Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 3201: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- NOMINATION OF PARTY AND INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES

SB 3201 amends election laws to allow voters to electronically sign nomination papers for party and independent candidates through a new online portal. The bill also clarifies rules for preparing and distributing these papers, such as combining candidates from the same party on single sheets and ensuring names match official voting lists. While the specific number of signatures required varies by office, the legislation confirms that electronic signatures collected via the portal will count toward these totals. These changes directly affect candidates seeking nomination and the voters who endorse them, streamlining the process while maintaining existing signature requirements.

Topics ✓ Technology

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 2767: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- RHODE ISLAND UTILITY FAIR SHARE ROADWAY REPAIR ACT

Requires any public utility company that needs to close any state or municipal roadway for work to provide notice to all residential and business property owners located within 1,000 ft of the closed highway at least 48 hrs before the road closure.

Topics ✓ Transportation

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 2777: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

Provides that effective July 1, 2026, the profit margin of any electric distribution company or distributor of natural gas, would not exceed four percent (4%), in any given calendar year.

Topics ✗ Energy

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 3114: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- MAIL BALLOTS

Amends the procedures for the marking and certification of mail ballots by prohibiting anyone but the voter or certain persons close to the voter from handling the mail ballot.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SR 2979: JOINT RESOLUTION APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- OF QUALIFICATION FOR OFFICE

Proposes a state constitutional amendment to provide no person could hold office as general officer unless that person was a resident and a registered voter in the State of Rhode Island for at least 2 years, continuously, prior to taking office.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 2779: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- DUTIES OF UTILITIES AND CARRIERS

Prohibits public utilities, serving greater 100,000 customers from recovering through rates any direct or indirect cost associated with, amongst other costs, advertising, marketing, communications.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 3043: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- NOMINATION OF PARTY AND INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES -- DECLARATION OF CANDIDACY AND PRIMARY VOTES

This bill changes election deadlines by moving the date for filing candidacy declarations from June to April for state and local elections. It directly affects candidates running for party or independent nomination in primary elections by requiring them to submit their paperwork earlier. The key provision sets a new April deadline for filing declaration forms, which must include personal information, party affiliation, and certifications about criminal history and mental competency. Local election boards will check signatures against voter lists and can reject papers with invalid signatures, while the state board may review cases showing patterns of forgery. This change aims to ensure candidates file their nomination materials earlier in the election cycle.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 2951: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- RANKED CHOICE VOTING

This bill allows local municipalities in the state to adopt ranked choice voting for their elections once voters approve a charter amendment. Under this system, voters rank candidates in order of preference on their ballots, and votes are counted in rounds where eliminated candidates' votes transfer to voters' next choices. The bill defines specific rules for how ballots are counted in both single-winner and multi-winner elections, including how to handle surplus votes and invalid ballots. It applies only to local elections within jurisdictions that have officially adopted the method through voter approval, and it would eliminate separate primary elections in those areas.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 3111: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- RHODE ISLAND CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES REPORTING

Allocates the assessment of fines for failure to file reports between the board of elections between the candidate and political action or political party committee.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 3091: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE RHODE ISLAND HEALTH CARE REFORM ACT OF 2004 -- HEALTH INSURANCE OVERSIGHT

Charges the office of the health insurance commissioner to incorporate uncompensated care as a formula-driven numeric adjustment in the methodology used to establish any affordability standard or rate cap, applicable to hospital contracts.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 8312: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- NONTRANSPARENT WINDSHIELDS AND WINDOWS

Removes the exemption for tinting of the windshield and imposes fines of $250 for a first and second offense and subsequent offenses are punishable by a $250 fine and up to a one year suspension of the vehicle registration.

Topics ✓ Transportation

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 2968: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- RHODE ISLAND SOCIAL MEDIA REGULATION ACT

Creates the Rhode Island Social Media Regulation act, which would not permit a Rhode Island resident who is a minor to be an account holder on a social media's platform unless the minor has the express consent of a parent or guardian.

Topics ✗ Technology

Bill results