Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 13, 2025

HB 5870: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- STATE PURCHASES

HB 5870 defines public-private partnerships (PPPs) as long-term contracts where private companies develop, finance, or maintain state-owned assets while bearing significant risk. It requires state agencies to use competitive procurement for PPPs and mandates specific requirements in requests for proposals, including value-for-money analyses, oversight plans, and financial documentation. The bill directs the chief purchasing officer to create rules by July 2026 to encourage PPP use, while ensuring state agencies remain responsible for oversight. It directly affects state agencies making infrastructure or property purchases and private contractors seeking to partner with the government. The law does not change existing procurement rules but provides a formal framework for evaluating and implementing PPPs.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 13, 2025

HB 5727: AN ACT RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Requires the director of the Rhode Island emergency management agency and the Rhode Island commerce commission to develop and implement a plan to assist businesses in obtaining flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance program.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 13, 2025

HB 5456: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND COMMERCE CORPORATION

Requires a seventy-five percent (75%) supermajority vote by the board of directors to establish a quorum and to approve any action taken by the commerce corporation.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 13, 2025

HB 5817: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT AND INVESTMENT ACT

HB 5817 establishes the "2025 Rhode Island Broadband Transparency and Consumer Protection Act" by repealing state regulations on VoIP and internet protocol services while creating a statewide broadband mapping requirement. The bill requires Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to submit data on service speeds, technology types, and coverage to the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, which must maintain an updated public map showing broadband availability across all areas. This map will identify underserved regions and guide infrastructure planning, with state agencies obligated to provide supporting data. The law directly affects ISPs (through data reporting), state agencies (through data sharing), and Rhode Island residents (by targeting broadband expansion to unconnected communities).

Topics ✓ Technology

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 13, 2025

HB 5729: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- MISCELLANEOUS RULES

HB 5729 amends a state law to explicitly prohibit depositing or blowing grass or grass clippings onto highways or roadways. This directly affects homeowners, landscapers, and property owners who mow lawns near roads, as they can no longer blow clippings onto public thoroughfares. The bill adds grass/grass clippings to an existing list of prohibited debris like glass, nails, and cans, which are deemed hazardous to drivers or pedestrians. Violations carry fines under existing penalty provisions. The change aims to improve road safety and cleanliness by preventing lawn debris from becoming a hazard.

Topics ✓ Transportation

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 13, 2025

HB 5858: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS

HB 5858 clarifies and expands the prescribing authority of certified midwives (CNMs/CMs) in maternal and child health care. It authorizes licensed midwives to prescribe specific medications directly related to their practice, including prenatal vitamins, emergency drugs like epinephrine for anaphylaxis, magnesium sulfate for seizures, and common treatments like antibiotics for infections. The bill directly affects certified midwives and their patients, particularly in settings involving prenatal care, labor, delivery, and postpartum care. It does not create new programs but formalizes existing midwifery scope under state health department oversight, requiring midwives to prescribe within their training and department guidelines. The bill would take effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 13, 2025

SB 573: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC RECORDS -- ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS

Amends the definition of public record to exempt from public disclosure the city or town of residence of the justices, judges, and magistrates of the unified judicial system.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 13, 2025

HB 5553: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- UNFAIR SALES PRACTICES

Provides that stores offering food product discounts must provide the same discounts to in store customers that are offered to customers using electronic digital coupons.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 13, 2025

HB 5551: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW--GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- UNIT PRICING

Provides that an electronic shelving label by itself would not satisfy the disclosure and display requirements for unit pricing by way of the attachment of a stamp, tag or label to the commodity.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 13, 2025

SB 116: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- BENEFIT DETERMINATION AND UTILIZATION REVIEW ACT

Limits the use by insurers of step therapy, a protocol that establishes a specific sequence in which prescription drugs for a specified medical condition are covered by an insurer, by allowing medical providers to request step therapy exceptions.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 13, 2025

HB 5728: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- NONTRANSPARENT WINDSHIELDS AND WINDOWS

This bill sets standards for vehicle window tinting by requiring front side windows and rear windows to allow at least 32% light transmittance when sunscreens are applied. It mandates that installers affix a small label on the front window showing the transmittance percentage and their name. Key exemptions include law enforcement vehicles, vehicles with federal safety compliance, medical exemptions for drivers with specific vision needs, and certain commercial vehicles equipped with rearview mirrors. The law directly affects vehicle owners, installers, and drivers using tinted windows, ensuring visibility standards for road safety.

Topics ✓ Transportation

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 13, 2025

SB 539: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- DISTRICT COURT PRACTICE

SB 539 amends filing fees required to appeal certain district court decisions. It mandates a $50 attorney fee for all civil appeals (paid to the opposing party's lawyer) plus a $75 filing fee (including processing and technology fees), with a minimum $25 in other costs. Landlord-tenant cases get a longer 5-day appeal window (including weekends/holidays) versus the standard 2-day window for other civil appeals. The changes apply to all parties appealing district court judgments and take effect January 1, 2026.

Bill results