Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 8188: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- CIGARETTE, OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS, AND ELECTRONIC NICOTINE-DELIVERY SYSTEM PRODUCTS

Defines an alternative nicotine product as any noncombustible product without tobacco leaf but nicotine from another source and also taxes alternative nicotine products at $2.00 per container up to 20 units.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 2732: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PASSING, USE OF LANES AND RULES OF THE ROAD

SB 2732 allows motorcycles to legally "filter" between stopped or slow-moving vehicles in the same direction at low speeds, such as when navigating traffic stops. This change directly affects motorcycle riders by expanding their permitted lane usage under specific conditions, while also impacting other drivers who may encounter this maneuver. The bill amends existing traffic rules to explicitly permit this practice, defining it as passing vehicles proceeding in the same direction when both are moving slowly. It does not alter speed limits or require new safety equipment for riders.

Topics ✓ Transportation

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 8146: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC FINANCE -- STATE BUDGET--PROGRAM PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT

HB 8146 requires state agencies managing capital projects and budgets to submit additional performance and audit reports to the legislature. It directly affects state departments overseeing infrastructure spending and public projects by mandating more detailed tracking of how funds are used. Key provisions include new requirements for agencies to measure program outcomes and report audit findings more frequently. This bill aims to improve transparency in how state funds are spent on large projects without changing funding levels or creating new programs. The bill is currently in the House Finance committee after its February 27, 2026, introduction.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 8203: HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT A CONDITION PRECEDENT BE PLACED ON ALL FUTURE STATE FUNDING OR GRANT ASSISTANCE TO BROWN UNIVERSITY HEALTH AND AFFILIATED ENTITIES TO ENSURE MAINTENANCE OF THE NEWPORT HOSPITAL BIRTHING CENTER

This resolution would condition the distribution of any state funds to Brown University Health on the continued operation of a birthing center in the city of Newport.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 8150: AN ACT RELATING TO THE UTGR MASTER CONTRACT AND THE TWIN RIVER -- TIVERTON MASTER CONTRACT -- CONSOLIDATED MARKETING PROGRAM

Restates the UTGR Master Contract and the Twin River-Tiverton Master Contract and consolidates the marketing program of each into the Consolidated Marketing Program.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 8217: AN ACT RELATING TO SPORTS, RACING, AND ATHLETICS -- DOG RACING IN BURRILLVILLE, LINCOLN, AND WEST GREENWICH

Prevents anyone from wagering money or any other thing of value on the outcome of a greyhound race or other dog race, or accept or facilitate such wagering, regardless of the location at which the race takes place.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 7603: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- VETERINARY PRACTICE

HB 7603 requires veterinarians to provide a consultation to pet owners whenever they prescribe, dispense, or furnish a drug to an animal patient in an outpatient setting. The consultation must cover the drug's name, administration details, storage instructions, missed dose procedures, and manufacturer warnings about severe side effects. This applies to all veterinarians in the state and mandates documentation of whether the consultation was offered or declined. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, and allows veterinarians to delegate this task to registered veterinary technicians.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 8214: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY-- DETERMINATION OF NEED FOR NEW HEALTHCARE EQUIPMENT AND NEW INSTITUTIONAL HEALTH SERVICES

Imposes a moratorium on the issuance of new home care provider, home nursing care provider and hospice provider licenses prior to 7/1/2031, and provides for health systems planning specific to these provider licenses during the moratorium by the DOH.

Topics ✗ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 2115: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- HEALTH CARE POWER OF ATTORNEY

SB 2115 requires all Rhode Island hospitals to have a notary public available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This applies directly to hospitals and ensures patients can get advance healthcare directives, powers of attorney, and wills notarized during hospitalization, either in person or by a notary visiting the patient's room. The notary must verify signatures with valid ID and be accessible through the patient services department. The bill takes effect upon passage and does not change medical care standards, only hospital administrative procedures.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 2124: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION EFFICIENCY AND PERFORMANCE AUDIT ACT

Requires that an independent efficiency and performance audit of the department of transportation be commissioned by the department of administration.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 7143: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- DETERMINATION OF NEED FOR NEW HEALTHCARE EQUIPMENT AND NEW INSTITUTIONAL HEALTH SERVICES

Repeals the certificate of need process statutes which are used by the department of health to determine the need for new health care equipment and new institutional health services.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 7201: 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