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Rhode Island Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress

All 25,118 Active 5 In committee 20,549 Passed 5,917 Signed 4,510 Failed 6,972

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 2344: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- INTERCHANGE FEES

SB 2344 prohibits payment networks and financial institutions from charging merchants interchange fees on the tax or gratuity portions of electronic payments. It requires merchants to report tax/gratuity amounts during transaction authorization or settlement to avoid these fees, or submit documentation within 180 days for refunds. Merchants who fail to report can still seek refunds by providing tax/gratuity documentation, and payment networks face $1,000 penalties per violation for noncompliance. The law applies to credit/debit card transactions and takes effect January 1, 2027.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 23, 2026

HR 8042: HOUSE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE RHODE ISLAND CONDOMINIUM ACT

HR 8042 creates a special legislative commission to study Rhode Island's Condominium Act. The commission will examine the current law governing condominium ownership and management. This resolution directly affects condo owners and developers in Rhode Island by initiating a review that could inform future legislative changes, though it does not alter the existing law itself. The bill was introduced on February 27, 2026, and referred to the House Corporations committee.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 20, 2026

HB 7412: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- REGULATORY POWERS OF ADMINISTRATION

Requires a natural gas and electric utility company to read the meters of all ratepayers on a quarterly basis. The utility would be required to provide a formula, used to create estimated bills, to the PUC in order to send estimated bills.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 7542: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- RHODE ISLAND PROGRAM TO ADDRESS ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

Creates the position of dementia services coordinator within the department of health to coordinate the departments' approach to Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 7523: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- DUTIES OF UTILITIES AND CARRIERS

Establishes a five (5) year moratorium from July 1, 2026, until June 30, 2031, on the RE growth program charge, renewable energy distribution charge and the energy efficiency programs public policy charges on electricity bills.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 19, 2026

HR 7678: JOINT RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON CITY AND TOWN AFFAIRS

Creates a 9-member Joint Commission to review and provide recommendations to strengthen coordination between state and local government and who would report back to the General Assembly by December 31, 2026, and would expire on January 31, 2027.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 7611: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARD

HB 7611 amends Rhode Island's renewable energy standard, requiring electric utilities (obligated entities) selling electricity to retail customers to gradually increase their renewable energy supply. Starting at 3% in 2007, the required renewable percentage escalates annually, reaching 9.5% by 2044 with a target of 100% renewable electricity for all Rhode Island demand by that year. The bill includes a 2% cap on using existing renewable resources toward the goal and allows compliance through NE-GIS certificates or alternative payments to a development fund. It also exempts pre-2022 power contracts from later-year requirements until their contract end dates.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 7727: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- OFFSHORE WIND PROCUREMENT POLICY STUDY COMMISSION

HB 7727 establishes a 15-member commission to study policies and procurement structures for Rhode Island's offshore wind energy development, aiming to secure 1,200 megawatts by 2030. The commission will evaluate key areas including procurement authority, cost containment, workforce development, infrastructure needs, and multi-state coordination, with annual reports due starting in 2027. Its recommendations will guide the state's energy office in creating regulations to implement procurement strategies, ensuring alignment with climate goals and economic development priorities. The commission expires December 31, 2030, unless extended by the legislature.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 7624: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENCE LICENSING ACT

Requires annual inspections of those assisted living residences which contain units licensed to treat residents with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 7927: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ELECTRONIC MONITORING IN NURSING AND ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES

Requires a nursing and assisted living facility to allow its residents to connect their electronic monitoring devices to its internet service without incurring any extra cost or charges.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 7884: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- FEDERAL BACKSTOP LANGUAGE

Establishes federal back stop language for any provisions of federal law relating to any of the energy or water conservation standards issued or approved for publication by the office of the United States Secretary of Energy as of January 19, 2025

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 7929: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENCE LICENSING ACT

Limits the facility's ability to charge rent and fees for a maximum of seven (7) days or until removal of the personal property from the room, whichever occurs first. A violation would constitute a deceptive trade practice.