Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $118,422 to the Rhode Island Parent Information Network to support Rhode Island’s Medicare-Medicaid Dual Ombudsman Program.
Prohibits total education aid paid to any local education agency from being reduced by more than one percent (1%) of the municipal education appropriation in the previous fiscal year.
HB 7458 would create a state-funded program to help cover college tuition costs for students pursuing degrees in teaching fields that are currently in short supply, such as math, science, or special education. This program directly affects undergraduate students enrolled in approved teacher preparation programs at public or participating private colleges. The key provision is providing financial assistance to reduce tuition barriers for these future educators, aiming to increase the number of qualified teachers in high-need subject areas. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process after being introduced on January 30, 2026.
Places a cap of twenty percent (20%) on increases in consecutive revaluations of real property in all cities and towns conducting revaluations commencing December 31, 2026, and every December 31 thereafter.
HR 7059 is a joint resolution appropriating $100,000 to the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging for the Alliance for Better Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. This funding directly supports the state's ombudsman program, which advocates for residents in nursing homes (76 facilities, 8,405 beds), assisted living residences (65 facilities, 5,209 units), and specialized facilities like the Bristol Veterans’ Home. The program handles complaints - such as abuse, neglect, and care issues - on behalf of vulnerable older adults and individuals with disabilities receiving long-term care. The resolution addresses a funding gap, as the program’s workload has more than tripled since 2023, with complaints rising from 597 to 1,787 in 2025.
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.
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.
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.
HB 7312 would increase Rhode Island's estate tax exemption to $15 million for estates of people who die on or after January 1, 2027. This means estates valued below $15 million would not owe state estate tax, directly affecting high-value estates (over $15 million) of decedents after 2026. The bill sets the new exemption threshold and requires annual inflation adjustments starting January 1, 2028, using the Consumer Price Index. It does not change tax rates but raises the point at which state estate tax applies.
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.
