Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 2439: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PESTICIDE CONTROL

Restricts application of pesticides and rodenticides at schools and childcare centers and requires schools to provide copies of notice to parents and guardians.

Topics ✓ Environment

Bob Britto (D) Brian Thompson (D) Lammis Vargas (D) Pete Appollonio (D) Bridget Valverde (D)

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 7584: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION

Funds the state crime victim compensation program through an additional one dollar ($1.00) fine on traffic violations, exclusive of violations related to the parking of vehicles.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 7590: 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 · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 7592: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- CIGARETTE, OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS, AND ELECTRONIC NICOTINE-DELIVERY SYSTEM PRODUCTS

Permits dealers without a distributor's license to resell cigars, and ultra premium pipe tobacco, excluding pipe tobacco intended for cigarettes, to other dealers.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 7583: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- FEES

HB 7583 proposes raising the daily pay for jurors in Rhode Island courts from $25 to $50 per day, starting July 1, 2026. This change directly affects individuals serving on grand or petit juries in superior courts statewide. The bill also allows jurors to donate their daily fee to the Rhode Island Veterans Home Community Living Center through a form approved by the court. The increase would be funded annually by state appropriations, as specified in the existing statute. The bill is currently pending in the House Finance Committee.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 7803: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- HOUSING -- STATE-FUNDED RENTAL SUBSIDY PROGRAM

HB 7803 establishes a state-funded rental subsidy program in Rhode Island to help extremely low, very low, and low-income households experiencing or at risk of homelessness. It allocates $25 million from the state general fund (starting July 2026) to provide project-based rental assistance, meaning the subsidy is tied to specific housing units rather than individual tenants. The program requires that tenants pay no more than 30% of their gross income toward rent (after utility allowances), regardless of area median income thresholds, and prioritizes households referred through Rhode Island’s Continuum of Care or Olmstead Plan. The program will be administered by the state’s executive office of housing, ensuring units meet federal safety standards and comply with fair housing laws.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 2531: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PLASTIC WASTE CONVERSION FACILITY ACT

SB 2531 prohibits the construction and operation of new plastic waste conversion facilities in Rhode Island by banning permits for such projects. The bill specifically targets facilities marketed as "chemical," "advanced," or "molecular" recycling (including those using gasification, pyrolysis, or depolymerization) that process plastic waste into fuels or chemicals. It defines these facilities broadly, regardless of their marketing claims or claimed efficiency, and states they disproportionately impact low-income communities and communities of color due to toxic emissions and environmental risks. The law applies immediately upon passage, preventing new facilities from obtaining state approvals while acknowledging existing operations.

Topics ✗ Energy ✓ Environment

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 2630: AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES

SB 2630 repeals a law that prohibited new retail liquor licenses within 200 feet of schools or religious institutions, and within 500 feet of schools in East Providence for certain license types. This repeal removes a distance restriction, allowing new liquor stores to open closer to schools and churches without needing to avoid these proximity requirements. The bill directly affects new license applications for retail liquor stores (Class B, C, N, and I) by eliminating the need for licensing authorities to consider distance to schools or places of worship. Existing licenses and transfers of licenses that predate the location of schools or churches remain unaffected by this repeal.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 2624: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- RHODE ISLAND NEW QUALIFIED JOBS INCENTIVE ACT 2015

SB 2624 discontinues Rhode Island's Jobs Development Act tax rate reductions by July 1, 2026. It ensures companies that qualified for rate reductions under the program before July 1, 2015, can maintain their existing rates through June 30, 2026, but no new rate reductions or credits will be authorized after June 30, 2026. The bill directly affects businesses participating in the state's qualified jobs tax incentive program. It ends future eligibility for the tax rate reductions while preserving existing benefits for qualifying companies. The law takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 8186: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- VIDEO LOTTERY, GAMES, TABLE GAMES AND SPORTS WAGERING

HB 8186 modifies the revenue-sharing structure for sports wagering operations in the state. It specifically changes the percentage of sports wagering revenue that host facilities (such as casinos or racetracks) receive. The bill redefines existing sports wagering sections to implement this adjustment. The current abstract does not specify the exact percentage change or additional provisions. As introduced on February 27, 2026, no further details about the specific percentage or broader impacts are provided in the available context.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 8193: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- REAL ESTATE CONVEYANCE TAX

Allows a municipality to set its own conveyance tax rate for residential properties sold in excess of $900,000.00 at $10 per $500. Provides collected taxes to be in a restricted account and distributed within 2 years for affordable housing.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 2739: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- WORKERS' COMPENSATION -- PROCEDURE

SB 2739 amends the process for reimbursing workers' compensation costs when a third party (such as another company or individual) is liable for an injury. It changes how employers and insurers handle reimbursements after a third party pays damages to an injured worker. This directly affects injured workers, employers, and insurance providers in cases involving third-party liability. The bill clarifies procedural steps under existing workers' compensation law without altering benefit amounts or eligibility.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill results