Rhode Island Bills

passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 13, 2025

HB 5516: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- CONDUCT OF ELECTION AND VOTING EQUIPMENT, AND SUPPLIES

HB 5516 requires the state board of elections to publish all write-in votes online, regardless of whether the candidate was eligible to appear on the ballot or if the votes could affect election results. It mandates local election boards to review individual write-in votes for any race where the total could change the outcome, including races with fewer than five write-in votes. The bill specifies that even write-in votes for unqualified candidates must be reported as a combined total for each office, not just individual votes. This ensures full transparency of all write-in ballots cast in elections.

passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 13, 2025

HB 6057: AN ACT RELATING TO THE EXETER - WEST GREENWICH SCHOOL DISTRICT

Amends chapter 80 of the public laws of 1965 with respect to the composition of the regional district school building committee, apportionment of construction and operating costs and amendments to the agreement.

passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 13, 2025

HB 5458: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION AND TITLING

Establishes a system of electronic registration and titling of motor vehicles. Rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this chapter would be promulgated by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles.

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 12, 2025

SR 1127: SENATE RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING FRANK J. KARPINSKI ON HIS RETIREMENT AFTER THIRTY-ONE YEARS OF HONORABLE SERVICE TO THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, TO THE STATE'S ACTIVE AND RETIRED PUBLIC SERVANTS, AND TO THE OFFICE OF THE GENERAL TREASURER

This is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 1127) congratulating Frank J. Karpinski on retiring after 31 years of service in Rhode Island's Office of the General Treasurer. It formally honors his work managing the state's Employees' Retirement System (ERSRI), including modernizing financial systems and guiding reforms during his tenure as Executive Director. The resolution does not create new laws or affect policies; it simply expresses the Senate's recognition of his contributions to public service and retirement security. The Senate passed it on June 12, 2025, and will send him a certified copy.

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 12, 2025

SB 182: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PERSONAL INCOME TAX

This bill allows Rhode Island residents with mutual fund individual retirement accounts (IRAs) to voluntarily elect to have state income tax withheld from required distributions. Mutual fund companies would withhold taxes based on an estimated liability, but only if the taxpayer specifically chooses this option. The tax administrator would determine the withholding method, and this election does not change the taxpayer’s overall tax calculation or liability. The provision takes effect January 1, 2026.

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 12, 2025

SR 1146: SENATE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND CELEBRATING JUNE 14, 2025 AS "NATIONAL FLAG DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

This Senate Resolution (SR 1146) symbolically recognizes June 14, 2025, as "National Flag Day" in Rhode Island, aligning with the established U.S. observance of Flag Day. It has no binding policy effects or direct impact on residents, businesses, or government operations. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the National Flag Day Foundation, serving only as a ceremonial acknowledgment. As a commemorative measure, it does not create new laws, obligations, or funding.

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 12, 2025

SB 637: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

Requires the department of elementary and secondary education and DOH to adopt policies, rules and regulations for the administration of seizure rescue medications for children who have been medically identified as having epilepsy/seizure disorder.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 12, 2025

SB 865: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC FINANCE -- STATE INVESTMENT COMMISSION

Requires the state investment commission to create a capital access initiative to expand potential investment opportunities for the state’s pension fund and engage qualified but traditionally underrepresented investment managers.

passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 12, 2025

HR 6412: HOUSE RESOLUTION CELEBRATING THE NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE MUSEUM’S RECOGNITION OF THE HEROIC EFFORTS OF IDA LEWIS WITH THE "PAST LIGHT KEEPER AWARD"

This House Resolution (HR 6412) is a symbolic gesture celebrating Ida Lewis, a historic lighthouse keeper from Newport, Rhode Island, and her lifesaving legacy. It formally recognizes the National Lighthouse Museum’s awarding of the "Past Light Keeper Award" to honor Lewis’s heroic rescues (credited with saving 18 lives) and her role as the first woman to receive the U.S. Gold Lifesaving Medal. The resolution, passed by the Rhode Island House on June 12, 2025, has no binding policy effects - it merely expresses legislative support for the museum’s commemoration. It directly honors Lewis’s historical contributions to Rhode Island’s maritime heritage, not specific individuals or communities.

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 12, 2025

SB 786: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Prohibits prior authorization or a step therapy protocol for the prescription of a nonpreferred medication on their drug formulary used to assess or treat an enrollee's bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or schizotypal.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 12, 2025

HR 6415: HOUSE RESOLUTION EXTENDING ITS DEEPEST GRATITUDE TO RHODE ISLAND'S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS FOR THEIR TIRELESS EFFORTS AS OUR LOCAL WATCHDOGS AND SOURCES OF INFORMATION

This is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill), expressing the Rhode Island House of Representatives' gratitude to the state's 25 community newspapers for their role in local journalism. It formally thanks these publications - such as the Warren Times-Gazette (est. 1826) and Newport Daily News (est. 1846) - for serving as "local watchdogs" covering government and community issues. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to each newspaper publisher. No new laws, funding, or policy changes are enacted.

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 12, 2025

SB 904: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- COMMERCIAL SEXUAL ACTIVITY

Establishes the commercial sex buyer’s accountability program which consists of an instructional program on prostitution and human trafficking schemes.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill results