Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SR 2954: JOINT RESOLUTION RESCINDING ALL PRIOR ARTICLE V CONVENTION APPLICATIONS

This bill would cancel and nullify all previous applications by the Rhode Island General Assembly to call a federal constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. It applies to any past applications, whether for limited or general conventions, regardless of when they were adopted or how they are recorded. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies to federal and state officials within 30 days of passage. If passed, this action would remove Rhode Island's prior requests from the official record of state applications for a constitutional convention.

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 2814: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT

Removes the requirement that 5% of the hotel tax generated from regional tourism districts be paid to the Greater Providence-Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau, and adds that 5% of the hotel tax to the existing tax paid to the RI commerce corporation.

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 2944: AN ACT RELATING TO CORPORATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS, AND PARTNERSHIPS -- RHODE ISLAND BUSINESS CORPORATION ACT

Requires businesses that conduct business to register and maintain required filings with the secretary of state so that consumers and small businesses may readily identify responsible parties, verify good standing, and effectuate service of process.

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 2965: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- UNIFORM ELECTRONIC TRANSACTIONS ACT

Allows a party to condition a transaction by electronic means on their stated desire to obtain and receive a written copy of the document in English or Spanish before electronic execution of the agreement or performance is required of the party.

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 3015: 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 · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 3040: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ACTIONS BY AND AGAINST TOWNS

Requires a municipality to disclose on their official website the specific issues, details and costs of any legal action of which the town or city is a named defendant within 60 days after the close of the fiscal year.

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

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

Bill results