Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · House May 12, 2026

HB 8184: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OFFICE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Prohibits the state from seeking reimbursement for expenditures made on behalf of disabled Rhode Islanders from an ABLE account after the death of the designated beneficiary.

Terri Cortvriend (D) Tina Spears (D) Jennifer Boylan (D) Deb Fellela (D) Arthur Handy (D)

died · Rhode Island · House May 12, 2026

HR 8201: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO HIGHER GROUND INTERNATIONAL TO SUPPORT THEIR CRITICAL WORK SUPPORTING IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEE POPULATIONS

Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) to Higher Ground International, to support their mission of supporting immigrants and refugee populations.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Immigration

died · Rhode Island · House May 12, 2026

HR 8211: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $10,000,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER INITIATIVE

This bill authorizes $10 million in funding for Rhode Island's Community Health Worker Initiative, administered by the Department of Health. It directly affects community health workers and the programs they support across the state. The key provision is a one-time appropriation to expand or sustain these workforce programs, which connect residents with health resources in underserved areas. The bill was introduced to the House Finance Committee on February 27, 2026, and remains pending.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · House May 12, 2026

HB 8173: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- LEAD POISONING PREVENTION ACT

Amends current law so that private side lead service replacement costs, financed by the water supplier's customers that may be eligible for reimbursement from the state, would no longer be subject to appropriation by the general assembly.

died · Rhode Island · House May 12, 2026

HB 8148: AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- RHODE ISLAND TURNPIKE AND BRIDGE AUTHORITY

Directs the RITBA design a safety barrier or netting system on the several bridges within its authority. Any newly constructed bridges with a deck height of over one hundred feet (100 ft) would be required to have safety barriers of safety netting.

Topics ✓ Transportation

died · Rhode Island · House May 12, 2026

HR 8209: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $250,000 TO THE REFUGEE DREAM CENTER

HR 8209 is a joint resolution that authorizes the federal government to provide $250,000 in direct funding to the Refugee Dream Center (RDC). This bill directly affects the RDC, a nonprofit organization supporting refugees, by providing it with a specific sum of money for its operations. The key provision is a one-time appropriation of $250,000, which the RDC would use to support its refugee assistance programs. The bill was introduced on February 27, 2026, and referred to the House Finance Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Immigration

died · Rhode Island · House May 12, 2026

HR 8210: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $2,300,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

DEM) TO TRANSPLANT QUAHOGS INTO NARRAGANSETT BAY AND ESTABLISH A SHELLFISH HATCHERY PROGRAM (This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $2,300,000 to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management for the transplantation of quahogs and the establishment of a shellfish hatchery program.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 2044: AN ACT RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

Requires 10% of all rental fees collected by the water resources board pursuant to a lease with the Coventry Pines Golf Club be paid to the town of Coventry and 10% to the Central Coventry Fire District.

died · Rhode Island · House May 12, 2026

HB 7057: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PERSONAL INCOME TAX

Gradually phases in modifications to federal adjusted gross income over a five (5) year period for social security income, from twenty percent (20%) up to one hundred percent (100%), beginning on or after January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 2159: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINALS -- CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS -- PAROLE

Requires one elector of the parole board to be a person directly impacted by the criminal justice system who has completed the probation/parole process three (3) or more years prior to selection with a professional background in certain enumerated areas.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 2156: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- BURGLARY AND BREAKING AND ENTERING

Adds a rebuttable defense if any person shall die or sustain a personal injury while committing robbery of the owner, lessor, or occupant of a motor vehicle and that the owner or occupant of the vehicle acted in self-defense.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 2098: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- CIGARETTE, OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS, AND ELECTRONIC NICOTINE-DELIVERY SYSTEM PRODUCTS

SB 2098 prohibits the sale or possession of flavored electronic nicotine-delivery system products (e-cigarettes) in Rhode Island, including those with menthol flavor. It defines "characterizing flavor" broadly to include menthol, meaning any e-liquid marketed with a distinguishable taste or aroma (other than tobacco) is banned. The law directly affects e-cigarette retailers and consumers, with limited exemptions for cannabis facilities under specific conditions. This is a regulatory change, not a tax measure, and would take effect immediately upon passage.

Bill results