Rhode Island Bills

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 24, 2025

SB 612: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING

Ensures that the department of housing is able to access the full calendar year worth of housing choice voucher data for the annual report required by this section and amends the content of the information required to be submitted in the annual report.

Alana DiMario (D) Victoria Gu (D) Melissa Murray (D) Jake Bissaillon (D)

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 24, 2025

SB 520: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- MAIL BALLOTS

SB 520 simplifies the process for voters who are indefinitely confined due to illness or disability, or long-term nursing home residents, to automatically receive mail ballots for every election. It allows these voters to apply by signing an affidavit (submitted online via a secretary of state portal or by mail), with the secretary of state maintaining a central list of eligible voters in the voter registration system. Voters must notify local officials if they no longer qualify, leading to removal from the list within five days. The bill also includes a temporary provision (expiring December 2025) enabling eligible disabled voters to return mail ballots electronically, meeting federal accessibility standards.

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 24, 2025

HB 6161: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

Updates and expands the current law to include menopause and menopause related conditions in the law on fair employment practices pertaining to pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 23, 2025

HB 5512: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION

HB 5512 exempts all real and tangible personal property owned by PROJECT Weber/RENEW, a Rhode Island nonprofit corporation, from state property taxes. This bill amends Rhode Island's tax code (specifically Section 44-3-3) to add PROJECT Weber/RENEW as a qualifying entity for property tax exemption, directly affecting only this organization. The key provision creates a new exemption category for the nonprofit's property, removing it from taxable status under the state's property taxation rules. This is a targeted tax exemption for a single entity, not a broad policy change. The bill was passed by both chambers and signed by the governor in June 2025.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 23, 2025

HB 6129: AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE TOWN OF WEST WARWICK TO ISSUE NOT TO EXCEED $71,000,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND NOTES TO FINANCE THE ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, IMPROVEMENT, RENOVATION, FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE TOWN AND ALL ATTENDANT EXPENSES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DEMOLITION, ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURAL AND LANDSCAPING COSTS

Authorizes the town of West Warwick to issue not more than $71,000,000 bonds and notes to finance the acquisition, construction, improvement, renovation, furnishing and equipping of schools and school facilities.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 23, 2025

SB 599: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

Increases the public utilities reserve fund cap and the cap on expenses relating to the public utilities commission and the division of public utilities and carriers representing the state before federal agencies.

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 23, 2025

HB 5547: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

Increases the public utilities reserve fund cap and the cap on expenses relating to the public utilities commission and the division of public utilities and carriers representing the state before federal agencies.

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 23, 2025

HB 5420: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PUPIL TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES

Amends the definitions of a “pupil transportation vehicle” to a vehicle contrasted to seat not more than ten (10) passengers plus the operator, rather than the existing limit of eight (8) passengers.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 23, 2025

SB 626: AN ACT RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- COASTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT COUNCIL

SB 626 requires Rhode Island municipalities to maintain and update a current list of rights-of-way (access paths) to tidal areas designated by the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC). This applies directly to all cities and towns in the state, mandating they keep these records accurate and accessible. The bill's key mechanism is a new administrative duty for local governments to document and regularly revise these tidal access points. It does not alter CRMC's existing planning or management powers but adds a specific local record-keeping requirement. The law focuses on improving transparency and coordination for coastal resource management.

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 23, 2025

HB 5575: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- LONG TERM CONTRACTING STANDARDS FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY

HB 5575 amends Rhode Island's energy procurement rules to allow public utilities to include nuclear power in regional competitive solicitations alongside renewable sources like offshore wind. It directly affects electric and gas utilities, which can now bid on projects transmitting nuclear power or renewable energy to New England, with costs shared among ratepayers. Key provisions require the state energy office and utilities to jointly evaluate projects for reliability, security, and cost impacts before seeking public utility commission approval. The bill does not mandate nuclear use but establishes a framework for considering it as part of Rhode Island's energy planning.

Topics ✓ Energy

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 23, 2025

HB 5108: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- BOARD OF MEDICAL LICENSURE AND DISCIPLINE

HB 5108 allows foreign-trained physicians to obtain a temporary license to practice medicine in Rhode Island under specific conditions. It directly affects physicians who graduated from medical schools outside the U.S., require ECFMG certification, completed residency training abroad (accredited by ACGME-I or recognized international bodies), and have held an unrestricted license in another country for at least three years. The law requires these physicians to work under a participating healthcare facility that provides structured training and assessment to address clinical gaps, while maintaining oversight through the Board of Medical Licensure. This creates a formal pathway for qualified international physicians to contribute to Rhode Island's healthcare workforce under defined safeguards.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 23, 2025

HB 5598: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

HB 5598 requires all public schools in the state to create and implement a written policy restricting student use of personal electronic devices (like smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches) during school hours and school activities. The policy must aim to reduce distractions, support learning, and protect student privacy and safety, while explicitly allowing exceptions for students needing assistive technology under IEPs/504 plans, medical devices (e.g., glucose monitors), or language support programs. Schools must develop these policies in consultation with staff representatives, notify parents, and file them with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, which will provide annual guidance. The law takes effect on August 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Education

Bill results