Budget & Taxes (Procurement)

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 2836: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- STATE PURCHASES

This bill modifies state procurement rules to allow the state to purchase food and food supplies worth less than $25,000 in total under existing small purchase regulations. It directly affects state agencies responsible for procuring food items by adjusting the monetary threshold for these transactions. The key provision permits smaller aggregate purchases without requiring additional approval processes, streamlining how the state acquires food supplies. This change applies specifically to state purchases and does not alter broader procurement laws for other types of goods or services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill streamlines procurement by adjusting purchase thresholds, promoting fiscal efficiency and reducing administrative burdens on state agencies.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 2797: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- MORATORIUM ON NET METERING, LONG-TERM CONTRACTS AND SUBSIDIES FOR HEAT PUMPS

This bill would temporarily halt several renewable energy programs in Rhode Island starting January 1, 2027. It stops new net metering agreements that allow customers to sell excess solar or wind power back to the grid, prohibits the state from signing long-term contracts over five years for purchasing solar or wind energy, and bars state funds from subsidizing heat pump purchases or installation. These changes directly affect utility customers, energy providers, and state agencies that currently participate in or administer these programs. The legislation does not prevent existing contracts from continuing but blocks new enrollments in these specific renewable energy initiatives.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill restricts renewable energy programs and cuts subsidies, reducing government spending on clean energy initiatives and limiting future funding allocations.85% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill halts renewable energy programs, stops net metering, bans long-term solar/wind contracts, and eliminates heat pump subsidies, directly restricting clean energy development.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill halts renewable energy programs, net metering, and heat pump subsidies, directly restricting clean energy adoption and environmental protections.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts renewable energy technology adoption by halting net metering, long-term solar contracts, and heat pump subsidies, limiting access to clean energy technologies.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Renewable Energy Solar Wind

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 7588: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- THUNDERMIST FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENCY PROGRAM

HB 7588 appropriates $500,000 annually starting in fiscal year 2027 to fund the Thundermist Family Medicine Residency Program in Rhode Island. The bill directly supports training primary care physicians to address healthcare shortages in underserved and rural communities. Key provisions include funding for resident/faculty recruitment, developing community-focused curricula, expanding clinical training sites in rural areas, and purchasing necessary equipment. The program must submit annual reports to the legislature detailing fund usage, resident outcomes, and impact on healthcare access. This funding aims to strengthen Rhode Island's primary care workforce through sustained state investment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $500k annually for healthcare residency program, directly increasing state budget allocation for public service.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds medical residency program (higher education) with curriculum development and training, directly supporting healthcare education infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds $500k annually for residency program training primary care physicians in underserved/rural areas, directly expanding healthcare workforce capacity and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Primary Care

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 7506: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

HB 7506 exempts sales tax on batteries that store solar power for on-site use (behind-the-meter systems) when connected to solar photovoltaic installations. This directly affects homeowners, businesses, and property owners purchasing such battery systems for solar energy storage. The bill amends the state's sales tax code to add this exemption under existing tax categories, removing the sales tax burden specifically for these renewable energy storage components. It does not change tax rates for other items or create new requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts sales tax on solar batteries, providing tax relief for renewable energy storage, directly advancing fiscal support for green initiatives within taxation policy.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExempts sales tax on solar storage batteries, reducing costs for renewable energy adoption and directly supporting behind-the-meter solar systems.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExempts sales tax on solar storage batteries, directly promoting renewable energy adoption and reducing barriers to clean energy infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax Energy Storage Renewable Energy Solar

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 7177: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- MORATORIUM ON NET METERING, LONG-TERM CONTRACTS AND SUBSIDIES FOR HEAT PUMPS

HB 7177 places a moratorium on new or renewed net metering contracts (which allow solar power customers to sell excess electricity back to the grid), long-term contracts (over five years) for purchasing solar or wind energy, and state subsidies for heat pump installations. This bill directly affects residential solar customers, utilities, and homeowners seeking heat pump incentives by prohibiting these programs starting January 1, 2027. Key provisions ban state-funded heat pump subsidies, prevent new solar/wind energy procurement contracts exceeding five years, and halt all new net metering agreements under state law. The law suspends these specific energy programs without altering broader renewable energy policies.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill bans state subsidies for heat pumps and prohibits new renewable energy contracts, directly defunding these programs under fiscal management.90% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBans net metering, solar/wind long-term contracts, and heat pump subsidies - directly restricting renewable energy adoption programs.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBans solar net metering, long-term renewable contracts, and heat pump subsidies - directly restricting clean energy adoption and conservation incentives.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill prohibits state subsidies and new net metering contracts for solar/heat pump technology, restricting renewable energy adoption and funding for these tech solutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Renewable Energy Solar Wind

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in committee · Rhode Island · House Jan 23, 2026

HB 7316: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- STATE PURCHASES -- REVIEW OF CONTRACTED SERVICES

Require the director of any state agency with more than five million dollars ($5,000,000) in contracted services to conduct a review of said services and to provide a two percent (2%) reduction in said expenditures over five years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates 2% expenditure reduction in contracted services over 5 years, promoting fiscal responsibility within state budget management.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement

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died · Rhode Island · House May 14, 2026

HR 7258: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $200,000 TO BE USED FOR INCENTIVES FOR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES SOLD AT PARTICIPATING BONUS BUCKS OUTLETS IN RHODE ISLAND

This bill appropriates $200,000 to fund Rhode Island's Farm Fresh Bonus Bucks Program. It provides low-income SNAP recipients with double the value of their benefits when purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables at participating local farmers markets and farmstands. The funds directly support both low-income families accessing nutritious food and small-scale Rhode Island farms selling produce. The money will be administered by Farm Fresh RI to sustain this existing program, which has distributed over $1.7 million since 2009.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $200,000 to fund Farm Fresh Bonus Bucks Program, supporting low-income SNAP recipients and local farms through nutrition incentives.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds public health program (Farm Fresh Bonus Bucks) promoting nutritious food access, preventing diet-related illnesses, aligning with public health initiatives under healthcare.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Procurement

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