Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 8133: AN ACT RELATING TO FISH AND WILDLIFE -- LICENSING

HB 8133 imposes a new fee of $0.01 for every 10,000 gallons of treated wastewater discharged by facilities. It directly affects municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants that release effluent into waterways. The bill establishes this specific fee structure to generate revenue for fish and wildlife conservation programs. This is a direct financial obligation on wastewater operators, not a regulatory change to discharge standards. The fee applies to all eligible discharges under the bill's definition.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes new wastewater fee to fund fish/wildlife conservation, directly generating revenue for public programs.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill imposes wastewater fee to fund fish/wildlife conservation programs, directly advancing environmental protection through dedicated revenue.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Conservation Wildlife

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died · Rhode Island · House May 7, 2026

HB 7697: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

HB 7697 exempts prescribed scalp hair prosthetics and wigs from sales tax when medically necessary to treat hair loss from a health condition. This directly affects individuals with medical conditions like alopecia or cancer treatment side effects who require these items. The bill amends tax code sections to explicitly include "prosthetic devices" (defined as items necessary for medical treatment) under existing sales tax exemptions, alongside items like durable medical equipment. The policy change applies only to sales tax on qualifying products purchased by consumers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts medically necessary hair prosthetics from sales tax, providing tax relief for individuals with health conditions like alopecia or cancer treatment side effects.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts medically necessary hair prosthetics from sales tax, reducing out-of-pocket costs for patients with conditions like cancer treatment side effects, improving access to essential healthcare items.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 2539: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PERSONAL INCOME TAX

Gradually phases in modifications to federal adjusted gross income over a four (4) year period for social security income, from twenty-five percent (25%) up to one hundred percent (100%), beginning on or after January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPhases in higher tax exemption for social security income, providing relief to recipients (typically lower income). Direct tax reduction aligning with support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 2551: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

SB 2551 revises how the state calculates education funding for school districts, using a new formula that considers both a district's revenue capacity and the percentage of students in poverty (specifically for districts with over 50% poverty). It creates a "poverty loss stabilization fund" to support districts experiencing a significant drop (more than 2%) in their state funding share, and requires the state to publish an annual report identifying unfunded district costs. The bill also allocates new state funds for special education, career and technical education programs, pre-kindergarten access, and specific stabilization support for Central Falls, Davies, and the Met Center school districts. Additionally, it provides direct state funding for transportation costs for students attending non-public schools and within regional school districts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly includes 'Property Tax Relief' in title and creates stabilization fund to protect education funding from significant drops, aligning with tax relief and funding protection indicators.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRevises funding formula to prioritize high-poverty districts, creates poverty loss stabilization fund for funding drops, requires annual reporting on unfunded costs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax K-12 Education School Funding Special Education

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 11, 2026

SR 2676: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $150,000 TO THE MAIN STREET RHODE ISLAND PROGRAM

This bill proposes allocating $150,000 in funding to the Main Street Rhode Island Program, which supports local businesses and community revitalization efforts across the state. The appropriation would provide financial resources to the program's existing initiatives aimed at strengthening main street areas and small businesses. The legislation is currently in its early stages, having been introduced and referred to the Senate Finance Committee for review. No specific details about how the funds will be distributed or managed are included in the current text.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $150,000 to Main Street Rhode Island Program, funding a public initiative under budget appropriations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 9, 2026

SB 2444: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

SB 2444 exempts scalp hair prosthetics or wigs necessary due to medical hair loss from state sales tax. This directly affects individuals with medical conditions requiring such prosthetics, making them more affordable. The bill amends the sales tax code to explicitly include "prosthetic devices" under tax-exempt medical items, aligning with existing exemptions for similar durable medical equipment. The change creates a clear policy update to reduce financial burden for this specific medical need.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts medical prosthetics from sales tax, providing direct tax relief for individuals with medical conditions, aligning with tax exemption policies for durable medical equipment.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts medical hair prosthetics from sales tax, reducing out-of-pocket costs for patients with medical conditions requiring such devices, aligning with tax exemptions for durable medical equipment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 8146: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC FINANCE -- STATE BUDGET--PROGRAM PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT

HB 8146 requires state agencies managing capital projects and budgets to submit additional performance and audit reports to the legislature. It directly affects state departments overseeing infrastructure spending and public projects by mandating more detailed tracking of how funds are used. Key provisions include new requirements for agencies to measure program outcomes and report audit findings more frequently. This bill aims to improve transparency in how state funds are spent on large projects without changing funding levels or creating new programs. The bill is currently in the House Finance committee after its February 27, 2026, introduction.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates detailed performance reports for budget transparency, promoting fiscal responsibility in state spending management.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates detailed reporting on infrastructure spending, ensuring transparency in fund allocation for transportation-related capital projects.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability State Budget

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 8144: AN ACT RELATING TO CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM -- 2026 BOND REFERENDA

Submits the state's 2026 capital development program relating to green bonds requesting the issuance of general obligation bonds totaling $60,000,000 for approval of the electorate at the general election to be held in November, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill requests $60M in general obligation bonds for capital development program, advancing state budget allocation for infrastructure funding.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyGreen bonds explicitly fund clean energy infrastructure, aligning with renewable energy investment and infrastructure development indicators.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly uses 'green bonds' for $60M capital program, directly funding environmental projects per terminology and purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds

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died · Rhode Island · House May 12, 2026

HR 8210: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $2,300,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

DEM) TO TRANSPLANT QUAHOGS INTO NARRAGANSETT BAY AND ESTABLISH A SHELLFISH HATCHERY PROGRAM (This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $2,300,000 to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management for the transplantation of quahogs and the establishment of a shellfish hatchery program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $2.3M for environmental program, directly funding state spending on a specific initiative per budgetary appropriation.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds shellfish hatchery and quahog transplantation for Narragansett Bay ecosystem restoration, supporting marine conservation and water quality.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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died · Rhode Island · House May 14, 2026

HR 7708: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $2,700,000 TO BE USED FOR MATERNAL HEALTH IMPROVEMENT AND EQUITY

This bill appropriates $2.7 million annually starting in fiscal year 2026-2027 to the state department of health for maternal health initiatives. The funds are allocated to four specific programs: $750,000 for maternal health data tracking, $1.2 million for workplace health programs, $600,000 for community health access grants, and $150,000 for advisory council operations. These funds directly support state-level maternal health efforts, including data collection, workplace wellness, community access, and community engagement. The appropriation requires no new policy changes but provides dedicated funding for existing maternal health programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates $2.7M annually for maternal health programs, increasing state funding for public health services under budget management.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates $2.7M for maternal health programs including data tracking, workplace health, and community access grants, directly advancing public health initiatives.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllocates $1.2M to workplace health programs, directly advancing workplace safety and health standards under Labor & Employment policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Women's Health

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