Budget & Taxes

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 & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax exemption for veterans, reducing tax burden and offering direct tax relief per bill's explicit authorization.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAuthorizes property tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans, directly expanding financial benefits under veterans' services policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Veteran Housing

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 7691: AN ACT RELATING TO LIBRARIES -- STATE AID TO LIBRARIES

Requires that the state's share to public libraries be fixed at twenty-five percent (25%) of the amount appropriated by the city or town in their budgets for fiscal year 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates 25% state funding for libraries, ensuring dedicated budget allocation for public services per fiscal year 2027 appropriations.95% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 2567: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- UNIVERSAL AND UNIFIED HEALTHCARE SYSTEM ACT

SB 2567 establishes a universal single-payer healthcare system called "RICare" for all Rhode Island residents, replacing the current multi-insurer model with a publicly administered system funded through state taxes. It aims to guarantee universal access to primary and preventive care while reducing administrative costs and medical debt by consolidating payments into one system. Key provisions include creating a RICare Board, defining healthcare terms, and requiring coordination with state agencies to implement the system after securing federal approval. The bill is currently in early stages (introduced February 2026, referred to Senate Health Committee) and does not specify funding details or timelines for full implementation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds universal healthcare via state taxes, increasing public spending on essential services while reducing administrative costs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes universal single-payer system (RICare) guaranteeing primary/preventive care access, reducing administrative costs/debt via consolidated public funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Primary Care

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 8017: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES

Changes the assessment for residential property where forty percent (40%) of the dwellings are below eighty percent (80%) of statewide median income and thirty percent (30%) are below sixty percent (60%).

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdjusts property tax assessments downward for areas with high low-income housing, providing tax relief to lower-income residents per bill's income thresholds.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAdjusts property tax assessments for areas with high low-income housing, reducing tax burden to support affordable housing development per income thresholds.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Affordable Housing Property Taxes

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in committee · Rhode Island · House Feb 27, 2026

HB 8200: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- WEALTH PROCEEDS TAX

Imposes a tax equal to four percent (4%) on net investment income, such as interest, dividends, annuities, royalties, capital gains and rental income, of high-income households, estates and trusts, based upon federal guidelines.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 4% tax on high-income investment income, increasing revenue from wealthy households and advancing fiscal management through targeted taxation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HR 7705: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $40,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

This bill appropriates $40,000 from the state treasury to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) for participation in the Northeastern Forest Fire Protection Compact (NFFPC). The NFFPC is a mutual aid agreement among seven New England states, New York, and five Canadian provinces that allows states to share firefighting resources during large wildfires. Rhode Island uses this compact to access specialized equipment and personnel from other jurisdictions when local resources are overwhelmed, and this funding covers the state's share of costs for wages, transportation, and maintenance when requesting assistance. The bill does not change the compact's rules but ensures Rhode Island meets its financial obligations under the existing agreement.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $40k from state treasury for DEM's firefighting compact participation, funding essential public safety program.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds DEM participation in wildfire compact to protect forests and natural resources through mutual firefighting aid95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Forestry

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died · Rhode Island · House May 12, 2026

HB 7797: AN ACT RELATING TO PROBATE PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE -- UNCLAIMED INTANGIBLE AND TANGIBLE PROPERTY

This bill funds Rhode Island's Baby Bonds program by allocating $3,000 annually per eligible newborn (born in the prior calendar year) from unclaimed property funds, rather than using taxpayer dollars. It directs the state administrator to set aside this amount from unclaimed intangible/tangible property remittances before depositing remaining funds into the general fund. The program provides financial resources to newborns in Rhode Island through this dedicated funding stream. The law takes effect July 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds Baby Bonds program using unclaimed property funds instead of taxpayer dollars, demonstrating fiscal responsibility without increasing tax burden or general fund usage.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7501: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES IN OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME

HB 7501 allocates $100,000 in the 2026-2027 budget to support mental health and emotional well-being for K-12 students in out-of-school time (OST) programs, such as after-school and summer programs. It provides funding for staff training in trauma-informed practices, peer support groups, mental health resources, and culturally responsive activities designed by local communities. The funds will be distributed competitively through Rhode Island’s Afterschool Network to prioritize programs serving high-need youth across urban, suburban, and rural areas. This policy directly affects community-based OST programs and their staff, enabling flexible support for youth mental health needs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $100,000 from state budget to fund mental health services in K-12 OST programs, advancing public service funding through fiscal appropriation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $100,000 for K-12 mental health in OST programs, funding staff training and culturally responsive activities to enhance student well-being and program quality.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $100,000 for mental health services in K-12 after-school programs, funding trauma-informed training and peer support resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health Mental Health

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died · Rhode Island · House May 12, 2026

HB 7794: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE RHODE ISLAND FAMILY HOME--VISITING ACT

Changes annual reporting requirements for the state’s family home-visiting program and also impacts appropriation and spending of funds in order to access maximum federal funding for these programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdjusts appropriation process to maximize federal funding for family home-visiting programs, ensuring program continuity and increased resources without tax changes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 7506: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

HB 7506 exempts sales tax on batteries that store solar power for on-site use (behind-the-meter systems) when connected to solar photovoltaic installations. This directly affects homeowners, businesses, and property owners purchasing such battery systems for solar energy storage. The bill amends the state's sales tax code to add this exemption under existing tax categories, removing the sales tax burden specifically for these renewable energy storage components. It does not change tax rates for other items or create new requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts sales tax on solar batteries, providing tax relief for renewable energy storage, directly advancing fiscal support for green initiatives within taxation policy.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExempts sales tax on solar storage batteries, reducing costs for renewable energy adoption and directly supporting behind-the-meter solar systems.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExempts sales tax on solar storage batteries, directly promoting renewable energy adoption and reducing barriers to clean energy infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax Energy Storage Renewable Energy Solar

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