Photo of Sam Bell
D Rhode Island Senate · District 5

Sen. Sam Bell

Compare
Total votes
2,549
all sessions
Attendance
0%
1,399 missed
Near the chamber average
With party
90%
of cast votes
Lower than 98% of chamber peers
Bipartisan score
5%
crosses aisle rarely
Higher than 88% of chamber peers
Sponsored
614
bills & resolutions
Lower than 92% of chamber peers
Committees
1
assignment
614 bills and resolutions

Sponsored bills

Total
614
Primary
614
Co-sponsor
0
This page
614
matching current filters
Primary SB 3116
Passed · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor
AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RESTRICTIONS ON STATE AND MUNICIPAL COOPERATION WITH CIVIL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT

Prohibits state or local authorities from voluntary participation in federal civil immigration enforcement. It would not prohibit compliance with a judicial warrant or court order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Passed Jun 4, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary SB 2501
Passed · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor
AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- COUNCIL ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

Maddy summarySB 2501 changes when state employees can negotiate salary boosts tied to years of service. Starting July 1, 2026, non-classified state employees (excluding faculty and those already receiving such boosts) will be allowed to negotiate "longevity payments" of 5% after 10 years and 10% after 20 years of service. The bill explicitly ends the current ban on new longevity increases (in place since 2011) and allows future collective bargaining agreements to include these provisions. It applies broadly to state employees across education boards, government agencies, and other state departments.

Passed May 29, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary SB 2174
Passed May 29, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary SB 2517
Passed · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor
AN ACT RELATING TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS -- COMMUNITY OBLIGATIONS AND BANKING OFFENSES

Maddy summarySB 2517 (2026) requires all ATMs in Rhode Island to display a consumer’s real-time available account balance *before* a cash withdrawal is completed. This affects every consumer using an ATM in the state and all banks, credit unions, and ATM operators (including non-bank owners) that provide cash withdrawal services. The key mechanism mandates a clear, prominent balance display before entering withdrawal amounts, with an option to cancel without charge, and prohibits fees for balance inquiries or declined transactions. The law, effective January 1, 2027, will be enforced by the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation through fines for violations.

Passed May 27, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary SR 3021
died · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor
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.

died May 26, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary SB 2084
died · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor
AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

Maddy summarySB 2084 increases the monthly personal needs allowance for nursing facility residents from $75 to $100. This change directly affects residents in state-licensed nursing homes by providing them with an additional $25 per month for personal expenses like toiletries or minor comforts. The bill amends Section 40-8-2(7)(v) of the General Laws to update this allowance amount. It will take effect on July 1, 2026. The policy change is a straightforward adjustment to existing funding without altering eligibility or other program requirements.

died May 26, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary SB 2448
died · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor
AN ACT RELATING TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AUDIT AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT

Maddy summarySB 2448 creates a dedicated performance audit division within Rhode Island's Office of the Auditor General (OAG). This division will evaluate how efficiently and effectively state agencies and contractors using public funds operate, focusing on program outcomes rather than financial transactions. The bill requires the OAG to hire at least five full-time staff for this work, develop annual audit plans prioritizing high-impact areas like Medicaid and IT systems, and publish public reports starting in 2027. State agencies must then submit corrective action plans within 60 days of receiving audit findings, with the OAG monitoring compliance and reporting to lawmakers.

died May 21, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Showing 21 to 30 of 614 bills
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