Technology

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 8350: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC RECORDS -- ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS

Clarifies the right of the public to have access to bulk electronic data processing records, compilations of electronic court records, including the Rhode Island adult criminal database and the Rhode Island traffic tribunal database extract.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill clarifies public access to electronic court records and databases, promoting transparency and digital rights in government data.65% confidence

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 2797: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- MORATORIUM ON NET METERING, LONG-TERM CONTRACTS AND SUBSIDIES FOR HEAT PUMPS

This bill would temporarily halt several renewable energy programs in Rhode Island starting January 1, 2027. It stops new net metering agreements that allow customers to sell excess solar or wind power back to the grid, prohibits the state from signing long-term contracts over five years for purchasing solar or wind energy, and bars state funds from subsidizing heat pump purchases or installation. These changes directly affect utility customers, energy providers, and state agencies that currently participate in or administer these programs. The legislation does not prevent existing contracts from continuing but blocks new enrollments in these specific renewable energy initiatives.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill restricts renewable energy programs and cuts subsidies, reducing government spending on clean energy initiatives and limiting future funding allocations.85% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill halts renewable energy programs, stops net metering, bans long-term solar/wind contracts, and eliminates heat pump subsidies, directly restricting clean energy development.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill halts renewable energy programs, net metering, and heat pump subsidies, directly restricting clean energy adoption and environmental protections.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts renewable energy technology adoption by halting net metering, long-term solar contracts, and heat pump subsidies, limiting access to clean energy technologies.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Renewable Energy Solar Wind

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passed · Rhode Island · House May 1, 2026

HB 8282: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- NOMINATION OF PARTY AND INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES

This bill updates election nomination procedures by establishing an online portal where voters can electronically sign nomination papers for party and independent candidates. The legislation modifies existing state laws to allow digital signatures to count toward the required number of endorsements needed to qualify a candidate for the ballot. It applies to candidates for various offices, including governor, state representatives, and local positions, while maintaining the same signature thresholds as traditional paper forms. The bill also clarifies rules for how nomination papers are prepared, distributed, and verified, including provisions for candidates who cannot write their own signatures. These changes aim to modernize the nomination process while keeping the core requirements for candidate qualification intact.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes online portal for electronic signatures in elections, advancing digital access and modernizing nomination procedures through technology adoption.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Digital Government

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 2992: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND GENDER-AFFIRMING HEALTHCARE DATA PRIVACY ACT

This bill establishes the Reproductive Health and Gender-Affirming Healthcare Data Privacy Act to protect personal health information related to reproductive and gender-affirming care from unauthorized collection and use. It defines specific categories of protected data, including gender-affirming care information and reproductive health details, and sets strict rules for how companies and organizations can collect, process, and share this information. The law requires clear, informed consent from individuals before their sensitive health data can be gathered, prohibits deceptive design practices that might trick users into sharing information, and restricts the use of broad terms of service agreements to obtain permission for data collection. The legislation primarily affects businesses and entities that handle consumer health data in Rhode Island, requiring them to implement specific privacy safeguards and obtain explicit authorization before processing sensitive reproductive or gender-affirming healthcare records.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patient privacy rights for reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare data, strengthening patient protections and supporting access to these services.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens data privacy protections for sensitive health information, regulating how companies collect and share personal data.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health Data Privacy

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SB 2801: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- SOLAR COST REDUCTION ACT

This bill creates a statewide automated permitting system to speed up the approval process for residential solar energy installations in Rhode Island. It requires the state to develop an online platform that automatically checks applications for code compliance and issues permits instantly without manual review for eligible systems up to 25 kilowatts. Municipalities must accept these automated permits or provide equivalent systems, while also establishing a centralized online repository of local solar regulations and offering remote inspection options by 2027. The system is designed to reduce paperwork requirements, eliminate unnecessary stamped drawings for smaller systems, and allow electronic submissions and signatures throughout the permitting process.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill creates automated permitting for residential solar installations, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure and reducing barriers to solar adoption.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates automated permitting system and online platform for solar installations, advancing technology infrastructure and digital processes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar Social Media

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 13, 2026

SB 3117: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT RIGHT TO REPAIR ACT

Provides that original equipment manufacturers, implemented by/with surrogate distributors, of agricultural equipment, provide to independent service providers repair information and tools to maintain and repair electronics-enabled agricultural equipment.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes digital rights by enabling independent repair of electronics-enabled agricultural equipment, enhancing consumer access to technology maintenance and repair information.85% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 3003: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OPEN MEETINGS

This bill allows members of the public to submit testimony remotely during meetings of the General Assembly committees through electronic means such as telephone or video conferencing. The legislation requires that remote participants be clearly audible and visible to those present in person, maintains a quorum requirement, and mandates public notice when videoconferencing is used to include instructions for accessing virtual meetings. Additionally, the bill updates existing open meeting laws to clarify rules for electronic communication use by public body members, including provisions for military personnel and individuals with disabilities. The changes apply specifically to legislative committees and do not alter other aspects of Rhode Island's open meetings law.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enables remote public participation in government meetings via technology, expanding digital access and modernizing communication methods.85% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 2981: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- COMPUTER CRIME

Makes it unnecessary to prove that a person's transmission of electronic communications be for the sole purpose of harassment before being found guilty of cyberstalking or cyberharassment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens cyberstalking laws by removing the 'sole purpose' requirement, enhancing victim protection and law enforcement ability to prosecute digital harassment cases.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill lowers threshold for cybercrime convictions, potentially restricting digital communication rights and limiting technology use without requiring proof of malicious intent.75% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 2968: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- RHODE ISLAND SOCIAL MEDIA REGULATION ACT

Creates the Rhode Island Social Media Regulation act, which would not permit a Rhode Island resident who is a minor to be an account holder on a social media's platform unless the minor has the express consent of a parent or guardian.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts minor access to social media platforms without parental consent, limiting digital access and autonomy for young users.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Social Media

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 7953: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- RHODE ISLAND SOCIAL MEDIA REGULATION ACT

Creates the Rhode Island Social Media Regulation act, which would not permit a Rhode Island resident who is a minor to be an account holder on a social media's platform.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts minors' social media access, limiting platform usage for a key demographic under technology regulation95% confidence

Sub-Topics Social Media

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