Technology

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 7954: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- DIGITAL PLATFORM TRANSPARENCY AND DEMOCRATIC INTEGRITY ACT

HB 7954 requires large social media platforms to disclose how their algorithms prioritize content. It directly affects major platforms with significant user engagement, mandating transparency about algorithmic decision-making. The bill's key provision is a requirement for platforms to explain their content-ranking systems to users and regulators. This aims to increase clarity around how user feeds are curated, without specifying particular content rules or outcomes. The bill is currently under further study in committee.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates algorithm transparency for user clarity, aligning with consumer protection regulations in digital platforms per bill's core provision.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Social Media

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 7632: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- AGE-APPROPRIATE DESIGN CODE

Requires that any covered entity that develops/provides online services, products, or features that children are reasonably likely to access shall consider the best interest of children when designing/developing such online service, product, or feature.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires tech companies to prioritize child safety in design, aligning with data privacy and consumer protection regulations for online services.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Digital Government Online Safety Social Media Tags Children

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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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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 2499: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE USE AND FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

Creates a comprehensive statutory framework to address and regulate the use of artificial intelligence in the workplace, considering the interests of employers and employees.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill regulates AI use in workplace to ensure fair employment practices, protecting workers from biased algorithms and advancing labor rights through statutory framework.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates regulatory framework for AI in workplace to ensure fair employment practices, aligning with digital rights protection under technology policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Labor Standards Artificial Intelligence

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 8119: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- WARRANTLESS PURCHASES OF PERSONAL DATA -- THE 4TH AMENDMENT IS NOT FOR SALE ACT

HB 8119 prohibits state law enforcement agencies and other entities from purchasing personal data without a warrant for any criminal, civil, or investigatory activity. It directly affects government agencies that might otherwise buy location records, browsing history, or other sensitive personal information from third-party data brokers. The bill’s key provision requires a court-issued warrant before any agency can obtain such data, aligning with Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches. This applies to all enforcement actions, including investigations into crimes or civil matters, without exception.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits warrantless law enforcement data purchases, strengthening Fourth Amendment protections and civil privacy rights in criminal investigations.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits warrantless purchase of personal data by government, requiring court warrants to strengthen Fourth Amendment protections against unwarranted data access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 7927: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ELECTRONIC MONITORING IN NURSING AND ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES

Requires a nursing and assisted living facility to allow its residents to connect their electronic monitoring devices to its internet service without incurring any extra cost or charges.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves cost barriers for electronic monitoring devices in facilities, improving patient access to health monitoring tools.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill requires facilities to allow residents' electronic monitoring devices to connect to internet without extra cost, expanding internet access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 7746: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- RHODE ISLAND CHILDREN’S ONLINE SAFETY ACT

Provides protections to children using online platforms by requiring platforms to turn off open chats by default for young users, and requires parent to approve children's financial transactions on gaming and social media sites.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates social media/gaming platforms to protect minors' privacy and financial safety, aligning with consumer protection indicators in tech policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Online Safety Social Media

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 7543: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- INTERNET ACCESS AND ADVERTISING BY FACSIMILE

Requires that video or photography generated by artificial intelligence or “AI” that is posted on a public platform contain a marking disclosing that it has been generated by AI.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires AI-generated content disclosure on public platforms for transparency, aligning with consumer protection regulations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Broadband Access

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 3, 2026

SB 2487: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- DIGITAL ELECTRONICS RIGHT TO REPAIR ACT

Establishes a digital electronics right to repair, which allows for digital electronic equipment and parts that are sold in this state on or after January 1, 2026, to be repaired at an independent repair provider.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEnables independent repairs for digital electronics, protecting consumer digital rights and promoting device longevity per Right to Repair principles.95% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 7177: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- MORATORIUM ON NET METERING, LONG-TERM CONTRACTS AND SUBSIDIES FOR HEAT PUMPS

HB 7177 places a moratorium on new or renewed net metering contracts (which allow solar power customers to sell excess electricity back to the grid), long-term contracts (over five years) for purchasing solar or wind energy, and state subsidies for heat pump installations. This bill directly affects residential solar customers, utilities, and homeowners seeking heat pump incentives by prohibiting these programs starting January 1, 2027. Key provisions ban state-funded heat pump subsidies, prevent new solar/wind energy procurement contracts exceeding five years, and halt all new net metering agreements under state law. The law suspends these specific energy programs without altering broader renewable energy policies.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill bans state subsidies for heat pumps and prohibits new renewable energy contracts, directly defunding these programs under fiscal management.90% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBans net metering, solar/wind long-term contracts, and heat pump subsidies - directly restricting renewable energy adoption programs.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBans solar net metering, long-term renewable contracts, and heat pump subsidies - directly restricting clean energy adoption and conservation incentives.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill prohibits state subsidies and new net metering contracts for solar/heat pump technology, restricting renewable energy adoption and funding for these tech solutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Renewable Energy Solar Wind

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