Budget & Taxes

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 2544: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION TAX

SB 2544 suspends the 4% gross earnings tax on electric utility companies and the 3% tax on gas utility companies until January 1, 2036. This directly affects electric and gas utility corporations operating in the state by removing these tax obligations for nearly a decade. The bill amends tax code provisions to halt these specific tax rates, which would otherwise apply to their gross earnings from electricity and gas services. The suspension begins January 1, 2027, and remains in effect through 2035.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesSuspends 4% electric and 3% gas utility taxes, reducing state revenue and weakening fiscal management by exempting corporations from tax obligations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 8157: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

HB 8157 changes how the state calculates its contribution to the poverty loss stabilization fund, which supports school districts serving high-poverty communities. It amends the state's share statute to adjust the formula used for determining funding levels. This directly affects school districts in low-income areas that rely on this fund to offset revenue shortfalls. The key provision modifies the calculation method, potentially altering the amount of state aid these districts receive. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill modifies state funding formula for school districts in high-poverty areas, aiming to stabilize aid through 'property tax relief' and adjust poverty loss stabilization fund calculations.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAmends funding formula for poverty loss stabilization fund supporting high-poverty school districts, directly addressing equitable education funding to offset revenue shortfalls.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax School Funding

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in committee · Rhode Island · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 7694: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

Establishes an office of inspector general as an independent administrative agency, charged with preventing and detecting fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the expenditure of public funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes oversight to prevent misuse of public funds, promoting fiscal responsibility in budget management per bill's purpose.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Government Spending

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 2, 2026

HR 7813: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $10,000,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND FOUNDATION TO SUPPORT PUBLIC EDUCATION

Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $10,000,000 to the Rhode Island Foundation, to generate funds to support public education through distributions to local education agency foundations. The funds would be disbursed over 5 years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $10M to support public education funding, directly increasing state budget allocation for essential services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill appropriates $10M to Rhode Island Foundation for public education funding via local education agency distributions over 5 years, directly increasing education resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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died · Rhode Island · House May 7, 2026

HB 7805: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PERSONAL INCOME TAX

HB 7805 establishes Rhode Island's current personal income tax structure, applying to all taxpayers with income in the state (including residents, nonresidents, estates, and trusts). It sets progressive tax rates ranging from 3.75% to 9.90% based on filing status and income levels, with specific brackets adjusted annually for inflation. The bill also includes a cap on capital gains tax rates and provisions for calculating alternative minimum tax. These changes directly affect all Rhode Island taxpayers who file state income tax returns.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes progressive tax rates (3.75%-9.90%) with inflation adjustments, directly governing state taxation policy per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 2624: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- RHODE ISLAND NEW QUALIFIED JOBS INCENTIVE ACT 2015

SB 2624 discontinues Rhode Island's Jobs Development Act tax rate reductions by July 1, 2026. It ensures companies that qualified for rate reductions under the program before July 1, 2015, can maintain their existing rates through June 30, 2026, but no new rate reductions or credits will be authorized after June 30, 2026. The bill directly affects businesses participating in the state's qualified jobs tax incentive program. It ends future eligibility for the tax rate reductions while preserving existing benefits for qualifying companies. The law takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill terminates future tax rate reductions for new businesses under the incentive program, restricting tax incentives and ending new eligibility for tax breaks.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 8168: AN ACT RELATING TO LIBRARIES -- STATE AID TO LIBRARIES

Increases reimbursement caps promulgated in 2018 and applies to eligible costs for library projects incurred from June 30, 2025 through June 30, 2031, or ending earlier if the Office of Library Information Services amends the regulations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state reimbursement caps for library projects, directly funding public services through state budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases state reimbursement for library projects, enhancing educational access and resources for schools and communities through direct funding.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 7589: AN ACT RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Provides the general assembly make an annual appropriation of not less than eighty thousand dollars ($80,000) to the Rhode Island emergency management agency to assist with emergency communications during major or multiple emergency incidents.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $80,000 annual appropriation to emergency management agency, a public service funding action directly supporting budgetary allocation for essential state operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Tags Emergency Management

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died · Rhode Island · House May 12, 2026

HR 8209: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $250,000 TO THE REFUGEE DREAM CENTER

HR 8209 is a joint resolution that authorizes the federal government to provide $250,000 in direct funding to the Refugee Dream Center (RDC). This bill directly affects the RDC, a nonprofit organization supporting refugees, by providing it with a specific sum of money for its operations. The key provision is a one-time appropriation of $250,000, which the RDC would use to support its refugee assistance programs. The bill was introduced on February 27, 2026, and referred to the House Finance Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirectly appropriates $250k for refugee assistance program, aligning with funding essential services under budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationDirectly funds refugee support services via RDC, aligning with immigrant service provision indicators per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Refugees & Asylum

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 2559: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $3,000,000 TO RHODE ISLAND LEGAL SERVICES, INC.

This resolution appropriates $3,000,000 from the state treasury for fiscal year 2026-2027 to Rhode Island Legal Services, Inc. (RILS), a nonprofit providing legal aid to vulnerable Rhode Islanders. The funding directly supports RILS’s work assisting low-income residents, domestic violence victims, veterans, and seniors with critical issues like housing, food security, family safety, and employment rights. The appropriation allows RILS to maintain its statewide services, which historically handle thousands of cases annually to help clients achieve stability and self-sufficiency.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $3M to fund legal aid for vulnerable populations, directly supporting essential public services through state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds legal aid for vulnerable populations facing justice-related issues like domestic violence and housing, directly supporting access to fair representation and civil rights within criminal justice system.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds legal aid for housing issues affecting low-income residents, directly supporting housing access and tenant rights through RILS services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds legal aid provider assisting with employment rights, directly supporting workers' access to legal help for job-related issues.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill funds RILS, which explicitly assists veterans with legal aid for housing, employment, and family safety issues as part of its core services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Domestic Violence

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