Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 7451: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- MAIL BALLOTS

Requires mail ballots applications to include the RI driving license or state identification number, if unexpired or expired no more than 6 months prior to the election, or the last four digits of the voter’s Soc Sec number.

Mike Chippendale (R) Tom Noret (D) Doc Corvese (D) Jon Brien (I) Jackie Baginski (D)

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 7431: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- CAUSES OF ACTION

Creates "Harter's Law" to extend the civil statute of limitations, for injuries resulting from first degree child abuse, to thirty-five (35) years and cap civil damages recovery at five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000).

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 16, 2026

HR 7009: JOINT RESOLUTION RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING A CONVENTION OF THE STATES UNDER ARTICLE V OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION

Petitions congress to call a convention for the purpose of proposing amendments to the U.S. Constitution to impose restraints on the federal government.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 8387: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

Requires all municipal zoning ordinances be amended to provide that any lot with access to public water/sewer services, not establish or enforce a minimum lot area that exceeds 5,000 sq.ft. for a residential building with between one and 4 dwelling units.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 8416: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- SUBDIVISION OF LAND

Requires that in the town of Coventry, local regulations shall require approval of the permitting authority for both private and public improvements prior to final plan approval.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 8249: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING

This bill amends Rhode Island's low and moderate income housing laws to clarify definitions and streamline the approval process for developers building affordable housing. It establishes new categories for counting affordable units, including rental properties with federal vouchers and certain mobile homes, while also defining what constitutes municipal subsidies like tax abatements and zoning incentives. The legislation allows developers to submit a single application for comprehensive permits when at least 25% of a project is affordable housing, provided the city or town does not already have high levels of affordable housing with inclusionary zoning. These changes aim to make it clearer how different types of housing contribute to local affordable housing goals and simplify the permitting process for qualifying projects.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SB 2801: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- SOLAR COST REDUCTION ACT

This bill creates a statewide automated permitting system to speed up the approval process for residential solar energy installations in Rhode Island. It requires the state to develop an online platform that automatically checks applications for code compliance and issues permits instantly without manual review for eligible systems up to 25 kilowatts. Municipalities must accept these automated permits or provide equivalent systems, while also establishing a centralized online repository of local solar regulations and offering remote inspection options by 2027. The system is designed to reduce paperwork requirements, eliminate unnecessary stamped drawings for smaller systems, and allow electronic submissions and signatures throughout the permitting process.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Technology

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 8281: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

This bill amends Rhode Island's zoning laws to allow the town of Smithfield to set its own density bonuses for affordable housing projects based on its specific zoning requirements. The legislation establishes statewide inclusionary zoning standards requiring at least 15% of new development units to remain affordable for 30 years, while permitting municipalities to offer density bonuses like additional market-rate units or reduced lot sizes in exchange for providing affordable housing. Developers can choose to build affordable units on-site, use alternative methods like off-site construction or land donations, or pay a fee-in-lieu that funds affordable housing projects elsewhere in the municipality. The bill also specifies that fee-in-lieu payments must be used exclusively for affordable housing serving families earning 80% or less of the area median income and outlines how municipalities must manage and allocate these funds.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 8280: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING--PARKING SPACES

Permits Smithfield to require 2 parking spaces for each studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom low- or moderate-income housing unit upon the determination that limited or no local public transportation or off-street parking is available near these units.

Topics ✗ Housing

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 8279: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING

Authorizes the town of Smithfield, if an aggregate of two hundred fifty (250) or more units should be proposed in comprehensive permit project(s), to enact an emergency moratorium until the permit requirement of § 45-53-4 are amended.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SB 2995: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PARKING FACILITIES AND PRIVILEGES

Updates disability parking space signage and enables municipalities to participate in the parking mobility app program where individuals submit photos on the app of vehicles parked in spaces designated for individuals with disabilities.

Topics ✓ Transportation

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SB 2998: AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF STATE ROADS

Requires any contractor performing construction or maintenance for RIDOT, RITBA or any other construction on any state roads have in place an attenuator truck/crash truck with an operational camera.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Bill results