Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 2196: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DIGITAL ASSET KEYS--PROHIBITION OF PRODUCTION OF PRIVATE KEYS

SB 2196 prohibits courts or government entities from forcing individuals to reveal private keys that control access to digital assets (like cryptocurrency), digital identities, or other digital rights. It applies directly to people holding such keys, such as cryptocurrency owners or digital service users. The law allows exceptions only if a public key cannot be used to access the asset or information. This does not prevent legal actions requiring the transfer of the digital asset itself, only the forced disclosure of the private key. The bill would take effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Technology

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 2202: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

Directs the public utilities commission to establish a standardized framework for determining authorized common equity ratios and authorized rates of returns on equity for public utilities.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 2304: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- RESIDENCE OF INDIVIDUALS IN GOVERNMENT CUSTODY ACT

Requires state use actual residences of persons in government custody for redistricting purposes. Information would be collected by the department of corrections and forwarded to the division of statewide planning, to be utilized for redistricting.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 7309: AN ACT RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- COASTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT COUNCIL

Authorizes a property owner to pursue reasonable actions to protect their property from coastal hazards that affect life, infrastructure, or essential land uses without prior approval.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 7270: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION

Requires the public utilities commission to provide for a classification of service for retail electricity consumers that are large energy use facilities.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 7330: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- INSURANCE BENEFITS

Allows private employees at nursing homes, developmental disability and home care providers whose salaries are 90% funded with federal or state monies to be eligible to opt into the state healthcare plan.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 7331: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

Requires that certain data centers requiring large amounts of electricity be required to fund the cost of necessary infrastructure improvements to supply such electricity.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 7446: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING

Eliminates mandated housing densities/density bonuses for public drinking water supply watersheds/groundwater. Requires densities not exceed water availability, introduce pollution, stay within public water or sewer system capacity limits.

Topics ✓ Environment ✗ Housing

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 2404: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- GENERAL PROVISIONS

Allows citizens of a city or town who are at least sixteen (16) years of age to register to vote and to vote in school committee elections in municipalities where school committees are elected entities.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 7447: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING -- PROCEDURE FOR APPROVAL OF CONSTRUCTION

Restores the requirement that a local review board issue findings for denial in reviewing a comprehensive permit request and clarifies that affordable housing units shall be included in each town and city when the building permits for units are granted.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 2345: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT AND INVESTMENT ACT -- RHODE ISLAND BROADBAND OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2026

This bill repeals a law that previously blocked Rhode Island from monitoring or regulating broadband services, removing a barrier to state oversight. It requires the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation to develop a plan for a broadband oversight office to monitor service quality, map coverage gaps, and coordinate federal broadband funding. The bill is necessary to meet federal requirements for managing programs like the BEAD grant, which demand ongoing state-level tracking of broadband performance and coverage. This oversight structure will enable the state to better manage public broadband investments and address unserved areas.

Topics ✓ Technology

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 6, 2026

HB 7671: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SIZE, WEIGHT, AND LOAD LIMITS

HB 7671 amends Rhode Island's vehicle size, weight, and load regulations to update existing rules for commercial and specialized vehicles. It increases the maximum length for most vehicles from 40 feet to 45 feet, adds specific exemptions for natural gas vehicles (accounting for fuel system weight differences), and clarifies exemptions for articulated public transit buses, farm equipment, and emergency vehicles. The bill also updates penalty structures, including $200 per foot for overlength violations and $125 per 100 pounds overweight for axle or bridge weight limits. These changes directly affect commercial truck drivers, farmers transporting equipment, public transit operators, and emergency services. The amendments maintain existing safety standards while adjusting technical parameters for modern vehicle types.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Bill results