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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 · Senate Apr 10, 2025

SB 797: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- HOMELESS BILL OF RIGHTS

Updates the Homeless Bill of Rights to add rules governing encampments, including the right to clean and sanitary conditions and impose penalties for violations of the rights set forth in this chapter in the amount of $500 per violation.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 10, 2025

SB 528: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- RIGHT-OF-WAY

Amends the general law relative to right-of-way of pedestrians to reference the schedule of violations for the adjudication of traffic offenses contained in § 31-41.1-4.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 10, 2025

HB 5767: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- RELIEF OF INJURED AND DECEASED FIRE FIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS

Removes the definition of "totally and permanently disabled" from the general law affording college tuition paid by the state to the spouse and children of active members of the police force who are killed or disabled during duty.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 6059: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- CONSUMER PFAS BAN ACT OF 2024

HB 6059 creates an exemption for consumer products containing PFAS that have been authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as safe for food contact, such as certain cookware. It applies directly to manufacturers and sellers of these FDA-approved products, allowing them to continue selling items with PFAS without violating the Consumer PFAS Ban Act of 2024. The exemption takes effect immediately upon the bill's passage and does not alter the main ban on PFAS in other products, which prohibits manufacturing, selling, or distributing PFAS-containing items starting in 2027 (or 2029 for specific products like artificial turf). This provision ensures FDA-approved food-contact products remain exempt from the ban.

Topics ✗ Environment

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 6108: AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY -- RIGHT TO FARM

Allows backyard chickens throughout the state subject to the provisions of this section and any deed restrictions or neighborhood association by-laws.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 5757: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- STATE TAX OFFICIALS

Caps delinquent tax interest rate at 12%. Prohibits audits beyond 3 years from date of tax filing, 7 years for fraudulent filings, and in no event beyond 10 years from date of filing or required filing date, whichever is later.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 5395: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

HB 5395 allows vehicle owners to challenge the valuation used to calculate sales tax when registering a motor vehicle in this state. It directly affects anyone registering a vehicle, as they can now dispute whether the tax is based on the National Automotive Dealers Association (NADA) book value or the sales price (whichever is higher). The bill requires the tax administrator to create rules for a hearing process where taxpayers can formally appeal the valuation. This change gives vehicle owners a formal mechanism to correct potential overvaluations before paying the tax. The bill takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 6004: AN ACT RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Provides the general assembly make an annual appropriation of not less than eighty thousand dollars ($80,000) to the Rhode Island emergency management agency to assist with emergency communications during major or multiple emergency incidents.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 5997: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- INSPECTOR GENERAL

Establishes the office of inspector general as an independent administrative agency charged with the responsibility to investigate, detect, and prevent fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the expenditure of public funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 5053: AN ACT RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- NATIONAL GUARD

Raises the amount of life insurance the state provides at no charge to Rhode Island National Guard members called up for federal duty to five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000).

Topics ✓ Veterans

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 6189: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- NON-OWNER OCCUPIED PROPERTY TAX ACT

Imposes a non-owner occupied property tax on residential properties assessed in excess of eight hundred thousand dollars ($800,000) at variable rates dependent on values assessed by local tax assessors.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 5887: AN ACT RELATING TO HOLIDAYS AND DAYS OF SPECIAL OBSERVANCE -- HOLIDAYS

HB 5887 would rename the second Monday in August from "Victory Day" to "Peace and Remembrance Day" in Rhode Island. This change directly affects state holidays observed by government employees and public institutions. The bill repeals a provision prohibiting the use of any name other than "Victory Day" for this holiday. It takes effect upon passage, reflecting a shift from commemorating military victory to emphasizing peace and the civilian impacts of war.