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Rhode Island Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress

All 25,118 Active 7,678 In committee 7,673 Passed 5,630 Signed 4,797 Failed 6,972

died · Rhode Island · House May 6, 2025

HR 6186: HOUSE RESOLUTION CREATING A TASK FORCE TO STUDY AND DEFINE THE TERM "HOUSEBOAT"

House Resolution 6186 establishes a special Task Force in Rhode Island to study and define the term "houseboat." This Task Force will examine existing definitions found in state laws, environmental regulations, and United States Coast Guard classifications due to current inconsistencies. It will consist of representatives from various bodies, including the House of Representatives, the Department of Environmental Management, the Coastal Resources Management Council, marine trade associations, municipal harbor commissions, and the U.S. Coast Guard. The Task Force is required to meet at least four times and deliver a final report with recommendations for a standardized definition to the Speaker of the House by January 31, 2026.

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 6, 2025

SB 898: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- HEALTHCARE WORKER PLATFORM ACT

SB 898, known as the "Healthcare Worker Platform Act," establishes a new category for electronic platforms that connect healthcare workers with available shifts at healthcare facilities. This act specifically excludes these "healthcare worker platforms" from being classified as "nursing service agencies." It requires the Department of Health to create regulations by June 1, 2026, for the registration of these platforms operating within the state. The registration requirements for these platforms cannot exceed those already set for nursing service agencies.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 6, 2025

SB 212: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORDS AND TENANT ACT -- JUST CAUSE EVICTIONS

SB 212 amends the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to establish "just cause" eviction requirements for residential tenancies. This bill prevents landlords from removing tenants or refusing to renew leases without a court order based on specific "good cause" grounds. It directly affects residential landlords and tenants. Exemptions include owner-occupied premises with fewer than four units and situations where the sublessor seeks possession for personal use. One specified ground for good cause is a tenant's failure to pay rent, unless the rent increase was unreasonable.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 6, 2025

SB 446: AN ACT RELATING TO CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM -- 2026 BOND REFERENDA

Submits 2026 capital development program requesting the issuance of $100,000,000 in general obligation bonds to the voters for approval at the November, 2026, general election.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 6, 2025

SB 738: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Grants tenants that are the victim of various forms of abuse, including, but not limited to, sexual and domestic abuse and stalking, the right to terminate a lease agreement early without penalty or liability for rent.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 6, 2025

SB 886: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARD

SB 886 amends Rhode Island's Renewable Energy Standard, which sets requirements for electricity providers (obligated entities) to source power from renewable resources for their Rhode Island customers. The bill extends the target year for achieving 100% of Rhode Island's electricity demand from renewable energy from 2033 to 2043. It revises the annual percentage increases for renewable energy procurement to align with this new timeline. The bill also details methods for compliance, including the use of NE-GIS certificates or alternative compliance payments, and provides specific exemptions for certain existing power supply contracts.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 6, 2025

SB 94: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

Senate Bill 94 (SB 94) proposes to exempt the retail sale of beer and malt beverages from sales and use tax. If enacted, this bill would mean that consumers purchasing these products would no longer pay sales tax on them. Retailers selling beer and malt beverages would also no longer be required to collect sales tax on these specific items.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 6, 2025

SB 580: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Limits rent increases to no more than 4% annually unless the landlord is granted exemption by the secretary of housing. Provides tenants with a civil action to recover damages, including award of attorneys' fees and punitive damages, for any violations.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 6, 2025

SB 254: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- HEALTH CARE FOR CHILDREN AND PREGNANT WOMEN

Would provide children up to age three (3) with continuous coverage eligibility for RIte Track/RIte Care so that they are not at risk of losing coverage at the yearly redetermination due solely to administrative barriers.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 6, 2025

SB 511: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Removes the five (5) year waiting period for filing a motion to seal an eviction court file. It also deletes the numerical limitation on filing seal requests.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 6, 2025

SB 423: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

SB 423, titled "The Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act," establishes a new state funding category specifically for civics education. This bill amends existing law to provide direct state financial support to public school districts for the purpose of enhancing civics instruction. This new categorical funding aims to ensure dedicated resources are available for civics programs for students.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 6, 2025

SB 285: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- CONSUMER CREDIT HISTORY EMPLOYMENT PROTECTION ACT -- DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES

Prohibits employers from seeking/using credit reports in making hiring decisions concerning prospective employees, asking questions about the applicant's financial past during interviews or including credit history questions in their job applications.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology