Budget & Taxes (Sales Tax)

in committee · Rhode Island · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 7701: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION

HB 7701 removes state-owned property from the list of assets exempt from local property taxes. This change directly affects state government buildings, offices, and land previously excluded from local tax assessments. The bill amends Section 44-3-3 of Rhode Island's tax code by deleting the exemption for "property belonging to the state" from the list of tax-exempt properties. As a result, state-owned properties will now be subject to local property tax payments, aligning them with other non-exempt properties in the community. This is a direct policy change to tax treatment, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill removes state-owned property exemption from local property taxes, expanding tax base and increasing local revenue. Closes tax loophole, aligning with fiscal responsibility and broadening tax coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Sales Tax

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 2697: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- REAL ESTATE CONVEYANCE TAX

Allows a municipality to set its own conveyance tax rate for residential properties sold in excess of $900,000.00 at $10 per $500. Provides collected taxes to be in a restricted account and distributed within 2 years for affordable housing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes targeted tax on high-value real estate sales ($900k+) to fund affordable housing, increasing dedicated public service funding via new tax revenue stream.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill directs conveyance tax revenue from high-value home sales to fund affordable housing programs within 2 years, explicitly advancing housing affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Affordable Housing Property Taxes

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died · Rhode Island · House May 7, 2026

HB 7695: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND COMMERCE CORPORATION

HB 7695 creates tax exemptions for property, tangible personal property, sales, and use taxes to incentivize the establishment of qualified data centers in Rhode Island. It directly affects developers and operators of data centers that meet specific criteria defined in the bill. The key mechanism is granting these tax exemptions for eligible costs related to constructing or operating qualifying facilities, including equipment and infrastructure. This policy change reduces financial barriers for data center projects by lowering their operational tax burden.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax exemptions for data centers, reducing tax burden on qualifying developers per bill's explicit language.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyTax exemptions incentivize data center development, reducing financial barriers for tech infrastructure growth and aligning with promoting digital infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 8212: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW--GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- INTERCHANGE FEE RESTRICTION ACT

Creates the interchange fee restriction act prohibiting interchange fees on sales and use tax or excise tax when payment is made with a credit or debit card.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProhibits interchange fees on tax payments, ensuring full tax revenue collection for state budget without merchant deductions.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax

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signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2453: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES

SB 2453 allows cities and towns to create programs waiving interest on overdue property taxes for commercial properties. To qualify, taxpayers must own the commercial property for five years, provide written proof of timely tax payments for five years, and request the waiver within two years of the overdue bill. The waiver is capped at $500 per request, and local tax collectors must issue written decisions with appeal options to city councils. This bill enables local governments to adopt ordinances implementing this relief, directly affecting commercial property owners who fall behind on quarterly tax payments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax relief via interest waivers for commercial properties, directly impacting tax assessment policies and reducing tax burden for qualifying owners.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Tax Incentives

died · Rhode Island · House May 14, 2026

HB 7807: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

HB 7807 exempts meals served in licensed childcare centers from Rhode Island's sales and use taxes. This bill amends the state tax code to explicitly include licensed childcare centers alongside schools and educational institutions in the existing exemption for meals served to students or teachers. The change directly affects licensed childcare centers by removing a sales tax burden on meals provided to their enrolled children or staff. This policy update clarifies and expands current tax exemptions without altering tax rates or creating new administrative requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts childcare meals from sales tax, providing tax relief to families and childcare centers per existing educational exemption, aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Jan 23, 2026

SB 2230: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

Exempts from sales tax the trade-in values of motorcycles as well the proceeds received as a result of an unrecovered stolen or total loss of a motorcycle.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesExempts motorcycle trade-in values and proceeds from sales tax, reducing state tax revenue and weakening the tax base without public funding benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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died · Rhode Island · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 7299: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES

Permits every municipality in the state to offer a homestead tax exemption of up to 20% of assessed value on residential properties, and also provides that municipalities that grant greater exemptions not be limited by this section.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPermits homestead tax exemptions up to 20%, reducing property tax burden for homeowners - direct tax relief measure for residential properties.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides 20% homestead tax exemption for residential properties, reducing owner costs and increasing housing affordability for homeowners.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Sales Tax Tax Incentives Property Taxes

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 2360: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- CIGARETTE, OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS, AND ELECTRONIC NICOTINE-DELIVERY SYSTEM PRODUCTS

Reduces the cigarette tax imposed by 75% for any modified risk tobacco product as defined in § 21 U.S.C. 387 k as a tobacco product sold/distributed to reduce the harm/risk of tobacco-related disease associated with commercially marketed tobacco products.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill reduces cigarette tax by 75% for specific tobacco products, decreasing state tax revenue. This weakens tax collection, aligning with 'oppose' stance on Budget & Taxes.90% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill reduces cigarette tax on tobacco products, potentially increasing consumption and conflicting with public health efforts to reduce tobacco-related diseases.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax

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in committee · Rhode Island · House Apr 3, 2026

HB 7006: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

Expands the definition of “book or other writing” to sales up to one thousand five hundred (1,500) copies and deny the sales tax exemption for third-party sales.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCloses sales tax loophole by expanding taxable book sales definition and denying third-party exemptions, increasing tax revenue.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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