Veterans

died · Rhode Island · House May 12, 2026

HB 7254: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- RETIREMENT SYSTEM -- MEMBERSHIP AND SERVICE CREDITS

Allows members of the retirement system who served in the national guard or reserves and qualify as veterans, to purchase retirement service credits based on their years of service in the National guard or reserves.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAllows veterans to purchase retirement credits for National Guard/Reserve service, expanding retirement benefits for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve

Track

died · Rhode Island · House May 5, 2026

HR 7059: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $100,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND OFFICE OF HEALTHY AGING FOR THE ALLIANCE FOR BETTER LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $100,000 to fund ombudsman program for long-term care facilities, directly increasing state budget allocation for public service advocacy.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds ombudsman program advocating for nursing home/assisted living residents, directly protecting patient rights and care quality in long-term healthcare settings.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransFunds ombudsman program serving Bristol Veterans’ Home, directly supporting veteran care oversight in a dedicated veterans' facility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Long-Term Care

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 7098: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

This bill eliminates the $20 service charge and $5 transfer fee for Rhode Island National Guard vehicle registration plates. It directly affects active and retired members of the Rhode Island Army and Air National Guard who use these special plates. The policy change removes these fees while maintaining the existing plate design, eligibility rules, and emergency travel provisions for National Guard members. The bill takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRemoves $20 service charge and $5 transfer fee for National Guard vehicle plates, directly reducing costs for veterans (active/retired members) while maintaining benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve

Track

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 2029: AN ACT RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- NATIONAL GUARD

Raises the amount of life insurance the state provides at no charge to Rhode Island National Guard members called up for federal duty to five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000).

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRaises state-provided life insurance for National Guard members (a veteran subset) to $500k at no cost, directly expanding benefits without ambiguity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 7078: AN ACT RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- NATIONAL GUARD

Raises the amount of life insurance the state provides at no charge to Rhode Island National Guard members called up for federal duty to five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000).

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncreases state life insurance coverage for National Guard members on federal duty to $500k, directly expanding veteran benefits without cost.95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve

Track

signed · Rhode Island · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 7007: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- MAIL BALLOTS

HB 7007 allows eligible disabled voters and military/veteran voters (covered by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act) to receive and return mail ballots electronically. The bill amends election laws to permit secure electronic transmission of ballots through systems meeting NIST cybersecurity standards, with independent security reviews required. It specifically extends the existing electronic ballot process - previously for military voters - to include disabled voters who meet accessibility criteria (e.g., blindness, mobility impairment). Voters submitting ballots electronically will not need to witness or notarize signatures, aligning with federal accessibility standards under the Rehabilitation Act. The bill expires December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates NIST cybersecurity standards and independent security reviews for electronic ballot transmission, directly enhancing election cybersecurity measures.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly extends electronic ballot access to military/veteran voters under UOCAVA, enhancing voting rights and civic participation for veterans.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity Tags Elections

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 19, 2026

SB 2414: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION FEES

SB 2414 allows disabled veteran license plates to be transferred to a veteran's spouse under two conditions: when the veteran can no longer operate a vehicle (with proof), or upon the veteran's death (until the spouse remarries). It also permits the direct issuance of these plates to an eligible veteran's spouse. The bill modifies existing rules to expand plate transfers and issuance, requiring documentation from the Veterans' Administration to verify eligibility. This affects disabled veterans and their spouses who qualify for the plate exemption under current disability criteria.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands disabled veteran plate access to spouses post-death/inability, requiring VA verification, enhancing benefit continuity and recognition for veterans' families.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 7096: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION FEES

HB 7096 expands eligibility for disabled veterans license plates to include veterans aged 75 or older with a 70% combined service-connected disability rating. This change directly affects qualifying veterans who previously did not meet the existing 100% rating requirement. The bill amends existing law to add this group to the list of veterans exempt from annual vehicle registration fees and eligible for "Disabled Veteran" plates. The key mechanism is updating the eligibility criteria in the statute to include this specific age/disability threshold, without altering other existing provisions.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands disabled veteran plate eligibility to 75+ with 70% disability, advancing benefits previously unavailable under 100% requirement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 19, 2026

SB 2418: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION FEES

SB 2418 expands eligibility for disabled veterans license plates to include veterans aged 75 or older with a 70% service-connected disability rating, in addition to existing criteria. It also maintains exemptions from vehicle registration fees for veterans deemed "individually unemployable" due to service-connected disabilities. The bill requires documentation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to verify eligibility and allows surviving spouses to retain the plates after a veteran's death. This change directly affects older veterans with moderate service-connected disabilities who previously did not qualify for the exemption. The policy modifies current registration fee rules for eligible veterans under Chapter 31-6 of the General Laws.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands disabled veteran plate eligibility to 75+ with 70% disability and maintains fee exemptions for service-connected disability veterans, directly advancing benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 7094: AN ACT RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- DECORATIONS

Establishes the Rhode Island orange heart medal to formally recognize Rhode Island veterans whose service exposed them to toxic herbicides, burn pits, or other hazardous agents.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes Rhode Island orange heart medal to formally recognize veterans exposed to hazardous agents, directly supporting veteran recognition as per topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition