Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2516: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- DUTIES OF UTILITIES AND CARRIERS

SB 2516 repeals the energy efficiency charge previously included in utility base rates for electricity and water providers. This bill removes a specific fee that utilities had been allowed to add to customer bills to fund energy efficiency programs. The repeal does not affect existing funding for renewable energy programs (which continue at 0.3 mills per kilowatt-hour until 2028) or demand-side management programs for electricity and gas utilities. The bill directly affects regulated utilities distributing electricity, water, or gas, as it eliminates one cost they could pass to customers.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2521: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARD

SB 2521 requires Rhode Island electricity providers (obligated entities) to gradually increase the share of renewable energy in their retail electricity sales, starting at 3% in 2007 and rising to 9.5% by 2032, with the goal of 100% renewable energy by 2033. The bill mandates that providers meet these targets for each electricity product sold to end-use customers, excluding voluntary renewable energy purchases by customers from counting toward the requirement (except in specific municipal aggregation plans). Compliance can be achieved by purchasing renewable energy credits (NE-GIS certificates) or making payments to a renewable energy development fund. The bill also directs the energy commission to assess in 2024 whether voluntary renewable purchases should be allowed to count toward the annual targets.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2617: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Adds a provision that allows a tenant to pay the last month's rent or any other prepaid rent. It also increases the amount that a security deposit can be requested from one to two (2) months of rent.

Topics ✗ Housing

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7793: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- FEDERAL AID

Establishes a statewide "healthy school meals for all" universal school breakfast and lunch program in Rhode Island public schools phased in over 3 years.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

passed · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7747: AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- REGULATION OF SALES

Prohibits the holding of multiple drivers licenses or identification cards and would change the term "re-constructed salvage" to "rebuilt salvage" for purposes of the Rhode Island salvage law.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HR 7891: HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO TERMINATE GAS LINE EXTENSION ALLOWANCES AS PART OF DOCKET 25-45-GE

This House Resolution requests the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission to end a cost-sharing practice (called a "gas line extension allowance") where all gas customers pay for new gas line connections to serve new customers. The resolution cites the state's 2025 Climate Action Strategy, which requires reducing gas use for home heating to meet emissions targets, and argues that new gas infrastructure locks in long-term gas dependency beyond 2050. The request is directed to the Commission as part of its pending rate review (Docket 25-45-GE) for utility rate adjustments.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7864: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- MOTOR VEHICLE APPRAISAL PROVISION

Requires an insurance company to directly pay the insured's chosen appraiser and the umpire appraiser, if applicable, upon receipt of a "direction to pay" executed by an insured or claimant.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7890: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION -- THE EQUITABLE PARTICIPATION IN UTILITY REGULATION ACT

Creates an intervenor compensation program to provide compensation in the form of grants for legal fees, expert witness fees, and other reasonable costs to an intervenor in both, energy siting board and public utilities commission proceedings.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7839: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PUBLIC ACCOUNTANCY

Updates the state’s public accountancy act for consistency with the 9th edition of the Uniform Accountancy Act, as issued by NASBA and AICPA in July 2025.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7889: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION -- UTILITY OWNERSHIP OF ELECTRIC GENERATING FACILITIES

Applies to electric generating facilities generating electricity on/after 1/1/25 regarding sale/transmission of electricity/facility restructing/last-resort service.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 8088: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- SEARCH WARRANTS

HB 8088 would allow judges to issue search warrants electronically for DUI (Driving Under the Influence) cases under specific conditions, replacing the current paper-based process. This change would directly affect law enforcement officers and courts handling DUI investigations by enabling digital warrant issuance instead of physical documents. The key provision authorizes electronic warrants to be transmitted and processed through digital systems for searches related to DUI offenses. The bill does not alter the legal standards for obtaining a warrant but updates the method of issuance.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 8096: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- OFFENSES AGAINST REGISTRATION AND CERTIFICATE OF TITLE LAWS

Increases the fines for certain traffic offenses to one hundred dollars ($100) and adds fines of one hundred dollars ($100) for offenses required by law but omitted from the schedule.

Bill results