Rhode Island Bills

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 23, 2025

SB 347: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- BOARD OF MEDICAL LICENSURE AND DISCIPLINE

SB 347 creates a limited license for foreign-trained physicians in Rhode Island who meet specific criteria. It allows doctors who graduated from medical schools outside the U.S. and completed accredited residency training abroad to practice under supervision, provided they hold ECFMG certification, have at least three years of unrestricted practice in another country, and complete a board-approved training program. This license requires ongoing evaluation through a participating healthcare facility and excludes physicians who completed U.S. or Canadian residency training. The bill directly affects internationally-trained doctors seeking to practice in Rhode Island while ensuring patient safety through structured oversight.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 23, 2025

SB 318: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- LONG TERM CONTRACTING STANDARDS FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY

SB 318 establishes new procedures for Rhode Island to procure energy infrastructure, including transmission for nuclear power, large-scale hydroelectric power, and renewable resources like offshore wind. It authorizes state agencies and utilities to jointly issue competitive solicitations for regional transmission projects and natural gas pipeline capacity to improve energy reliability and security for ratepayers. The bill requires cost-benefit analyses for ratepayer impacts and mandates public utility commission review before binding commitments are made. This affects electric and gas utilities, ratepayers, and regional energy planning entities by creating a structured process for evaluating infrastructure projects.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 23, 2025

SB 601: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- DUTIES OF UTILITIES AND CARRIERS

SB 601 increases penalties for public utilities and carriers that violate duties outlined in state law. It raises fines for violations from $200-$1,000 to $200-$5,000 per offense, with each day of a continuing violation treated as a separate violation. The bill also imposes misdemeanor penalties of $100-$1,000 on utility officers or agents who violate rules or fail to comply with regulatory orders. This directly affects public utilities (like gas, water, or electric providers) and their employees responsible for adhering to regulatory requirements.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 23, 2025

SB 1126: 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 191: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION

SB 191 exempts the real and tangible personal property of PROJECT Weber/RENEW, a Rhode Island nonprofit corporation, from state property taxation. The bill amends Rhode Island's tax code to add this specific organization to the list of entities eligible for property tax exemptions under Section 44-3-3. This change directly affects PROJECT Weber/RENEW by removing property tax obligations on its qualifying assets, without altering broader tax policies or creating new exemption categories. The exemption applies to all property owned by the nonprofit, as specified in the amended statute.

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 23, 2025

HB 5121: AN ACT RELATING TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS -- CURRENCY TRANSMISSIONS

Creates a process for licensure and oversight by DBR over the practices and procedures of virtual currency kiosk operators to prevent fraud related to the use of virtual currency kiosks, by establishing daily transaction limits and the regulating of fees.

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 23, 2025

HB 5484: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- DUTIES OF UTILITIES AND CARRIERS

HB 5484 increases penalties for public utilities and water suppliers that violate regulations under Chapter 39 of the General Laws. It raises fines for violations from $200-$1,000 to $200-$5,000 per offense, and for officials who fail to comply, from $100-$500 to $100-$1,000 per offense. Each day of a continuing violation is treated as a separate offense, with daily penalties applying. The bill directly affects all public utilities and water suppliers subject to these chapters, increasing financial consequences for noncompliance without changing existing regulatory duties.

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 23, 2025

HB 5686: AN ACT RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- COASTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT COUNCIL

HB 5686 requires Rhode Island municipalities to maintain and update a current list of rights-of-way to tidal areas designated by the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC). This affects all cities and towns within Rhode Island that have coastal areas or tidal waterways. The bill mandates that municipalities regularly review and revise these lists to ensure accurate records of public access and infrastructure near tidal zones. This update supports the CRMC’s broader coastal management efforts by providing clear, up-to-date information for planning and resource protection.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 23, 2025

SB 1062: AN ACT RELATING TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- PERMANENT JOINT COMMITTEE ON NAMING ALL NEW BUILDINGS, BRIDGES, EDIFICES AND OTHER STATE CONSTRUCTIONS

SB 1062 renames the East Bay Bike Path Bridge in Warren (spanning the Palmer River) as the Cpl. Richard C. Brule Bridge. This bill directly affects the bridge's official designation and honors Corporal Richard C. Brule. The change is purely ceremonial with no policy or funding impact, taking effect upon the governor's signature.

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 23, 2025

HB 5293: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY

HB 5293 creates a public education program to teach Rhode Island residents and businesses how to properly recycle textiles like clothing and linens. It requires private recyclers to submit annual reports on collected textiles starting in 2028, and the environmental department will use this data to set future recycling targets by 2029. The bill also mandates an online directory to help households and businesses find textile recycling options. This law directly affects residents, businesses, and textile recyclers by changing how recycling education is delivered and how collection data is tracked. It takes effect immediately upon the governor’s signature.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 23, 2025

SB 16: AN ACT RELATING TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS -- CURRENCY TRANSMISSIONS

Creates a process for licensure/oversight by DBR over the practices/procedures of virtual currency kiosk operators to prevent fraud related to the use of virtual currency kiosks, by establishing daily transaction limits and regulation of fees.

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 23, 2025

HB 5866: AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- UNIFORM CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT

Increases the maximum fill for non-opioid, non-narcotic controlled substances found in schedule II, so that a sixty-day (60) supply may be dispensed at any one time.

Bill results