Rhode Island Bills

signed · Rhode Island · House May 6, 2026

HB 7661: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES

HB 7661 amends Rhode Island law to give towns greater flexibility in setting local property tax rates. It allows municipalities like Portsmouth to adopt, repeal, or modify their tax classification plans starting in 2027, with specific rate limits between property classes (e.g., residential vs. commercial). Key provisions require that tax rates for different property classes cannot differ by more than 50% (except in Providence, Glocester, and East Greenwich), and towns must document rate changes to municipal affairs to prevent reduced tax revenue. The bill applies broadly to Rhode Island municipalities but includes tailored rules for specific towns like East Greenwich, which can adjust its tax plan annually without annual approval.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 2700: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION

Authorizes the town of Middletown to adopt by ordinance, a veterans’ property tax exemption to any veteran, who was honorably discharged, or discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, regardless of dates or periods of service.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 2015: AN ACT RELATING TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS -- LENDERS AND LOAN BROKERS

SB 2015 removes an existing licensing exemption for lenders who originate fewer than six loans in any 12-month period in Rhode Island. This change directly affects small lenders, including independent brokers or micro-lenders, requiring them to obtain a license under the state's financial institution regulations starting January 1, 2027. The key mechanism eliminates a specific exception in current law that previously allowed these entities to operate without oversight. The bill does not alter other existing exemptions for nonprofit lenders, large commercial loans, or certain financial institutions.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 2148: AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES

SB 2148 requires liquor license holders in Westerly to carry liability insurance. This directly affects businesses that sell alcohol in Westerly, including bars, restaurants, and retail stores with alcohol licenses. The key provision mandates that all retail alcohol licenses must include proof of liability insurance as a condition of renewal or issuance. The bill aims to ensure businesses have financial protection for potential incidents involving alcohol service.

passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 2184: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

SB 2184 removes the registration and plate transfer fee for vehicles displaying a Distinguished Service Cross license plate. This change directly affects veterans who have received the Distinguished Service Cross, the military's second-highest decoration for extraordinary heroism. The bill modifies the state's vehicle registration system by eliminating the standard fee that would otherwise apply when registering a vehicle or transferring this specific plate. This is a targeted administrative adjustment to reduce costs for eligible veterans using the special license plate.

Topics ✓ Veterans

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 2166: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- MINIMUM WAGES--OVERTIME

Requires small employers with one to fifty (1-50) employees and large employers with fifty (50) or more employees to pay overtime wages to exempt workers if their salary exceeds varying multipliers of minimum wage for a forty (40) hour workweek.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 2325: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- MINIMUM WAGES

Effective January 1, 2028, Increases the hourly minimum wage in accordance with the Consumer Price Index for the Northeast Region for the previous four (4) fiscal years.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 2327: AN ACT RELATING TO HOLIDAYS AND DAYS OF SPECIAL OBSERVANCE

Designates the month of May, annually, as "Rhode Island Native Plant Month," with appropriate ceremonies and activities to recognize and educate people about Rhode Island's native plants.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 2331: AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES

This bill amends Rhode Island's liquor license law to specifically allow a Class B retail liquor license for the property at 150 Broadway in Providence. It creates a targeted exemption from standard restrictions that normally prohibit liquor licenses within 200 feet of schools or places of worship. The exemption applies only to this single location (as defined in the bill text), enabling the business to operate without meeting the usual proximity requirements. This is a procedural change affecting one specific property, not a broad policy shift.

passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 2332: AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES

Provides that exemptions to the prohibition of liquor licenses within two hundred feet (200') of schools or places of worship do not eliminate neighboring property owners’ remonstrance rights to object to the license.

signed · Rhode Island · House May 6, 2026

HB 7227: AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES

HB 7227 would allow the city of Providence to issue a Class B liquor license at 150 Broadway by exempting this specific property from standard restrictions that typically prohibit liquor sales within 200 feet of schools or places of worship. The bill targets a single location (lot 131 on tax assessors plat 68 in Providence) as described in the bill text, granting the Providence Board of Licenses authority to approve this exception. This is a narrow administrative exemption for one business address, not a change to statewide liquor licensing rules. The bill does not affect other license applications or alter existing proximity requirements elsewhere.

signed · Rhode Island · House May 6, 2026

HB 7043: AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES

HB 7043 requires liquor license applicants in Westerly to obtain commercial liability insurance covering liquor liability, general liability, and property damage in a minimum amount of $300,000 (or higher if set by town ordinance). This affects businesses seeking retail liquor licenses in Westerly, mandating they provide proof of insurance that names the town as an additional insured and prohibits cancellation without prior notice. The bill adds specific "liquor liability" coverage to Westerly’s existing insurance requirements, which differ from similar rules in Burrillville and North Providence. The law would take effect upon passage but remains pending before the committee.

Bill results