Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 2536: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PERSONAL INCOME TAX

SB 2536 modifies Rhode Island's personal income tax code to exclude up to $25,000 of social security income from taxable income for residents. This change applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, directly affecting Rhode Island residents receiving social security benefits. The bill amends Section 44-30-12 to add this exclusion as a modification reducing federal adjusted gross income. It does not change other tax provisions but specifically lowers taxable income for qualifying social security recipients. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Finance Committee after introduction on February 13, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExcludes social security income from taxable income, providing tax relief to lower/middle-income retirees, directly aligning with tax relief indicators for Budget & Taxes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 2557: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION

Exempts a single-family, primary residence, owned by a taxpayer, who is at least sixty-five (65) years old, and has been a Rhode Island resident for at least forty (40) years. It also excludes multi-family and income-producing properties.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts elderly homeowners from property tax, providing tax relief for lower-income seniors per bill summary.95% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 7, 2026

SR 2670: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $850,000 FOR NEW BRIDGES FOR HAITIAN SUCCESS

Authorizes the appropriation of $850,000 for New Bridges for Haitian Success for the purpose of residential property acquisition for transitional housing to support immigrants with temporary protected status (TPS) and asylum status.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $850,000 for transitional housing program, directly funding a specific initiative under budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds $850k for residential property acquisition to create transitional housing for TPS/asylum seekers, directly advancing affordable housing access for vulnerable populations.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationFunds transitional housing for TPS/asylum immigrants, directly providing services to support protected immigrant populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Refugees & Asylum

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7581: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

HB 7581 creates new state funding streams for specific education needs in Rhode Island school districts. It provides direct funding for special education costs exceeding 4x the core foundation amount, career and technical education program setup/maintenance, voluntary pre-K access, and transportation costs for students in regional districts or out-of-district non-public schools. The bill also establishes stabilization funds for Central Falls, Davies, and the Met Center schools, and offers regional school districts a two-year bonus (2% then 1% of state aid) for regionalization. School districts seeking reimbursement must share costs if total requests exceed available funds, with the Department of Education prorating allocations annually. This bill primarily affects public school districts, special education programs, and regional education entities across Rhode Island.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new state funding streams for education programs including special ed, career training, and pre-K, directly increasing public service funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates new state funding streams for special education, career/tech programs, pre-K access, transportation, and stabilization funds for specific schools.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly allocates funds for 'transportation costs for students in regional districts' as part of education funding, directly supporting transportation services within its scope.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Early Childhood School Funding Special Education

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in committee · Rhode Island · House Feb 27, 2026

HB 8158: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

HB 8158, titled "The Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act," requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to review how funding formulas calculate aid for high-need students. This review focuses on the specific components used to determine support levels, aiming to ensure equitable resource allocation. The bill directly affects the state education department and the students designated as high-need under current funding formulas. As referenced in its title, the bill connects to broader education equity efforts, though its core mechanism is the mandated formula review process. The bill was introduced on February 27, 2026, and referred to the House Finance Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExplicitly titled 'Property Tax Relief Act' providing tax relief to homeowners, directly aligning with support indicators for tax relief measures.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates review of funding formulas to ensure equitable resource allocation for high-need students, advancing educational equity through fairer funding distribution.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax State Budget School Funding

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signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 23, 2026

HB 8026: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION

Repeals the Tiverton tax credit for totally disabled veterans and includes a veteran's unmarried widow or widower for a tax credit in the amount of four hundred dollars ($400) or greater.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $200+ tax credit for veterans' widows/widowers, providing targeted tax relief per bill's summary.90% confidence ✗ VeteransOpposes VeteransRepeals tax credit for disabled veterans, reducing their benefits, while adding credit for widows/widowers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 8212: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW--GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- INTERCHANGE FEE RESTRICTION ACT

Creates the interchange fee restriction act prohibiting interchange fees on sales and use tax or excise tax when payment is made with a credit or debit card.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProhibits interchange fees on tax payments, ensuring full tax revenue collection for state budget without merchant deductions.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 7590: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- INSPECTOR GENERAL

Establishes the office of inspector general as an independent administrative agency charged with the responsibility to investigate, detect, and prevent fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the expenditure of public funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes inspector general to prevent fiscal mismanagement, promoting accountability in public fund expenditure aligns with fiscal responsibility indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Government Spending

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7681: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

HB 7681, the Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act, provides direct state funding for specific education costs to support school districts. It covers special education expenses exceeding 4x the base funding, career and technical education program costs (including facilities and equipment), and transportation for students attending out-of-district non-public schools. The bill also establishes stabilization funds for Central Falls, Davies, and the Met Center schools due to financial challenges, and requires the state to fully fund transportation categorical funds for regional school districts starting in fiscal year 2027. Regionalized school districts like Chariho will receive a temporary two-year bonus (2% then 1% of state aid) to encourage regional collaboration.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly provides property tax relief through state funding for education costs, reducing local tax burdens for school districts and residents.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides direct state funding for special education, CTE programs, and school stabilization, advancing educational access and equity as specified in the bill's summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax School Funding Special Education

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died · Rhode Island · House May 7, 2026

HB 7700: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

Increases the income range up to fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) and tax credit up to eight hundred fifty dollars ($850), for elderly and disabled persons who own or rent their homes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax credit for elderly/disabled homeowners, providing direct tax relief to lower-income groups per bill's summary.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases tax credits for elderly/disabled renters/homeowners, reducing housing costs and enhancing affordability for vulnerable groups.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits Property Taxes Renters

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