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Rhode Island Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress
All 25,118 Active 5 In committee 20,549 Passed 5,917 Signed 4,510 Failed 6,972

Bill results

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 8130: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RHODE ISLAND PREKINDERGARTEN EDUCATION ACT

Allows municipalities participating in the state prekindergarten program to accept students from outside the municipality under certain conditions and establishes a lottery for enrollment in the program.
Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands pre-K access by allowing out-of-municipality enrollment via lottery, increasing program availability for more students.92% confidence
Karen Alzate (D) David Morales (D) Joshua Giraldo (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 2056: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS

Disqualifies individuals with prior felony convictions or nolo contendere pleas from purchasing or possessing a firearm. It also prevents the sentencing judge from suspending the first two (2) years of any sentence under limited circumstances.
Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts firearm access for felons and mandates stricter sentencing by preventing suspension of initial two years, increasing mandatory incarceration.90% confidence
Ryan Pearson (D) Jonathon Acosta (D) Meghan Kallman (D) Sam Zurier (D) Lammis Vargas (D)
died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7134: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- THE RHODE ISLAND FIRST STEP ACT

Establishes Rhode Island First Step program requiring DOC to assist offenders with reintegration into society, counseling, medical care, education, early sentence termination or pre-release confinement for elderly and terminally ill offenders.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes reintegration programs including counseling, education, and early release for vulnerable offenders, directly promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.95% confidence
Cherie Cruz (D) Jennifer Stewart (D) Raymond Hull (D) Enrique Sanchez (D) John Lombardi (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 2154: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- ELECTRONIC INFORMATION AND DATA PRIVACY ACT

Requires law enforcement agencies to obtain search warrants for electronic information, data, location information and other identifying information of subscribers and customers, except in specified circumstances.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates search warrants for electronic data, protecting privacy rights and enhancing law enforcement accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires warrants for law enforcement access to electronic data, strengthening privacy protections per bill summary. Directly aligns with support indicators for data privacy.95% confidence
Jessica de la Cruz (R) Gordon Rogers (R) John Burke (D) Frank Ciccone (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 2092: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- RIDESHARE OR TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANY VEHICLE SURCHARGE

Imposes a seventy-five cent (0.75) surcharge on fares charged by rideshare companies as well as an account to benefit RIPTA from the payment of sales taxes collected from rideshares.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 75¢ surcharge on rideshares, directing sales tax revenue to fund RIPTA public transit services, directly advancing public transportation funding.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationImposes 75¢ surcharge on rideshares to fund RIPTA public transit, directly advancing transportation infrastructure through dedicated revenue stream.95% confidence
Ryan Pearson (D) Meghan Kallman (D) Sam Zurier (D) Lou DiPalma (D) Bridget Valverde (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 2095: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- TRANSPORTATION INVESTMENT AND DEBT REDUCTION ACT OF 2011

SB 2095 directs 20% of annual revenue from Rhode Island's highway maintenance account to fund the Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority (RIPTA) starting July 1, 2026, for its operating costs. Previously, RIPTA received 5% (2015-2025), then 10% (2025-2026), with a fixed $5 million annual allocation (except during federal relief funding periods). The bill gradually increases transit funding from the highway fund to support RIPTA's operations without requiring new taxes. This policy change specifically affects RIPTA's budget and Rhode Island's transportation infrastructure funding structure.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing highway revenue to fund RIPTA operations without new taxes, strengthening public transit funding through fiscal reallocation.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases RIPTA transit funding from 10% to 20% of highway revenue for operating costs, directly advancing public transportation infrastructure without new taxes.95% confidence
Jonathon Acosta (D) Meghan Kallman (D) Sam Zurier (D) Mark McKenney (D) Lammis Vargas (D)
died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7179: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- VEHICLE BARRIERS -- THE CHARLOTTE A. VACCA ACT

HB 7179, the "Charlotte A. Vacca Act," requires commercial property owners to install vehicle barriers meeting Rhode Island building code standards at retail establishments (stores selling food or goods) as part of new construction. It also encourages owners to add barriers at existing locations for pedestrian safety, while mandating compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act for accessibility. The bill includes a provision requiring insurers to offer premium discounts for properties with installed barriers, subject to approval by the insurance commissioner. This law directly affects retail property owners and aims to reduce vehicle-impact risks to pedestrians and occupants. It takes effect upon passage.
Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires vehicle barriers at retail for pedestrian safety, directly enhancing transportation safety standards by preventing vehicle-pedestrian collisions at transit-access points.95% confidence
Bob Phillips (D) David Place (R) Jon Brien (I) Evan Shanley (D) Sam Azzinaro (D)
died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7203: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- BAIL AND RECOGNIZANCE

Prohibits the courts from setting cash or surety bail on any misdemeanor offense but permits the court to set reasonable non-monetary conditions of bail to assure the defendant's presence in court as required and to protect the community.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits cash bail for misdemeanors, reducing wealth-based detention and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to protect defendant rights and community safety.95% confidence
Karen Alzate (D) Cherie Cruz (D) Brandon Potter (D) David Morales (D) Carol McEntee (D)
died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7204: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

HB 7204 would allow individuals with multiple non-violent felony convictions to petition for the removal of their criminal records after completing their sentences for 10 years. This applies to people with more than one felony conviction (excluding crimes of violence) who have paid all court fees and fines, maintained a clean record for 10 years, and demonstrated good moral character. The bill amends existing expungement laws to expand eligibility beyond single offenses, specifically targeting those with multiple non-violent felony convictions. It does not apply to violent felony convictions or cases involving certain offenses under Chapter 29 of Title 12.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands expungement eligibility for non-violent felons after 10-year clean record, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform.95% confidence
Karen Alzate (D) Cherie Cruz (D) Grace Diaz (D) Brandon Potter (D) Carol McEntee (D)
died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7205: AN ACT RELATED TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- SENTENCING RECONSIDERATION ACT

Allows eligible individuals serving sentences of imprisonment to seek sentence reductions from the superior court, individuals serving life without parole or minimum mandatory sentences pursuant to law, would not be eligible for such relief.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows eligible inmates to seek sentence reductions via court reconsideration, promoting reform by reducing unnecessary prison terms while excluding life without parole cases.95% confidence
Karen Alzate (D) Susan Donovan (D) Mary Ann Shallcross-Smith (D) Tina Spears (D) Julie Casimiro (D)
died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HR 7216: HOUSE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO ADDRESS CONCERNS IN THE DELIVERY OF HEALTHCARE TO INMATES AND INDIVIDUALS AWAITING TRIAL IN THE CUSTODY OF THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

RIDOC) (Creates a 9 member commission to study and make recommendations on the delivery of healthcare services at RIDOC, and who reports back to the House no later than January 5, 2027, and whose life would expire on March 5, 2027.
Dick Fascia (R) Bob Quattrocchi (R) Ramon Perez (D) Mary Ann Shallcross-Smith (D) Deb Fellela (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 2272: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- MULTIFAMILY HOUSING ACT

Requires single-family residential zoning in municipalities with populations of over forty-thousand (40,000) to allow middle housing and mandates that those municipalities adopt zoning regulations for middle housing.
Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates zoning changes to permit middle housing in single-family zones, directly increasing housing development options and affordability.95% confidence
Meghan Kallman (D) Tiara Mack (D) Jake Bissaillon (D)
Showing 1,021 to 1,032 of 6,972 bills
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