Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · House Jun 8, 2026

HB 8430: AN ACT CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS RELATING TO SHARED SERVICES BETWEEN RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICTS

This bill creates a special legislative commission to study how Rhode Island school districts could share services to address funding and operational challenges. The commission will consist of fourteen members, including legislators, state officials, union leaders, business representatives, and a student, who will meet without pay to investigate potential shared service models. The group is required to submit its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives by April 30, 2027, after which the commission will expire.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 8, 2026

HR 8032: HOUSE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE WATER SUPPLY PLANNING FOR NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES

Creates a special legislative commission to study/provide recommendations for water supply planning for new housing developments in rural communities, whose findings/recommendations to the House of Representatives on or before 6/15/27 and expires 7/1/27.

passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 8, 2026

HR 8601: HOUSE RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE REPORTING AND EXPIRATION DATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE ENTIRE AREA OF LAND USE, PRESERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING, ENVIRONMENT, AND REGULATION

This resolution would extend the reporting and expiration dates of the special legislative commission to study the entire area of land use, preservation, development, housing, environment, and regulation, from June 8, 2026, to June 10, 2027

passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 8, 2026

HB 8508: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION

HB 8508 amends Rhode Island property tax laws to exempt the real and tangible personal property of the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center in Providence from taxation. The bill achieves this by adding a new category to the state's list of property exemptions, which already includes items like religious buildings, charitable institutions, and volunteer fire companies. This change directly affects the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center by removing its property from the local tax roll. The legislation does not alter the tax status of any other organizations or individuals.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 8, 2026

SB 2940: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- FAMILY COURT

Establishes full-time juvenile hearing board coordinator to provide support and assistance to municipal juvenile hearing boards across the state. Any juvenile charged with a misdemeanor and who is a first offender, shall be referred to the hearing board.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 8, 2026

SB 2021: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PERSONAL INCOME TAX

SB 2021 creates a temporary tax exemption for small Bitcoin transactions in Rhode Island. It exempts individuals and Rhode Island-based businesses from state income tax on Bitcoin sales or exchanges totaling $5,000 or less per month, or $20,000 or less annually. Taxpayers must self-certify eligibility on their annual tax return and maintain records to verify they stayed within the limits, but do not need to report each transaction individually. The exemption applies only to transactions within the state and expires on January 1, 2028.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · House Jun 7, 2026

HB 8351: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE RHODE ISLAND EDUCATION FUNDING AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT

Establishes the Rhode Island education funding and accountability act, which would include a totally revised and revamped formula for funding all levels of public education in Rhode Island.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · House Jun 7, 2026

HB 7815: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- AUTOLOGOUS OR DIRECT BLOOD DONATIONS

HB 7815 requires hospitals and blood banks to accommodate autologous (donating one's own blood for personal future medical procedures) and direct (donating blood specifically for another person's future procedure) blood donations when ordered by a healthcare provider. Hospitals must allow these donations if they perform blood donations, and blood banks must comply with provider orders unless health risks prevent donation. Blood banks may charge their standard fees for facilitating the donation and storing the blood until it's used. This bill directly affects patients needing future procedures, healthcare facilities, and blood banks, implementing clear rules for these donation types under the Department of Health's oversight.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 6, 2026

SB 3560: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- MOTOR VEHICLE APPRAISAL PROVISION

Requires an insurance company to directly pay the insured's chosen appraiser and the umpire appraiser, if applicable, upon receipt of a "direction to pay" executed by an insured or claimant.

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 6, 2026

SB 3561: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

This bill authorizes the creation of special license plates for vehicles associated with the Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub, a not-for-profit organization. To obtain these plates, vehicle owners must pay a standard registration fee plus a $40 issuance surcharge and a $10 renewal fee. The collected funds are split between the state's general fund and the organization, which must use its portion to support its mission of transporting WWII and Korean War veterans to Washington, D.C. memorials. The bill also requires the organization to submit annual financial reports and mandates that any Rhode Island-sourced funds be used for local charitable causes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 3256: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PUBLIC HEALTH DATA PRIVACY AND PROTECTION ACT

Creates the public health data privacy and protection act to regulate the reporting of information relating to reportable disease data in the possession of the department of health.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

died · Rhode Island · House Jun 5, 2026

HB 8451: AN ACT RELATING TO FISH AND WILDLIFE -- DEER HUNTING

HB 8451 allows the town of New Shoreham on Block Island to request a temporary exemption from statewide deer hunting restrictions to address local overpopulation and public health concerns. Under this bill, the town council would submit a detailed management plan to the state Department of Environmental Management, which must include evidence of deer-related threats to ticks, native wildlife, and safety, along with specific population reduction goals. If approved, the director could grant a time-limited exemption lasting up to two years, permitting the town to adopt its own local rules on hunting seasons, methods, and bag limits while maintaining state enforcement authority. The legislation also requires the town to hold public hearings, coordinate with landowners, and submit annual reports on deer harvests and population progress to ensure accountability.

Bill results