Increase the net taxable estate exemption to $3,600,000 on January 1, 2027. This act would also increase the exemption by $1,000,000 on January 1, 2028 and every year thereafter until this section and the tax would sunset and expire on January 1, 2033
Maddy summarySB 2026 amends Rhode Island's personal income tax code to allow residents to subtract contributions to the state's tuition savings program from their federal adjusted gross income. This deduction is capped at $500 per individual or $1,000 for joint filers, and only applies to contributions made directly by the account participant. The bill specifically excludes transfers, rollovers, or changes of beneficiary from counting toward this deduction. It directly affects Rhode Island residents who contribute to the state's tuition savings program (Section 16-57-6.1), providing a limited tax benefit for education savings. The policy change would take effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2027.
Maddy summarySB 2433 establishes a presumption that school-age child care programs operating within RIDE-certified school buildings (public, charter, or approved non-public K-12 schools) automatically meet facility-based quality rating requirements. This means physical space features like room layout, furnishings, and storage - typically assessed under tools like SACERS - will be treated as compliant or neutral in quality ratings, without lowering a program’s score. The bill does not alter existing licensing, health, safety, or enforcement standards; it only streamlines the rating process for programs in certified school buildings. This change applies to all school-age child care programs licensed under Title 42, Chapter 12.5.
Maddy summarySB 2169 allows students completing specific career and technical education (CTE) programs to take firefighter certification exams immediately upon program graduation. It directly affects students enrolled in qualifying CTE programs, providing a streamlined path to firefighter careers without requiring additional training. The bill creates a formal mechanism where participating CTE programs would certify students' readiness for the state firefighter exam. The bill was introduced to the Senate Labor and Gaming committee on January 16, 2026.
Maddy summarySB 2321 creates an equivalent training certification program at municipal police academies, allowing candidates with prior law enforcement experience to bypass standard academy training. It directly affects sworn police officers who have worked full-time for at least one year in law enforcement, received training comparable to state standards, and have no more than an eight-year gap since their last sworn position. The bill establishes specific eligibility requirements for certification, including documented experience and training alignment with existing standards. This program provides an alternative pathway for qualified candidates to become certified without completing the full municipal academy curriculum.
Provides measures to prevent title fraud by authorizing the recorder of deeds to require the production of a government-issued photographic identification card before recording a deed or certain other instruments.
Terminates the requirement that the public utilities commission allocate five million dollars ($5,000,000) annually to the Rhode Island infrastructure bank for use with energy efficient programs.
Maddy summarySB 2516 repeals the energy efficiency charge previously included in utility base rates for electricity and water providers. This bill removes a specific fee that utilities had been allowed to add to customer bills to fund energy efficiency programs. The repeal does not affect existing funding for renewable energy programs (which continue at 0.3 mills per kilowatt-hour until 2028) or demand-side management programs for electricity and gas utilities. The bill directly affects regulated utilities distributing electricity, water, or gas, as it eliminates one cost they could pass to customers.
Requires the PUC to produce yearly reports beginning on January 1, 2027 on the ability of the current electric grid to handle electrification loads needed to power cars, buildings, and heating of homes within the state.
Requires the PUC to make public notification of any changes in eligibility or production of energy, and would direct the commission to promulgate rules and regulations to allow and facilitate the prompt public disclosure of this information.
