Rhode Island Bills

passed · Rhode Island · House May 1, 2026

HB 7572: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- CONDUCT OF ELECTION AND VOTING EQUIPMENT, AND SUPPLIES

HB 7572 extends a 50-foot buffer zone around polling places that restricts political campaigning to include early voting locations, not just election day voting. This affects voters, candidates, and election officials by limiting political materials and displays near all voting sites. The key provision amends existing law to explicitly add "early voting" to the prohibition against distributing political materials or wearing campaign buttons within 50 feet of voting entrances. The change applies immediately upon passage and makes no other policy shifts.

Mike Chippendale (R) Pat Serpa (D) Brian Kennedy (D) Brandon Potter (D) David Place (R)

passed · Rhode Island · House May 1, 2026

HB 8087: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- SEARCH WARRANTS

Dictates the length a search warrant involving a tracking device would be valid and provide a process to extend the time frame of the tracking device for good cause.

passed · Rhode Island · House May 1, 2026

HB 7032: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- STUDENT COMPUTER DEVICE PRIVACY

Prohibits an educational institution or school district from accessing or using location data for tracking a student's institutional device or personal device, except in limited circumstances.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Technology

passed · Rhode Island · House May 1, 2026

HB 7008: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PARKING FACILITIES AND PRIVILEGES

Includes the governor's commission on disabilities in the decision making process for the disability parking enforcement enhancement program and requires an annual report be submitted to the governor's commission.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Rhode Island · House May 1, 2026

HB 7378: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- LOCAL CANVASSING AUTHORITIES

HB 7378 requires local election boards to provide clearer voter information about ballot questions, early voting, and registration deadlines. It mandates posting local ballot questions (including bond costs and project details for financial measures) in public spaces, in local newspapers, or via mailed notices to households, and publishing all details on municipal websites for 25 days before elections. The bill also requires early voting locations and hours to be advertised in newspapers and posted online throughout the voting period, with accessibility compliance. These changes directly affect local election boards and voters by standardizing how election information is delivered.

passed · Rhode Island · House Apr 30, 2026

HR 8492: HOUSE RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING THE FIRST SATURDAY IN MAY AS "RHODE ISLAND LABYRINTH DAY" AND RECOGNIZING MAY 2, 2026, AS "WORLD LABYRINTH DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

This bill is a ceremonial resolution that designates the first Saturday in May as "Rhode Island Labyrinth Day" and recognizes May 2, 2026, as "World Labyrinth Day" within the state. It encourages residents to visit existing labyrinths for walking meditation and mindfulness at 1:00 p.m. to promote well-being and community connection. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to local labyrinth organizations and a specific representative. As a commemorative measure, the bill does not alter laws or create new funding but serves to acknowledge the tradition of labyrinth walking in Rhode Island.

passed · Rhode Island · House Apr 30, 2026

HR 8493: HOUSE RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING APRIL 30, 2026, AS "NATIONAL THERAPY ANIMAL DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

This bill designates April 30, 2026, as "National Therapy Animal Day" within the State of Rhode Island to honor the role animals play in providing comfort and healing. It recognizes the therapeutic benefits of various animals, such as dogs, cats, fish, and horses, which help improve mental health and quality of life for individuals. The resolution urges state health officials and citizens to promote awareness of the human-animal bond and directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the bill to relevant health and animal welfare organizations.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Rhode Island · House Apr 30, 2026

HR 8497: HOUSE RESOLUTION HONORING AND CONGRATULATING R.J. HEIM UPON HIS RETIREMENT FROM WJAR-TV NBC 10

This bill is a House resolution that formally honors and congratulates R.J. Heim on his retirement from WJAR-TV NBC 10 in Providence. It recognizes his decades of service as a meteorologist and reporter, highlighting his Emmy awards and coverage of significant local events. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the document to Mr. Heim as an official acknowledgment of his contributions to Rhode Island journalism.

passed · Rhode Island · House Apr 30, 2026

HR 8494: HOUSE RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING APRIL OF 2026, TO BE "FINANCIAL LITERACY MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

This bill designates April 2026 as Financial Literacy Month in Rhode Island to encourage residents to improve their personal finance skills. The resolution urges citizens to participate in financial education programs during the month and throughout the year. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the RI JumpStart Coalition to support these efforts.

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SR 3237: SENATE RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING MAY 4, 2026, AS RHODE ISLAND INDEPENDENCE DAY AND THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S HISTORIC ACT OF RENUNCIATION

This Senate resolution officially designates May 4, 2026, as Rhode Island Independence Day to mark the 250th anniversary of the state's historic Act of Renunciation. The bill recognizes the General Assembly's 1776 decision to reject allegiance to the British Crown as a unique act of defiance that preceded the national Declaration of Independence. By passing this measure, the Senate directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the Governor and the state's congressional delegation. The text serves as a commemorative acknowledgment of Rhode Island's role in the American Revolution rather than establishing new laws or changing government procedures.

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SR 3238: SENATE RESOLUTION CELEBRATING THE 175TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE YMCA IN THE UNITED STATES AND RECOGNIZING THE IMPACT OF THE RHODE ISLAND ALLIANCE OF YMCAS

This Senate Resolution formally recognizes the 175th anniversary of the YMCA in the United States and honors the contributions of the Rhode Island Alliance of YMCAs. It directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to YMCA leadership as a gesture of appreciation for their community work.

passed · Rhode Island · House Apr 30, 2026

HR 8495: HOUSE RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF RHODE ISLAND AND MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ALL-TIME GREAT, HALL OF FAMER NAPOLEON "NAP" LAJOIE

This House Resolution honors the life and legacy of Napoleon "Nap" Lajoie, a Major League Baseball Hall of Famer and native of Woonsocket, Rhode Island. The document formally recognizes his outstanding career achievements, including his record-setting batting average and Triple Crown performance in 1901, as well as his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. It directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to Dr. Gregory Rubano, who leads a campaign to unearth Lajoie's remains and reinter them in Woonsocket.

Bill results