Budget & Taxes (Business Taxes)

died · Rhode Island · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 7703: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION TAX

HB 7703 suspends the 4% gross earnings tax on electric and gas utility companies until January 1, 2036. This directly affects corporations primarily engaged in electricity generation/sale or gas distribution, reducing their tax burden during this period. The bill amends tax law to temporarily halt this specific 4% tax rate (previously applied to electricity/gas companies) starting January 1, 2027. The suspension covers all gross earnings from these core utility services, excluding related deductions for wholesale sales. The policy change provides a fixed tax relief period without altering other tax rates for telecommunications or other sectors.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill suspends 4% utility tax, reducing state revenue and weakening tax collection for budget purposes per explicit tax suspension language.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 2703: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- PROPERTY TAX/RENT FREEZE BILL

Prohibits cities or towns that implement a rent control ordinance from raising property taxes and such prohibition would last for as long as the rent control ordinance is in effect.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesProhibits property tax increases for municipalities with rent control, restricting local government revenue during rent control periods.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill prohibits property tax hikes on rent-controlled properties, enabling cities to maintain tenant protections without financial disincentives for rent control ordinances.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Property Taxes Renters Tenant Rights

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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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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 16, 2026

HB 8189: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- EMPLOYER TAX CREDITS FOR RETIREMENT PLAN ESTABLISHMENT, PARTICIPATION AND AUTO-ENROLLMENT

HB 8189 offers tax credits to employers who establish retirement plans for their employees, with additional credit for implementing auto-enrollment. It directly affects employers, particularly small businesses, by reducing their tax burden for creating retirement coverage. The key provision provides financial incentives for setting up plans and automatically enrolling employees (with opt-out options) to boost participation. This policy change aims to increase retirement savings access without altering existing employee benefits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesOffers tax credits to employers for retirement plan setup/auto-enrollment, reducing their tax burden and incentivizing retirement savings access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides tax incentives for employers to establish retirement plans with auto-enrollment, directly expanding employee retirement benefits and access to workplace savings programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Pensions Tax Credits Retirement Benefits

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signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2453: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax relief via interest waivers for commercial properties, directly impacting tax assessment policies and reducing tax burden for qualifying owners.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Tax Incentives

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 2360: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- CIGARETTE, OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS, AND ELECTRONIC NICOTINE-DELIVERY SYSTEM PRODUCTS

Reduces the cigarette tax imposed by 75% for any modified risk tobacco product as defined in § 21 U.S.C. 387 k as a tobacco product sold/distributed to reduce the harm/risk of tobacco-related disease associated with commercially marketed tobacco products.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill reduces cigarette tax by 75% for specific tobacco products, decreasing state tax revenue. This weakens tax collection, aligning with 'oppose' stance on Budget & Taxes.90% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill reduces cigarette tax on tobacco products, potentially increasing consumption and conflicting with public health efforts to reduce tobacco-related diseases.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax

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in committee · Rhode Island · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 7385: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION - AGREEMENT TO PHASE OUT CORPORATE INCENTIVES COMPACT ACT

Establishes a compact agreement among at least two (2) states to prohibit the selective use of subsidies to an existing specific industry or company, entice relocation from one state to another state or to open a new facility.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill explicitly restricts corporate tax incentives and prohibits selective subsidies, opposing targeted tax breaks that could distort fiscal management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Incentives

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 7399: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

HB 7399 removes pet care services (like grooming or boarding) from the list of taxable services under the state's sales tax code. This change means pet care businesses will no longer have to collect sales tax on these services, directly affecting them and their customers. The bill specifically repeals the tax classification for pet care services as defined in sections 44-18-7(19) and 44-18-7.3(b)(3) of the tax code. It is currently in the early stages of the legislative process, having been introduced on January 28, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves sales tax on pet care services, providing tax relief to businesses and customers, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle/lower income.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2346: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND COMMERCE CORPORATION

SB 2346 creates tax exemptions for property, tangible personal property, sales, and use taxes to incentivize the development of qualified data centers in Rhode Island. It directly affects data center developers and operators who meet the bill's criteria, including those making eligible costs for construction, equipment, and site development. The key provision allows qualifying data center projects to avoid these taxes on specific expenses like land, buildings, equipment, and labor costs related to construction. This policy aims to attract data center investments by reducing development costs for businesses meeting the defined standards. The bill modifies existing law governing the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation to implement these tax incentives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tax exemptions for data center developers, providing targeted tax relief as a fiscal policy action within Budget & Taxes.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyTax exemptions incentivize data center development, directly supporting technology infrastructure investment and attracting tech industry growth.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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