Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 25, 2025

HR 5086: JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE, PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE -- FOUR YEAR TERMS FOR REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS

Proposes an amendment to the State Constitution, Article IV, Section 1, that would allow four (4) year terms for general assembly members, commencing with the 2028 election.

Karen Alzate (D) Mike Chippendale (R) Joseph Solomon (D) Bob Phillips (D) Jay Edwards (D)

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 25, 2025

HB 5275: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- PRIMARY ELECTIONS--GENERAL ASSEMBLY OFFICES--RANKED CHOICE VOTING

HB 5275 would implement ranked choice voting (RCV) in primary elections for state representative and state senator when three or more candidates run. Voters would rank candidates in order of preference (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.) instead of choosing just one candidate. If no candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated in rounds, with their votes transferred to the next-ranked candidate on each ballot until one candidate achieves a majority. This change applies only to general assembly primary elections, not general elections, and takes effect January 1, 2026.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 25, 2025

HR 5734: JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE -- LINE ITEM VETO

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment granting the governor a line-item veto specifically on state budget and appropriation bills. If passed, the governor could reject individual budget items (like specific funding amounts or program conditions) while approving the rest of the bill, rather than vetoing the entire budget. The legislature would then need to separately reconsider each rejected item with a three-fifths vote to override. This change would shift budget approval power between the governor and legislature, directly affecting how state spending bills are processed. The amendment requires voter approval at the next statewide election before taking effect.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 25, 2025

HB 5519: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- AGREEMENT AMONG THE STATES TO ELECT THE PRESIDENT BY NATIONAL POPULAR VOTE

Repeals authorizing Rhode Island to join an interstate compact, which would allow Presidents and Vice Presidents to be elected by a national popular vote rather than the electoral college.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 25, 2025

HB 5277: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- PRIMARY ELECTIONS

HB 5277 proposes replacing traditional political party primaries with a unified "primary general election" for all state and municipal offices. This new system would require voters to select two candidates per office (or four for two vacancies) in a single primary, with the top vote-getters advancing to the general election ballot. Candidates would retain their party designation on ballots but could not change it after the primary, and the general election ballot order would mirror the primary results. The bill directly affects all candidates running for elected office and aims to streamline the nomination process by eliminating separate party primaries.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 25, 2025

HB 5276: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- PRIMARIES FOR ELECTION OF DELEGATES TO NATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND FOR PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE

Establishes the Ranked Choice Voting for Rhode Island Presidential Primaries and provides for new sections on ranked choice voting tabulation and results reporting.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 25, 2025

HB 5902: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- ESTATES IN REAL PROPERTY

HB 5902 prohibits property owners from including restrictions that prevent grocery stores or supermarkets from operating on land designated for selling fresh food for off-premises consumption. It allows exceptions only if a closed store relocates within one-half mile within one year, maintains similar product offerings, and meets specific timing requirements. Existing agreements made before the law's effective date remain valid. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage and applies to new property agreements.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 25, 2025

HB 5673: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- POLICE OFFICERS -- COMMISSION ON STANDARDS AND TRAINING

HB 5673 creates a certification program at municipal police academies to recognize candidates who have worked full-time as sworn law enforcement officers for at least one year. To qualify, candidates must have training comparable to state standards and no more than an eight-year gap since their last sworn law enforcement position. The program allows municipal academies to certify these candidates without requiring full retraining. This directly affects municipal police departments and officers seeking certification through their local academy. The bill establishes clear criteria for eligibility but does not change existing hiring or training requirements.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 25, 2025

HB 5656: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- GAMBLING AND LOTTERIES

Allows social gaming in private residences and in public taverns or private clubs as long as the gambling is incidental to a bona fide social relationship between the participants and no person other than the participants receive anything of value.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 25, 2025

HB 5671: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- COMPUTER CRIME

Makes it unnecessary to prove that a person’s transmission of electronic communications be for the sole purpose of harassment before being found guilty of cyberstalking or cyberharrassment.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 25, 2025

HB 5659: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READERS

Provides for municipal and state police authorities to acquire and to utilize automated license plate readers. Further, the act identifies what data may be collected and in what ways the data can be used.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 25, 2025

HB 6026: AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- UNIFORM CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT

Amends the uniform controlled substances act and reclassifies simple possession of 28 grams or less of certain controlled substances as a misdemeanor.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill results