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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

Bill results

died · Rhode Island · House May 19, 2026

HB 8522: AN ACT RELATING TO FISH AND WILDLIFE -- RECIPROCAL ENFORCEMENT OF FISHING LAWS

Provides reciprocal enforcement of boating and fish and game laws with the state of Connecticut on any part of waters lying between Connecticut and Rhode Island.
Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens enforcement of fish and wildlife laws, which helps protect natural resources and conserve aquatic ecosystems.75% confidence
Megan Cotter (D)
died · Rhode Island · House May 19, 2026

HB 8531: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE

HB 8531 amends Rhode Island's compulsory attendance laws to give school committees the authority to deny or defer approval of homeschooling plans under specific circumstances. The bill requires schools to implement due diligence interventions, such as consulting with parents and support teams, before referring truant students to family court. It also establishes a formal process for approving alternative learning plans and extended withdrawals, which allow students to take breaks or reduce their coursework while remaining enrolled, particularly considering pandemic-related disruptions. Additionally, the legislation prohibits schools from using truancy as the sole reason for out-of-school suspensions and mandates that private schools and at-home instruction meet specific attendance and curriculum standards.
Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts homeschooling access and limits student withdrawal options, reducing educational choice.85% confidence
Joseph Solomon (D) Tom Noret (D) Deb Fellela (D) Bill O'Brien (D) Pat Serpa (D)
died · Rhode Island · House May 19, 2026

HB 8512: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

HB 8512 amends the state sales and use tax code to exempt food and beverage purchases made during designated summer and winter restaurant weeks. This change directly affects restaurant customers who would no longer pay sales tax on their meals during these specific promotional periods. The bill achieves this by adding a new provision to the existing list of tax exemptions, which currently includes items like school meals, newspapers, and charitable organization purchases. While the text of the bill contains extensive details on other existing exemptions, the primary new policy introduced is the temporary tax relief for dining during the specified restaurant weeks.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax relief by exempting food and beverage purchases during promotional periods, reducing the tax burden on consumers.85% confidence
Megan Cotter (D) Doc Corvese (D) Jon Brien (I)
died · Rhode Island · House May 19, 2026

HB 8386: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

This bill amends the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to require landlords to give tenants a receipt whenever rent is paid in cash. The rule applies directly to residential property owners and tenants who use cash for rent payments. Landlords must provide the receipt at the exact moment they receive the payment, ensuring there is immediate proof of the transaction. The law would become effective immediately after it is passed by the legislature.
Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens tenant protections by requiring immediate receipts for cash rent, preventing disputes and ensuring financial transparency.90% confidence
Cherie Cruz (D) Brandon Potter (D) David Morales (D) Teresa Tanzi (D) Jennifer Stewart (D)
died · Rhode Island · House May 19, 2026

HB 8385: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Allows sealing of eviction records for defective complaint or lack of jurisdiction for individuals between the ages of eighteen (18) and twenty-one (21) who didn't sign the lease.
Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allows sealing eviction records for young adults, protecting tenant rights and reducing barriers to future housing.85% confidence
Cherie Cruz (D) Brandon Potter (D) David Morales (D) Teresa Tanzi (D) Jennifer Stewart (D)
died · Rhode Island · House May 19, 2026

HB 8407: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- RETIREMENT SYSTEM -- CONTRIBUTION AND BENEFITS

Limits retired, part-time or adjunct instructors, hired by any state college, university, or state school, to teaching no more than two classes per semester.
Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts adjunct instructors to two classes per semester, limiting their teaching opportunities and reducing educational access.85% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill limits teaching load for adjuncts, restricting their ability to teach more classes and effectively capping potential earnings.85% confidence
Susan Donovan (D) Tina Spears (D) Justine Caldwell (D) Bill O'Brien (D) Megan Cotter (D)
died · Rhode Island · House May 19, 2026

HB 8415: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PLASTIC WASTE REDUCTION ACT

Prohibits the use of black plastic takeout containers for use to take prepared foods and drinks from restaurants, stores, and other retail sales establishments.
Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prohibits black plastic takeout containers to reduce plastic waste and pollution, directly advancing environmental protection goals.90% confidence
Lauren Carson (D) Jennifer Boylan (D) Arthur Handy (D) Carol McEntee (D) Jay Edwards (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 3217: AN ACT RELATING TO DOMESTIC RELATIONS -- DOMESTIC ABUSE PREVENTION

Permits the family court to award possession of household pets to the plaintiff in a domestic abuse complaint, including the enforcement remedy of a restraining order or other injunctive relief.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens domestic abuse prevention by empowering courts to award pets to victims, a key component of victim safety and justice.85% confidence
Sam Bell (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate May 19, 2026

SR 3216: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $500,000 TO ONWARD WE LEARN IN SUPPORT OF RHODE ISLAND GEAR UP

This bill appropriates $500,000 from the state treasury to Onward We Learn for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The funds are designated to support the Rhode Island GEAR UP program, which helps middle and high school students prepare for college and provides scholarships to cover postsecondary education costs. This money serves as the state's required matching contribution to a larger federal grant received by the Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner. The resolution authorizes the state controller to issue payment orders to Onward We Learn once proper financial documentation is submitted.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates $500,000 to fund the Rhode Island GEAR UP program, directly increasing state spending on education.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill appropriates $500,000 to fund the Rhode Island GEAR UP program, expanding college access and providing scholarships for postsecondary education.95% confidence
Walter Felag (D) Matt LaMountain (D) David Tikoian (D) Lou DiPalma (D) Hanna Gallo (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 2821: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

Requires a review by the department of elementary and secondary education of the formula components used to compute the aid needed to support high need students.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill focuses on education equity and property tax relief, directly addressing tax burden reduction for property owners while reviewing aid formulas to support high-need students.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates review of aid formula components for high need students, indicating intent to strengthen educational equity and support funding for vulnerable populations.75% confidence
Ryan Pearson (D) Brian Thompson (D) Jonathon Acosta (D) Sam Zurier (D) Hanna Gallo (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 2826: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

Provides that in local education agencies when over 45% of the children have a family income that is at or below 185% of federal poverty guidelines, then the student success factor will be 50% by the core instruction per-pupil amount.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax relief for low-income families by adjusting education funding based on poverty levels, supporting fiscal equity and protecting essential education services.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill increases funding for low-income schools by adjusting student success factor, expanding educational access and resources for disadvantaged students.90% confidence
Ryan Pearson (D) Brian Thompson (D) Jonathon Acosta (D) Sam Zurier (D) Frank Ciccone (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 2941: AN ACT RELATING TO DELINQUENT AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN -- RESTRAINT OF JUVENILES

Limits use of restraints on juveniles in transport and court proceedings to safety or escape risks, requires least restrictive methods, and mandates reporting on when and why restraints were used.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill limits juvenile restraints and requires reporting, promoting civil rights and reducing excessive force in juvenile justice.90% confidence
Meghan Kallman (D) Lammis Vargas (D) Tiara Mack (D) Pam Lauria (D) Jake Bissaillon (D)
Showing 781 to 792 of 20,549 bills
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