Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 1, 2025

SB 570: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SPEED RESTRICTIONS -- SCHOOL BUS SPEED LIMIT

SB 570 proposes to establish a new speed restriction specifically for school buses. The bill mandates that school buses operating on a limited access highway must not exceed a speed that is ten miles per hour below the posted speed limit. This change directly affects school bus drivers and aims to regulate their speed on such roadways. The act would take effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Transportation

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 1, 2025

SB 726: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- PARTITION

SB 726 creates a specific legal process for dividing "heirs property," which is real estate inherited by multiple family members as co-owners. When a court considers dividing such property, it must first determine its fair market value, often through an appraisal. The bill then introduces a "buyout" option, allowing co-owners who wish to keep the property to purchase the shares of those who want to sell, based on the determined value. It also updates how notice is given to absent or unknown owners in these cases, including requiring a sign to be posted on the property.

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 1, 2025

SB 607: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- NURSES

Senate Bill 607 amends existing laws related to the regulation of nurses and speech-language pathologists/audiologists. For nurses, the bill clarifies the rules for recent graduates to practice temporarily under supervision while awaiting their licensing exam results, requiring licensure within 90 days of graduation. It also refines conditions for out-of-state nurses who are temporarily practicing in the state. For speech-language pathologists and audiologists, the bill updates certain definitions, such as for "audiology support personnel," to align with current regulatory language. These changes aim to provide clarity and update professional licensing requirements.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 1, 2025

SB 30: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- POSTSECONDARY TUITION ASSISTANCE FOR SHORTAGE TEACHING FIELDS

This bill establishes a postsecondary tuition assistance program in Rhode Island for individuals pursuing teaching degrees in "shortage teaching fields," such as middle and high school science and mathematics. Administered by the Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner, the program provides funds for tuition, room, board, mandatory fees, and other costs of attending a Rhode Island postsecondary institution. To qualify, recipients must commit to completing at least three years of full-time teaching in a designated shortage field within the state. If this service requirement is not fulfilled, the tuition assistance converts into a loan that must be repaid by the individual. The program is open to both Rhode Island residents and non-residents and does not require SAT or AP scores for admission to the teaching program.

Topics ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · House May 1, 2025

HB 6248: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES-TAX DEFERRAL PROGRAM

HB 6248 allows city and town councils to adopt a property tax deferral program for eligible senior citizens, disabled citizens, and disabled veterans who own and occupy a single-family home. Under the program, property taxes can be postponed until the property is sold or all qualified owners die. The deferred taxes, along with 6% annual interest, will constitute a lien against the real estate. Homes with reverse mortgages or less than twenty percent equity are not eligible for this deferral.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 1, 2025

SB 574: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- MOTOR VEHICLE OFFENSES

Provides that a hearing required before a judge or magistrate may adjudge a motorist in contempt for failure to comply with the court's orders regarding a conditional hardship license, and defines penalties for violation of a hardship/interlock order.

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 1, 2025

SB 210: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- CERTIFICATES OF TITLE AND SECURITY INTERESTS

Allows on and after September 1, 2025, 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 May 1, 2025

HB 6139: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RHODE ISLAND PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP

Makes students in workforce-ready certificate programs at the Community College of Rhode Island eligible to receive the Rhode Island Promise Scholarship.

Topics ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · House May 1, 2025

HB 6048: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- VIDEO LOTTERY GAMES, TABLE GAMES AND SPORTS WAGERING

Effective 7/1/2026, the state lottery division of gaming stops renewing any existing sports wagering vendor contract. Prior to the expiration of any existing contracts the division shall issue an open invitation for applicants for sports wagering vendors.

died · Rhode Island · House May 1, 2025

HB 6249: AN ACT IN AMENDMENT OF AN ACT PASSED AT THE JANUARY SESSION A.D. 1942 ENTITLED "AN ACT TO INCORPORATE THE WESTERN COVENTRY FIRE DISTRICT"

Amends the public law incorporating Western Coventry Fire District to require a referendum & affirmative vote of the fire district electors prior to any merge/consolidation of the district with any other district or with the fire department of Coventry.

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 1, 2025

SB 503: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING

SB 503, "AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING," seeks to amend existing definitions related to low and moderate-income housing. The bill modifies criteria for what qualifies as "low- or moderate-income housing" and how units are counted towards a municipality's affordable housing inventory. It specifies that certain mobile or manufactured homes can count as one-half of a unit, and rental properties secured with federal assistance vouchers can count as one whole unit, provided specific conditions are met. This legislation aims to refine the framework for establishing and tracking affordable housing in cities and towns.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 1, 2025

SB 518: AN ACT CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE IMPACT AND POTENTIAL ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF BAIL REFORMS ON BLACK RHODE ISLANDERS AND THE STATE

Creates an 11 member commission to analyze the impact and potential economic benefits of bail reforms on Black Rhode Islanders, and would report back by February 5, 2026, and expire on April 5, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill results