Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · House May 7, 2026

HB 8198: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

This bill proposes imposing a sales tax on digital advertising services, such as online display ads or social media promotions. It directly affects digital advertising companies that sell these services to businesses, requiring them to collect the tax from buyers and remit it to the state. The key mechanism is adding digital advertising to the state's existing sales tax framework, treating it similarly to other taxable services. The bill is currently in the introduction phase, having been referred to the House Finance committee on February 27, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · House May 7, 2026

HB 8199: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

HB 8199 creates a temporary sales tax holiday for qualifying items on August 8 and 9, 2026. During this period, retailers will not collect sales tax on eligible purchases. The bill directly affects consumers making purchases during those dates and retailers who would normally collect sales tax. This provision exempts specific items from state sales tax for two days, though the abstract does not specify which items qualify.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · House May 7, 2026

HB 8149: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SIZE, WEIGHT, AND LOAD LIMITS

HB 8149 specifies how fines collected from overweight vehicle violations are distributed to state and local governments. It does not change weight limits or enforcement rules but establishes a mechanism for allocating penalty payments. The key provision directs that these funds be distributed to state and local governments, affecting their budgets. This bill, introduced in February 2026, focuses solely on the financial handling of existing penalties.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 2049: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT

Establishes a program within the adult correctional institution to permit medication assisted treatment approved by the FDA to be provided for the treatment of opioid use disorder to any incarcerated individual.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 2051: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- LILA MANFIELD SAPINSLEY COMPASSIONATE CARE ACT

Establishes the process to provide a legal mechanism whereby a terminally ill patient may choose to end their life using medications prescribed by a physician.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House May 7, 2026

HB 7058: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

HB 7058 exempts scalp hair prostheses and wigs necessary due to medical conditions from the state's sales tax. This directly affects individuals experiencing hair loss from medical issues, such as cancer treatment or alopecia, who purchase these items. The bill amends tax code sections to explicitly include these prosthetic devices under existing medical exemptions, removing the sales tax burden. This is a concrete policy change that simplifies access to medically necessary hair replacement products without altering broader tax structures.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 2105: AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- RELOCATION OF UTILITY SERVICES

SB 2105 requires the state to reimburse utility companies and local governments for costs related to relocating utility lines (like power or water) when highway projects need them moved. Private utility companies receive 50% reimbursement for relocation costs, while municipalities and public entities receive full reimbursement. This applies only to highway projects eligible for federal funding, and reimbursement is limited to actual relocation expenses - not improvements or "betterment." The bill mandates that relocations must meet state-set deadlines and design standards to qualify for payment.

Topics ✓ Transportation

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 2250: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- STATE AID

Reinstates general revenue sharing of state aid among the 39 cities and towns in Rhode Island. The initial amount is based upon population, and increased annually thereafter based on the increase in the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 2267: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- BED BUGS IN RESIDENTIAL PREMISES ACT

SB 2267 requires tenants to promptly notify landlords in writing or electronically if they suspect bed bugs in their unit. Landlords must arrange for a pest control inspection within 96 hours, cover all inspection and treatment costs (including adjacent units if infested), and provide 48 hours' notice before entering for inspections or treatments. Tenants must allow access and prepare their unit for treatment, but are not required to pay for inspections or treatments unless they unreasonably refuse cooperation. The bill also prohibits landlords from renting out units known to have bed bugs. This directly affects renters and residential property owners in rental housing.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 2271: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Limits rent increases to no more than 4% annually unless the landlord is granted an exemption by secretary of housing, and provides tenants with civil action to recover damages, including award of attorneys' fees and punitive damages, for any violations.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 2262: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Requires effective January 1, 2027, that upon the execution of a lease agreement for a mobile and manufactured homes in a mobile and manufactured home park, a complete copy of the lease be provided to the tenant within ten (10) days of execution.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · House May 7, 2026

HB 7271: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- COOPERATIVE SERVICE AMONG SCHOOL DISTRICTS

HB 7271 amends Rhode Island law to establish a board of trustees governing the urban collaborative, a cooperative group of school districts including Providence. The bill requires each participating district to appoint board members based on student enrollment (one per district plus one additional per 30 students), with non-binding candidate suggestions from the collaborative board. It shifts funding so state education aid flows directly to the collaborative, while requiring local districts to cover any shortfall until funding transitions are complete. The bill also ensures Providence Public Schools cannot terminate their participation in the collaborative during state oversight without approval from the Providence school board, protecting existing student access.

Topics ✓ Education

Bill results