Rhode Island Bills

passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SR 3057: SENATE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO MAKE A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF RHODE ISLAND'S HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE RELATED TO EDUCATING AND RETAINING PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS

Creates a 17-member Commission to study Rhode Island’s healthcare workforce related to educating and retaining primary care providers and who would report back annually to the President of the Senate.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Meghan Kallman (D) Lammis Vargas (D) Lou DiPalma (D) Bridget Valverde (D) Alana DiMario (D)

passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SR 3063: SENATE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO MAKE A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF RHODE ISLAND'S MEDICAL MALPRACTICE IMPACT ON HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND HEALTH CARE COSTS IN RHODE ISLAND

Creates commission to study medical malpractice issues relating to lawsuits, claims, settlements, filings and related impact on insurance costs for providers with report due 10/1/27 and expiration on 1/31/28.

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 3160: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES

Provides an eight percent (8%) tax rate for those properties that are encumbered by a deed restriction for low-income housing set at eight percent (80%) or sixty percent (60%) of adjusted median income established by HUD.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 2484: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC RECORDS -- ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS -- COST

Provides that fees for costs charged for search, retrieval or copying of public records shall be waived for members of the general assembly who certify that they are acting in their official capacity.

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 2448: AN ACT RELATING TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AUDIT AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT

SB 2448 creates a dedicated performance audit division within Rhode Island's Office of the Auditor General (OAG). This division will evaluate how efficiently and effectively state agencies and contractors using public funds operate, focusing on program outcomes rather than financial transactions. The bill requires the OAG to hire at least five full-time staff for this work, develop annual audit plans prioritizing high-impact areas like Medicaid and IT systems, and publish public reports starting in 2027. State agencies must then submit corrective action plans within 60 days of receiving audit findings, with the OAG monitoring compliance and reporting to lawmakers.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 2449: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

SB 2449 proposes to exempt energy storage systems from sales and use taxes in the state, as defined in § 39-33-1. This change would directly affect businesses selling these systems, as they would no longer collect sales tax on such transactions. The bill amends existing tax law by adding a new exemption category under "Gross receipts exempt from sales and use taxes." The exemption covers the sale and use of energy storage systems within the state, aligning with existing tax exemptions for items like newspapers and school meals. The bill was introduced on February 6, 2026, and referred to the Senate Finance Committee.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 2550: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- MOTOR VEHICLES OWNED BY A GOVERNMENTAL BODY

Requires as part of the director of administration’s report to the general assembly to include information on the number of hybrid, combustion engine, plug-in hybrid, and ZEV vehicles in the light duty fleet. This act would take effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ Transportation

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 2680: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC TRANSIT AUTHORITY

Prohibits RIPTA from using state funds or the proceeds of any bond(s) to pay for any work performed after 8/1/26, pursuant to the “transit center joint development project” RFP and/or pursuant to related the preliminary services agreement.

Topics ✗ Transportation

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SR 2724: 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 · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 2729: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND

Provides the board of trustees with tort claim protections and calls upon the board to undertake a feasibility study related to operations of the Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center and the Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission.

died · Rhode Island · House May 21, 2026

HB 8190: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- ESTATE AND TRANSFER TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

Increase the estate exemption to $5,000,000 for January 1, 2027, $7,500,000 for January 1, 2029, $10,000,000 for January 1, 2031. This act would eliminate the estate tax for decedents whose death occurs on or after January 1, 2033.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 2727: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION -- THE EQUITABLE PARTICIPATION IN UTILITY REGULATION ACT

Creates an intervenor compensation program to provide compensation in the form of grants for legal fees, expert witness fees, and other reasonable costs to an intervenor in both, energy siting board and public utilities commission proceedings.

Bill results