Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 7664: AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES

This bill allows caterers with a Class P license to purchase alcoholic beverages from either retail or wholesale stores in Rhode Island, expanding their sourcing options beyond previous restrictions. It requires caterers to follow specific service rules, including ID checks for under-30 guests, limiting drinks to two at a time, prohibiting shots, and serving only during five-hour event windows. Caterers may also leave alcohol at an event host's residence if under their continuous control during the event. Violations carry $500 fines and risk license revocation.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 7912: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- RHODE ISLAND CLEAN HEAT STANDARD ACT

Creates the Rhode Island clean heat standards act to implement a system of tradeable clean heat credits earned from the delivery of clean heat measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 7917: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- EXECUTIVE CLIMATE CHANGE COORDINATING COUNCIL -- MANDATORY ACT ON CLIMATE COMPLIANCE IN STATE BUDGETING AND PLANNING

HB 7917 requires all Rhode Island state agencies and state-funded organizations (like public authorities) to integrate the state’s December 2025 climate strategy report into their annual budgets, capital plans, and strategic documents starting in fiscal year 2027. It mandates that each budget or project submission include a specific emissions impact assessment (showing if it reduces, maintains, or increases emissions) and a certification signed by the agency head confirming compliance. Non-compliant submissions will be rejected by the Office of Management and Budget, and agencies must publicly post their assessments and certifications. This law directly affects how state funds are allocated, ensuring all major spending aligns with Rhode Island’s legally binding climate targets.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 7991: AN ACT RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- COASTAL RESILIENCE -- NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS FOR EROSION CONTROL, WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, AND EXPEDITED PERMITTING

Provides that DEM regulations and CRMC in consultation with the chief resilience officer shall update to prioritize nature based solutions for coastal resilience projects that would be coordinated by DEM using an expedited permitting process.

Topics ✓ Environment

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 2736: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- DIVISION OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY

Ensures that the State of Rhode Island adopt the protections afforded under the Occupational Safety and Health Act if its scope or enforcement capacity is diminished.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 8194: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- REAL ESTATE CONVEYANCE TAX

HB 8194 requires that real estate conveyance tax payments be directed to the same municipalities that currently collect them. This bill clarifies the existing payment structure for the tax, ensuring funds flow to the local jurisdictions where the property transaction occurs. It does not change tax rates, eligibility, or create new requirements. The bill focuses solely on the administrative routing of collected tax revenue. (1 sentence, as it is procedural)

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 2752: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL CODE PROVISIONS

Allows any truck with a gross vehicle weight of eight thousand eight hundred pounds (8,800 lbs.) or less to be registered as an automobile and issued passenger plates.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 7004: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND CLIMATE SUPERFUND ACT OF 2026

HB 7004 establishes the Rhode Island Climate Superfund Act of 2026, requiring fossil fuel producers responsible for over one billion tons of emissions during 2000-2025 to reimburse the state and municipalities for climate adaptation costs. It directly affects major fossil fuel companies (coal, oil, gas producers) determined to have caused significant climate-related damages. The bill creates a fund to cover "climate change response work," including coastal protection, infrastructure upgrades, and heat mitigation projects, using scientifically verified emission attribution methods aligned with IPCC standards. Funds will offset taxpayer costs for climate resilience efforts already underway, following the "polluter pays" principle.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 7081: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- NEXT GENERATION PUBLIC BUILDINGS ACT

Prohibits the use of heating systems utilizing fossil fuels as well as air or water heating systems in any state or municipal building open to the public constructed, altered or renovated on or after January 1, 2028.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 7069: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- ENERGY FACILITY SITING ACT

HB 7069 amends Rhode Island's Energy Facility Siting Act to remove "clean coal technology" from the list of energy sources that receive priority consideration for new projects. This change directly affects energy developers and state regulators evaluating facility siting applications, as it eliminates a specific criterion favoring clean coal projects. The bill does not ban clean coal but removes it from the priority list that previously gave it favor over other energy sources like renewables or natural gas. Key provisions now require the siting board to prioritize projects based on criteria including renewable fuels, efficiency, and low emissions, without the clean coal designation. The policy change takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 2171: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- MERIT SYSTEM

SB 2171 changes how government job classifications are reviewed for promotions. It removes "supervising other employees" as a factor considered when determining eligibility for position upgrades under the merit system. This directly affects public employees whose job classifications are assessed through the OPA desk audit process. The bill amends existing rules to focus classification decisions on other criteria, not supervisory responsibilities.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 2211: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- COUNCIL ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

Directs the commissioner of postsecondary education to prepare a strategic plan for public higher education which is aligned with the goals of the board of education's strategic plan.

Topics ✓ Education

Bill results