Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 22, 2025

SB 806: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- QUASI-PUBLIC CORPORATIONS ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY ACT

Provides that compensation comparability studies of senior management, documents discussed at an open meeting, annual contracting reports, list of current salaries and positions, and all policies and procedures of public corporations be made public.

Matt LaMountain (D) Pete Appollonio (D) Lou DiPalma (D) Todd Patalano (D) Jake Bissaillon (D)

died · Rhode Island · House May 22, 2025

HB 5974: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION

HB 5974 expands eligibility for the state's crime victim compensation program to include victims of hit-and-run incidents that cause serious bodily injury or death. The bill amends existing law to explicitly add "failure to stop by a driver in circumstances which result in serious bodily injury or death" as a qualifying offense under the program. This means victims of such hit-and-run accidents, who previously might not have been covered, can now apply for financial assistance through the compensation program. The change directly affects individuals injured or killed in hit-and-run crashes where the driver fled the scene.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 22, 2025

SB 582: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC RECORDS -- ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS--COST

Provides that fees for costs charged for search, retrieval or copying of public records shall be waived for members of the general assembly who certify that they are acting in their official capacity.

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 22, 2025

SB 524: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- RESIDENCE OF INDIVIDUALS IN GOVERNMENT CUSTODY ACT

Requires state use actual residences of persons in government custody for redistricting purposes. Information would be collected by the department of corrections and forwarded to the division of statewide planning, to be utilized for redistricting.

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 22, 2025

SB 807: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OPEN MEETINGS

SB 807 (AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OPEN MEETINGS) requires all public bodies (like city councils or school boards) to provide translation services at open meetings when requested. It mandates that these bodies develop a plan to ensure meeting proceedings are accessible in requested languages by September 1, 2026. The bill directly affects non-English-speaking residents who attend public meetings, ensuring they can understand discussions. This policy change implements concrete accessibility measures without automatic translation, relying on individual requests to trigger services.

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 22, 2025

SB 1012: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- EMINENT DOMAIN

Requires all entities delegated eminent domain powers under this section to adopt a plan and approval prior to exercising such power for a public purpose.

died · Rhode Island · House May 22, 2025

HB 5079: AN ACT RELATING TO PARKS AND RECREATIONAL AREAS -- GENERAL PROVISIONS

Adds to those persons exempt from payment of parking fees at any recreational facility owned and operated by the state those individuals determined by the executive office of HHS, or its designee, to be disabled for purposes of Medicaid eligibility.

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 22, 2025

SB 1004: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE -- EARLY AND PERIODIC SCREENING, DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT

Requires the executive office of health and human services to apply to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for a state plan amendment for reimbursement for health services in a school.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 22, 2025

SB 1052: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- SUBDIVISION OF LAND

Provides that minor subdivisions would include oversized lot subdivisions under certain circumstances and relative to zoning ordinances, permit a modification to allow "neighborhood character-based modifications" under certain circumstances.

died · Rhode Island · House May 21, 2025

HB 6290: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- WEALTH TAX

HB 6290 proposes a new wealth tax in Rhode Island, directly affecting both individuals and various business entities considered residents of the state. Beginning January 1, 2026, it imposes a one percent (1%) tax on a resident's "taxable worldwide wealth." This wealth is defined as the fair market value of all intangible assets, such as cash, investments, patents, and trademarks, owned or controlled by the resident. Residents will be required to file annual returns by April 15th to report their wealth from the preceding calendar year.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · House May 21, 2025

HB 5145: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL CODE PROVISIONS

HB 5145 amends the existing definitions related to motor vehicles. Specifically, it expands the definition of an "automobile" for registration purposes to include trucks that have a gross vehicle weight of 8,000 pounds or less. This change allows owners of these lighter trucks to obtain passenger registration license plates instead of other types of vehicle registration.

died · Rhode Island · House May 21, 2025

HB 5738: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PERSONAL INCOME TAX

HB 5738 proposes a tax credit for individual taxpayers in Rhode Island who convert their gas-powered vehicles to run on alternative fuels. This credit covers equipment and labor costs incurred for the conversion. Taxpayers can receive up to 50% of these costs, with a maximum credit of $2,000 for lighter vehicles and $3,000 for heavier vehicles. Eligible alternative fuels include natural gas, electricity, hydrogen, and certain other fuel types. The credit cannot exceed the taxpayer's income tax liability and takes effect for the 2026 tax year.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy

Bill results