Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 2697: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- REAL ESTATE CONVEYANCE TAX

Allows a municipality to set its own conveyance tax rate for residential properties sold in excess of $900,000.00 at $10 per $500. Provides collected taxes to be in a restricted account and distributed within 2 years for affordable housing.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 2691: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING

Eliminates mandated housing densities/density bonuses for public drinking water supply watersheds/groundwater. Requires densities not exceed water availability, introduce pollution, stay within public water or sewer system capacity limits.

Topics ✓ Environment ✗ Housing

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 26, 2026

HB 8047: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- DECISIONS, SPECIAL FINDINGS AND ASSESSMENT OF DAMAGES

HB 8047 adds the doctrine of "assumption of risk" to the state's comparative negligence law. This means defendants in civil negligence cases could argue that a plaintiff knowingly and voluntarily accepted a specific risk of harm. The bill would directly affect individuals filing or defending against personal injury lawsuits by changing how fault is assessed in cases involving known dangers. It is a substantive legal change to civil procedure, not a procedural or commemorative measure. The bill was introduced on February 27, 2026, and referred to the House Judiciary Committee.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 26, 2026

HB 8102: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- CAPACITY TO HOLD REAL ESTATE

Precludes a legal entity from owning property whose value is over $25,000,000. If the property value exceeds $25,000,000, then the entity must divest a graduated yearly amount over the next 10 years, until value is less than $25,000,000.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 26, 2026

HB 7981: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- RANKED CHOICE VOTING

HB 7981 establishes ranked choice voting (RCV) for municipal elections in jurisdictions where voters approve a charter amendment. It directly affects municipalities that adopt charter changes through voter approval, requiring RCV to be used in subsequent municipal elections. The bill's key mechanism is automatic implementation: once a municipality's charter amendment passes with voter support, RCV becomes the default voting method for local elections. This applies to all municipal elections held under the new charter, without requiring additional legislative action. The bill is currently in the early stage of the legislative process, having been introduced on February 27, 2026.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 26, 2026

HB 8051: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- CAUSES OF ACTION

Tolls the statute of limitations for causes of action arising out of business activities conducted in this state by a person or entity required to register with the secretary of state but failing to do so, until such person or entity becomes registered.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 26, 2026

HB 7522: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- MUNICIPAL STREETLIGHT INVESTMENT ACT

HB 7522 permits the Quonset Development Corporation to own, maintain, and control all streetlights within the Quonset Business Park, resolving current ownership uncertainty. It allows the Corporation to acquire streetlights currently owned by electric companies or municipalities, requiring compensation as outlined in existing law. The bill amends Rhode Island's Municipal Streetlight Investment Act to specifically grant this authority for the Quonset Business Park. This change aims to streamline maintenance and improve safety for pedestrians and drivers in the area.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 26, 2026

HB 7519: AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF STATE ROADS

HB 7519 clarifies that roads within Rhode Island's Quonset Business Park are public roads managed solely by the Quonset Development Corporation (QDC), resolving ownership uncertainty. The bill amends state highway laws to establish QDC as the sole authority responsible for maintaining these roads, including installing traffic controls and enforcing safety regulations. This directly affects the Quonset Business Park's road network and shifts management from the state to QDC under existing legal authority. The bill does not change the roads' status as public infrastructure but specifies QDC's exclusive operational control.

Topics ✓ Transportation

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 2035: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

SB 2035 requires that accessory dwelling units (ADUs) be allowed without special approval only if the property is owner-occupied and the owner has resided there for at least five years. This directly affects property owners seeking to build ADUs, as they must meet the 5-year residency requirement before ADUs can be permitted by right. The bill also sets uniform standards, including minimum size requirements (e.g., 900 sq. ft. for one-bedroom ADUs), prohibits excessive fees or discriminatory restrictions, and bans ADUs for short-term rentals. It ensures municipalities cannot impose additional lot requirements or restrict ADUs based on income unless part of specific affordable housing programs.

Topics ✗ Housing

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 2122: 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 · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 2146: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- PEER-TO-PEER CAR SHARING PROGRAM ACT

SB 2146 creates a regulatory framework for peer-to-peer car sharing through apps (like Turo), requiring specific insurance coverage for rentals. It directly affects users who rent vehicles via these apps and owners who list their cars for rent. The bill prescribes minimum insurance standards to cover liability during rentals, ensuring both renters and vehicle owners have protection under the program.

Topics ✓ Transportation

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 26, 2026

HB 7232: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- RHODE ISLAND FUSION VOTING ACT

HB 7232 establishes fusion voting in Rhode Island, allowing candidates to run as nominees of multiple political parties for the same office. Candidates must formally accept each party's nomination in writing, and ballots will display their name under each participating party line. Voters can select the candidate using any party line they appear on, with all votes combined into a single total for the candidate. This directly affects candidates seeking multi-party nominations and voters casting ballots in elections for state and local offices. The bill requires ballot designs and voting equipment to clearly display fusion voting options while preventing duplicate votes.

Bill results