rhode Island, Inc. The bill creates a financial backup fund to enhance the creditworthiness of bonds used to purchase the hospitals, ensuring the sale process can proceed without state debt obligations. This funding mechanism directly supports the transfer of ownership to CharterCARE while preserving hospital services and approximately 2,700 jobs. The state’s contribution is limited to the reserve fund, with no obligation to replenish it, and any remaining funds would revert to the state budget. The bill focuses on enabling the hospital sale through bond financing, not altering hospital operations or patient care.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $18M debt service reserve fund for hospital sale financing, directly allocating state budget funds to support transaction without increasing state debt obligations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $18M reserve fund to facilitate hospital sale to CharterCARE, ensuring continued healthcare services and operational stability for public hospitals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds State Budget Hospitals

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 2244: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

SB 2244 exempts behind-the-meter batteries connected to solar photovoltaic systems from Rhode Island's sales tax. This directly affects homeowners and businesses installing solar energy systems with battery storage, reducing their upfront costs. The bill amends tax law to add these battery systems to the list of exempt items under sales tax rules, specifically clarifying that batteries used to store solar energy for on-site use are not taxable. The change aims to lower costs for solar adoption without altering existing tax exemptions for other items like newspapers or school meals.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts solar battery storage from sales tax, providing direct tax relief to homeowners/businesses and lowering solar adoption costs per bill summary.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExempts solar battery storage from sales tax, lowering costs for renewable energy adoption. Directly advances clean energy infrastructure by reducing upfront costs for solar systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Energy Storage Solar

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died · Rhode Island · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 7306: AN ACT RELATING TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- AUDITOR GENERAL

HB 7306 requires the state auditor general to conduct annual performance audits of all state agencies, starting January 1, 2027. These audits will examine how effectively and efficiently agencies are operating, including compliance with laws and proper use of funds. The auditor general must report findings to the legislature and governor annually, including any agency failing to meet audit standards. This bill directly affects all state agencies by mandating regular oversight of their operations and financial management.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates annual audits for efficient fund use and compliance, promoting fiscal responsibility in state agency operations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

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died · Rhode Island · House May 14, 2026

HR 7259: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $3,000,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND FOOD BANK

HR 7259 is a joint resolution appropriating $3,000,000 from the state treasury to the Rhode Island Food Bank for fiscal year 2026-2027. It directly supports the Food Bank’s operations, which serve 137 member agencies across Rhode Island, as federal SNAP benefits for approximately 32,000 residents are set to decrease or end due to recent federal legislation. The resolution authorizes the state controller to fund the Food Bank as needed through vouchers, addressing increased demand for food assistance amid rising food insecurity. This is a funding measure, not a policy change, and it applies solely to state budget allocation for the Food Bank.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $3M state funds to support food bank amid federal SNAP cuts, funding essential public service to address increased demand for food assistance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 28, 2026

SB 2028: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

SB 2028 imposes a tiered sales tax on digital advertising services sold within Rhode Island, affecting large digital advertising companies based on their global revenue (2.5% for $100M-$1B revenue, 5% for $1B-$5B, 7.5% for $5B-$15B). The tax revenue will be distributed annually to specific state funds: 10% to public transit (RIPTA), 15% to climate resiliency, 5% to university research, 20% to housing, 10% to school lunches, 20% to municipal resilience, and 20% to the general fund. The tax applies to purchases of digital ads within Rhode Island and takes effect on July 1, 2026. It does not allow companies to add the tax as a separate fee on customer invoices but requires clear disclosure of the amount.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes tiered tax on digital ads to fund public transit, housing, school lunches, and climate programs, directly allocating revenue to state priorities per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates 10% of tax revenue to school lunches, directly funding K-12 meal programs per bill's distribution formula.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates 15% of tax revenue to climate resiliency, directly funding environmental protection initiatives per bill summary.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates 20% of tax revenue specifically to housing programs, directly funding housing initiatives without restrictions or opposition indicators.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates 10% of tax revenue to RIPTA (public transit), directly funding transportation infrastructure per bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax State Budget Higher Education Public Transit

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