Rep. Bill O'Brien

Primary HB 7698

died · Rhode Island House · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- TAX CREDIT FOR FOOD DONATION

Maddy summaryHB 7698 creates a tax credit for businesses that donate "apparently wholesome food" (food safe for consumption meeting basic safety standards) to qualifying nonprofits. Businesses like restaurants, grocers, farms, and hospitals can claim a credit equal to 75% of the donated food's fair market value, capped at $5,000 annually per business. Nonprofits receiving donations must verify the food meets safety standards and is used to serve the needy, providing a certificate to the donor. The credit applies to taxes under specific chapters of the tax code and takes effect January 1, 2027.

Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit (75% of food value, capped at $5k) for businesses donating to nonprofits, providing tax relief while supporting food distribution programs.90% confidence

died Apr 14, 2026 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 7909

Passed · Rhode Island House · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RHODE ISLAND LITERACY AND DROPOUT PREVENTION ACT

Redefines dyslexia to mean a specific learning disability characterized by difficulties in word reading and/or spelling that involve accuracy, speed, or both and vary depending on the orthography.

EducationSupports EducationRedefines dyslexia to improve student identification and support, advancing literacy and dropout prevention in education policy.90% confidence

Passed Apr 14, 2026 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 8093

Passed · Rhode Island House · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN

Expands the definition of "educational program" for purposes of the abused and neglected children general law to include charter schools, parochial schools, after school programs, camps and various other programs involving children.

EducationSupports EducationExpands 'educational program' definition to include charter/parochial schools and after-school programs, broadening access for abused/neglected children under child services law.85% confidence

Passed Apr 14, 2026 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 8086

Passed · Rhode Island House · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- INDICTMENTS, INFORMATIONS AND COMPLAINTS

Provides that the statute of limitations for second-degree sexual assault shall be 10 years from the date of the offense, or, in the case of a victim who is under the age of 18, ten years from the victim’s eighteenth birthday, whichever is later.

Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends statute of limitations for second-degree sexual assault, especially for minors, to allow more time for victims to report and seek justice. Aligns with criminal justice reform by improving victim access to the system.90% confidence

Passed Apr 14, 2026 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 8354

died · Rhode Island House · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO THE ROGER WILLIAMS PARK ZOO -- 2026 BOND REFERENDA

Authorizes the State of Rhode Island to issue up to eighteen million dollars ($18,000,000) in general obligation bonds, subject to voter approval, to support the Roger Williams Park Zoo.

Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes $18M in bonds to fund Roger Williams Park Zoo, directly increasing state funding for public services.90% confidence

died Apr 9, 2026 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 7804

died · Rhode Island House · Lead sponsor

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.

died Apr 9, 2026 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 8217

died · Rhode Island House · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO SPORTS, RACING, AND ATHLETICS -- DOG RACING IN BURRILLVILLE, LINCOLN, AND WEST GREENWICH

Prevents anyone from wagering money or any other thing of value on the outcome of a greyhound race or other dog race, or accept or facilitate such wagering, regardless of the location at which the race takes place.

died Apr 9, 2026 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 7201

died · Rhode Island House · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- COMMERCIAL SEXUAL ACTIVITY

Establishes the commercial sex buyer’s accountability program which consists of an instructional program on prostitution and human trafficking schemes.

Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates educational program for sex buyers targeting human trafficking, aligning with criminal justice reform by addressing root causes of commercial exploitation rather than punitive measures.85% confidence

died Apr 9, 2026 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 7414

died · Rhode Island House · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE PAUL W. CROWLEY RHODE ISLAND STUDENT INVESTMENT INITIATIVE

Maddy summaryHB 7414 terminates the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's extension of the Providence Public Schools (PPS) turnaround plan, which had been set to continue until October 15, 2027. The bill directly affects PPS by ending the state's extended oversight of the district's improvement efforts. It nullifies the department's recommendation to continue the plan, effectively ending the mandated turnaround status as of July 1, 2026. This is a procedural change that removes a specific administrative extension, not a new policy.

died Apr 9, 2026 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 7543

died · Rhode Island House · Lead sponsor

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.

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

died Apr 8, 2026 0 co-sponsors Track