Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 7231: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- LOCAL CANVASSING AUTHORITY

Prohibits members of elected city/town political party committees as well as representative/senate district committees from serving on local canvassing authorities.

Joseph Solomon (D) Lauren Carson (D) Kathleen Fogarty (D) Brian Kennedy (D) Julie Casimiro (D)

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 7217: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- MERIT SYSTEM-CLASSIFICATION PLAN

Require that the classification guide to desk audit analysis and class specification development be amended so that the lack of supervision of other employees not prevent an employee from receiving a classification upgrade

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 5, 2026

HR 7367: HOUSE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO REDUCE THE FORTY-HOUR WORKWEEK TO A THIRTY-TWO-HOUR WORKWEEK

Creates a 9-member commission to study and provide recommendations to reduce the forty-hour workweek to a thirty-two-hour workweek, and would report back to the House by March 15, 2027, and would expire on June 15, 2027.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 7039: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- PEACE OFFICER MAXIMUM WORKDAY AND OVERTIME COMPENSATION

HB 7039 sets a maximum 8-hour workday for most state peace officers (defined under §12-7-21) and a 10-hour limit for correctional officer stewards, prohibiting forced overtime except during unforeseeable emergencies like riots. It requires the state to pay affected officers double time and a half if they are compelled to work beyond these limits, with exceptions for true emergencies after exhausting reasonable staffing efforts. The bill directly affects Rhode Island Department of Corrections peace officers, aiming to protect their health and safety while ensuring emergency response flexibility. This policy change takes effect upon passage, with no impact on existing collective bargaining agreements.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 7121: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- WORKPLACE PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY ACT

Prohibits psychological abuse in the workplace by employers or co-workers, ensuring a safe environment for employees, provides protection, civil remedies, and penalties for employers based on revenue.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 7355: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- CERTIFICATES OF TITLE AND SECURITY INTERESTS

Allows on and after September 1, 2026, an owner of motor vehicle(s) to transfer ownership and registration of said vehicle on their death, by a certificate of title designation and requires DMV to amend title forms, to include transfer-on-death language.

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 7306: AN ACT RELATING TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- AUDITOR GENERAL

HB 7306 requires the state auditor general to conduct annual performance audits of all state agencies, starting January 1, 2027. These audits will examine how effectively and efficiently agencies are operating, including compliance with laws and proper use of funds. The auditor general must report findings to the legislature and governor annually, including any agency failing to meet audit standards. This bill directly affects all state agencies by mandating regular oversight of their operations and financial management.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 7442: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- INSPECTION OF PERSONNEL FILES

Expands the obligations of employers to create, maintain and retain their employees' personnel records, it requires that records be retained for at least 3 years after employee's termination. It also increases the financial penalties for each violation.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 7289: AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- UNIFORM CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT -- POWERS OF ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL -- CIVIL FORFEITURE PROCEDURE

HB 7289 prohibits law enforcement from seizing property under controlled substances laws without first obtaining a criminal conviction. This directly affects property owners who might otherwise face asset forfeiture before a court finds them guilty of a crime. The bill modifies existing forfeiture procedures by requiring a criminal conviction before civil forfeiture can proceed, with limited exceptions for vehicles used by common carriers. It changes the process so that assets cannot be taken through civil means until after a criminal case concludes.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 7354: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PASSING, USE OF LANES AND RULES OF THE ROAD

HB 7354 permits motorcycles to legally "lane filter" - passing stopped or very slow-moving vehicles (under 10 mph) in the same lane - under specific conditions. It requires motorcycle riders to filter at speeds no faster than 20 mph, only when lanes are wide enough for safe passing, and when road conditions allow continued safe operation. The bill directly affects motorcycle riders and drivers on roads where this practice is permitted, modifying existing traffic rules to explicitly allow this maneuver. It takes effect upon passage and does not change general speed limits or traffic laws beyond this specific provision.

Topics ✓ Transportation

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 7351: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- EMINENT DOMAIN

Allows the department of environmental management to acquire established foot paths by eminent domain, to provide public access to streams, rivers, lakes and ponds.

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 7381: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SIZE, WEIGHT, AND LOAD LIMITS

Authorizes a blanket permit and fee to allow the movement of self-propelled cranes which are in excess of size and weight load requirements, to move on state highways.

Bill results