Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 28, 2026

SB 2096: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

Exempts the trade-in value of pickup trucks under eight thousand eight hundred pounds (8,800 lbs.) gross weight, used exclusively for personal use, from sales tax.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts trade-in value of light pickup trucks from sales tax, providing tax relief per indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 9, 2026

SB 2370: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- RHODE ISLAND TAX AMNESTY ACT OF 2017

Authorizes the tax administrator to waive interest and penalties on delinquent taxes paid in full during a one week amnesty period. Also reinstates a suspended driver’s license upon payment in full.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesWaives interest/penalties to boost tax revenue collection during amnesty period, strengthening state budget through increased tax compliance.95% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 28, 2026

SB 2372: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

SB 2372 eliminates the sales tax on taxi services (including limousines and ride-hailing services) and pet care services (like grooming or boarding) in Rhode Island. This change directly affects businesses providing these services, removing their obligation to collect and remit sales tax on those specific offerings. The bill amends tax definitions to explicitly exclude these services from the list of taxable activities under Rhode Island's sales tax code. The policy change takes effect immediately upon the bill's passage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill eliminates sales tax on taxi/pet care services, providing tax relief by reducing tax burden on specified services per summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 2420: AN ACT RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- NATIONAL GUARD

SB 2420 allows Rhode Island National Guard members in good standing to use their state tuition assistance benefits for their dependents. Dependents enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) can receive tuition waivers for up to five courses per semester at any Rhode Island state college or university. The program is funded up to $100,000 annually per fiscal year, requires a one-year military service commitment for each 12 course credits used, and mandates that both the Guard member and dependent maintain good academic standing. Failure to meet service or academic requirements may trigger repayment of benefits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $100,000 annually for tuition waivers, directly increasing state spending on a specific program.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tuition waivers for military dependents at state colleges, expanding access to higher education through state-funded benefits.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides tuition waivers for dependents of National Guard members, expanding educational benefits for military families tied to veterans' support programs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Military Families National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

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died · Rhode Island · House Jan 20, 2026

HB 7084: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION

Authorizes a municipality to adopt by local ordinance, a veterans' property tax exemption to any veteran, who was honorably discharged, or discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, regardless of dates or periods of service.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax exemption for veterans, offering tax relief aligning with support indicators for lower-income groups90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAuthorizes municipalities to provide property tax exemptions for honorably discharged veterans, directly expanding financial benefits for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Sales Tax Tax Incentives Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 7243: AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY -- STATE FORESTS AND FORESTRY PROJECTS

Directs the general assembly to fund ten full time equivalent positions in FY 2027 to support DEM's efforts in the areas of forestry and forestry projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly directs funding for 10 state positions in forestry, increasing public service appropriations under budget allocations.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds DEM forestry positions to support forest conservation projects, directly advancing environmental protection through resource management.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Forestry

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 28, 2026

SB 2227: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PERSONAL INCOME TAX

SB 2227 amends Rhode Island's personal income tax code to clarify how withdrawals from the state's tuition savings program are treated for tax purposes. Specifically, it modifies the calculation of taxable income for nonqualified withdrawals (those not used for eligible education expenses) by adding back certain amounts to federal adjusted gross income. This affects residents who use Rhode Island's tuition savings program (§ 16-57-6.1) and make nonqualified withdrawals. The bill does not address foreign service pensions as mentioned in the abstract; the actual provisions focus solely on tuition savings program tax treatment. The changes apply to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2020.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesClarifies tax treatment for nonqualified tuition savings withdrawals, closing a potential loophole to ensure proper taxation and fiscal responsibility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Pensions

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signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 7046: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION

HB 7046 exempts Blithewold, Inc.'s real and tangible personal property located at 101 Ferry Road in Bristol, Rhode Island, from local property taxation. The bill amends Rhode Island's property tax law (Section 44-3-3) to add this specific exemption to the existing list of tax-exempt properties. This change directly affects Blithewold, Inc., a nonprofit organization operating at that address, by removing its property tax obligation. The exemption applies to all real and personal property owned by the organization, as specified in the bill's official abstract.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts specific nonprofit property from local taxes, providing targeted tax relief per amended tax law (Section 44-3-3).95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 2099: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SURPLUS FUNDS TAX CREDIT ACT

Mandates that any surplus state tax revenue received in any fiscal year would be refunded to the taxpayers of this state on a proportional basis in relation to the personal income tax liability incurred by the taxpayers in that fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRefunds surplus tax revenue to taxpayers proportionally, promoting fiscal responsibility by not retaining excess funds in state budget.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue State Budget Tax Credits

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Jan 16, 2026

SB 2081: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- POSTSECONDARY TUITION ASSISTANCE FOR SHORTAGE TEACHING FIELDS

SB 2081 creates a state-funded tuition assistance program for Rhode Island students pursuing teaching careers in critical shortage fields, specifically science and mathematics for grades 7-12. It provides financial support covering tuition and certain non-tuition costs (like transportation or childcare) at Rhode Island colleges, after other financial aid is applied. To qualify, students must enroll in a teaching program in these fields and agree to complete three years of full-time teaching in Rhode Island public or private schools. If recipients don't finish their degree or fulfill the teaching requirement, the assistance converts to a repayable loan.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesState-funded tuition assistance program increases state budget allocation for education, directly funding essential teaching workforce development per Budget & Taxes indicators.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates state-funded tuition assistance for teaching in critical shortage fields (science/math), directly advancing educator recruitment and retention in K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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