Budget & Taxes

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SR 3083: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AUDITORY ORAL PROGRAM

Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $1,167,100, to the Rhode Island Auditory Oral Program, to support the program’s mission to provide specialized auditory-oral programming for children with hearing loss.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes $1,167,100 appropriation to fund essential public service program for children with hearing loss, directly advancing budget allocation for government services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

Track

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 10, 2026

HB 8295: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION -- VETERANS' EXEMPTIONS -- TOWN OF EXETER

Creates an exemption from property taxes in the amount of $5,000 for any veteran of the military or naval service of the United States who is to be totally disabled through a service-connected disability in the town of Exeter.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a property tax exemption for disabled veterans, providing tax relief and supporting fiscal assistance to a specific group.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill creates a $5,000 property tax exemption for disabled veterans, directly expanding financial benefits and recognition for this group.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Healthcare

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SB 3018: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PERSONAL INCOME TAX

Allows a modification for up to $50,000 of individual retirement account income that is included in federal adjusted gross income for the taxable year; provided that the person with individual retirement accounts has no income from pensions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax relief by allowing IRA income modification, reducing tax burden on individuals without pension income.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax

Track

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 2844: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- CIGARETTE, OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS, AND ELECTRONIC NICOTINE-DELIVERY SYSTEMS PRODUCTS

Defines “electronic nicotine-delivery system shop” and requires that ten percent (10%) of sales revenue from said shops be transferred to the tobacco cessation programs pursuant to § 27-20-53.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates 10% of electronic nicotine shop sales revenue be transferred to tobacco cessation programs, increasing funding for public health services.90% confidence

Track

passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 22, 2026

SB 3064: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND

Establishes the framework to create a medical school at the University of Rhode Island and provides an initial appropriation of five million dollars ($5,000,000) as the first phase of a multi-year investment for the development of a medical school.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides $5M appropriation for medical school development, directly funding a public service and expanding educational infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $5M to establish a medical school at University of Rhode Island, expanding higher education access and infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes medical school and provides $5M initial funding to expand healthcare workforce and services90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Higher Education

Track

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 19, 2026

SB 2810: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- TAX PREPARERS ACT OF 2013

This bill, titled the Tax Preparers Act of 2013, establishes rules and penalties for tax return preparers in the state, specifically targeting those who act as "ghost preparers" or intentionally mislead clients. It defines a ghost preparer as someone who prepares tax returns without properly identifying themselves or complying with federal identification requirements, and clarifies who qualifies as a tax return preparer under state law. The legislation requires all preparers to sign returns with their Preparer Tax Identification Number and prohibits them from facilitating ghost preparation activities. Penalties range from $500 to $10,000 depending on the severity of violations, including willful fraud or misleading taxpayers, and the tax administrator may suspend or revoke a preparer's license for noncompliance. Additionally, the bill mandates that the tax administrator publish a list of preparers whose privileges have been suspended or revoked.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill strengthens tax system integrity by regulating preparers and preventing fraud, promoting fiscal responsibility and government accountability.85% confidence

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 29, 2026

HR 8271: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $1,000,000 TO 401 TECH BRIDGE TO STUDY AND EXPLORE SEAGLIDERS IN RHODE ISLAND

This bill appropriates $1,000,000 to 401 Tech Bridge to study and explore the use of seagliders in Rhode Island. The funding is intended to support a feasibility study that will assess how these electric, wing-in-ground-effect vehicles could operate in the state's maritime environment. The money will be used in partnership with the Rhode Island Seaglider Initiative to evaluate potential benefits for transportation, economic development, and environmental sustainability. This resolution directly affects 401 Tech Bridge and the organizations involved in the Rhode Island Seaglider Initiative by authorizing the expenditure of state funds for this research project.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates $1,000,000 in funding for a feasibility study, directly advancing state budget allocation for research and development.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill funds study of seagliders, which are electric vehicles, advancing renewable energy and clean transportation technology in maritime environments.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds seaglider study for environmental sustainability, clean energy exploration, and maritime environment assessment.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates $1M to study seagliders for potential transportation benefits, indicating support for innovative transportation solutions.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Government Spending Bridges Ports

Track

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 26, 2026

SR 3021: JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- OF THE LEGISLATIVE POWER

Proposes a state constitutional amendment that no department or other entity created by the state would have poser to incur debt in excess of $ 50,000, without express approval from the legislature and voters.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes debt limits requiring legislative and voter approval, promoting fiscal responsibility and reducing government spending risks.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds State Budget

Track

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 2836: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- STATE PURCHASES

This bill modifies state procurement rules to allow the state to purchase food and food supplies worth less than $25,000 in total under existing small purchase regulations. It directly affects state agencies responsible for procuring food items by adjusting the monetary threshold for these transactions. The key provision permits smaller aggregate purchases without requiring additional approval processes, streamlining how the state acquires food supplies. This change applies specifically to state purchases and does not alter broader procurement laws for other types of goods or services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill streamlines procurement by adjusting purchase thresholds, promoting fiscal efficiency and reducing administrative burdens on state agencies.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement

Track

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 3016: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $800,000 TO WATERFIRE PROVIDENCE

This bill authorizes an $800,000 appropriation to WaterFire Providence, a nonprofit arts organization that hosts annual bonfire events on downtown Providence's three rivers. The funding is intended to provide operational support for the organization's programs, including its public events and community initiatives like the ArtLab and WaterFire Accelerate program. The resolution directs the state controller to draw payment from unappropriated treasury funds for the 2026-2027 fiscal year upon receipt of proper documentation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides $800,000 appropriation to WaterFire Providence for operational support and community programs, directly advancing state budget allocation for public services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

Track