Louis DiPalma

Senate Resolution Expressing Deepest Condolences On The Passing Of The Honorable David R. Carlin, Jr.

Senate Resolution Expressing Condolences On The Passing Of Ashbel Tingley Wall, Ii

Senate Resolution Expressing Deepest Condolences On The Death Of Renee Nicole Good In Minneapolis, Minnesota And Urging The Fbi To Ensure A Full Investigation

This act would promote transparency and accountability in the use of artificial intelligence by health insurers to manage coverage and claims. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that the school year for all public schools, including traditional public and public charter schools, independent charter schools, and mayoral academies, would start on the same date of each calendar year. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish the Rhode Island fire services training fund, a restricted, non- lapsing fund within the department of public safety to support the Rhode Island Fire Academy and statewide fire service training. An annual assessment equal to twenty-five hundredths percent (0.25%) of all written premiums for the prior calendar year would be used to fund the program. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would raise the amount of life insurance the state would provide at no charge to Rhode Island National Guard members called up for federal duty to five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000). This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would increase the income range up to fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) and tax credit up to eight hundred fifty dollars ($850), for elderly and disabled persons who own or rent their homes. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would authorize the town council of Little Compton to establish a homestead exemption for residential dwellings. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require specific notice of the tax sale to the taxpayer with a copy of this § 44-9-10 attached thereto. Failure to do so would render the tax sale null and void. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would direct the commissioner of elementary and secondary education to ensure that every public school has a school library in a permanent and dedicated space. This act would also direct the commissioner to ensure that every public school has a certified school librarian to manage and maintain the library. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would expand the requirement that all high schools and middle schools, whether they are publicly or privately run, to maintain on site functional automated external defibrillators (AED) while establishing and implementing a cardiac emergency response plan in these schools, inclusive of athletic activities, beginning in the 2027-2028 academic year. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish a statewide “healthy school meals for all” universal school breakfast and lunch program in Rhode Island public schools phased in over three (3) years. The program would begin with all elementary school students, then add all middle school students in year two (2), and then provide universal meals for all students by the 2028-2029 school year. The act would also direct that in operating its school breakfast and lunch program, each public educational entity would seek to maximize access to federal funds for the cost of the school breakfast and lunch program by participating in one of several identified federal programs in order to obtain federal funds to offset the costs to districts of providing free breakfasts and lunches and minimize the costs to the state. The general assembly would be required to make an appropriation by separate line items in the budget to provide breakfast and lunch at no charge for children in state subsidized early childhood education programs. This act would take effect on July 1, 2027.

This act would provide that the department of elementary and secondary education, in consultation with a workgroup composed of various stakeholders, would develop a funding formula for school districts sending students to career and technical programs outside their district. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would impose a seventy-five cent ($0.75) surcharge on fares charged by rideshare or transportation network companies. This act would also require that fifty percent (50%) of the surcharge be deposited in a restricted account to be used for street improvements in the municipality where the fare originated, and fifty percent (50%) of the surcharge be deposited in a restricted account to fund Transit Forward RI. The tax administrator would promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this chapter. The act would also establish a restricted receipt account for the benefit of RIPTA funded by sales tax collected from ride-share companies such as Uber and Lyft. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would make students in workforce-ready certificate programs at the community college of Rhode Island eligible to receive the Rhode Island Promise Scholarship. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require any remaining funds in the enacted budget from the Rhode Island promise scholarship program or the Rhode Island hope scholarship program, after Rhode Island college has satisfied all eligible scholarships pursuant to those programs, to be reimbursed to onward we learn for any scholarships that onward we learn has paid on behalf of its students who have attended Rhode Island college in that fiscal year. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would exempt the Health Care Entity Fiscal Integrity, Transparency and Accountability Act from the requirement that indirect cost recoveries of fifteen percent (15%) of funds from restricted receipt accounts be recorded as general revenues in the general fund. This act would also require quarterly financial reporting to the executive office of health and human services beginning on October 1, 2026. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would make numerous changes to the access to public records act, including clarifying various provisions, increasing the sanctions for knowing and willful violations of the law, and making certain traffic accident data and preferred license plate information public. Additionally, this act would include a police report of an incident that does not lead to an arrest as accessible to public records request. Any final reports of investigations conducted by internal affairs would be accessible to public records request. All police worn body camera footage would be accessible to public records request and would be made available within thirty (30) days. Arrest logs made within thirty (30) days of arrest, changed from five (5) days previously, would be accessible to public records request. A civil fine for public officials who knowingly violate this chapter would increase from two thousand dollars ($2,000) to four thousand dollars ($4,000), and if a public official recklessly violates this chapter a fine of two thousand dollars ($2,000) this is a change from one thousand dollars ($1,000) previously. There would also be relief in the case of a person filing frivolous request with the intent to disrupt government operations. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create a peer-to-peer car sharing program, which will prescribe insurance coverage and other related details while using a car sharing application. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would increase the number of days a retired municipal employee could work in a calendar year without interruption of their pension benefits from seventy-five (75) to ninety (90) days. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would amend the OPA desk audit classification rules to eliminate supervising other employees as a factor for position upgrade eligibility. This act would take effect upon passage.

Commencing July 1, 2026, this act would eliminate the provision of this section that requires new applicants for employment under this section to pay the expense for their criminal background checks. This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Proclaiming January 18th-24th, 2026, To Be "certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Week" In The State Of Rhode Island

Senate Resolution Celebrating The Life And Extending Deepest Condolences On The Passing Of Carrigan Mccorrie-raine Nelson

Senate Resolution Expressing Condolences On The Passing Of Margaret M. Ottman

This act would create additional safety features for artificial intelligence (AI) companion technology including provisions addressing suicidal ideation, potential physical harm or financial harm to others expressed by a user. The act also requires notification that the AI companion does not have human emotions. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would, with limited exception, prohibit the compelled production of a private key as it relates to a digital asset, digital identity or other interest or right. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish regulations regarding the use of artificial intelligence in mental healthcare treatments. This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Creating A Special Legislative Commission To Study Blockchain And Cryptocurrency (creates A Ten Member Commission To Recommend Legislative Proposals For Blockchain And Cryptocurrency, And Submits An Interim Progress Report By January 5, 2027, And A Final Report By January 5, 2028, And Expires On February 5, 2028.)

This act would require that every elementary and secondary school within the State of Rhode Island, whether they are public or privately run, provide and maintain clearly visible and easily accessible trauma kits. This act would also provide for immunity for trained persons that gratuitously render emergency assistance to a person who experiences a traumatic bleeding injury. This act would take effect on January 1, 2028.

This act would assign additional duties to the commissioner of postsecondary education, including, but not limited to, preparing a strategic plan for public higher education which is aligned with the goals of the board of education's strategic plan and which would provide for equitable distribution of public funds. This act would also provide that any policies and goals adopted would have an outcomes-based model emphasizing outcomes across a range of variables. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would extend teacher certifications without fee or penalty for three (3) or five (5) years for teachers who hold certifications as of July 1, 2026. This act would permit a teacher who has three (3) years of certified teaching experience, to acquire an additional certification through examination or content coursework. This act would also direct the department of elementary and secondary education to revise its regulations pertaining to certification to create multiple pathways to obtain teacher and administrator certification. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would include Medicaid enrollment in the student success factor of the foundation aid formula to provide added support for high-need students beyond the core instructional amount. This would begin with the FY 2027 calculation. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that not later than June 30, 2027, the department of education would develop and adopt, in consultation with the office of energy resources, regulations requiring all school buildings to meet the standard of zero energy capable, as defined in § 16-7-36, by December 31, 2037. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would exempt from sales tax the trade-in values of motorcycles as well the proceeds received as a result of an unrecovered stolen or total loss of a motorcycle. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would exempt the trade-in value of pickup trucks weighing fourteen thousand pounds (14,000 lbs.) or less from sales and use tax. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow a municipality to set an additional conveyance tax rate of not more than ten dollars ($10.00) for each five hundred dollars ($500), or fractional part of that amount, of the consideration in excess of nine hundred thousand dollars ($900,000). This act would also require that the excess conveyance taxes collected alternatively be deposited in a restricted account and distributed within two (2) years, to be used only for affordable housing for individuals or families at or below eighty percent (80%) of the area median income or transferred to state housing agencies for use in the community to develop affordable housing. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish a new categorical funding category for civics education and create a new fund dedicated to civics education. This fund would also require that the allocation of funding be approved and implemented by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education pursuant to a request for proposal process. This act would take effect on July 1, 2027.

This act would allow members of the retirement system who served in the national guard or reserves and qualify as veterans, to purchase retirement service credits based on their years of service in the National guard or reserves. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require the auditor general to conduct performance audits of all state agencies. This act would take effect upon passage.

Joint Resolution Making An Appropriation Of $3,000,000 To The Rhode Island Food Bank (this Resolution Would Authorize The Appropriation Of The Sum Of $3,000,000 To The Rhode Island Food Bank.)

This act would exempt from the sales tax behind-the-meter batteries interconnected with a solar photovoltaic system. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish a tax credit against income tax based upon eligible expenditures incurred by a family caregiver for the care and support of an eligible family member. The maximum amount of the credit would be one thousand dollars ($1,000) and would apply to all tax years beginning after December 31, 2026. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would eliminate the estate tax in Rhode Island. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would include any costs paid by an enrollee or on behalf of the enrollee, by a third party when calculating an enrollee’s overall contribution to any out-of-pocket maximum or cost sharing requirement, under a health plan as of January 1, 2027. This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Respectfully Requesting The Executive Office Of Health And Human Services (eohhs) To Adopt An Electronic Preadmission Screening And Resident Review (pasrr) System

This act would permit every municipality in the state to offer a homestead tax exemption of up to twenty percent (20%) of assessed value on residential properties, and would also provide that municipalities that grant greater exemptions would not be limited by this section. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow faith-based organizations to develop affordable housing on land they own provided at least 50 % of the housing to be developed is low- or moderate-income housing and the land is owned or held in trust by the faith-based organization. The act would also allow faith-based organizations to request adjustments for uses that support the mission of the faith-based organization, including childcare, education, community service, or small-scale commercial uses. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow a tenant with a disability who needs a service animal or an emotional support animal to house the animal on the rented premises. The act would allow a landlord to request documentation from the tenant supporting the need for the emotional support animal. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would make it a felony for any person to remove or attempt to remove any firearm or other weapon or any communication device from any peace officer or investigator of the department of attorney general. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit the purchase of more than one firearm in a thirty (30) day period. Exemptions are made for law enforcement, inheritance, participation in courses of instruction, temporary rentals at gun ranges and licensed collectors. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would reduce the number of signatures needed on nomination papers for a candidate to be a delegate to a national presidential convention to 50 voters. This act would also amend and reduce the number of days before an election for which nomination papers must be submitted before a presidential preference primary to 54 days, and would reduce the number of days by which the local board of canvassers would need to certify the signatures to the secretary of state to 50 days before the presidential preference primary. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would increase the penalties for a first offense of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death to a minimum ten (10) years in incarceration, a minimum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) and a minimum license revocation of ten (10) years. It would also increase other penalties in this section from a minimum of five (5) years to ten (10) years in prison for violation. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require employers to protect employees from extreme temperatures through rest breaks, PPE, training, and equipment, and mandate training, to recognize and mitigate heat- and cold-related risks. The act would require the department of health to establish and implement a training program. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would establish a seven (7) member public-private partnership infrastructure oversight commission to approve all requests for proposals submitted for public-private partnership construction of qualified facilities. This act would also establish a new scheme outlining the request for proposal process for the construction of public-private qualified facilities and would further provide for the state to exercise the power of eminent domain relating to the construction of such qualified facilities. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish the commuter transportation benefit chapter. Employers with five hundred (500) or more employees would be required to establish a pre-tax commuter transportation fringe benefit program. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would permit the implementation of a system of electronic registration and titling of motor vehicles by the DMV and would require that rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this chapter would be promulgated by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles. This act would take effect on July 1, 2026.

RELATING TO MAKING REVISED APPROPRIATIONS IN SUPPORT OF FY 2026 RELATING TO ROGER WILLIAMS MEDICAL CENTER AND OUR LADY OF FATIMA HOSPITAL AND AUTHORIZING THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND TO PROVIDE FINANCING SUPPORT TO ASSIST THE SALE OF THE HOSPITALS TO CHARTERCARE HEALTH OF RHODE ISLAND, INC.

This act would expand the duties of the small business ombudsman, by also having the ombudsman serve as the Rhode Island commerce corporation's small business advocate. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would enact the Rhode Island Broadband Oversight and Accountability Act of 2026. The act would amend and remove statutory barriers that may prevent Rhode Island from oversight and monitoring of broadband services. The act would also direct the commerce corporation to prepare and submit a plan regarding the creation of broadband oversight authority or a similar structure. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish property, tangible, sales and use tax exemptions as incentives for the location of qualified data centers in Rhode Island upon a minimum qualified investment of two hundred million dollars ($200,000,000) in a designated enterprise zone and four hundred million dollars ($400,000,000) in a non-enterprise zone. The application requirements and approval process would be in a form and manner prescribed by the Rhode Island commerce corporation. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would extend certain protocols applicable to motor vehicle manufacturers to their distributors and factory branches, as well as update warranty reimbursement and recall obligation policies. This act would take effect on October 1, 2026.

This act would direct that, on or before September 8, 2026, middle and high schools which issue student identification cards to include on those cards contact crisis telephone numbers for suicide prevention and substance use disorder prevention. This information would also be required to be placed on identification cards issued to school and district employees working in the schools. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish the Higher Education Opportunities for Students with Disabilities Act. This act would enable students with disabilities who are ages eighteen (18) through twenty- one (21) years, and in some cases to age twenty-two (22) years, to audit and otherwise attend state colleges and universities using the student’s foundation education aid. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require the department of elementary and secondary education and the department of health to issue guidance for the administration of seizure rescue medications administered for students who have been medically identified as having epilepsy/seizure disorder. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish the Rhode Island Maternal Health Improvement and Equity Act of 2026, to establish permanent statewide support for maternal health and to implement the maternal health strategic plan improving maternal health care and access. This act would appropriate for FY 26-27 the sum of $2,700,000 for the program. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would exclude portable solar generation devices intended primarily to offset part of a customer's electricity consumption from the definition of eligible net-metering system. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would reduce the cigarette tax imposed by seventy-five percent (75%) for any modified risk tobacco product as defined in § 21 U.S.C. 387K as a tobacco product sold or distributed to reduce the harm or risk of tobacco-related disease associated with commercially marketed tobacco products. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would increase the monthly minimum benefit for a spouse, domestic partner or former spouse and grant, to eligible retirees who retired after July 1, 2012, and provide a one-time full COLA of three and thirty-four one hundredths percent (3.34%). This act would further provide a modification reducing federal adjusted gross income for the amount received of public pension benefits administered by the Employees Retirement System of Rhode Island. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would raise the earned-income tax credit to thirty percent (30%) for the tax years 2027 and beyond. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would direct the department of human services and the department of elementary and secondary education to work collaboratively to manage existing workforce development and compensation programs for educators working in licensed child care and early learning programs statewide and would allocate at least $1,000,000 to continue the Child Care WAGE$ model to help strengthen and sustain the child care workforce. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would eliminate the sales tax on taxi services and pet care services. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would, change the teacher and state employees' retirement benefit calculations' cutoff date from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2012, for all retirement members eligible to and who retire on or after the new July 1, 2012, cutoff date. The average compensation would be reduced from the highest five (5) years to the average of the highest three (3) consecutive years, of compensation, within the total service, when the average compensation was the highest. This act would take effect upon passage.

Joint Resolution Making An Appropriation Of $15,200,000 To Be Used To Purchase Pfas-free Firefighting Gear (authorizes The Appropriation Of The Sum Of $15,200,000 To Cities And Towns To Purchase Firefighter And Rescue Personnel Protective Gear Which Is Pfas Free.)

This act would authorize the secretary of the executive office of health and human services (EOHHS) to increase resource eligibility limits for persons with long-term-care needs who reside at home to $12,000 for single persons and $18,000 for couples. The act would also require that Medicaid certified assisted living facilities and adult day service providers furnish semi-annual reports to the EOHHS regarding the number of persons served each month and patients’ certification categories for the prior six months. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit the closure or significant reduction of services of a birthing center without notice, application, financial disclosure, public hearing, and approval by the department of health. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit the state, participating ERISA, or any health plan from purchasing referenced drugs for a cost higher than the referenced rate. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require health insurance providers to provide insurance coverage for pharmacists’ services including evaluation and management of a patient, which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination and medical decision making; medication therapy management review; immunization education and administration; administration of medications; ordering and evaluation of clinical laboratory tests. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027, and unless extended by the general assembly, would expire on January 1, 2031.

This act would establish the Wholesale Prescription Drug Importation Program for the importation of wholesale prescription drugs from Canada to provide savings to Rhode Island consumers. The program would require the designation of a state agency to become a licensed drug wholesaler, or to contract with a licensed drug wholesaler, use of prescription drug suppliers in Canada; ensure that only drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration are imported; and import only drugs expected to generate savings; and prohibit the distribution or sale of these drugs outside of Rhode Island. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would make numerous changes to the access to public records act, including clarifying various provisions, increasing the sanctions for knowing and willful violations of the law, and making certain traffic accident data and preferred license plate information public. Additionally, this act would include a police report of an incident that does not lead to an arrest as accessible to public records request. Any final reports of investigations conducted by internal affairs would be accessible to public records request. All police worn body camera footage would be accessible to public records request and would be made available within thirty (30) days. Arrest logs made within thirty (30) days of arrest, changed from five (5) days previously, would be accessible to public records request. A civil fine for public officials who knowingly violate this chapter would increase from two thousand dollars ($2,000) to four thousand dollars ($4,000), and if a public official recklessly violates this chapter a fine of two thousand dollars ($2,000) is a change from one thousand dollars ($1,000) previously. There would also be relief in the case of a person filing frivolous request with the intent to disrupt government operations. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow parents or guardians to have access to GPS data of the bus or other motor vehicle used to transport students to and from school. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require that all agencies' final rules, promulgated pursuant to the administrative procedures act, be approved by general assembly action, but in no case later than December 31 of the year it is promulgated, before it can become effective. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would increase the sentences, fines or both for § 31-27-1 ("driving so as to endanger, resulting in death") and § 31-27-1.1 ("driving so as to endanger, resulting in personal injury"). This act would also repeal the enhancement of the punishments for subsequent offenses of § 31-27-2.2 ("driving under the influence, resulting in death") and § 31-27-2.6 ("driving under the influence, resulting in serious bodily injury") and would replace the enhancement of punishments with an amended single range of sentences, fines or both. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would enlarge the definitions of prohibited acts that constitute hazing, make principals, coaches, athletic directors and others responsible for knowingly failing to take reasonable measures to prevent hazing and would punish serious injury by up to ten (10) years of imprisonment. This act would also increase the civil and criminal penalties for hazing and permitting hazing. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require that any covered entity that develops and provides online services, products, or features that children are reasonably likely to access shall consider the best interest of children when designing and developing such online service, product, or feature. The provisions of this chapter may be enforced by the attorney general and violators are subject to civil penalties. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would change the maximum term of employment for a superintendent from three (3) to five (5) years. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would authorize the department of transportation to issue a blanket permit to and collect a fee from operators to allow the movement of self-propelled cranes on state roads and highways, which cranes are in excess of size and weight load requirements. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow for a special Rhode Island license plate to raise awareness for colon cancer. The plate would be designed by the Partnership to Reduce Cancer in Rhode Island in honor of the late Maryellen Goodwin. The fees for the plate would be divided equally between the general fund and the not-for-profit Partnership to Reduce Cancer in Rhode Island. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow for the holder of a manufacturer’s license to be able to sell one one- sixth (1/6) barrel keg of malt beverage, produced on the premises, per day. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would permit the continuation of instructor-led virtual instruction for drivers’ education until July 1, 2028, the board of education would be required to provide a report comparing test scores of virtual versus in-person instruction to the speaker of the house and president of the senate no later than September 1, 2028. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would grant automatic admission to state public institutions of higher education to any applicant who is a resident of the State of Rhode Island who has earned the rank of Eagle Scout from Scouting America or the Gold Award from the Girl Scouts of the USA and meets all minimum application submission requirements of the institution. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would amend the statute establishing Rhode Island's voluntary quality rating system for early care and education and school-age child care by requiring that, for school-age child care programs operating in RIDE-certified school buildings, facility-based elements of observational tools or environment rating scales (including SACERS or successor tools) be deemed met or treated neutrally in order that such facility-based elements do not reduce a program's quality rating level. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would authorize the department of environmental management to issue and enforce rules and regulations to implement and enforce the provisions of the food waste ban. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would amend certain provisions relative to school waste recycling and refuse disposal and would require reports of waste audits by educational entities and reports of program participation by vendors. It would also authorize the use of share tables in schools. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish the compost fund to provide funding to the department of environmental management to award grants to assist with the costs of developing, implementing, expanding equipment, infrastructure, and education relating to reducing the amount of solid waste generated in the state. The office of the general treasurer would administer the fund. This act would also establish a municipal waste diversion grant fund administered by the general treasurer to be used for grants to municipalities to advance food waste prevention. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027

This act would establish the first-time home buyer savings program fund for first-time home buyers. This act would allow modifications to federal adjusted gross income for fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) in contributions and one hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) of interest and dividends. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would redefine what constitutes a farm by reducing the amount of revenue from farm products required to be sold from ten thousand ($10,000) to two thousand five hundred dollars ($2500). The act would expand the farm to include all agricultural operations, including forestry. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would exempt from the sales tax scalp hair prosthesis or wig that are necessary due to hair loss from a medical condition. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit state agencies from entering into software contracts that limit the agency's ability to install or run the software of the agency's choosing on their hardware. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide a tax credit for food donations by qualified taxpayers to nonprofit organizations up to five thousand dollars ($5,000) per year. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would exempt from sales tax energy storage systems, as defined in § 39-33-1. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would mandate insurance coverage for scalp cooling treatments for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy to prevent hair loss during chemotherapy treatments. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would make it an unfair claim practice whenever a dental insurer refuses to honor a “direction to pay” after a request by the claimant or the insured. This act would allow the insurer to review the records of the service provider to verify that the services were received, but prohibits the insurer from modifying the amount of benefits to be paid. This act would not allow a contract between the insurer and a dental service provider requiring the provider to accept payment for services only by virtual credit card. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require fair pharmacy reimbursement from a pharmacy benefit manager to a non-affiliated pharmacy or pharmacist and also provide anti-discrimination prohibitions by pharmacy benefit managers in regard to non-affiliated pharmacies or pharmacists. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would repeal provisions providing that the market value or assessed valuation of a property that benefits from an easement or right-of-way would not be taken into consideration in calculating the benefit received by each property. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit any law enforcement agencies in the state from hiring any individual who was hired as a sworn officer of the United States Immigration and Customs enforcement Agency on or after January 20, 2025 and would apply prospectively to an individual hired on or after October 1, 2026. This act would take effect on October 1, 2026

This act would make traffic accident data a public record, subject to federal law. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that fees for costs charged for search, retrieval or copying of public records shall be waived for members of the general assembly who certify that they are acting in their official capacity. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish a digital electronics right to repair, which would allow for digital electronic equipment and parts that are sold in this state on or after January 1, 2027, to be repaired at an independent repair provider. Additionally, this act would require an original equipment manufacturer to make available to any independent repair facility any documentation, parts, and tools required for diagnosis, maintenance, or other repairs. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit bail bond agents and bail bond recovery agents from engaging in civil immigration enforcement, define such conduct as unprofessional, and subject violators to professional discipline under Rhode Island law, including license suspension, revocation, denial of renewal and civil penalties. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would direct the department of elementary and secondary education, in conjunction with the Rhode Island interscholastic league, to promulgate rules and regulations to address, minimize, and establish an anti-hazing policy for acts of hazing in student athletics. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create a comprehensive statutory framework to address and regulate the use of artificial intelligence in the workplace, considering the interests of employers and employees. This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Expressing Condolences On The Passing Of Thomas Joseph Holland

Senate Resolution Recognizing February Of 2026, As "national Children's Dental Health Month" In The State Of Rhode Island

This act would require that automated teller machines disclose the account balance prior to any cash withdrawal. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would enact the State of Rhode Island interior design practice act to control and regulate the professional practice of interior designers. This act would establish a board existing of seven (7) members, four (4) of whom would be registered interior designers. The board would have the authority to promulgate rules and regulations to register interior designers, regulate the unlawful practice of interior design, and enforcement of such rules and regulations. This act would take effect on July 1, 2026.

This act would amend the definition of farm and agricultural land to include land on which agricultural operations are being conducted or is suitable for agriculture operations, and further expand the definition of a farmer to include any person who owns or is a principal operator of a farm and engages in agricultural operations. This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Formally Requesting That The Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission To Consider The Creation And Adoption Of A Seasonal Heat Pump Rate As Part Of Docket 25-45-ge

This act would amend the current law on teacher’s creditable service so that a teacher who takes an unpaid parental or medical leave during the year would be given credit for a year of service for that school year if they served a minimum of one-hundred thirty-five school days. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would amend the calculation of state funding provided to local education agencies for special education services. The act would revise the calculation of extraordinary special education costs in fiscal years 2028 and 2029, and would also provide additional funds for excess costs for special education students who move into a district after a district has approved its fiscal year budget. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would increase the amount of state aid distributed to the towns and cities through appropriation in lieu of property tax provisions applicable to certain private and state properties that are exempt from property tax. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require that Medicaid enrollment be maintained or provided to all inmates in the first thirty (30) days of incarceration at the adult correctional institutions within the department of corrections and the last thirty (30) days of incarceration when possible. It would also require that the executive office of health and human services, in accordance with federal law, apply for an § 1115 waiver to offer a program to provide Medicaid benefits to a qualified inmate for up to at least thirty (30) days immediately before the day on which the qualified inmate is released by the department of corrections. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

Joint Resolution Making An Appropriation Of $200,000 To The Rhode Island Black Business Association (authorizes The Appropriation Of The Sum Of $200,000 To The Rhode Island Black Business Association.)

Joint Resolution Making An Appropriation Of $3,000,000 To Rhode Island Legal Services, Inc. (appropriates The Sum Of $3,000,000 To Rhode Island Legal Services, Inc.)

This act would permit licensed providers to accompany emergency medical services and treat patients within the community for mental health disorders, including substance use disorders. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow the town of Tiverton to apply different tax rates to all classes of property. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would set timelines for Tiverton's new construction, including one year for final approval, two (2) years for building permits, and temporary inclusion of units in the town's count until completion or three (3) years, from the requested date of the building permit whichever comes first. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would authorize the town of Tiverton, if an aggregate of five hundred (500) or more units should be proposed in comprehensive permit project(s), to enact an emergency moratorium until the permit requirement of § 45-53-4 are amended. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would authorized the town of Tiverton to require that fifty percent (50%) of new construction be affordable housing units if there is less than ten percent (10%) of affordable housing in the town. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit applications for a comprehensive permit under the Rhode Island comprehensive planning and land use regulation act in any watershed overlay protection district located in the town of Tiverton. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require the Rhode Island housing authority to verify and document the count of affordable housing stock in the town of Tiverton two (2) times per year. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would permit the town of Tiverton to require additional testing, to be performed by and at the expense of the developer or builder, to ensure that there is no dewatering or loss of effective recharge to surrounding wells within close proximity of the new construction and to eliminate or mitigate any adverse consequences at the sole expense of the developer or builder. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would permit Tiverton to require two (2) parking spaces for each studio, one- bedroom, or two-bedroom low- or moderate-income housing unit upon the determination that limited or no local public transportation or off-street parking is availabile near these units. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow the town of Tiverton to determine its density bonuses based upon its underlying zoning. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would exempt applications filed in the town of Tiverton, from regulations for comprehensive permit projects, for low- and moderate-income housing, by prohibiting accessory dwelling units. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit law enforcement officers from wearing masks without an exception granted by this act and would impose criminal and civil liability for violations. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would sunset/discontinue the Jobs Development Act rate reduction as of July 1, 2026. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish a restricted receipt account at the department of labor and training (“DLT”) to be used for hospitality industry workforce training grants, including certified food and alcohol safety training programs to be offered in multiple languages, funded by an annual fee of fifty ($50.00) dollars to be charged by the department of health (“DOH”) to food service establishments. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027

Senate Resolution Commemorating The 182nd Anniversary Of Dominican Republic Independence On February 27, 2026

This act would amend the Identity Theft Protection Act of 2015. The act would eliminate the definitions for "classified data" and "personal information" and establish a definition for "personally identifiable information". This act would also add division of enterprise technology strategy and services (ETSS) or successor state agency, or successor to the chief digital officer to notification requirement provisions of the chapter. This act would raise the penalty provisions for violations. This act would take effect on July 1, 2027.

This act would increase the income limit for eligible families from two hundred sixty-one percent (261%) to two hundred eighty-five percent (285%) of the federal poverty level (FPL) beginning January 1, 2027, and would increase the exit threshold from three hundred percent (300%) to three hundred twenty-five percent (325%). This act would also increase the reimbursement rates for infants by five percent (5%). Section 1 of this act would take effect after January 1, 2027, except for the provisions of § 40-5.2-20(c) which would take effect July 1, 2026. Section 2 of this act would take effect July 1, 2026.

This act would provide modifications for payments of interest on student loans shall be subtracted from federal adjusted gross income to an amount equal to the payments of interest for the satisfaction of outstanding student loans. This act would take effect upon passage.

Joint Resolution Making An Appropriation Of $150,000 To The Main Street Rhode Island Program (authorizes The Appropriation Of The Sum Of One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000) To The Main Street Rhode Island Program.)

This act would restate the UTGR Master Contract and the Twin River-Tiverton Master Contract and would consolidate the marketing program of each into the Consolidated Marketing Program. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit the imposition of fees associated with home modifications that are specifically required to accommodate a veteran’s disability. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would define a seasonably-habitable non-owner occupied residence, which is not the primary residence of the taxpayer, and which would be exempt from the non-owner occupied property tax. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would authorize the town of Middletown to adopt, by ordinance, several veterans’ real and personal property tax exemption to any veteran, who was honorably discharged, or discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, regardless of dates or periods of service. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create the joint committee of the repealer for a term of six (6) years to compile suggestions for repeal of statutes, regulations, and executive orders received from citizens, businesses, and government agencies, including, but not limited to, those that are not considered "business-friendly", and those that are archaic and out of date. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create a cause of action for the replacement cost of a child restraint system that is in a motor vehicle at the time of a motor vehicle accident. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would change the application to purchase a firearm. Further, this act would require all persons seeking to possess a firearm except for police and military personnel to complete and pass a basic firearm safety training course. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require notice to E-ZPass users by the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) before reporting toll violators or toll evaders to the division of motor vehicles (DMV) and establish rules and regulations for transponder failures as well as to require outreach and free replacements, and allow mitigation or forgiveness of tolls and penalties from equipment failures. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create a new chapter to provide for non-charitable bingo by the state lottery division. This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Urging The Governor To Conduct A Veterans Home Workforce Analysis To Guide Policy And Budget Decisions (creates The Rhode Island Veterans Home Staffing Support Act Of 2026.)

This act would define a "catastrophic loss" to a residential property. It would allow a customer to be discharged from making the first payment following the date of a catastrophic loss. The solar customer would be required to provide the retailer with documentation of the loss in order to qualify for a temporary suspension of payments. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create the green buildings act commission to consist of seventeen (17) members, responsible for the implementation of the green buildings act in consultation with the state building office, building code commission of the Rhode Island department of business regulation. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create the Rhode Island Delete Act, requiring any entity that knowingly collects, shares or sells to third parties the personal data of a consumer with whom the business does not have a direct relationship, to register with the department of business regulation. Consumers may request that their personal information be deleted through an appropriate deletion mechanism as established by the department of business regulation. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require that certain data centers requiring large amounts of electricity be required to fund the cost of necessary infrastructure improvements to supply such electricity. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would extend certain protocols applicable to motor vehicle manufacturers to their distributors and factory branches, amend definitions relative to common entities and sales, as well as prohibit any motor vehicle manufacturers, common entities, affiliates or joint ventures licensed after January 1, 2020 from directly selling to the public. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would update the description of the early intervention program and the agency responsible for the program under Part C of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Furthermore, the act would direct the executive office of health and human services (EOHHS) to increase Medicaid rates for early intervention service providers by the amount recommended in the 2025 rate review and require that the office maintain and regularly update the existing early intervention data dashboard on a public website. This act would take effect upon passage.

Joint Resolution Creating A Special Legislative Commission To Study And Provide Recommendations For The Creation Of A Statewide Teacher Healthcare Plan (creates An 11-member Commission To Study And Make Recommendations On A Statewide Teacher Healthcare Plan, And Would Report Quarterly As Of September 1, 2026, And Submit A Final Report By September 1, 2027, And Expires On December 31, 2027.)

This act would exempt certain cookware that contains perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS that are authorized by the FDA for food contact for consumer goods from the provision of the consumer PFAS ban act of 2024. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create rodent integrated pest management pilot programs for municipalities that choose to participate. Reports would be approved by the municipality's mayor or administrator and would be submitted to the department of environmental management. Sections 1 and 4 of this act would take effect upon passage, and sections 2 and 3 would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would require the producer of artificial turf and turf infill sold or distributed in Rhode Island to report its chain of custody, from installation to use, repurposing, recycling and disposal to the department of environmental management. The department of environmental management would develop and maintain the information on a publicly accessible website. Violations would be subject to civil penalties. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would amend the Consumer PFAS Ban Act of 2024 by clarifying enforcement provisions, providing the department of environmental management (DEM) with authority to join a multijurisdictional clearinghouse to assist in carrying out the requirements of the law, and providing DEM with the authority to exempt a product or category of products from the prohibitions in the law. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require the state and private health insurers to reimburse claims for healthcare services provided by nurse practitioners and physician assistants at the same amount as the reimbursement paid to a physician performing the service in the area served. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would establish a tax credit for businesses transitioning to employee ownership. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide for penalties for tax preparers that purposefully mislead their clients or act as ghost preparers of tax returns and would require the tax administrator to publish a list of tax preparers who have had their privileges to prepare returns revoked or suspended. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create a publicly funded program for uninsured individuals requiring an appropriation of fifty-three million two hundred thousand dollars ($53,200,000) for fiscal year 2027 and an appropriation of one hundred nine million, six hundred thousand dollars ($109,600,000) for fiscal year 2028 and every fiscal year thereafter. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would submit the state's 2026 capital development program requesting the issuance of general obligation bonds totaling one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) for approval of the electorate at the general election to be held in November, 2026. Sections 1, 2, 3, 11 and 12 of this act would take effect upon passage. The remaining sections of this act would take effect when and if the state board of elections shall certify to the secretary of state that a majority of the qualified electors voting on the proposition contained in section 1 hereof have indicated their approval of the project thereunder.

This act would remove the requirement that five percent (5%) of the hotel tax generated from regional tourism districts be paid to the Greater Providence-Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau, and would add that five percent (5%) of the hotel tax to the existing tax paid to the Rhode Island commerce corporation. This act would take effect upon passage.

Joint Resolution Making An Appropriation Of $118,422 To The Rhode Island Parent Information Network (ripin) (appropriates The Sum Of $118,422 To The Rhode Island Parent Information Network (ripin).)

This act would provide that all public officers and employees, teacher retirees and municipal employees, in addition to their defined benefit retirement allowance, receive cost of living adjustments of up to three percent (3%) but in no event, zero percent (0%) and that the adjustment be compounded into the retiree’s total retirement benefits each year. The benefits shall be based on the retirement benefit received on January 1, 2026, or, if not receiving benefits at the time of the passage of this act, then upon their defined benefit retirement entitlement. These benefits shall be prospective only and this act shall not modify or increase any contribution by any employee into the retirement system. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish an agricultural restricted receipt account within the department of environmental management. An advisory committee would be established to determine suggested uses of the funds in said account. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish a child tax credit in the amount of three hundred thirty dollars ($330) for eligible taxpayers adjusted for inflation annually commencing January 1, 2027. This act would take effect upon passage.

Joint Resolution Making An Appropriation Of $5,000,000 To The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (authorizes The Appropriation Of The Sum Of Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) To The Ri Public Transit Authority To Continue Services, Hire And Train More Bus Operators, And Implement The State's Act On Climate Goals.)

This act would exempt certain urban and small farmers from sales taxes, real, tangible and personal property taxes and income taxes. This act would also define urban and small farmers and urban farmland. This act would take effect on July 1, 2027.

This act would amend the Rhode Island works program to increase the monthly cash benefit to one hundred percent (100%) of the federal poverty level effective July 1, 2026, and tie the benefit amount to the federal poverty level going forward and increase the cash support pass- through to one hundred dollars ($100) for one child and two hundred dollars ($200) for more than one child. This act would also remove the sixty-five dollars ($65.00) benefit reduction for families living in subsidized housing. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027, except for the provisions of § 40-5.2-20(c) which would take effect July 1, 2026.

This act would submit the state's 2026 capital development program requesting the issuance of general obligation bonds totaling two hundred seventeen million dollars ($217,000,000) for approval of the electorate at the general election to be held in November 2026. Sections 1, 2, 3, 11 and 12 of this act would take effect upon passage. The remaining sections of this act would take effect when and if the state board of elections shall certify to the secretary of state that a majority of the qualified electors voting on the proposition contained in section 1 hereof have indicated their approval of the projects thereunder.

This act would appropriate two million seven hundred thousand dollars ($2,700,000) to fund the primary care training sites program to provide training for physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants within the department of health. This act would take effect on July 1, 2026.

This act would, under the emergency fund for victims, increase the share of a victim’s total award that may be used for relocation related expenses but would not increase total compensation available to a victim. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide an investment tax credit to a taxpayer that makes a qualified investment in a local qualified business of ninety-nine (99) employees or less. This act would be funded by a Rhode Island commerce corporation strategic fund pursuant to § 42-64-18. Additionally, the general assembly would annually appropriate sufficient funds from the general fund to fully compensate for any loss of revenue as a result of the provisions of this act. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would permit children with diagnosed developmental disabilities whose third birthday is between May 1 and August 31 to continue to receive early intervention services through September 1 after the child’s third birthday. Further, this act would direct the EOHHS to develop and implement a plan to ensure continuity of services and minimize gaps in support as children with services transition to early childhood special education. Additionally, this act would require private health insurers to cover this extended early intervention option. This act would take effect on July 1, 2026.

This act would define food and food supplies for the purposes of Rhode Island general laws title 37 public property and works chapter 2 state purchases. This act would further allow for the procurement of food and food supplies not exceeding an aggregate amount of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) to be made in accordance with small purchase regulations promulgated by the chief purchasing officer. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would define “electronic nicotine-delivery system shop” and require that ten percent (10%) of sales revenue from said shops be transferred to the tobacco cessation programs pursuant to § 27-20-53. The act also would double the penalties for any violations by the shops and assess payments for storing and/or destroying confiscated materials. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would add the First Connections family home-visiting program as a provider under the statute and change the department of health’s annual reporting requirements regarding family home-visiting programs. This act would also direct the executive office of health and human services to increase Medicaid rates for early intervention service providers by the amount recommended in the 2025 rate review, appropriate the minimum amount of general revenue to access the maximum amount of federal MIECHV funds and direct the department to spend all available federal funds. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would remove the definition of "totally and permanently disabled" from the general law affording college tuition paid by the state to the spouse and children of active members of the police force who are killed or disabled during duty. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would cap the interest rate for all delinquent taxes at twelve percent (12%). This act would also limit the tax administrator’s authority to audit taxpayers to three (3) years from the date of the tax filing. For fraudulent returns, the audit period shall not exceed seven (7) years, and no audit can be performed beyond ten (10) years. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027, and would apply to all assessments, audits and tax payments, including delinquent taxes, initiated on or after this date.

This act would provide that an individual school district that utilizes its own buses or vendors to transport students outside the district, at a lower cost than the statewide school transportation system, could submit these costs to the department of elementary and secondary education and receive reimbursement from state funds. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would authorize pharmacists to order, perform and interpret CLIA-waived tests authorized by statewide protocol and prescribe medications. This act would further permit for such test-and-treat authority to be covered by all health insurance carriers. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would include routine, scheduled or recommended immunizations to individuals between the ages of three (3) and eighteen (18) years, under the consent and reporting provisions required for pharmacy administered immunizations to individuals between three (3) and eighteen (18) years of age. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would repeal the older of the two existing chapters related to speech-language pathologists and audiologists and would make several amendments to reconcile the two statutes into one. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create a new license for eyelash service technicians, require permits for eyelash businesses, establish training and exam standards, authorize RIDOH enforcement and fines, and impose five hundred dollar ($500) penalties for unlicensed practice. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would create a Rhode Island specialty license for physician assistants who earn the NCCPA psychiatry CAQ, formally recognizing advanced behavioral health qualifications and supporting appropriate insurance reimbursement. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require the department of health to implement a tobacco control program that incorporates evidence-based best practices for tobacco prevention and cessation to prevent tobacco-related diseases and diminish tobacco use in the state. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require inspections and evaluations of the indoor air quality of each school building, including heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. The department of health would establish guidelines for indoor air quality in schools, including recommended thresholds and rates for environmental conditions that directly affect health and learning. The department of education in coordination with the department of health, shall submit a report to the general assembly within one year of the effective date of this section, with recommendations to improve indoor air quality in public schools. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create the position of dementia services coordinator within the department of health to coordinate the departments' approach to Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. This act would take effect on July 1, 2026.

This act would prohibit health insurance companies or other payors from including in their physician participation agreements any provisions that restrict or prevent a physician practice from charging patients reasonable administrative or operational fees to support practice overhead. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require the executive office of health and human services to consider a new element when reviewing the appropriate Medicaid payments to be paid to nursing facilities. The act would require the executive office to specifically review the increases in direct and indirect costs beginning October of 2027 to reflect changes using data from the most recent finalized year of a facility's costs. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish a twenty-seven (27) member joint commission to study ways to maximize revenue for child welfare and children’s behavioral health services. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish a food-as-medicine pilot program and task force to be administered by the executive office of health and human services. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow the town of Tiverton to receive a one-half (1/2) credit for affordable housing units for manufactured homes in age restricted communities in conformance with all zoning laws and/or ordinances of the town. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish the Residential and Commercial Property Acquisition Program Act to implement residential or commercial property acquisitions, in high-hazard zones, paired with funding for relocation costs within or proximate to the current community and restore the acquired land to its natural habitat and use it to enhance shoreline or riverine access and outdoor recreation. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish the Rhode Island center for employee ownership to facilitate businesses in transitioning to an employee-owned business model. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that all contractual provisions in a firefighters collective bargaining agreement would continue until a successor agreement has been reached or an interest arbitration award has been rendered. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would mandate any contract for capital improvements at any healthcare facility adhere to the requirements of chapter 13 of title 37. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that Rhode Island state employees be eligible for temporary disability insurance effective January 1, 2027. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027, and would apply to wages earned on or after that date.

This act would allow a police officer to be reemployed by a state agency or department for purposes of working a state-funded detail subject to certain restrictions. This act would take effect upon passage.

Joint Resolution Rescinding All Prior Article V Convention Applications (cancels And Nullifies All Prior Applications By The General Assembly Calling For A Constitutional Convention.)

This act would require any shooting range operating in this state to post signs in any area in which shooting occurs that contain the following language: “WARNING: If you or a loved one is experiencing distress and/or depression, call the 988 Suicide and Crisis hotline or text “HOME” to 741741” and the signs would not contain any other text. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create 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. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would provide that advanced practice registered nurses have the same immunity from liability as physicians under the mental health law. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would make several amendments to the cannabis act relating to applications for licensure, the social equity assistance program and the application of cannabis tax revenue. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit the holding of multiple drivers licenses or identification cards and would change the term "re-constructed salvage" to "rebuilt salvage" for purposes of the Rhode Island salvage law. Sections 1 and 2 of this act would take effect upon passage and section 3 would take effect six (6) months after passage.

This act would update disability parking space signage and would enable municipalities to participate in the parking mobility app program where individuals may submit photos on the app of vehicles that are parked in spaces designated for individuals with disabilities and the violator may be cited and fined. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create three (3) new awards for Rhode Island National Guard members and would provide eligibility for the Rhode Island star for certain civilian government employees and military and civilian leaders of foreign governments. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would amend the definition of "distributor" under the chapter relating to taxation- -cigarette, other tobacco products, and electronic nicotine-delivery system products, to include dealers whose annual business sales of cigars are greater than fifty percent (50%) of their sales. This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Creating A Special Legislative Commission To Study Shared Services And The Potential For Regionalization Of School Districts In The State Of Rhode Island (creates A 9 Member Commission To Study Shared Services And The Potential For Regionalization Of School Districts, And Who Would Report Back To The Senate By April 15, 2027, And Whose Life Would Expire Once Its Report Is Issued.)

This act would require that the names of any non-teacher school employees who are terminated for good and just cause, be furnished to the Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary education. The department would maintain a list of the names and the good cause for the termination. This list would not be a public document, but would be available to hiring authorities of schools and school districts. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit public and private colleges and universities from charging students for institution provided health insurance in the absence of affirmative action by the student opting in to coverage. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would increase and reallocate the fees collected for motor vehicle inspections, including motorcycle inspections, with an allocation of ten dollars ($10.00) to the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA). This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would require the state investment commission to create a capital access initiative to expand potential investment opportunities for the state’s pension fund and engage qualified but traditionally underrepresented investment managers. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish the Rhode Island education funding and accountability act, which would include a totally revised and revamped formula for funding all levels of public education in Rhode Island. This act would take effect upon passage, with full implementation no later than fiscal year 2030.

Joint Resolution Making An Appropriation Of $800,000 To Waterfire Providence (authorizes The Appropriation Of The Sum Of $800,000 To Waterfire Providence.)

This act would require insurers to develop plans for coverage and access to nonnarcotic, nonopioid and nonmedication pain management for moderate to severe pain. This act would further restrict utilization review for nonopioid drugs. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would increase the number of state childcare licensing inspectors to meet the national recommended average of one inspector for every fifty (50) to sixty (60) childcare providers. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would set an earlier deadline from June to April for filing of declaration of candidacy and nomination papers It would delay the filing of nomination papers from fifty-four (54) days to eighty-four (84) days, before the date of the primary. It would also change the date of primary elections, from the eighth Tuesday preceding the biennial state elections to the second Tuesday. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027

This act would increase the role of the division of motor vehicles in the voter registration and address verification process, by establishing very specific obligations and responsibilities that must be followed before offering an individual an application to register to vote. This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Creating A Special Legislative Commission To Make A Comprehensive Study Of Rhode Island's Healthcare Workforce Related To Educating And Retaining Primary Care Providers (creates A 17-member Commission To Study Rhode Island’s Healthcare Workforce Related To Educating And Retaining Primary Care Providers And Who Would Report Back Annually To The President Of The Senate.)

This act would make several technical amendments to the Rhode Island secure choice retirement savings program act necessary for continued administration and inter-state partnership. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would charge the office of the health insurance commissioner to incorporate uncompensated care as a formula-driven numeric adjustment in the methodology used to establish any affordability standard or rate cap, applicable to hospital contracts, commencing January 1, 2027. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would permit the Quonset Development Corporation to acquire, own, maintain, and control all streetlights located within the Quonset Business Park. This act would take effect upon passage.

Effective for retirement plan year 2026, the act would provide that all teachers and state employees who retired after July 1, 2012, their annual cost of living adjustment would be reinstated and municipal employees would receive a one-time cost of living adjustment of two and eighty nine one hundredths percent (2.89%). The act would also provide that public petition benefits from the state retirement system would not be subject to the state personal income tax. This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Celebrating March 19, 2026, As "rhode Island College Day" In The State Of Rhode Island

This act would allow a law enforcement agency to consider expunged records when issuing a license or permit to carry a pistol or revolver. This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Commemorating The Celebration Of St. Joseph's Day

Senate Resolution Honoring The Life And Legacy Of The Late Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio And Commemorating The Naming Of The Rhode Island Senate Chamber In His Honor

This act would exempt from sales tax the amount paid for a parking space at municipally operated beach parking in the town of Middletown. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide for annual appropriations to the substance use mental health leadership council to address hazardous and underage cannabis use and to fund ongoing media campaigns. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would increase on an interim basis, by statute, the reimbursement caps established in the state’s Regulations for Library Construction Reimbursement promulgated in 2018, pending promulgation of amended regulations. The increased caps would apply to eligible costs for library projects incurred during the period commencing June 30, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2031, or ending on such earlier date as the Office of Library Information Services promulgates amendments to the regulations which increase reimbursement caps to amounts above those amounts set forth in this act. The amendments made by this act would apply retroactively to all eligible project costs incurred during the effective period, whether such costs are subject to reimbursement under agreements executed before, on, or after June 1, 2025. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would define “alternative nicotine product” to mean any noncombustible product that does not contain tobacco leaf but does contain nicotine from any source and is intended for human consumption, whether chewed, absorbed, dissolved, ingested, inhaled, or consumed by any other means and would also tax an alternative nicotine product at the rate of two dollars ($2.00) per container containing up to twenty (20) units, and a proportionate tax at the like rate on containers that have more than twenty (20) units. This act would take effect on July 1, 2026.

This act would require any teacher under suspension for criminal conduct to repay the school district for any salary received if convicted of a felony, less any amounts paid to satisfy taxes and employee benefits. It also makes one typographical correction. This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Celebrating "uri Day" At The Rhode Island State House On March 26, 2026

Senate Resolution Celebrating March Of 2026, As "national Social Work Month" In The State Of Rhode Island

Senate Resolution Expressing Deepest Condolences On The Passing Of Michael J. Murphy

This act would establish guidelines, rules and regulations for the implementation and expansion of high-quality public prekindergarten education programs for children ages three (3) and four (4) to increase children’s school readiness and to ensure high quality prekindergarten services are available statewide and coordinated together by the department of elementary and secondary education and the department of human services. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would increase the historic tax credit to thirty percent (30%) of the qualified rehabilitation expenditures; provided that, at least eighty percent (80%) of the total rental area of the certified historic structure would be made available for multi-family housing. This act would further increase the tax credit to thirty-five percent (35%); provided that, at least eighty percent (80%) of the total rental area of the certified historic structure would be made available for multi- family housing in which twenty percent (20%) of rental units would constitute affordable rental units, or ten percent (10%) of available units would be sold as affordable housing. This act would take effect on upon passage.

This act would amend pension benefits for Rhode Island State Police members and pension benefit determinations to be based on date of hire and years of service. Retirements authorized after twenty (20) years of service would be entitled to fifty percent (50%) of whole salary. Members may accrue an additional three percent (3%) for each year of service over twenty (20) years with a cap of sixty-five percent (65%) of whole salary. Members may serve no more than a maximum of thirty (30) years. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would authorize the secretary of the executive office of health and human services (EOHHS) to increase resource eligibility limits for persons with long-term care needs who reside at home to $12,000 for single persons and $18,000 for couples. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that no contract between a dental plan or other healthcare entity and a dentist for the provision of services to beneficiaries would require the dentist to accept payment exclusively by means of any form of payment method that requires dentists to pay fees or charges to release payment including virtual credit cards. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would allow any city, town, state and/or agency of a municipality or the state to report unpaid fines of two hundred dollars ($200) or more to the division of motor vehicles as grounds for refusal of registration. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that motor vehicle rental companies be entitled to establish non- liability for toll violations, administrative fees, and fines by providing a rental or lease agreement to the traffic tribunal as prima facie evidence that a lessee was the vehicle operator, and would exempt car rental companies from registration penalties resulting from out-of-state toll violations from operators using their rental vehicles. This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Commemorating March 31, 2026 As “alzheimer’s Association Of Rhode Island Advocacy And Awareness Day” In The State Of Rhode Island

This act would authorize a veterinarian to establish a client-patient relationship in Rhode Island through synchronous audiovisual electronic means, subject to certain limitations and requirements. The act would also provide that the veterinarian shall be licensed in Rhode Island, obtain the client consent to establish the veterinarian client-patient relationship through electronic means, and maintain such documentation for at least one year. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would be a proposed bond measure that would authorize the State of Rhode Island to issue up to one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) in general obligation bonds, subject to voter approval, to fund coastal preparedness and resilience projects. Funds would be used for shoreline protection, flood mitigation, stormwater and wastewater upgrades, protection of critical facilities, port and working waterfront resilience, and workforce preparedness and training programs to support resilience-related jobs and infrastructure investments. Bond proceeds may only be used for projects in high-risk and prioritized areas identified in the state’s resilience report for implementation within the next ten (10) years. Sections 1, 2, 10, and 11 of this act would take effect upon passage. The remaining sections of this act would take effect when and if the state board of elections shall certify to the secretary of state that a majority of the qualified electors voting on the proposition contained in section 10 of this act hereof have indicated their approval of the project thereunder.

Joint Resolution Making An Appropriation Of $250,000 To 401 Tech Bridge To Study And Explore Seagliders In Rhode Island (this Resolution Would Make An Appropriation Of $250,000 To 401 Tech Bridge To Study And Explore Seagliders.)

This act would make a series of amendments and add new provisions of law to address business identity theft and deceptive solicitations sent to businesses and the unauthorized formation of entities. This act would take effect on July 1, 2026.

This act would authorize 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. Sections 1, 2, 3, 11, 12, and 13 of this act would take effect upon passage. The remaining sections of this act would take effect when and if the state board of elections shall certify to the secretary of state that a majority of the qualified electors voting on the proposition contained in section 1 of this act have indicated their approval of the project thereunder.

This act would repeal § 16-2-34 ("Central Falls School District board of trustees"). The Central Falls Stabilization Fund would include funding for tuition payments for outplaced special education students and tuition payments to other public schools. The Davies and Met Stabilization Fund would be established to ensure appropriate funding is available to support their students. This act would take effect on July 1, 2026.

This act would provide a licensed liquor retailer, cannabis retailer, or hemp consumable retailer that has received an infused-beverage endorsement from the cannabis control commission the authorization to sell at retail THC-infused beverages in accordance with this chapter. This act would take effect on August 1, 2026.

Joint Resolution Making An Appropriation Of $500,000 To Onward We Learn In Support Of Rhode Island Gear Up (appropriates The Sum Of $500,000 To Onward We Learn In Support Of Rhode Island Gear Up.)

Senate Resolution Proclaiming April 16, 2026, As "rhode Island Manufacturers Association Recognition Day" In The State Of Rhode Island

Senate Resolution Honoring Family Medicine Physicians For Their Service And Advocacy

Senate Resolution Proclaiming April To Be "holocaust & Genocide Awareness Month" In The State Of Rhode Island

Senate Resolution Congratulating Sandra Berube On Her Retirement After 33 Years Of Dedicated Service To The State Of Rhode Island And The Rhode Island General Assembly As A Senior Staff Member With The Rhode Island State Senate

This act would submit the state's 2026 capital development program relating to green bonds requesting the issuance of general obligation bonds totaling sixty seven million five hundred thousand dollars ($ 67,500,000) for approval of the electorate at the general election to be held in November, 2026. Sections 1, 2, 3, 11, 12 and 13 of this act would take effect upon passage. The remaining sections of this act would take effect when and if the state board of elections shall certify to the secretary of state that a majority of the qualified electors voting on the proposition contained in Section 1 hereof have indicated their approval of the projects thereunder.

Senate Resolution Congratulating And Exalting The Parish Of St. Lucy Catholic Church On The Joyous Occasion Of The 75th Anniversary Of Its Founding

Senate Resolution Commemorating May 4, 2026, As Rhode Island Independence Day And The 250th Anniversary Of The General Assembly's Historic Act Of Renunciation

Senate Resolution Celebrating The 175th Anniversary Of The Ymca In The United States And Recognizing The Impact Of The Rhode Island Alliance Of Ymcas

Senate Resolution Recognizing April 2026 As "out-of-school Time Month" In The State Of Rhode Island

Senate Resolution Condemning Political Violence And Reaffirming The Principles Of Civility, Public Safety, And Democratic Governance

Senate Resolution Proclaiming May 2026, To Be "older Americans Month" In The State Of Rhode Island

This act would amend the terms of the pension plan set forth in the respective collective bargaining agreements in effect on July 1, 2026, between Central Falls and the labor organizations representing members of the Central Falls plan and would reduce the contributions of active firefighters and police officers from eleven and seven tenths percent (11.7%) to ten percent (10%) of their salary or compensation. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that any facility operated by the federal Department of Defense would be eligible for payment in lieu of taxes. This act would take effect upon passage.

Joint Resolution Making An Appropriation Of $991,000 For The Town Of Middletown (authorizes The Appropriation Of The Sum Of $991,000 For The Town Of Middletown To Upgrade The Gymnasium At The New Middletown Middle High School To Serve A Regional Emergency Shelter.)

This act would establish a state-run prescription drug purchasing pool, available for participation by nonstate public employers, private employers, and health insurance carriers, to maximize the value of drug discounts available to participants. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that certain actions taken by pharmacy benefits managers are to be considered deceptive or unfair trade practices. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would exempt certain vehicles that are not manufactured with the proper front plate registration bracket from the requirement that motor vehicles display a front facing registration plate. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require the electric distribution companies to offer system owner/operators thirty (30) year contracts, with various terms including guaranteeing the delivery of net metering credits valued at twenty and a half cents ($0.19), with an annual escalation of two and three quarters percent (2.75%). It would also reduce the megawatt cap for future eligible ground-mounted net- metering systems from two hundred seventy-five megawatts, alternating current (275 MWac) to two hundred twenty-five megawatts, alternating current (225 MWac). This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Celebrating The 160th Anniversary Of Child & Family And Recognizing Its Impact Across Rhode Island

Senate Resolution Commemorating May Of 2026, As "national Speech-language-hearing Month" In The State Of Rhode Island

Senate Resolution Congratulating Ripin On 35 Years Of Improving Rhode Islanders' Lives

This act would establish a separate domestic violence calendar within the superior court to handle felony domestic violence cases. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would be a proposed bond measure to authorize the State of Rhode Island to issue up to thirty-six million dollars ($36,000,000) in general obligation bonds, subject to voter approval, with respect to projects relating to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Rhode Island. Sections 1, 2, 3, 11, 12, and 13 of this act would take effect upon passage. The remaining sections of this act would take effect when and if the state board of elections shall certify to the secretary of state that a majority of the qualified electors voting on the proposition contained in section 1 of this act have indicated their approval of the project thereunder.

This act would allow Joseph Couto to join Brandon Kemmy and Jacqueline Manousos in Marriage on or about August 2, 2026, within the Town of Tiverton, Rhode Island. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would authorize the state retirement board to revoke or reduce an individual’s pension benefit if that individual is convicted or pleads guilty or no contest to a felony sex crime related to their public office or public employment. This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Joyously Celebrating The 10th Anniversary Of The Rhode Island Hispanic Chamber Of Commerce

This act would provide that the commissioner of elementary and secondary education would direct all local education agencies to select one of the identified high-quality curricula and materials for science and technology no later than June 30, 2027. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish the office of inspector general to investigate the management and operation of agencies in an effort to prevent and deter fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement in the expenditure of public funds. This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Celebrating And Honoring The Girl Scouts Of Southeastern New England

This act would amend the composition of the Rhode Island life science hub board of directors by adding the chairperson of the I-195 redevelopment district commission to the board and would amend the I-195 redevelopment district commission by adding the chair of the Rhode Island life science hub to the commission and would provide additional amendments to the powers and duties of the commission. This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Honoring Rev. Dr. Bernard Lafayette Jr. For His Contributions To The State Of Rhode Island

Senate Resolution Congratulating Rhode Island Native Joseph Mazzulla, Head Coach Of The Boston Celtics, On Being Named The 2025-2026 National Basketball Association Coach Of The Year

Senate Resolution Proclaiming June 4, 2026, To Be "cox Impact Day" In The State Of Rhode Island

Joint Resolution Making An Appropriation To Pay Certain Claims (authorizes The Appropriation To Pay Claims.)

This act would allow for sending of the notice under power of sale and rights of active military servicemembers by United States Postal Service First Class Mail and/or an overnight delivery service, instead of by United States Postal Service certified mail return receipt requested. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow the town of Tiverton to authorize, by ordinance, a real estate tax credit for seniors over the age of sixty-five (65) years. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would repeal the Tiverton tax credit for totally disabled veterans on their real or personal property. This act would also add the repealed Tiverton tax credit to totally disabled veterans and extend it to include the veteran's unmarried widow or widower in the amount of four hundred dollars ($400) or greater. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that the tax administration may prescribe regulations requiring returns of information to be made and filed on or before February 28th of each year with filing thresholds consistent with applicable thresholds for information filings pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 1 et seq. This act would take effect upon passage.

Joint Resolution Creating A Special Joint Legislative Commission To Study Rhode Island's Education Funding Formula And Education Finance System (creates A Special Joint Legislative Commission To Make A Comprehensive Study Of Rhode Island's Education Funding Formula And Education Finance System.)