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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This bill (SR 2252) is a joint resolution appropriating $75,000 from the state treasury to Jewish Collaborative Services (JCS) for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The funds will support JCS’s existing programs providing culturally specific services, including food assistance (like Rhode Island’s only kosher pantry), senior meals, housing support, and resources for underserved groups such as low-income families, immigrants, seniors, and people with disabilities. The resolution directly affects JCS, which serves all Rhode Islanders in need regardless of religion, and aims to sustain their community-wide support services. This is a funding allocation, not a new policy, with no additional requirements or changes to existing laws.
HB 7045 authorizes the town of Bristol to apply its owner-occupied residential tax rate to mixed-use properties where the residential portion is owner-occupied, rather than the higher commercial rate. This directly affects Bristol property owners with properties combining residential and commercial use (like a home with a small storefront), potentially lowering their tax burden. The bill amends tax classification rules to allow Bristol to treat these properties as residential for tax purposes under specific conditions. It does not change tax rates for other towns or property types.
SB 2412 establishes a commemorative Rhode Island license plate honoring Governor Roger Williams, the first governor of the State of Rhode Island. Vehicle owners who apply for this plate must pay an additional $25 fee (with $15 covering plate costs and $10 going to the general fund) on top of standard registration fees. The bill is purely ceremonial and would not change vehicle registration rules for most drivers.
HB 7241 establishes a state tax credit for Rhode Island residents who provide unpaid care to qualifying family members. It allows eligible caregivers (earning under $50,000 individually or $100,000 jointly) to claim a 50% credit on out-of-pocket expenses for caregiving, capped at $1,000 annually. Eligible expenses include home modifications, medical equipment, hiring aides, or respite care, but exclude insurance-covered costs or general home maintenance. The credit applies to expenses incurred after 2026 for family members aged 65+ or with disability benefits who live with the caregiver and need help with at least two basic self-care tasks (like bathing or dressing).
