Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 2238: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PERSONAL INCOME TAX

SB 2238 creates a new 3% tax rate on Rhode Island taxable income exceeding $640,000 (in 2026 dollars) for tax years beginning in 2027 and later. This additional tax applies only to high-income earners - specifically, individuals with taxable income above this threshold - and does not affect prior tax years. The bill does not change existing tax rates for lower income levels, targeting only the highest earners in the state. It is a concrete policy change that increases tax liability for a specific income bracket starting in 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax on high earners ($640k+ income), targeting only top earners to fund state budget, aligns with fiscal responsibility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 7468: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- STATE AID

Increases the amount of state aid distributed to the towns and cities through appropriation in lieu of property tax provisions applicable to certain private and state properties that are exempt from property tax.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state aid to municipalities via appropriation, directly funding local government budgets through tax-exempt property provisions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Property Tax

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 7251: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC FINANCE -- STATE BUDGET

HB 7251 limits annual state spending growth to the higher of Rhode Island's inflation rate or personal income growth rate, whichever is greater. This directly affects the state budget process by capping how much total state spending can increase each year from the previous year's level. Exceptions include debt payments, federally mandated spending, and emergency expenditures approved by a two-thirds vote. The bill requires annual reporting on spending growth versus the limit and mandates the governor to create a reduction plan if the legislature exceeds the cap. It takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill caps annual state spending growth to inflation/personal income, restricting budget increases per fiscal responsibility measures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending State Budget

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died · Rhode Island · House May 12, 2026

HB 7389: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE SUPPORT AND ACCESS TO BILINGUAL EDUCATION ACT

Appropriates nine hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($950,000) to establish a bilingual education support fund within the department of elementary and secondary education and provides for implementation of support and access to bilingual education.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $950,000 from state budget to fund bilingual education program, directly increasing public education funding allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $950,000 for bilingual education support fund, directly advancing educational access and funding for K-12 programs as per bill title and summary.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationFunds bilingual education, a key service for immigrant students' educational access, aligning with 'provides immigrant services' indicator.85% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 7461: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- STATE AID

Includes municipal detention facility corporations as exempt from taxation, and requires that an amount equal to 27% of all tax that would have been collected if the property was taxable be paid to the municipality annually.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides municipalities with 27% of potential tax revenue from exempt facilities, directly funding local budgets through state aid mechanism.90% confidence

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signed · Rhode Island · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 7047: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES

HB 7047 authorizes the town council of Little Compton to establish a homestead exemption for residential properties, reducing local property tax burdens for qualifying residents. It directly affects homeowners in Little Compton who live in their homes year-round, automatically qualifying registered voters without applications, while non-voter residents must apply with proof of residency (e.g., driver’s license, utility bill). The exemption starts at 10% of the town’s mean property value and can be adjusted annually between 5% and 15% by the town council. The bill also allows exemptions for second homes and rental properties meeting specific occupancy and lease terms. This is a local tax policy change specific to Little Compton, not a statewide law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReduces property taxes for qualifying homeowners via homestead exemption, providing direct tax relief to residents without increasing government spending.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill reduces property taxes for homeowners, lowering housing costs and increasing affordability for qualifying residents in Little Compton.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Jan 9, 2026

SB 2020: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND FIRE SERVICES TRAINING FUND ACT

SB 2020 creates the Rhode Island Fire Services Training Fund within the Department of Public Safety to support statewide fire service training. It requires all property and casualty insurance companies in Rhode Island to pay a 0.25% annual assessment on the prior year’s premiums for specific policies (like homeowners, commercial property, and inland marine insurance), starting January 1, 2028. The fund will directly support the Rhode Island Fire Academy, recruit training, hazardous materials programs, equipment, and municipal training grants, with unspent funds remaining in the dedicated fund. The assessment is separate from other fees and cannot be passed to policyholders as a surcharge.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates 0.25% insurance premium tax to fund fire training program, advancing public safety funding through dedicated revenue stream.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 8, 2026

SB 2021: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PERSONAL INCOME TAX

SB 2021 creates a temporary tax exemption for small Bitcoin transactions in Rhode Island. It exempts individuals and Rhode Island-based businesses from state income tax on Bitcoin sales or exchanges totaling $5,000 or less per month, or $20,000 or less annually. Taxpayers must self-certify eligibility on their annual tax return and maintain records to verify they stayed within the limits, but do not need to report each transaction individually. The exemption applies only to transactions within the state and expires on January 1, 2028.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesCreates temporary tax exemption for small Bitcoin transactions, reducing state tax revenue and weakening fiscal management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Jan 23, 2026

SB 2243: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

Exempts from the sales tax eligible school supplies, costing less than $30.00, purchased within one week prior to the commencement of the academic year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts school supplies under $30 from sales tax, providing direct tax relief for families purchasing essential items.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts school supplies under $30 from sales tax, reducing costs for families and improving access to educational materials for K-12 students.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax State Budget

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 2245: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATIONAL EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

Mandates public schools (K-12) have one full-time certified social worker for every 250 students and allocates $2 million in the Fiscal Year 2025 budget for school districts and municipalities to hire additional social workers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $2M in FY2025 budget to fund school social workers, directly advancing public education spending as an essential service.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $2M for school social workers, mandating 1:250 staffing ratio to enhance student support and educational access in K-12 schools.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds $2M to hire social workers (1:250 student ratio), directly creating jobs and establishing employment standards in education, aligning with employment expansion indicators.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax K-12 Education Student Health

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