HB 7683 increases the minimum monthly death benefits for spouses, domestic partners, and former spouses of deceased teachers. The bill raises the lowest benefit tier from $825 to $1,025 per month for those with a deceased member's salary of $17,000 or less, with proportional increases across all salary brackets. It applies to individuals who were living with the deceased teacher at death or receiving support, and who meet age and remarriage requirements. Benefits will adjust annually based on Social Security cost-of-living changes. The bill takes effect upon passage.
SB 2678 increases the monthly minimum retirement benefit paid to spouses, domestic partners, and former spouses of retired teachers. This change directly affects individuals who receive survivor benefits under the teachers' retirement system. The bill raises the minimum monthly payment amount without altering other retirement eligibility rules. It was introduced on February 27, 2026, and referred to the Senate Finance Committee.
Exempts certain urban and small farmers from sales taxes, real, tangible and personal property taxes and income taxes. This act would also define urban and small farmers and urban farmland.
This bill, titled the Tax Preparers Act of 2013, establishes rules and penalties for tax return preparers in the state, specifically targeting those who act as "ghost preparers" or intentionally mislead clients. It defines a ghost preparer as someone who prepares tax returns without properly identifying themselves or complying with federal identification requirements, and clarifies who qualifies as a tax return preparer under state law. The legislation requires all preparers to sign returns with their Preparer Tax Identification Number and prohibits them from facilitating ghost preparation activities. Penalties range from $500 to $10,000 depending on the severity of violations, including willful fraud or misleading taxpayers, and the tax administrator may suspend or revoke a preparer's license for noncompliance. Additionally, the bill mandates that the tax administrator publish a list of preparers whose privileges have been suspended or revoked.
Extends the timeframe for the division of taxation to review nonresident contractor cases and provide a specific penalty for noncompliance with the statute's withholding requirements.
Authorizes the city of Providence to issue not more than $25,000,000 in general obligation bonds and notes to fund the providence housing trust fund to finance affordable multi-family housing projects in the city.
Exempts certain urban and small farmers from sales taxes, real, tangible and personal property taxes and income taxes. This act would also define urban and small farmers and urban farmland.
Amends the composition of the Rhode Island school safety committee by adding an additional member who is a representative from the Rhode Island school Resource officer Association.
SB 2453 allows cities and towns to create programs waiving interest on overdue property taxes for commercial properties. To qualify, taxpayers must own the commercial property for five years, provide written proof of timely tax payments for five years, and request the waiver within two years of the overdue bill. The waiver is capped at $500 per request, and local tax collectors must issue written decisions with appeal options to city councils. This bill enables local governments to adopt ordinances implementing this relief, directly affecting commercial property owners who fall behind on quarterly tax payments.
Authorizes the City of Central Falls to issue bonds and notes in an amount not exceeding $25,000,000 to finance the construction, renovation, improvement, alteration, repair furnishing and equipping of schools and school facilities in the city.
