As the dust settles from another busy session at the State House, we’re getting a clearer picture of the new rules that will soon govern life in Rhode Island. This summer, lawmakers passed and the governor signed a slate of bills touching on everything from public safety to your pocketbook. In this installment of our ongoing series, we’re breaking down a major new gun control measure, a law aimed at protecting children near school buses, and significant changes to how your car insurance rates are calculated.

Perhaps the most significant piece of legislation is the UNLAWFUL SALE OF PROHIBITED FIREARMS. Set to take effect January 1, 2026, this law prohibits the manufacture and sale of firearms defined as “prohibited firearms.” The definition is quite specific, targeting semi-automatic rifles, shotguns, and pistols with certain features like detachable magazines combined with pistol grips, folding stocks, or threaded barrels.

On the road, a new law, H5421, takes aim at drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses. The measure authorizes school districts to equip buses with live digital video systems to catch violators in the act. What’s different here is the requirement for a live feed, meaning someone must witness the violation remotely in real-time for a ticket to be issued. The rollout is staggered: all new buses must have the tech by July 1, 2027, and the entire statewide fleet must be equipped by July 1, 2032.

Finally, a bill that could directly affect your wallet is S0084, which reforms how auto insurance rates are set. Effective January 1, 2026, insurers will be barred from using on-the-job accidents involving police officers, bus drivers, or commercial truckers against them on their personal policies. The law also prevents insurers from charging widows higher rates than married individuals and protects drivers 65 and older with clean records from rate hikes based on age alone. It also stops companies from levying surcharges for claims under $3,000 or for accidents where their driver was 50% or less at fault.

These laws represent some of the biggest changes coming out of the 2025 session. We’ll be back with more analysis on other new legislation, helping you understand how the work on Smith Hill impacts your life.