Rhode Island Bills | MyRepTracker

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 2024: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND CLIMATE SUPERFUND ACT OF 2026

SB 2024, the Rhode Island Climate Superfund Act of 2026, creates a fund to recover costs for climate adaptation projects from fossil fuel companies responsible for significant emissions. It targets companies that extracted or refined fossil fuels and caused over 1 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions between 2000-2025, using a scientific method to calculate their proportional share. The law requires these companies to pay for "climate change response work" like coastal protection, flood infrastructure, heat mitigation, and ecosystem restoration projects already funded by taxpayers. The Department of Environmental Management will manage the fund and identify eligible projects, shifting costs from public budgets to polluters under a "polluter pays" principle.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 2023: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- INSPECTOR GENERAL

Establishes the office of inspector general as an independent administrative agency charged with the responsibility to investigate, detect, and prevent fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the expenditure of public funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 2103: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC FINANCE -- STATE BUDGET

Requires that the governor submit a zero-based budget to the general assembly with the zero-based budget phased in over a five (5) year period, commencing with the fiscal budget year of July 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 2248: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- DUTIES OF UTILITIES AND CARRIERS

SB 2248 creates a new income-based discount program for low-income households to make home energy costs affordable. It requires large electric and gas utilities (over 100,000 customers) to design a tiered discount plan by 2027, capping energy costs at 3-6% of household income depending on whether electric or gas is the primary heat source. Eligible households (at or below 150% of the federal poverty level) would receive fixed monthly discounts, with past bill arrears forgiven over 24 months. The program’s costs, including administration, would be covered through rate increases for other utility customers, as determined by the Public Utilities Commission.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Housing

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 & Taxes ✓ Energy

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 2140: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- QUASI-PUBLIC CORPORATIONS ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY ACT

Provides that compensation comparability studies of senior management, documents discussed at an open meeting, annual contracting reports, list of current salaries and positions, and all policies and procedures of public corporations be made public.

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 2235: AN ACT RELATING TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- AUDITOR GENERAL

SB 2235 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 operate, whether they comply with laws, and if public funds are properly spent. The auditor general must report findings to the legislature and executive branch, including any agency failing to meet audit standards. This directly affects all state agencies, from departments to boards, by mandating regular reviews of their operations and financial management. The bill aims to improve accountability in government spending without changing existing agency responsibilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 2400: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

Requires that all agencies' final rules, promulgated pursuant to the administrative procedures act, be approved by general assembly action, but in no case later than December 31 of the year it is promulgated, before it can become effective.

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 2393: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC RECORDS -- ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS

SB 2393 requires individuals making public records requests to provide their name and a valid mailing or email address to verify identity and enable communication. This change prohibits anonymous requests and ensures public bodies can properly respond to inquiries. The bill does not alter which records are public or impose new restrictions on record access, only establishing a minimum identification requirement for requesters.

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 2357: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- QUASI-PUBLIC CORPORATIONS ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY ACT

Provides that funds or monies collected by designated quasi-public corporations or agencies not be subject to transfer or reallocation by order of the governor or general assembly.

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 2389: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC RECORDS -- ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS

Makes changes to the access to public records act, including clarifying various provisions, increasing the sanctions for knowing and willful violations of the law, and making certain traffic accident data and preferred license plate information public.

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 20, 2026

SB 2934: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- FOUNDATION LEVEL SCHOOL SUPPORT

Allows a different minimum salary schedule for Providence public school teachers and provides a process for the dismissal and demotion of teachers. The reconstitution and control of the Providence public schools would terminate on June 30, 2026.

Topics ✓ Education