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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

Bill results

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 9, 2025

SB 91: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- BUILDING DECARBONIZATION ACT OF 2024

SB 91, the Building Decarbonization Act of 2024, requires owners of large commercial and residential buildings (over 25,000 square feet) to benchmark energy use and meet future emissions standards. It establishes an Environmental Justice Advisory Board to help implement these rules and mandates that new buildings be "electric-ready" to support cleaner energy use. The law applies directly to building owners of qualifying properties, including multi-unit residential complexes and commercial spaces, while excluding public facilities and federal buildings. Key provisions include standardized energy reporting, performance targets, and dedicated funding to support compliance, aiming to reduce building emissions in line with Rhode Island’s 2050 net-zero goal.
Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates emissions standards for large buildings, requires 'electric-ready' new construction, and promotes cleaner energy use to advance decarbonization, aligning with renewable energy and efficiency indicators.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires emissions standards for large buildings, mandates electric-ready construction, and establishes environmental justice board to reduce emissions and promote clean energy use.95% confidence
Bob Britto (D) Meghan Kallman (D) Mark McKenney (D) Hanna Gallo (D) Bridget Valverde (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 9, 2025

SB 857: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- HOLIDAY BUSINESS

Provides all employees of retail establishments with 15 or more employees engaged in work during Sundays or holidays shall receive from their employer no less than time and a half and shall be guaranteed at least a minimum of four (4) hours employment.
Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates time-and-a-half pay and 4-hour minimum for Sunday/holiday retail work, strengthening wage protections for employees.95% confidence
Brian Thompson (D) Lou Raptakis (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 9, 2025

SB 641: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- STATE PURCHASES -- LEAD BY EXAMPLE ACT

Takes several measures to lead by example by banning state purchases of plastic bottles, and requires state funds to be used to lease or purchase electric vehicles and renewable energy efficient technologies for use on state property.
Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires state funds for renewable energy tech and EVs, directly advancing clean energy infrastructure adoption in public operations.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans state plastic bottle purchases and mandates EVs/renewable energy use, directly reducing pollution and promoting clean energy conservation.95% confidence
Meghan Kallman (D) Lou DiPalma (D) Bridget Valverde (D) Linda Ujifusa (D) Alana DiMario (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 9, 2025

SB 24: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- HIGH HEAT WASTE FACILITY ACT

SB 24 prohibits the licensing of new high-heat waste facilities in Rhode Island, including incinerators, gasification plants, and advanced recycling facilities that use heat above 400°F to process waste. It directly affects developers and operators seeking to build or operate such facilities, blocking new permits and licenses. The bill defines "high-heat waste facilities" broadly to cover processes like incineration, pyrolysis, and chemical recycling of plastics or waste materials. This is a concrete policy change that would prevent new facilities from being constructed or operated, pending legislative action. The bill is currently under review by the Senate Environment and Agriculture Committee.
Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits high-heat waste facilities (incinerators, pyrolysis) that emit pollution, directly reducing environmental harm from waste processing.95% confidence
Ryan Pearson (D) Meghan Kallman (D) Sam Zurier (D) Bridget Valverde (D) Linda Ujifusa (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 9, 2025

SB 864: AN ACT RELATING TO FISH AND WILDLIFE -- HUNTING AND HUNTING SAFETY--WILDLIFE KILLING CONTEST

SB 864 bans wildlife killing contests - where participants compete to kill animals for cash, prizes, or other incentives - on both public and private lands in the state. It directly affects organizers, sponsors, and participants of such contests, including businesses or groups hosting them. The bill allows exceptions for authorized wildlife damage control, field trials, and standard hunting/trapping activities under existing laws. Violators face fines starting at $500 for individuals and $1,000 for businesses, with higher penalties for repeat offenses.
Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans wildlife killing contests harming ecosystems, directly protecting natural resources and aligning with conservation goals under environmental protection.95% confidence
Bob Britto (D) Mark McKenney (D) Pete Appollonio (D)
died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2025

HB 5840: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- ESTABLISHMENT OF CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Requires all certified independent or district charter schools upon application for a renewal of said charter or an application for a new charter school to provide a union neutrality clause in the charter.
Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires union neutrality clauses in charter school charters, supporting teachers' right to organize and strengthening educator advocacy within school governance.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires union neutrality clauses in charter school charters, directly supporting collective bargaining rights for educators under Labor & Employment.95% confidence
Stephen Casey (D) Tina Spears (D) Bill O'Brien (D) Megan Cotter (D) Julie Casimiro (D)
died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2025

HB 5843: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- REGIONAL VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS

HB 5843 requires school districts providing career and technical education (CTE) or pathways programs to students from other districts (receiving districts) to report student status quarterly to the student's home district (sending district). It adjusts cost-sharing so home districts only pay the actual cost charged by the receiving district for education services (not their own higher per-pupil expenditure), and limits transportation payments to the actual cost of transporting the student. The bill directly affects school districts and students enrolled in out-of-district CTE or pathways programs. It takes effect on July 1, 2025, aiming to improve communication and clarify financial responsibilities between districts.
Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdjusts cost-sharing to prevent home districts from overpaying, ensuring equitable funding for CTE programs without increasing financial burdens on participating districts.85% confidence
Joseph Solomon (D) David Bennett (D) Marie Hopkins (R) Evan Shanley (D) Joseph McNamara (D)
died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2025

HB 6174: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PROTECTIONS OF HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS ACT

Provides that the prescription label for medication abortion prescription drugs shall include the name of the dispensing health care practice instead of the name of the dispenser.
Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates healthcare practice name on abortion drug labels, protecting provider identity per title 'PROTECTIONS OF HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS ACT'95% confidence
Susan Donovan (D) Lauren Carson (D) Jennifer Boylan (D) Megan Cotter (D) Carol McEntee (D)
died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2025

HB 5126: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- PRICE GOUGING OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS PROHIBITED

HB 5126 prohibits price gouging for "vital drugs" (medications treating serious or life-threatening conditions with no alternative supply) during declared market shortages or emergencies. It makes it a felony to charge unreasonably excessive prices - defined as a gross disparity from pre-shortage average prices - to take unfair advantage of supply shortages. Sellers face up to five years in prison or a $10,000 fine for violations, with penalties applying daily for ongoing offenses. The law excludes normal market price fluctuations and requires the attorney general to assess pricing based on pre-shortage rates and cost factors. It applies only during governor- or president-declared emergencies for six months max.
Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits price gouging on vital drugs during shortages, ensuring affordability and access to essential medications for patients during emergencies.95% confidence
Leo Felix (D) Jennifer Stewart (D) Raymond Hull (D) John Lombardi (D)
Showing 2,317 to 2,328 of 6,972 bills
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