Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 8368: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- GENERAL POWERS -- TOWN OF HOPKINTON MUNICIPAL COURT

Grants the town council of the town of Hopkinton the authority to confer jurisdiction to the municipal court to hear and determine appeals from decisions of the Chief of Police related to the return of seized firearms.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 2490: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- REGISTRATION OF VOTERS

SB 2490 allows Rhode Island residents applying for or renewing hunting or fishing licenses to be automatically registered to vote, with the option to decline. The Department of Environmental Management will offer voter registration forms simultaneously with license applications, ensuring the same assistance level as for licenses, and protects privacy by keeping declined registrations confidential. Completed forms must be sent electronically to the state voter system within one business day, and applicants must be U.S. citizens to register. This process mirrors existing automatic voter registration at the Division of Motor Vehicles.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 2464: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE RHODE ISLAND HEALTH CARE REFORM ACT OF 2004 -- HEALTH INSURANCE OVERSIGHT

SB 2464 requires Rhode Island's health insurance commissioner to produce annual reports on insurer practices, including fee schedules, provider credentialing processes, and data disclosure methods for healthcare facilities. The bill mandates that a professional-provider-health-plan work group (part of an advisory council) compile specific data to help consumers compare quality and costs of care. These reports, due by January 1, 2027, will cover topics like insurance dispute resolution, real-time enrollment verification, and the impact of "silent PPOs" on providers. The legislation directly affects health insurers, medical providers, and consumers by increasing transparency in health insurance operations and pricing.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 7, 2026

HR 7524: HOUSE RESOLUTION RESPECTFULLY URGING THE GOVERNOR TO SUPPORT AND TAKE ACTION TO EXPAND THE NATURAL GAS PIPELINE CAPACITY INTO NEW ENGLAND

HR 7524 is a Rhode Island House resolution urging Governor Daniel McKee to support regional efforts to expand natural gas pipeline capacity into New England. It addresses Rhode Island's heavy reliance on natural gas for electricity (87% of in-state generation) and high energy costs, noting current pipeline capacity limits force reliance on costlier, higher-emission fuels during winter peaks, contributing to residential electricity rates double the national average (32.3¢/kWh vs. 16.4¢/kWh). The resolution does not create new law but formally requests the governor join Northeast governors in advocating for pipeline infrastructure to stabilize energy prices and reduce supply risks. This directly affects Rhode Island residents and ratepayers facing elevated energy costs due to current infrastructure constraints.

Topics ✗ Energy ✓ Environment

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 7565: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING

Changes the residential limit for any substantial multi-family housing project not to exceed forty thousand (40,000) residents according to the United States Census Bureau.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 7675: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- COMPOSTING AND ORGANIC WASTE DIVERSION

HB 7675 establishes a $2-per-ton surcharge on solid waste disposal (paid by waste haulers and landfill operators) to fund composting initiatives. The revenue flows into a dedicated "Compost Fund," which supports three grant programs: competitive grants for composting projects, municipal waste diversion grants (available only to towns that opt-in), and infrastructure development. The bill directly affects waste disposal entities and municipalities, aiming to reduce landfill use by incentivizing organic waste diversion. Key provisions include quarterly surcharge collection starting in 2027, annual adjustments tied to inflation or a 20% increase, and requiring funds to stay within the Compost Fund rather than returning to the general state budget.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 7659: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING

Prohibits contractors from submitting a single application to a local review board seeking a comprehensive permit for housing projects in certain circumstances.

Topics ✗ Housing

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 7610: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

HB 7610 requires Rhode Island's Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and Division of Public Utilities and Carriers (DPUC) to produce a comprehensive study by April 30, 2027, aimed at lowering energy rates for consumers. The study must compare Rhode Island's electric and gas rates with other states, review all state energy programs that increase costs, and identify policies or practices that could be changed to reduce bills. The PUC will use $100,000 in funding to hire consultants and develop a research plan, including recommendations for transparent "energy notes" on future legislation affecting costs. This bill directly affects Rhode Island residents who pay energy bills by directing state agencies to investigate cost-reduction strategies.

Topics ✓ Energy

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 7612: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- TERMINATION OF SERVICE TO PERSONS WHO ARE DISABLED, SERIOUSLY ILL, OR IN ARREARS OF PAYMENT

Extends the forbearance of utility terminations for customers with serious illness certifications and would amend various provisions related to the termination of utility services for persons who are disabled, seriously ill, or in arrears.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 2590: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- PRIMARIES FOR ELECTION OF DELEGATES TO NATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND FOR PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE

Spells out rules and regulations for the presidential preference primary elections, and would also establish rules for ranked choice voting tabulation and results reporting by the secretary of state.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 2619: AN ACT RELATING TO CORPORATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS, AND PARTNERSHIPS -- RHODE ISLAND CORPORATE POWER RESET ACT

SB 2619 would prevent corporations, associations, and partnerships (including those formed outside Rhode Island but operating within it) from spending money or other resources to influence state elections or ballot measures. The bill revokes any implied legal authority for these entities to engage in political spending and explicitly states that such activity is not part of their granted business powers. Any political spending by these entities would be void and unenforceable, with no ability to ratify or validate such actions. The bill does not affect individual voters, the state government, or political committees already regulated under election laws.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 2567: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- UNIVERSAL AND UNIFIED HEALTHCARE SYSTEM ACT

SB 2567 establishes a universal single-payer healthcare system called "RICare" for all Rhode Island residents, replacing the current multi-insurer model with a publicly administered system funded through state taxes. It aims to guarantee universal access to primary and preventive care while reducing administrative costs and medical debt by consolidating payments into one system. Key provisions include creating a RICare Board, defining healthcare terms, and requiring coordination with state agencies to implement the system after securing federal approval. The bill is currently in early stages (introduced February 2026, referred to Senate Health Committee) and does not specify funding details or timelines for full implementation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Bill results