Budget & Taxes (Sales Tax)

died · Rhode Island · House May 7, 2026

HB 8198: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

This bill proposes imposing a sales tax on digital advertising services, such as online display ads or social media promotions. It directly affects digital advertising companies that sell these services to businesses, requiring them to collect the tax from buyers and remit it to the state. The key mechanism is adding digital advertising to the state's existing sales tax framework, treating it similarly to other taxable services. The bill is currently in the introduction phase, having been referred to the House Finance committee on February 27, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes new sales tax on digital advertising services, increasing state revenue through existing tax framework without relief measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 8145: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC FINANCE -- STATE FUNDS

Establishes a restricted receipt account for the benefit of the Rhode Island public transit authority funded by sales taxes collected from ride-share companies; and provided further, the account would be exempt from indirect cost recovery provisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds public transit via sales tax revenue from ride-share companies, directing tax funds to an essential public service per fiscal responsibility indicators.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds Rhode Island public transit authority via ride-share sales tax revenue, directly supporting transportation infrastructure and services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Public Transit Transportation Funding

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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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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 7810: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- STATE TAX OFFICIALS

Caps delinquent tax interest rate at 12%. Prohibits audits beyond 3 years from date of tax filing, 7 years for fraudulent filings, and in no event beyond 10 years from date of filing or required filing date, whichever is later.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCaps delinquent tax interest at 12%, providing tax relief to taxpayers by limiting penalties on overdue payments.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Business Taxes Sales Tax

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died · Rhode Island · House May 26, 2026

HB 8152: AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY -- FORESTRY AND FOREST PARITY ACT

Establishes sales and use tax exemptions for commercial forest product operations and creates a new motor vehicle registration for "forestry vehicles".

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes tax exemptions for forestry operations, providing targeted tax relief to the industry.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 8197: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

HB 8197 exempts the purchase of new or used bicycles and bicycle parts from state sales and use taxes. This directly affects consumers buying bikes or parts, as well as retailers selling them, by removing a tax burden on these items. The bill’s key mechanism is amending the tax code to specifically exclude bicycles and parts from taxable sales, simplifying the tax treatment for these goods. The bill was introduced on February 27, 2026, and referred to the House Finance Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts bicycles from sales tax, providing tax relief for consumers and retailers, aligning with support indicators for middle-income tax reduction.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExempts bicycle purchases from sales tax, promoting sustainable transportation use per policy indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Bicycle Infrastructure

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 2449: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

SB 2449 proposes to exempt energy storage systems from sales and use taxes in the state, as defined in § 39-33-1. This change would directly affect businesses selling these systems, as they would no longer collect sales tax on such transactions. The bill amends existing tax law by adding a new exemption category under "Gross receipts exempt from sales and use taxes." The exemption covers the sale and use of energy storage systems within the state, aligning with existing tax exemptions for items like newspapers and school meals. The bill was introduced on February 6, 2026, and referred to the Senate Finance Committee.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesExempts energy storage systems from sales tax, directly reducing state tax revenue. Aligns with tax exemption policies but limits tax collection under Budget & Taxes framework.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExempts energy storage systems from sales tax, directly incentivizing adoption of renewable energy infrastructure and reducing costs for clean energy systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Energy Storage

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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 · 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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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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