Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 2361: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- WEALTH TAX

SB 2361 proposes a 1% annual tax on the worldwide wealth of Rhode Island residents, effective January 1, 2027. It directly affects individuals and entities (like corporations) domiciled in Rhode Island, taxing their total assets including cash, investments, and most intangible property (like patents or brand value), minus specific exemptions. The tax is calculated based on the fair market value of assets owned or controlled as of December 31 each year, with adjustments for deaths during the tax year. This bill, currently introduced in the Senate Finance Committee, would create a new tax category under Rhode Island’s tax code without altering existing income or property taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProposes a new 1% wealth tax on high-net-worth individuals to generate state revenue, directly strengthening tax policy and funding mechanisms for state budgets.95% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 2023: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- INSPECTOR GENERAL

Establishes the office of inspector general as an independent administrative agency charged with the responsibility to investigate, detect, and prevent fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the expenditure of public funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes oversight to prevent waste in public funds, promoting fiscal responsibility per topic indicators.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Government Spending

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died · Rhode Island · House May 14, 2026

HR 7258: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $200,000 TO BE USED FOR INCENTIVES FOR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES SOLD AT PARTICIPATING BONUS BUCKS OUTLETS IN RHODE ISLAND

This bill appropriates $200,000 to fund Rhode Island's Farm Fresh Bonus Bucks Program. It provides low-income SNAP recipients with double the value of their benefits when purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables at participating local farmers markets and farmstands. The funds directly support both low-income families accessing nutritious food and small-scale Rhode Island farms selling produce. The money will be administered by Farm Fresh RI to sustain this existing program, which has distributed over $1.7 million since 2009.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $200,000 to fund Farm Fresh Bonus Bucks Program, supporting low-income SNAP recipients and local farms through nutrition incentives.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds public health program (Farm Fresh Bonus Bucks) promoting nutritious food access, preventing diet-related illnesses, aligning with public health initiatives under healthcare.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Procurement

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 2250: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- STATE AID

Reinstates general revenue sharing of state aid among the 39 cities and towns in Rhode Island. The initial amount is based upon population, and increased annually thereafter based on the increase in the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReinstates state aid to cities/towns via population-based revenue sharing with CPI-adjusted annual increases, directly funding local budgets and promoting fiscal stability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 2373: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

Amends the Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act to set the regionalization bonus at 2% of the state's share of foundation education aid for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2026, and for each year thereafter.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly provides property tax relief via regionalization bonus, aligning with tax relief indicators in title and summary.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill sets regionalization bonus at 2% of state's foundation education aid, increasing school funding allocation for fiscal years 2026 onward.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax School Funding

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signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 24, 2026

SB 2073: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION

SB 2073 exempts Community MusicWorks' real and tangible personal property (such as buildings and equipment) in Providence from local property taxes. This targeted exemption adds the nonprofit arts organization to Rhode Island's list of tax-exempt entities under Chapter 44-3. The bill amends existing tax law to specifically include Community MusicWorks, directly affecting its property tax obligations. The change applies only to this organization and its physical assets in Providence.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts nonprofit arts org from property taxes, providing targeted tax relief under tax law per bill's amendment to Chapter 44-3.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 7249: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- STATE AID

HB 7249 expands a state program that provides payments to municipalities in lieu of property taxes for certain exempt facilities. It specifically adds facilities operated by the federal Department of Defense (such as military bases) to the list of eligible properties, making them qualify for annual payments equal to 27% of the property taxes they would have paid if taxable. These payments are intended to compensate municipalities for providing essential services like police, fire, and infrastructure to these federal facilities. The bill does not change existing eligibility for other exempt properties like hospitals or schools, but extends the 27% payment mechanism to Defense Department sites.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCompensates municipalities for lost property tax revenue from military bases, maintaining municipal budgets without new taxes or cuts to essential services.95% confidence

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Jan 23, 2026

SB 2233: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

SB 2233 establishes specific new funding categories to support school districts across Rhode Island. It provides state reimbursement for excess costs in special education (above a set threshold), career and technical education programs, pre-kindergarten access, and transportation for students attending out-of-district non-public schools. The bill also creates stabilization funds for Central Falls, Davies, and the Met Center schools, and offers regionalized school districts a temporary bonus (2% then 1% of state funding share) for their first two fiscal years. School districts seeking these funds must meet criteria set by the Department of Education, and funds are prorated if demand exceeds available appropriations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides state reimbursement for education costs, reducing local property tax burden. Explicitly titled 'Property Tax Relief Act'.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides state reimbursement for special ed, CTE, pre-K, and transportation; creates stabilization funds for specific schools - clear funding support for education access and equity.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds transportation for students attending out-of-district non-public schools, explicitly listing it as a reimbursable category under education equity funding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax K-12 Education School Funding Special Education

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died · Rhode Island · House May 7, 2026

HB 7398: 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 & TaxesBill waives interest/penalties on delinquent taxes, providing tax relief to taxpayers and facilitating tax revenue collection without increasing rates or defunding services.95% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · House May 7, 2026

HB 7420: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

HB 7420 updates how state education funding is calculated to address inequities, primarily affecting school districts with high numbers of students in poverty. It introduces a new formula that factors in a district's revenue capacity and poverty levels to determine state aid, with a poverty loss stabilization fund for districts seeing aid drops over 2%. The bill also creates specific state-funded programs for special education costs, career and technical education, pre-K access, and stabilization for districts like Central Falls, Davies, and the Met Center. It requires the state to publish a report identifying unfunded district costs and share this with lawmakers and the public. These changes aim to adjust funding based on need while adding targeted support for specific educational programs and struggling districts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides property tax relief and establishes new state-funded education programs, directly supporting budget allocation for public services and tax reduction.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationUpdates education funding formula to address inequities in high-poverty districts, creates new state-funded programs for special education, career tech, and pre-K access, and establishes a poverty loss stabilization fund.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Early Childhood School Funding Special Education

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