Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 7237: AN ACT RELATING TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- PERMANENT JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES OVERSIGHT

HB 7237 establishes a permanent 11-member joint committee (6 from the House, 5 from the Senate) to oversee Rhode Island's Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF). This committee will monitor DCYF's operations, consult with relevant agencies, and submit annual reports and recommendations to the legislature. All future bills or resolutions related to DCYF must be referred to this committee for review. The bill does not change DCYF's policies or funding but creates a new procedural mechanism for legislative oversight. It takes effect upon passage.

died · Rhode Island · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 7136: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OPEN MEETINGS

Allows school committees to add item(s) not appearing in the published notice to their agendas for the purposes of discussion only and not for the purpose of voting upon the item(s).

died · Rhode Island · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 7067: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- REAL ESTATE SALES DISCLOSURES

Modifies the real estate sales disclosure form to include the disclosure of “blower door diagnostic air leakage testing” and advises that air leakage testing is recommended prior to purchasing a residential unit.

died · Rhode Island · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 7307: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND REGULATIONS FROM THE EXECUTIVE IN NEED OF SCRUTINY ACT

Establishes the Rhode Island Regulations from the Executive In Need of Scrutiny Act which would require review and approval of rules with implementation and compliance costs of one million dollars ($1,000,000) or more over a two-year period.

died · Rhode Island · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 7300: AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES

Provides that exemptions to the prohibition of liquor licenses within two hundred feet (200') of schools or places of worship do not eliminate neighboring property owners’ remonstrance rights to object to the license.

died · Rhode Island · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 7299: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES

Permits every municipality in the state to offer a homestead tax exemption of up to 20% of assessed value on residential properties, and also provides that municipalities that grant greater exemptions not be limited by this section.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · House Jan 22, 2026

HB 7141: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Requires the producer of artificial turf and turf infill sold or distributed in RI to report its chain of custody, from installation to use, repurposing, recycling and disposal to the department of environmental management.

Topics ✓ Environment

died · Rhode Island · House Jan 22, 2026

HB 7074: AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF STATE ROADS

Requires the department of transportation to plant pollinator friendly native species of trees, shrubs, grasses and plants within limits of a roadway, including state highways

Topics ✓ Environment

died · Rhode Island · House Jan 22, 2026

HB 7072: AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY -- AGRICULTURAL FUNCTIONS OF DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Amends the definition of farm and agricultural land to include land on which agricultural operations are being conducted or is suitable for agriculture operations, and further expand the definition of a farmer.

died · Rhode Island · House Jan 20, 2026

HB 7023: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- COOPERATIVE SERVICE AMONG SCHOOL DISTRICTS

HB 7023 would have restructured governance for Rhode Island's Urban Collaborative, requiring it to be led by a five-member board of trustees instead of its previous structure. The board would include the Providence superintendent (or designee), representatives from other participating districts, and members appointed by the education council. Key provisions would have transferred state education funding directly to the collaborative (rather than local districts) and allowed it to receive federal aid, grants, and Medicaid revenue as if it were a single school district. This would have affected Providence, Pawtucket, East Providence, Central Falls, and other participating urban school districts collaborating on alternative education programs. The bill was introduced in January 2026 but withdrawn the same month.

Topics ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · House Jan 20, 2026

HB 7024: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- COOPERATIVE SERVICE AMONG SCHOOL DISTRICTS

HB 7024 would have restructured governance for Rhode Island's Urban Collaborative, a partnership of school districts including Providence, Pawtucket, East Providence, and Central Falls. The bill would have required the collaborative to be governed by a 5-member board of trustees (featuring superintendents from participating districts and appointed members) instead of its previous structure. It also outlined specific funding mechanisms, directing state education aid to flow directly to the collaborative and requiring local districts to transfer funds to support its operations. The bill was introduced in January 2026 but withdrawn at the sponsor's request and never took effect.

Topics ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · House Jan 20, 2026

HB 7084: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION

Authorizes a municipality to adopt by local ordinance, a veterans' property tax exemption to any veteran, who was honorably discharged, or discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, regardless of dates or periods of service.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Bill results