Rhode Island Bills

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2647: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- COMMERCIAL KITCHEN EXHAUST SYSTEM INSPECTION AND CLEANING, LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION ACT

Establishes the commercial kitchen exhaust system inspection and cleaning licensing and certification act. Requires entities inspecting or cleaning commercial exhaust systems to be licensed and insured.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2644: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- ESTATES IN REAL PROPERTY

SB 2644 prohibits property owners from using private agreements in property deeds (restrictive covenants) to block the establishment of grocery stores. It directly affects property developers, homeowners' associations, and grocery store operators by removing a legal barrier to new grocery locations. The bill would require property agreements to allow grocery stores without special permission, ensuring new stores can open where such restrictions previously existed. This is a concrete policy change affecting real estate development rules, not a procedural measure.

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7975: AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES

HB 7975 requires licensed retailers selling alcoholic beverages to provide a lid to a consumer upon request for any drink container that does not already have one. This affects all businesses holding retail licenses for alcohol, such as bars, restaurants, and stores. The key provision mandates that retailers must supply lids when customers ask, aiming to reduce spills or accidents during transport. The bill does not change existing licensing rules but adds a specific customer service requirement for beverage containers.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2650: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- COUNCIL ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

Provides any student, who meets the requirements of this section, with an exemption from paying nonresident tuition at Rhode Island public universities, colleges, or community colleges.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 8101: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- ABANDONED PROPERTY

Amends several definitions to the general law chapter relating to abandoned property, adds a definition for "eligible nonprofit corporation", provides criteria for when properties are considered abandoned or a public nuisance.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2690: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING

Amends the current law on low-income housing to include moderate-income housing and eliminates the income percentages used to determine qualifications for low or moderate income housing.

Topics ✓ Housing

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 8110: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Requires owners or landlords who rent shoreline property to provide their tenants, before the start of the tenancy, with a detailed, written disclosure regarding public shoreline access rights.

Topics ✓ Housing

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 8106: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- ESTATES IN REAL PROPERTY

HB 8106 would prohibit property owners and developers from including in property deeds or agreements any restrictive covenant that bans or limits grocery stores. This bill directly affects property developers, homeowners' associations, and neighborhoods with existing covenants that restrict grocery store operations. The key provision amends property law to make it unlawful to have such restrictions, ensuring grocery stores can operate without being blocked by private agreements. The bill was introduced on February 27, 2026, and referred to the House Judiciary Committee.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2735: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- STATE PURCHASES

SB 2735 amends the process for creating and governing project labor agreements (PLAs) used in state public construction projects. It directly affects state contractors and labor unions working on public property and infrastructure projects by changing how these agreements are established and managed. The bill modifies the procedures for developing PLAs, which set wages, benefits, and working conditions for workers on state-funded construction sites. This change aims to streamline the PLA process for state projects without altering the core requirements of the agreements themselves. The bill was introduced to the Senate Labor and Gaming committee on February 27, 2026.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2734: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Requires owners or landlords who rent shoreline property to provide their tenants, before the start of the tenancy, with a detailed, written disclosure regarding public shoreline access rights.

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 8171: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- FOOD-AS-MEDICINE PILOT PROGRAM

HB 8171 establishes a food-as-medicine pilot program to test whether providing medically tailored food assistance improves health outcomes for individuals with specific conditions like diabetes or hypertension. Administered by the state's executive office of health and human services, the program will include a task force to design and oversee the initiative. It directly affects participants in state health programs who may receive food support as part of their treatment plan, rather than traditional medical care. The bill creates a temporary, evidence-based approach to evaluate this model before potential expansion.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 8155: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION

Under the emergency fund for victims, increases the share of a victim’s total award that may be used for relocation related expenses but not increase total compensation available to a victim.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill results