Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 7465: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND FIRE SERVICES TRAINING FUND ACT

This bill establishes the Rhode Island Fire Services Training Fund to support firefighter training programs. It directly affects firefighters and fire departments by creating a dedicated state funding source for their professional development. The fund will be managed under state government oversight, though the abstract does not specify funding sources or administrative details. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on creating the fund structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates dedicated state fund for firefighter training, allocating budget resources to essential public safety services per legislative intent.85% confidence

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 2110: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- CATASTROPHIC ILLNESS IN CHILDREN RELIEF FUND

Establishes Children's Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund to provide finance assistance to families for medical expenses not covered by state or federal programs or insurance contract.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new state fund for medical assistance, increasing government spending on public health services per bill's funding allocation.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes fund to cover uncovered medical costs for children's catastrophic illnesses, expanding financial healthcare access and filling coverage gaps.95% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 14, 2026

SB 2090: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- OPTIONAL RETIREMENT FOR MEMBERS OF POLICE FORCE AND FIREFIGHTERS

SB 2090 changes retirement benefit calculations for police officers and firefighters employed by towns and cities. Starting July 1, 2026, their retirement allowance will be based on their accrued benefit as of June 30, 2026, plus 2.5% of their final compensation for each year of service after that date. Retirees who are 57 with at least 30 years of service will continue using the previous formula until 2026 and then switch to the new calculation for service after that date. The bill preserves existing options for how benefits are paid to survivors after retirement.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesModifies retirement benefits for essential public safety personnel, increasing government spending on these benefits through adjusted calculation method.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentModifies retirement benefits to include 2.5% final compensation per year after 2026, expanding post-2026 retirement allowances for police/firefighters.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 7052: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RHODE ISLAND PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP

Makes students in workforce-ready certificate programs at the community college of Rhode Island eligible to receive the Rhode Island Promise Scholarship.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands state scholarship eligibility, increasing appropriations for education programs without tax implications.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands scholarship access to workforce certificate programs, increasing educational opportunities for community college students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 7004: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND CLIMATE SUPERFUND ACT OF 2026

HB 7004 establishes the Rhode Island Climate Superfund Act of 2026, requiring fossil fuel producers responsible for over one billion tons of emissions during 2000-2025 to reimburse the state and municipalities for climate adaptation costs. It directly affects major fossil fuel companies (coal, oil, gas producers) determined to have caused significant climate-related damages. The bill creates a fund to cover "climate change response work," including coastal protection, infrastructure upgrades, and heat mitigation projects, using scientifically verified emission attribution methods aligned with IPCC standards. Funds will offset taxpayer costs for climate resilience efforts already underway, following the "polluter pays" principle.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates fossil fuel producers to reimburse state for climate costs, creating dedicated fund for climate adaptation, directly funding state budget initiatives without public tax increases.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires fossil fuel producers to fund climate adaptation costs, directly advancing environmental protection through accountability and dedicated funding for climate response work.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Coastal & Flood Protection Hazardous Materials

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in committee · Rhode Island · House Jan 16, 2026

HB 7153: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

HB 7153 changes the fee-in-lieu payment required for developers who opt not to build affordable housing units on-site. Instead of standard fees, developers must pay 150% of the average development cost for a single-family home or condo unit (with a minimum $40,000 per unit). This fee must be used exclusively by municipalities to fund new affordable housing for households earning 80% or less of the area median income. The bill affects developers in qualifying projects (10+ units) and local governments responsible for managing these funds through dedicated housing boards.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates developer fees (150% of avg cost) to fund affordable housing, directing municipal spending toward housing programs90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates 150% fee for developers to fund affordable housing for 80% AMI households, directly advancing affordable housing funding through dedicated municipal use.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Zoning

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Jan 23, 2026

SB 2222: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ECONOMIC AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE ACT OF 2026

SB 2222 establishes a fee on fossil fuel sellers (like gasoline, diesel, and natural gas companies) operating in Rhode Island. The collected fees will fund the "Economic and Climate Resilience Fund," which will support clean energy programs, energy efficiency upgrades for low-income households and small businesses, and worker transition initiatives for jobs in low-carbon industries. The bill aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, address climate impacts disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities, and help Rhode Island meet its 2035 emissions goals. This is a proposed legislative measure introduced in January 2026 and not yet enacted.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes fossil fuel fee to fund clean energy, efficiency, and worker programs, directly advancing fiscal management through targeted taxation for essential services.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds clean energy programs, energy efficiency, and low-carbon worker transitions via fossil fuel fees to reduce emissions and advance climate resilience.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentImposes fossil fuel fees to fund clean energy programs, energy efficiency, and emissions reduction, directly advancing climate resilience and environmental protection goals.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly funds 'worker transition initiatives for jobs in low-carbon industries' through the Economic and Climate Resilience Fund, directly advancing labor employment support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Oil & Gas Renewable Energy Climate Change

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 14, 2026

SB 2362: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- TEACHERS' RETIREMENT

Increases monthly minimum benefit for a spouse, domestic partner, former spouse. Grant a 3.34% COLA for eligible retirees. Provided a modification reducing federal AGI for public pension benefits from the RI employees retirement system.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases state funding for teacher retirement benefits and modifies pension tax treatment, directly advancing public spending on essential programs.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases teacher retirement benefits and COLA, directly supporting educator financial security per bill's summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 7391: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- TEACHERS' RETIREMENT

Reinstates, for all teachers and state employees who retired after July 1, 2012, their annual cost of living adjustment for retirement plan year 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReinstates cost-of-living adjustments for retirees, requiring state funding and increasing budget allocation for retirement benefits.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationReinstates cost-of-living adjustments for teachers' retirement, directly supporting educator benefits and financial security within education policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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died · Rhode Island · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 7054: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE RHODE ISLAND PREKINDERGARTEN EDUCATION ACT

HB 7054 establishes guidelines to expand and sustain public prekindergarten programs for all Rhode Island children aged 3 and 4. It requires the state to ensure at least 70% of these children enroll in high-quality programs through a mixed delivery system including public schools, Head Start, and licensed child care. The bill mandates research-based quality standards covering teacher qualifications, class sizes, curriculum, and support for children with special needs or who are learning English. It also requires competitive wages for prekindergarten teachers (comparable to K teachers) and directs 30% of new prekindergarten funding to expand infant and toddler care programs. The law directly affects children, early educators, and child care providers across Rhode Island.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates state funding for expanded preK programs through budget allocation, requiring 70% enrollment in quality public education services.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands pre-K access for all 3-4 year olds, mandates 70% enrollment in quality programs, and sets research-based standards for curriculum, teacher qualifications, and support services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Early Childhood Teachers

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