Thomas J Paolino

This act would require electric and gas utilities to provide a detailed breakdown of supply, delivery, and public policy costs on electric and gas bills, including specific costs for renewable energy sources, and mandate public comment and PUC approval. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would increase the net taxable estate exemption to three million six hundred thousand dollars ($3,600,000) on January 1, 2027. This act would also increase the exemption by one million dollars ($1,000,000) on January 1, 2028, and every year thereafter until this section and the tax would sunset and expire on January 1, 2033. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would repeal the corporation minimum tax. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish the office of inspector general as an independent administrative agency charged with the responsibility to investigate, detect, and prevent fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the expenditure of public funds. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit total education aid paid to any local education agency from being reduced by more than one percent (1%) of the municipal education appropriation in the previous fiscal year. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow a modification to federal adjusted gross income for all social security income for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2027. This act would take effect upon passage.

Joint Resolution Making An Appropriation Of Approximately $30,000,000 To Rhode Island's Public Schools For Safety And Security Improvements (authorizes The Appropriation Of The Sum Of $100,000 To Each Public School In Rhode Island For School Safety And Security Improvements.)

This act would require insurers to cover buprenorphine without a copayment or deductible. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require that all maintenance of all sidewalks along state highways, with the exception of snow and ice removal, be the responsibility of the state. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would mandate arming campus police at public higher educational institutions and would include campus police in the definition of "law enforcement officer" for the purposes of the "law enforcement officers' bill of rights". This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require every school district to render assistance and cooperation within its jurisdictional power to further the objectives of this chapter, to wit, providing the courts with any information concerning a child as the court may require. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would change the community service requirements of a sentence related to the violation of § 11-44-21.1 relating to defacing private residences, offices, businesses or commercial property. Every person convicted of a first and second offense under this section would be required to perform not less than forty (40) hours and not more than one hundred (100) hours cleaning and remediating graffiti vandalism on state or local properties. Every person convicted of a third or subsequent offense under this section would be required to perform not less than forty (40) hours and not more than three hundred (300) hours of community service cleaning and remediating graffiti vandalism on state or local properties. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require the public utilities commission (PUC) to produce a report by January 1, 2027 and each January 1 thereafter, on the ability of the current electric grid to handle the electrification load needed to power cars, buildings, and heating of homes within the state and provide the report to the speaker of the house, the senate president and the governor. 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 phase out the local meals and beverage tax by January 1, 2030. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would exempt from the sales tax firearm safety equipment, storage devices, gun safes, gun cabinets, gun vaults, gun cases, strong boxes, cable locks, trigger locks and biometric locks. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would exempt the trade-in value of pickup trucks under eight thousand eight hundred pounds (8,800 lbs.) gross weight, used exclusively for personal use, from sales tax. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would mandate that any surplus state tax revenue received in any fiscal year would be refunded to the taxpayers of this state on a proportional basis in relation to the personal income tax liability incurred by the taxpayers in that fiscal year. This act would take effect on July 1, 2026.

This act would require that the governor submit a zero-based budget to the general assembly with the zero-based budget phased in over a five (5) year period, commencing with the fiscal budget year of July 1, 2027. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require that notice of a judgment lien be sent within ten (10) business days of the recording of the lien. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would allow the attorney general to enter into agreements with other states to recognize a concealed handgun permit as valid. This act would authorize the State of Rhode Island to recognize and honor a concealed weapon permit from out of state provided the license holder is twenty-one (21) years of age or older, the reciprocal state or county provides a means of twenty- four (24) hours instantaneous verification, the permit holder has in their immediate possession the valid out of state permit along with a state issued photo identification and the individual is subject to the same laws and restrictions with respect to carrying a weapon as a resident of Rhode Island. Further, any active-duty law enforcement officers having a government issued identification card would have the right to carry a concealed firearm within the State of Rhode Island. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would permit Rhode Island residents, twenty-one (21) years of age or older, to carry a concealed handgun, without a permit, subject to meeting four (4) conditions: (1) That the person is not prohibited by law from possessing a firearm; (2) That the handgun carrier must possess a certificate of qualification of shooting proficiency; (3) That the carrier has a safety certificate recognized by the Rhode Island department of environmental management; and (4) That the carrier has, in their possession, a governmental issued photo identification. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require courts to presume release for most probation violations, set reasonable bail or non-monetary conditions, limit detention to cases of risk or danger, require prompt hearings, and mandate written reasons for detention. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would define suitable person for purposes of possessing and having a concealed carry pistol permit, would establish reasons for applying for a concealed carry permit for both in- state and out-of-state residents, would recognize a concealed weapon permit or license by a reciprocal state, would establish what information is required on applications for carry permits, establish time limits and an appeal process when an application is denied, provides that records relating to carry permits and appeals is not a public record and would permit the use of silence or suppressor for use in hunting. This act would take effect upon passage.

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 provide that students enrolled in an appropriately credentialed career and technical education program in the areas of emergency medicine technician, firefighting, or public safety including, but not limited to, students under eighteen (18) years of age, could participate in training activities at the fire academy. This act would also allow students who successfully complete those secondary education programs to take certain exams and skills testing. This act would take effect on July 1, 2026.

This act would create a new registration plate for qualified individuals to possess an "adaptive vehicle license plate" to accommodate the transportation needs of an individual with a significant mobility impairment. This act would take effect six (6) months after passage.

This act would repeal daylight savings time in the state and follow the “United States Standard Eastern Time” as provided by an exemption from the advancement of time as provide by the federal Uniform Time Ac of 1966, 15 U.S.C. § 260(a). This act would take effect upon passage and enactment by a law of a permanent year-round “United States Eastern Standard Time” in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont, in substantially the same form as § 42-5.2-1 and upon a date agreed upon by all five (5) states.

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 the public utilities commission (PUC) to make public notification of any changes in eligibility or production of energy, and would direct the commission to promulgate rules and regulations to allow and facilitate the prompt public disclosure of this information. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require the director of the Rhode Island emergency management agency and the Rhode Island commerce commission to develop and implement a plan to assist businesses in obtaining flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance program. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow the office, in consultation with the department of environmental management, to promulgate and adopt rules and regulations, no later than November 1, 2026, to require as part of the solar permit application an assessment as to whether the proposed solar photovoltaic system would be carbon-neutral in accordance with the emission reduction goals set forth by § 42-6.2-9. A solar permit would only be approved if the proposed solar photovoltaic system is verified to be carbon neutral based upon the assessment. The act would also require applications for energy facility siting to detail the amount of carbon sequestration and carbon storage loss if the facility is permitted. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require the department of transportation, in consultation with the department of environmental management, to conduct an environmental impact study of motor vehicle non-exhaust particle emissions. It also would allow the departments to collaborate with an academic research institute and direct the departments to make specific recommendations to the general assembly, to reduce the environmental impact of tire particle emissions. Their report would be completed no later than January 1, 2027. 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 $100,000 For The Rhode Island Commission On Prejudice & Bias (this Resolution Would Appropriate The Sum Of $100,000 To The Rhode Island Commission On Prejudice And Bias.)

This act would provide on and after July 1, 2027, a school district could elect and choose to not spend money on any mandate that is not fully funded through the state education aid formula or of any other state funding received through the department of elementary and secondary education. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would exempt from the sales tax eligible school supplies, costing less than thirty dollars ($30.00), purchased within one week prior to the commencement of the academic year for public and private schools. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would change the residential limit for any substantial multi-family housing project not to exceed forty thousand (40,000) residents according to the United States Census Bureau. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would restore the requirement that a local review board issue findings for denial in reviewing a comprehensive permit request. The act also clarifies that affordable housing units shall be included in each town and city when the building permits for said units are granted. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would define suitable person for purposes of possessing and having a concealed carry pistol permit, would establish reasons for applying for a concealed carry permit for both in- state and out-of-state residents, would establish what information is required on applications for concealed carry permits, establish an appeal process when an application is denied and provide that records relating to concealed carry permits and appeals are not a public record. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would permit non-sworn public safety officers and security guards at private colleges and universities, to detain individuals within the campus jurisdiction, when the officer or guard has reasonable grounds to believe that the person has committed a criminal offense. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide for a cause of action against an individual or entity that prohibits the possession of firearms on real property, except residences, by an individual that is authorized and licensed to carry a firearm. The cause of action would allow the injured individual to recover for injury to his or her person, death, physical, emotional and/or mental distress, economic loss or expense, property damage or any other compensable loss as a result of conduct occurring on the real property that prohibits the possession of firearms. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require healthcare facilities that perform abortions meet the license requirements of similar healthcare facilities, would allow the department of health to conduct unannounced inspections, and would provide a revocation of the facilities license upon any finding of a deficiency. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit defendants who are serving probation for driving under the influence death resulting from earning good time off their probationary period. 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 categorize women by their biological identity at birth rather than their gender identity for purpose of organized sports. A team would be categorized as males, men, or boys; females, women, or girls; or coed or mixed. If there is a dispute, a student would establish sex by presenting a signed physician's statement that shall indicate the student's sex. Additionally, this act would create a cause of action for any student who is deprived of an athletic opportunity or subject to retaliation as a result of violations of this chapter. This act would take effect January 1, 2027.

This act would criminalize and set mandatory minimum sentences for the unlawful interference with traffic upon the federal and state highways of this state. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would make it a misdemeanor to knowingly file a false report of misconduct of any law enforcement official, public safety official, or hospital staff. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would permit the possession or use of a muffler, silencer or other device on any firearm longer than seventeen inches (17”) in length and would permit the use of such a device by any person while hunting provided that they have a valid hunting license at the time of use. No other city or state agency may enact any rule or regulation of law affecting the right to use such a device. This act would take effect upon passage.

Joint Resolution To Approve And Publish And Submit To The Electors A Proposition Of Amendment To The Constitution Of The State -- Referendum On Line Item Veto (proposed Amendment To The Constitution Provides The Governor With A Line Item Veto On The Budget And Other Bills For The Appropriation Of Money.)

This act would provide that public meetings involving collective bargaining agreements of school teachers shall be open to the public. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish an equivalent training certification program at the municipal police academy which allows certification of any candidate who has worked at least one year, full- time as a sworn law enforcement officer, and has met certain other requirements. This act would take effect upon passage.

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 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 prohibit force-feeding to create a force-fed poultry product or the hiring of another to engage in force-feeding of a poultry product. The act would prohibit the sale of a force- fed poultry product or food containing a force-fed poultry product. Any violations would be subject to a civil penalty of five hundred dollars ($500) per violation. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would establish a revolving fund to assist first-time homebuyers and veterans to purchase a home in Rhode Island by issuing grants of up to forty thousand dollars ($40,000). The revolving fund would be administered by the Rhode Island housing and mortgage finance corporation. This act would also authorize the Rhode Island housing and mortgage finance corporation to issue low interest loans to applicants who qualify for the grants. The act would also provide for an initial appropriation of thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) to establish the revolving fund. This act would take effect on July 1, 2026.

This act would establish the office of inspector general as an independent administrative agency charged with the responsibility to investigate, detect, and prevent fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the expenditure of public funds. This act would merge the auditor general and office of internal audit and program integrity into the office of inspector general. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that a person over the age of eighteen (18) years can purchase and possess a stun gun or electronic dart gun and also prohibits the sale of a stun gun or electronic dart gun to any person under the age of eighteen (18) years. It would also criminalize the use of a stun gun or electronic dart gun in any criminal offense or the use of a stun gun or electronic dart gun against any police officer engaged in the execution of their duty. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would increase penalties for a second or subsequent offense with a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) or no more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) and up to eleven (11) months imprisonment, for violating the law on the care of dogs. This act would further amend existing law to include city and town animal control officers as agents authorized to enforce the provisions of this law. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would make it a felony to file a false police report of a crime carrying a sentence of imprisonment of not less than five (5) years nor more than twenty (20) years, and would carry a sentence of imprisonment of not less than one year nor more than five (5) years for filing such false report. This act would further make it a felony to file a false police report of a crime carrying a sentence of imprisonment of twenty (20) years or more, and would carry a sentence of imprisonment of not less than five (5) years nor more than twenty (20) years for filing such false report. This act would take effect upon passage.

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 prohibit any person from employing dynamic or surveillance pricing practices in the sale of goods or services to consumers in Rhode Island and would authorize consumers damaged by a violation of the section to bring a civil action for the recovery of damages, attorney's fees and/or equitable relief. 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 permit students at failing schools to enroll in any public school. This act would also establish the Rhode Island education revitalization fund to provide funding to the school choice program. This act would take effect upon passage.

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 define squatter as a person occupying a dwelling unit who is not a party to a rental agreement, not a periodic tenant or is not authorized by the property owner, landlord or tenant to occupy the dwelling unit or structure. A person found guilty of squatting would be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or both. The act would also provide certain remedies for a property owner or landlord including seeking police assistance to remove and arrest a squatter. 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 require verification of an applicant's date of birth and either a Rhode Island driver's license number or state identification number on all applications seeking mail ballots and emergency mail ballots. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow automatic voter registration for Rhode Islanders applying for hunting and fishing licenses, like the procedures in effect for applicants to the division of motor vehicles. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would increase the penalties for reckless driving from a misdemeanor first offense to a felony, with a penalty of up to five years in prison and a fine of between one thousand dollars ($1,000) and five thousand dollars ($5,000). This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish the E-Verify compliance program which would require all non- governmental employers within the state with three (3) or more employees to apply to participate in the federal E-Verify program and to agree to participate in the program, if accepted. This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Proclaiming February 10, 2026, As "the 3rd Rhode Island Regiment/black Regiment Recognition Day" To Commemorate The Contributions Of Black Soldiers During The American Revolutionary War

This act would repeal the energy efficiency charge. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would terminate the requirement that the public utilities commission allocate five million dollars ($5,000,000) annually to the Rhode Island infrastructure bank for use with energy efficient programs. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish minimum percentages of bio-based product contained in heating oil sold in the state and set dates for compliance to set standards. This act would take effect upon passage.

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.

This act would add the administrator of community confinement and the home confinement coordinator to the state retirement system. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create a cause of action for the intentional or negligent injury or death of a pet. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would make a violation using the passing lane on limited access highways when not passing another vehicle. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create a state-run pilot program in Rhode Island that provides paid, low- barrier employment to individuals experiencing homelessness for community beautification and cleanup projects while connecting participants to supportive services. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide for paid leave for a state employee who donates an organ. The duration of the leave is dependent on the type of donation and notice should be provided to the employer at least thirty (30) days prior to the leave. This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Honoring The Lives Of Rhonda Dorgan, Aidan Dorgan And Gerald Dorgan, Commending The Heroism Of First Responders And Citizens, And Expressing The Deepest Sympathy Of The Rhode Island Senate Following The Tragic Events At The Dennis M. Lynch Arena In The City Of Pawtucket

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 require that agencies preparing economic impact statements for proposed rules applying to small businesses contain a finding that the anticipated compliance costs of the proposed rule scale proportionally with the business size, and do not impose fixed costs that larger businesses are able to absorb more easily. 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 make it unlawful for a person in the custody of the department of corrections to use any force or weapon to resist a lawful request or directive. 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 permit eating and drinking establishments to accept consumer-provided containers to fill or refill with takeout food or beverages. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish a property tax deferral program for senior citizens, disabled persons or veterans. 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 dismissal of a teacher after the March 1 deadline if there is gross misconduct by a teacher upon a student. This act would allow the notice to be given at any time and will not have time constraints. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide measures to prevent title fraud by authorizing the recorder of deeds to require the production of a government-issued photographic identification card before recording a deed or certain other instruments and providing for a separate cause of action to quiet title after an attempted fraudulent conveyance. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027, and would apply to instruments presented for recording on or after that date.

This act would prohibit solicitation of money or other donations while an individual is standing or sitting in a crosswalk, intersection or safety zone. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide services for veterans in the criminal justice system ensuring disclosure and connections with federal and state resources. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish the framework to create a medical school at the University of Rhode Island and provide an initial appropriation of five million dollars ($5,000,000) as the first phase of a multi-year investment for the development of a medical school. This act would take effect upon passage.

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

This act would provide that any person convicted of shoplifting any item valued at less than one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) would be guilty of a misdemeanor and any subsequent offense would be punished as a felony. Any offense involving items valued at more than one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) would carry enhanced penalties. This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Recognizing And Honoring The Courage, Heroism, And Compassion Of The Individuals Who Rendered Aid During The Lynch Arena Shooting In Pawtucket

Senate Resolution Proclaiming April Of 2026, To Be "financial Literacy Month" In The State Of Rhode Island

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 allow for the issuance of a Class BV license for the property located at 1706 Mineral Spring Avenue in the town of North Providence. This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Expressing Deepest Condolences On The Passing Of The Honorable Joseph A. Abbate

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 Expressing Condolences On The Passing Of Arthur Paiva

Senate Resolution Commemorating And Recognizing May 7, 2026, As "national Day Of Prayer" In The State Of Rhode Island

Senate Resolution Honoring The 241st Bristol Fourth Of July Celebration And Recognizing The 2026 Honorees