Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 7800: AN ACT RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- RHODE ISLAND INFRASTRUCTURE BANK

Allows local government recipients of grant funds from the Rhode Island infrastructure bank's OSCAR fund and resilient Rhode Island infrastructure fund to use monies for insurability planning.

Topics ✓ Transportation

died · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SR 2132: JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- OF SUFFRAGE

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would remove the 30-day state and local residency requirement for voting, instead requiring voters to be registered by election day. It would maintain a 30-day residency requirement for candidates seeking office but eliminate the prior 30-day voter registration deadline. The amendment would directly affect all voters and candidates in Rhode Island by changing eligibility rules for elections. If approved by voters, it would replace the current voting and candidacy provisions in the state constitution, effective January 1, 2027.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 2117: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCT SAFETY AND TOXIC METAL REMOVAL ACT OF 2026

Sets a clear and enforceable standard for reducing the presence of harmful metals in personal care products, prioritizing public health through testing, labeling, and the development of safer alternatives.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 2133: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- NOMINATION OF PARTY AND INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES

Amends several statutes relating to elections and the dates for primaries and dates within which to file nomination papers and object to nomination papers.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 2282: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- LOCAL CANVASSING AUTHORITIES

SB 2282 requires local election boards to provide clearer voter information for local ballot questions and early voting. It mandates posting and advertising ballot question details (including cost estimates for bond issues) in public locations, newspapers, or via mailed notices 25 days before elections, plus publishing the same information on municipal websites for 25 days. The bill also requires early voting dates, hours, and locations to be advertised in newspapers and maintained on websites with accessibility compliance (WCAG 2.0 AA). These changes directly affect local election boards and voters by standardizing how election information is delivered and ensuring accessibility.

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 7423: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION

Requires the division of statewide planning coordinate a wastewater capacity study to evaluate the capacity, flows, physical conditions, regulatory compliance and vulnerabilities to natural hazards of publicly/privately owned wastewater infrastructure.

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 7422: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE RHODE ISLAND CLEAN AIR PRESERVATION ACT

HB 7422, the Rhode Island Clean Air Preservation Act, bans specific atmospheric experiments including solar radiation modification (SRM), cloud seeding, and other weather engineering activities that release pollutants like PFAS ("forever chemicals"). The bill prohibits entities - such as government agencies, corporations, or research organizations - from conducting these experiments, citing risks of harmful pollutants, drought, and increased wildfire hazards. Key provisions define "atmospheric activity" broadly to cover AI-driven or machine-learning systems involved in such experiments, and list banned methods like stratospheric aerosol injection and marine cloud brightening. The law directly affects any organization conducting atmospheric interventions in Rhode Island, requiring compliance with the new prohibition.

Topics ✓ Environment

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 7448: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES

Places a cap of twenty percent (20%) on increases in consecutive revaluations of real property in all cities and towns conducting revaluations commencing December 31, 2026, and every December 31 thereafter.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 25, 2026

HB 7286: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- HOMELESS BILL OF RIGHTS

Updates the Homeless Bill of Rights law to add rules governing the interaction with encampments and includes the right to access clean and sanitary conditions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 13, 2026

HB 7724: AN ACT RELATING TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS -- SMALL LOAN LENDERS

Establishes a maximum per annum rate of interest on small loans at ninety-nine percent (99%) and limit the amounts of origination and closing fees. Also requires that late fees and returned payment fees be agreed to in writing between borrower and lender.

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 7054: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE RHODE ISLAND PREKINDERGARTEN EDUCATION ACT

HB 7054 establishes guidelines to expand and sustain public prekindergarten programs for all Rhode Island children aged 3 and 4. It requires the state to ensure at least 70% of these children enroll in high-quality programs through a mixed delivery system including public schools, Head Start, and licensed child care. The bill mandates research-based quality standards covering teacher qualifications, class sizes, curriculum, and support for children with special needs or who are learning English. It also requires competitive wages for prekindergarten teachers (comparable to K teachers) and directs 30% of new prekindergarten funding to expand infant and toddler care programs. The law directly affects children, early educators, and child care providers across Rhode Island.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 7545: AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

HB 7545 allows owners of dogs or cats (defined as "pets" kept in households) to seek financial compensation if their pet is intentionally or negligently injured or killed under specific conditions. It sets minimum damages at $500 for injury and $750 for death, with a maximum of $7,500 for noneconomic losses like emotional harm, but only if the incident occurred on the owner's property or during their supervision. The law excludes government entities or their employees acting in public welfare roles from liability under this provision. It does not cover veterinary costs or other economic damages, focusing solely on emotional loss.

Bill results