Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 6, 2026

HB 7240: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- ESTATE AND TRANSFER TAXES -- ENFORCEMENT AND COLLECTION

Generates an estate tax discharge upon the recording of a statement by the executor or other estate representative that the value of the decedent’s gross estate does not require a state or federal tax filing.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill automates estate tax discharge for qualifying estates, reducing state tax collection. This weakens enforcement and decreases potential revenue, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

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in committee · Rhode Island · House Jan 23, 2026

HB 7314: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PERSONAL INCOME TAX

Provides modifications for payments of interest on student loans shall be subtracted from federal adjusted gross income to an amount equal to the payments of interest for the satisfaction of outstanding student loans.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax relief by allowing student loan interest deduction, reducing taxable income for borrowers, aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides tax deduction for student loan interest, reducing financial burden for higher education students and supporting access to post-secondary education.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Student Financial Aid

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signed · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 2040: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION - LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES

SB 2040 authorizes the town of Bristol to apply the owner-occupied tax rate to mixed-use properties (such as homes with small businesses) when the residential portion is owner-occupied, instead of the higher commercial rate. This directly affects Bristol property owners who live in homes that also include commercial space, allowing them to pay the lower residential tax rate on the entire property. The bill amends tax classification rules to explicitly permit Bristol to include these properties in the owner-occupied residential class (Class 1). This policy change simplifies tax treatment and reduces the tax burden for qualifying property owners in Bristol.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes lower residential tax rate for mixed-use properties, providing tax relief to Bristol homeowners with small businesses, aligning with middle-income tax relief indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 7122: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION

HB 7122 would exempt Community MusicWorks' buildings and equipment in Providence from local property taxes. This bill directly affects the nonprofit organization by removing its tax obligation for property owned within the city. Key provisions cover both real property (like buildings) and tangible personal property (such as instruments and furniture). The exemption would apply to all property owned by Community MusicWorks in Providence, eliminating a financial burden for the organization.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts nonprofit property from local taxes, providing tax relief and reducing financial burden for community organization.95% confidence

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HR 7257: JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- ESTABLISHING A STATE SPENDING GROWTH LIMIT BASED ON INFLATION OR PERSONAL INCOME GROWTH

HR 7257 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit annual state budget growth in Rhode Island. The bill would require that total state spending increases each year not exceed the higher of either the previous year's inflation rate (using the Consumer Price Index) or the growth rate of Rhode Island personal income. Exceptions include debt payments, federally mandated spending, and emergencies approved by a two-thirds vote of the legislature. If approved by voters, this amendment would directly affect how the state government sets annual budgets.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill restricts annual state spending growth to inflation/personal income growth, limiting budget expansion per constitutional amendment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 28, 2026

SB 2082: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

SB 2082 phases out Rhode Island's local 1% meals and beverage tax, which currently applies to food and drinks purchased at restaurants, bars, and similar establishments. The tax will be reduced by 0.25% annually starting January 1, 2027, and will be completely eliminated by January 1, 2030. This change directly affects restaurants, bars, and consumers who pay the tax on meals and beverages. The bill modifies existing tax law to implement this gradual reduction through annual adjustments, with no further tax collected after 2029.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPhases out a local 1% meals tax (reducing burden on consumers/businesses), providing direct tax relief per budget/tax policy indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HR 7164: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $991,000 FOR THE TOWN OF MIDDLETOWN

Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $991,000 for the town of Middletown to upgrade the gymnasium at the new Middletown middle high school to serve a regional emergency shelter.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates $991k for public infrastructure (school gym as emergency shelter), directly funding a government service under budgetary allocation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 2367: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER SAVINGS ACCOUNT ACT

Allows an individual, who is a first-time homebuyer, to contribute funds to a first-time homebuyer savings account with Rhode Island housing to pay for eligible costs to purchase a home and receive tax deductions and exemptions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax deductions for first-time homebuyers, offering tax relief to middle-income individuals through state tax incentives.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingTax deductions for first-time homebuyers lower purchase costs, advancing homeownership access - a core affordable housing strategy. No tenant/development focus, but directly supports housing entry points.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 2226: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

Provides that a student's enrollment in Medicaid would be included in calculating and determining the student success factor for use in the foundation education-aid formula.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill title explicitly includes 'Property Tax Relief,' directly aligning with tax reduction support in Budget & Taxes category.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill includes Medicaid enrollment in foundation education-aid formula's student success factor, increasing funding for schools serving low-income students to advance educational equity.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax State Budget School Funding Student Financial Aid Student Health

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signed · Rhode Island · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 7005: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION

HB 7005 authorizes the town of Barrington to create a tax credit reduction of $16,000 for legally blind residents through local ordinance. This policy directly affects legally blind individuals who reside in Barrington and own real property, providing them with a reduction in their property tax bill. The bill requires Barrington to establish this credit via town ordinance, specifying it applies to real property and is separate from other existing exemptions. It does not change the current exemption amounts for other towns but grants Barrington the specific authority to implement this tax credit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides $16,000 property tax credit reduction for legally blind residents, directly lowering tax burden for vulnerable group. Aligns with tax relief indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits