Rhode Island Bills

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 2040: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION - LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES

SB 2040 authorizes the town of Bristol to apply the owner-occupied tax rate to mixed-use properties (such as homes with small businesses) when the residential portion is owner-occupied, instead of the higher commercial rate. This directly affects Bristol property owners who live in homes that also include commercial space, allowing them to pay the lower residential tax rate on the entire property. The bill amends tax classification rules to explicitly permit Bristol to include these properties in the owner-occupied residential class (Class 1). This policy change simplifies tax treatment and reduces the tax burden for qualifying property owners in Bristol.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 2037: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION

SB 2037 authorizes the town of Barrington to provide a property tax credit of up to $16,000 for legally blind residents through a local ordinance. It directly affects legally blind individuals who are legal residents of Barrington and own property there. The bill specifies that this credit applies to real property and requires residents to provide certified proof of blindness and residency to claim the exemption. This change would allow Barrington to offer a specific tax reduction for eligible residents, consistent with similar provisions for other towns in the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Rhode Island · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 7045: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION - LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES

HB 7045 authorizes the town of Bristol to apply its owner-occupied residential tax rate to mixed-use properties where the residential portion is owner-occupied, rather than the higher commercial rate. This directly affects Bristol property owners with properties combining residential and commercial use (like a home with a small storefront), potentially lowering their tax burden. The bill amends tax classification rules to allow Bristol to treat these properties as residential for tax purposes under specific conditions. It does not change tax rates for other towns or property types.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Rhode Island · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 7047: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES

HB 7047 authorizes the town council of Little Compton to establish a homestead exemption for residential properties, reducing local property tax burdens for qualifying residents. It directly affects homeowners in Little Compton who live in their homes year-round, automatically qualifying registered voters without applications, while non-voter residents must apply with proof of residency (e.g., driver’s license, utility bill). The exemption starts at 10% of the town’s mean property value and can be adjusted annually between 5% and 15% by the town council. The bill also allows exemptions for second homes and rental properties meeting specific occupancy and lease terms. This is a local tax policy change specific to Little Compton, not a statewide law.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

signed · Rhode Island · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 7005: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION

HB 7005 authorizes the town of Barrington to create a tax credit reduction of $16,000 for legally blind residents through local ordinance. This policy directly affects legally blind individuals who reside in Barrington and own real property, providing them with a reduction in their property tax bill. The bill requires Barrington to establish this credit via town ordinance, specifying it applies to real property and is separate from other existing exemptions. It does not change the current exemption amounts for other towns but grants Barrington the specific authority to implement this tax credit.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 2328: AN ACT RELATING TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- PERMANENT JOINT COMMITTEE ON NAMING ALL NEW BUILDINGS, BRIDGES, EDIFICES AND OTHER STATE CONSTRUCTIONS

SB 2328 names the new coveside dog park at Haines Memorial State Park in Barrington as "The Christine Conrad Lane Memorial Dog Park." This is a ceremonial naming resolution with no policy changes or regulatory impact - it solely designates a specific facility. The bill does not affect any laws, regulations, or groups beyond commemorating Christine Conrad Lane through this park name. It requires no new funding or administrative action and takes effect upon passage.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 2341: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- MAIL BALLOTS

SB 2341 allows eligible disabled voters and military members (covered by federal law) to receive and return mail ballots electronically. It updates election rules to let voters submit Federal Post Card Applications via email to the Secretary of State, with ballots transmitted through a secure system meeting federal cybersecurity standards (NIST guidelines and independent security reviews). This continues a 2022 program that lets qualifying voters avoid mailing physical ballots. The bill specifically applies to disabled voters who face undue hardship voting in person and military personnel serving outside their state.

Topics ✓ Technology

signed · Rhode Island · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 7007: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- MAIL BALLOTS

HB 7007 allows eligible disabled voters and military/veteran voters (covered by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act) to receive and return mail ballots electronically. The bill amends election laws to permit secure electronic transmission of ballots through systems meeting NIST cybersecurity standards, with independent security reviews required. It specifically extends the existing electronic ballot process - previously for military voters - to include disabled voters who meet accessibility criteria (e.g., blindness, mobility impairment). Voters submitting ballots electronically will not need to witness or notarize signatures, aligning with federal accessibility standards under the Rehabilitation Act. The bill expires December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Technology ✓ Veterans

signed · Rhode Island · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 7223: AN ACT RELATING TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- PERMANENT JOINT COMMITTEE ON NAMING ALL NEW BUILDINGS, BRIDGES, EDIFICES AND OTHER STATE CONSTRUCTIONS

HB 7223 names a new coveside dog park at Haines Memorial State Park in Barrington as "The Christine Conrad Lane Memorial Dog Park." This bill directly affects the specific park location by assigning it a commemorative name honoring Christine Conrad Lane. As a procedural naming resolution, it does not create new policies or affect state laws, but formally designates the park's official name. The bill requires no further action beyond passage to take effect.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 3051: AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE FORMATION OF A REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT EMBRACING THE TOWNS OF FOSTER AND GLOCESTER

This bill updates the schedule for the Foster-Glocester regional school district's annual financial meeting, moving the date to March 24, 2026, and establishing that future meetings will occur on the third Tuesday of March each year. The law directly affects voters in the towns of Foster and Gloucester, who will attend and vote at these regional school district financial meetings. It also clarifies that special meetings can be called by the regional school district following standard state town meeting procedures. This change takes effect immediately upon the bill's passage and signature by the Governor.

signed · Rhode Island · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 7408: AN ACT RELATING TO MAKING REVISED APPROPRIATIONS IN SUPPORT OF FY 2026 RELATING TO ROGER WILLIAMS MEDICAL CENTER AND OUR LADY OF FATIMA HOSPITAL

HB 7408 authorizes Rhode Island to set aside up to $18 million in a debt service reserve fund to support financing for the sale of Roger Williams Medical Center and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital to CharterCARE Health of Rhode Island, Inc. The bill creates a financial backup fund to enhance the creditworthiness of bonds used to purchase the hospitals, ensuring the sale process can proceed without state debt obligations. This funding mechanism directly supports the transfer of ownership to CharterCARE while preserving hospital services and approximately 2,700 jobs. The state’s contribution is limited to the reserve fund, with no obligation to replenish it, and any remaining funds would revert to the state budget. The bill focuses on enabling the hospital sale through bond financing, not altering hospital operations or patient care.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 7165: AN ACT RELATING TO SOLEMNIZATION OF MARRIAGES

Allows the Honorable Mayor Frank Picozzi to join Madeline Marie Hopkins and Cameron David Charron in Marriage on or about February 10, 2026, within the City of Warwick, Rhode Island.

Bill results