Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7558: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF LICENSES -- VIOLATIONS

HB 7558 repeals a law that allowed driver's licenses to be suspended for failure to pay traffic fines or court costs. Currently, drivers who didn't pay fines within court deadlines could face license suspension, though they could request a hearing to show financial hardship. This bill removes that suspension mechanism entirely, meaning unpaid traffic fines will no longer result in license loss. The change directly affects drivers with outstanding traffic violations by eliminating a specific penalty for non-payment.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7581: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

HB 7581 creates new state funding streams for specific education needs in Rhode Island school districts. It provides direct funding for special education costs exceeding 4x the core foundation amount, career and technical education program setup/maintenance, voluntary pre-K access, and transportation costs for students in regional districts or out-of-district non-public schools. The bill also establishes stabilization funds for Central Falls, Davies, and the Met Center schools, and offers regional school districts a two-year bonus (2% then 1% of state aid) for regionalization. School districts seeking reimbursement must share costs if total requests exceed available funds, with the Department of Education prorating allocations annually. This bill primarily affects public school districts, special education programs, and regional education entities across Rhode Island.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7582: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

HB 7582 requires all public schools to conduct regular indoor air quality inspections - including HVAC system evaluations - at least once every five years. The inspections must assess environmental factors like temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide levels, and particle pollution (PM2.5 and PM10), and schools with HVAC systems must install filters meeting MERV 13 standards or the highest feasible level without harming system performance. Results must be shared with school principals, boards, and the education department, while the state must submit annual reports to the legislature on progress and funding needs for school air quality improvements. This bill directly affects public school buildings and their management, aiming to create healthier learning environments through science-based air quality standards.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Environment ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7680: AN ACT RELATING EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

Specifies that pre-k programs for three (3) – and four (4) – year olds be added to programs to increase access to voluntary, free, high-quality pre-kindergarten programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7681: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

HB 7681, the Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act, provides direct state funding for specific education costs to support school districts. It covers special education expenses exceeding 4x the base funding, career and technical education program costs (including facilities and equipment), and transportation for students attending out-of-district non-public schools. The bill also establishes stabilization funds for Central Falls, Davies, and the Met Center schools due to financial challenges, and requires the state to fully fund transportation categorical funds for regional school districts starting in fiscal year 2027. Regionalized school districts like Chariho will receive a temporary two-year bonus (2% then 1% of state aid) to encourage regional collaboration.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7682: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- TRANSPORTATION OF SCHOOL PUPILS BEYOND CITY AND TOWN LIMITS

Allows an individual school district that can utilize its own buses or vendors at a lower cost than the statewide system, to obtain reimbursement for these costs from state funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2547: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- 2021 ACT ON CLIMATE

Raises the minimum fee per barrel of petroleum products or crude oil from five cents ($0.05) to twelve cents ($0.12) per barrel as part of the uniform oil spill response and prevention fee.

Topics ✓ Environment

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2591: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- FAIR CHANCE IN HOUSING BACKGROUND CHECKS ACT

Limits how landlords use criminal history in rental decisions by delaying background checks until after a conditional offer has been made, restricting which records may be considered, banning discriminatory ads, and providing enforcement and penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2520: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- DUTIES OF UTILITIES AND CARRIERS

Terminates the requirement that the public utilities commission allocate five million dollars ($5,000,000) annually to the Rhode Island infrastructure bank for use with energy efficient programs.

Topics ✗ Energy

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2592: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RHODE ISLAND FAIR HOUSING PRACTICE ACT

Amends the Rhode Island Fair Housing Practices Act to clarify housing-status enforcement, ban discriminatory housing notices, align state law with federal standards and remove a ban on public discussion of fair housing cases.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2546: AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY -- STATE FORESTS AND FORESTRY PROJECTS

Directs the general assembly to fund ten full time equivalent positions in FY 2027 to support DEM's efforts in the areas of forestry and forestry projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2631: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

SB 2631 requires Rhode Island's Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and Division of Public Utilities and Carriers (DPUC) to complete a comprehensive study by April 30, 2027, aimed at lowering energy costs for consumers. The study must review all Rhode Island energy programs to identify those increasing costs, compare rates with other states, and recommend policy changes. It includes $100,000 for hiring consultants to research these areas and proposes that future energy-related legislation include clear cost impact statements. The bill directly affects the PUC/DUPC by mandating this study, with the goal of making energy rates more transparent and affordable for Rhode Island residents. It does not change current energy rates but sets a process for evaluating potential cost-saving measures.

Topics ✓ Energy

Bill results