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Rhode Island Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress

All 25,118 Active 5 In committee 20,549 Passed 5,917 Signed 4,510 Failed 6,972

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7680: AN ACT RELATING EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

Specifies that pre-k programs for three (3) – and four (4) – year olds be added to programs to increase access to voluntary, free, high-quality pre-kindergarten programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7681: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

HB 7681, the Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act, provides direct state funding for specific education costs to support school districts. It covers special education expenses exceeding 4x the base funding, career and technical education program costs (including facilities and equipment), and transportation for students attending out-of-district non-public schools. The bill also establishes stabilization funds for Central Falls, Davies, and the Met Center schools due to financial challenges, and requires the state to fully fund transportation categorical funds for regional school districts starting in fiscal year 2027. Regionalized school districts like Chariho will receive a temporary two-year bonus (2% then 1% of state aid) to encourage regional collaboration.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7682: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- TRANSPORTATION OF SCHOOL PUPILS BEYOND CITY AND TOWN LIMITS

Allows an individual school district that can utilize its own buses or vendors at a lower cost than the statewide system, to obtain reimbursement for these costs from state funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2591: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- FAIR CHANCE IN HOUSING BACKGROUND CHECKS ACT

Limits how landlords use criminal history in rental decisions by delaying background checks until after a conditional offer has been made, restricting which records may be considered, banning discriminatory ads, and providing enforcement and penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2520: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- DUTIES OF UTILITIES AND CARRIERS

Terminates the requirement that the public utilities commission allocate five million dollars ($5,000,000) annually to the Rhode Island infrastructure bank for use with energy efficient programs.

Topics ✗ Energy

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2592: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RHODE ISLAND FAIR HOUSING PRACTICE ACT

Amends the Rhode Island Fair Housing Practices Act to clarify housing-status enforcement, ban discriminatory housing notices, align state law with federal standards and remove a ban on public discussion of fair housing cases.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2631: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

SB 2631 requires Rhode Island's Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and Division of Public Utilities and Carriers (DPUC) to complete a comprehensive study by April 30, 2027, aimed at lowering energy costs for consumers. The study must review all Rhode Island energy programs to identify those increasing costs, compare rates with other states, and recommend policy changes. It includes $100,000 for hiring consultants to research these areas and proposes that future energy-related legislation include clear cost impact statements. The bill directly affects the PUC/DUPC by mandating this study, with the goal of making energy rates more transparent and affordable for Rhode Island residents. It does not change current energy rates but sets a process for evaluating potential cost-saving measures.

Topics ✓ Energy

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2516: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- DUTIES OF UTILITIES AND CARRIERS

SB 2516 repeals the energy efficiency charge previously included in utility base rates for electricity and water providers. This bill removes a specific fee that utilities had been allowed to add to customer bills to fund energy efficiency programs. The repeal does not affect existing funding for renewable energy programs (which continue at 0.3 mills per kilowatt-hour until 2028) or demand-side management programs for electricity and gas utilities. The bill directly affects regulated utilities distributing electricity, water, or gas, as it eliminates one cost they could pass to customers.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2521: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARD

SB 2521 requires Rhode Island electricity providers (obligated entities) to gradually increase the share of renewable energy in their retail electricity sales, starting at 3% in 2007 and rising to 9.5% by 2032, with the goal of 100% renewable energy by 2033. The bill mandates that providers meet these targets for each electricity product sold to end-use customers, excluding voluntary renewable energy purchases by customers from counting toward the requirement (except in specific municipal aggregation plans). Compliance can be achieved by purchasing renewable energy credits (NE-GIS certificates) or making payments to a renewable energy development fund. The bill also directs the energy commission to assess in 2024 whether voluntary renewable purchases should be allowed to count toward the annual targets.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2617: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Adds a provision that allows a tenant to pay the last month's rent or any other prepaid rent. It also increases the amount that a security deposit can be requested from one to two (2) months of rent.

Topics ✗ Housing

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7793: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- FEDERAL AID

Establishes a statewide "healthy school meals for all" universal school breakfast and lunch program in Rhode Island public schools phased in over 3 years.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HR 7891: HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO TERMINATE GAS LINE EXTENSION ALLOWANCES AS PART OF DOCKET 25-45-GE

This House Resolution requests the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission to end a cost-sharing practice (called a "gas line extension allowance") where all gas customers pay for new gas line connections to serve new customers. The resolution cites the state's 2025 Climate Action Strategy, which requires reducing gas use for home heating to meet emissions targets, and argues that new gas infrastructure locks in long-term gas dependency beyond 2050. The request is directed to the Commission as part of its pending rate review (Docket 25-45-GE) for utility rate adjustments.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment