Latest Bills
Bill # Title Summary May 11th, 2026 S3276 Education -- The Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act This bill removes the 14% limit on how much traditional public school districts can reduce funding to charter schools. May 8th, 2026 H8531 Education -- Compulsory Attendance The bill updates truancy procedures and allows school committees to deny homeschooling requests for students with recent truancy issues. H8532 Waters and Navigation -- Water Resources Management This bill directs 20% of state-collected rental fees from certain Coventry agreements to the town and its fire district. S3272 Public Utilities and Carriers -- Renewable Energy Standard This bill requires electric companies to offer 30-year contracts with fixed, escalating pricing for large renewable energy systems. May 6th, 2026 H8519 Public Utilities and Carriers -- Renewable Energy Standard This bill allows nuclear and large-scale hydroelectric power to count toward the state's renewable energy requirements and eases utility regulations. H8520 To Vacate the Forfeiture or Revocation of the Charter of Los Toros Band, Inc. This bill allows the corporation "Los Toros Band, Inc." to reinstate its revoked charter by paying owed taxes. H8521 To Vacate the Forfeiture or Revocation of the Charter of Los Toros Records, Inc. This bill reinstates the corporate charter of Los Toros Records, Inc. if it pays its owed taxes and fees. H8522 Fish and Wildlife -- Reciprocal Enforcement of Fishing Laws This bill lets Rhode Island and Connecticut officers arrest people for boating and fishing violations in shared boundary waters. H8523 Motor and Other Vehicles -- Special Stops Required This bill updates rules and penalties for automated school bus cameras, setting a $300 fine and adjusting revenue splits. H8524 Labor and Labor Relations -- Workers' Compensation-- General Provisions This bill routes certain first responder injury disputes to Workers' Compensation Court and requires employers to cover hearing aids. H8525 Taxation -- Levy and Assessment of Local Taxes This bill allows the town of Coventry to classify property into three categories and set different local tax rates. H8527 Authorizing the Chariho Regional School District to Finance the Construction, Furnishing and Equipping of an Elementary School Serving the Towns of Charlestown, Richmond and Hopkinton, Consisting of One or More Buildings on a Single Campus, and Improvements at the Switch Road Campus Including, but Not Limited To, Costs of Land Acquisition, Demolition, Design, Health and Safety Projects, Playgrounds, Landscaping, Paving, and All Expenses Incidental Thereto, by the Issuance of Not More Than $116,000,000 Bonds And/or Notes Therefor, Subject to Approval of State Housing Aid at a Reimbursement Rate or State Share Ratio of Not Less Than 61% at the Time of Issuance, Which Rate or Ratio May Increase to 65% at Project Completion This bill lets the Chariho Regional School District borrow $116 million for a new elementary school, pending voter approval. H8528 Capital Development Program -- 2026 Bond Referenda This bill places a $600 million bond referendum on the November 2026 ballot to fund various state capital projects. H8529 Health and Safety -- The Rhode Island Life Science Hub Act This bill updates leadership and zoning rules for the I-195 Redevelopment District and extends its expiration to 2039. H8530 Taxation -- Sales and Use Taxes--Liability and Computation This bill exempts municipally operated beach parking fees in the town of Tiverton from state sales and use taxes. May 5th, 2026 S3250 Taxation -- Personal Income Tax This bill lets the state share uninsured taxpayers' contact info with the health exchange to offer insurance enrollment options. S3251 Education -- Teachers' Retirement Allows Rhode Island teachers, state employees, and municipal employees to retire at age 60 with 30 years of service. S3252 Towns and Cities -- Relating to Central Falls Pension Plan Reduces Central Falls police and firefighter pension contributions from 11.7% to 10% starting July 2026 and updates benefit agreements. S3253 State Affairs and Government -- Office of Health and Human Services This bill requires hospitals, nursing homes, and health centers to submit quarterly financial reports to the state. S3254 Towns and Cities -- State Aid Grants state payments to towns hosting federal Department of Defense facilities to offset lost local property tax revenue. S3256 Health and Safety -- Public Health Data Privacy and Protection Act This bill makes disease data collected by the state health department confidential and restricts how it can be shared. S3257 Human Services -- The Rhode Island Prescription Drug Purchasing Pool Act This bill establishes a state-managed purchasing pool to allow public and private employers to buy prescription drugs together. S3258 Businesses and Professions -- Pharmacies This bill updates pharmacy audit rules, limits audit frequency, and gives the Attorney General power to enforce these regulations. S3259 Food and Drugs -- Uniform Controlled Substances Act This bill updates rules for prescribing opioids, limits initial prescriptions to a seven-day supply, and requires checking patient records. S3260 Commercial Law -- General Regulatory Provisions -- Deceptive Trade Practices This bill prohibits Pharmacy Benefits Managers from engaging in certain pricing, data sharing, and patient steering practices. S3261 Taxation -- Property Subject to Taxation -- Veterans' Exemptions -- Town of Exeter This bill allows the town of Exeter to offer a $5,000 property tax exemption to totally disabled military veterans. S3262 Taxation-Property Subject to Taxation -- Glocester -- Exemption of Elderly and Disabled Persons This bill updates property tax exemptions for elderly and disabled residents in Glocester, adjusting amounts and eligibility rules. S3263 Criminal Procedure -- Criminal Injuries Compensation This bill updates the criminal injuries compensation program by removing outdated language and adding emergency relocation compensation for stalking victims. S3265 Motor and Other Vehicles -- Registration of Vehicles Cars manufactured without a front license plate bracket no longer need to display a front license plate. S3266 To Vacate the Forfeiture or Revocation of the Charter of Charlie's Oil Co., Inc. This bill allows Charlie's Oil Co., Inc. to restore its corporate status by paying overdue taxes and fees. May 1st, 2026 H8498 Health and Safety -- Responsible Recycling, Reuse and Disposal of Mattresses Repeals the state law that created the mandatory mattress recycling program and its associated consumer fees. H8499 Health and Safety -- Proper Management of Unused Paint This bill eliminates Rhode Island's unused paint recycling program and removes the mandatory fee added to paint sales. H8500 State Affairs and Government -- Office of Health and Human Services This bill requires hospitals and nursing homes to submit quarterly financial reports for state review of their financial stability. H8501 Statutes and Statutory Construction This bill reenacts laws about towns and cities and fixes spelling, grammar, and cross-references throughout state laws. H8502 Criminal Offenses -- Victim Proximity Protection Act This bill prohibits convicted sex offenders from living near their victims and mandates GPS tracking and no-contact orders. H8504 Labor and Labor Relations -- Fair Employment Practices This bill removes the exception for domestic service workers, classifying them as employees under state anti-discrimination employment laws. H8505 Labor and Labor Relations -- Workplace Psychological Safety Act This bill makes workplace bullying illegal and allows employees to sue employers who fail to prevent or address it. H8506 Towns and Cities -- Relating to Central Falls Pension Plan This bill lowers pension contributions for Central Falls police and firefighters from 11.7% to 10% starting in July 2026. H8507 Authorizing the Town of Narragansett to Finance the Equipping, Expansion, Improvement and Renovation of Fire Stations in the Town of Narragansett and to Issue Not More Than $3,000,000 Bonds and Notes Therefor This bill allows Narragansett to borrow up to $3,000,000 to improve fire stations, pending voter approval in 2026. H8508 Taxation -- Property Subject to Taxation Exempts the real and tangible personal property of the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center in Providence from property taxes. H8509 Solemnization of Marriages Allows Joseph Couto to legally officiate the marriage of Brandon Kemmy and Jacqueline Manousos in Tiverton, Rhode Island. H8510 Motor and Other Vehicles -- Registration of Vehicles This bill allows Kei cars and trucks to be registered and driven on roads under 35 miles per hour. H8511 Education -- The Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act This bill increases state education funding for public school students from low-income families by raising the "student success factor." H8512 Taxation -- Sales and Use Taxes -- Liability and Computation This bill creates a state sales tax holiday for food and beverages for one week in summer and winter. S3241 Authorizing the Town of Narragansett to Finance the Equipping, Expansion, Improvement and Renovation of Fire Stations in the Town of Narragansett and to Issue Not More Than $3,000,000 Bonds and Notes Therefor This bill allows Narragansett to borrow $3 million to improve and equip its fire stations, pending voter approval. S3242 Authorizing the Chariho Regional School District to Finance the Construction, Furnishing and Equipping of an Elementary School Serving the Towns of Charlestown, Richmond and Hopkinton, Consisting of One or More Buildings on a Single Campus, and Improvements at the Switch Road Campus Including, but Not Limited To, Costs of Land Acquisition, Demolition, Design, Health and Safety Projects, Playgrounds, Landscaping, Paving, and All Expenses Incidental Thereto, by the Issuance of Not More Than $116,000,000 Bonds And/or Notes Therefor, Subject to Approval of State Housing Aid at a Reimbursement Rate or State Share Ratio of Not Less Than 61% at the Time of Issuance, Which Rate or Ratio May Increase to 65% at Project Completion Authorizes the Chariho Regional School District to issue $116 million in bonds for a new elementary school, pending voter approval. S3243 Authorizing the Town of Portsmouth to Issue Not to Exceed $41,000,000 General Obligation Bonds, Notes and Other Evidences of Indebtedness to Finance the Construction, Additions, Renovation, Improvement, Alteration, Repair, Furnishing and Equipping of Schools and School Facilities Throughout the Town This bill allows Portsmouth to borrow up to $41 million for public school construction and repairs, pending voter approval. S3244 Health and Safety -- The Hospital Conversions Act This bill allows the state to place failing, mismanaged, or unsafe hospitals into court-ordered receivership to manage their operations. April 29th, 2026 H8481 Motor and Other Vehicles -- Adjudication of Traffic Offenses This bill increases the fine for driving at an unreasonable and imprudent speed from $95 to $170. H8482 Motor and Other Vehicles -- Motor Vehicle Offenses This bill increases prison sentences and fines for drivers causing death or serious injury through reckless or drunk driving.
| Bill # | Title | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| May 11th, 2026 | ||
| S3276 | Education -- The Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act | This bill removes the 14% limit on how much traditional public school districts can reduce funding to charter schools. |
| May 8th, 2026 | ||
| H8531 | Education -- Compulsory Attendance | The bill updates truancy procedures and allows school committees to deny homeschooling requests for students with recent truancy issues. |
| H8532 | Waters and Navigation -- Water Resources Management | This bill directs 20% of state-collected rental fees from certain Coventry agreements to the town and its fire district. |
| S3272 | Public Utilities and Carriers -- Renewable Energy Standard | This bill requires electric companies to offer 30-year contracts with fixed, escalating pricing for large renewable energy systems. |
| May 6th, 2026 | ||
| H8519 | Public Utilities and Carriers -- Renewable Energy Standard | This bill allows nuclear and large-scale hydroelectric power to count toward the state's renewable energy requirements and eases utility regulations. |
| H8520 | To Vacate the Forfeiture or Revocation of the Charter of Los Toros Band, Inc. | This bill allows the corporation "Los Toros Band, Inc." to reinstate its revoked charter by paying owed taxes. |
| H8521 | To Vacate the Forfeiture or Revocation of the Charter of Los Toros Records, Inc. | This bill reinstates the corporate charter of Los Toros Records, Inc. if it pays its owed taxes and fees. |
| H8522 | Fish and Wildlife -- Reciprocal Enforcement of Fishing Laws | This bill lets Rhode Island and Connecticut officers arrest people for boating and fishing violations in shared boundary waters. |
| H8523 | Motor and Other Vehicles -- Special Stops Required | This bill updates rules and penalties for automated school bus cameras, setting a $300 fine and adjusting revenue splits. |
| H8524 | Labor and Labor Relations -- Workers' Compensation-- General Provisions | This bill routes certain first responder injury disputes to Workers' Compensation Court and requires employers to cover hearing aids. |
| H8525 | Taxation -- Levy and Assessment of Local Taxes | This bill allows the town of Coventry to classify property into three categories and set different local tax rates. |
| H8527 | Authorizing the Chariho Regional School District to Finance the Construction, Furnishing and Equipping of an Elementary School Serving the Towns of Charlestown, Richmond and Hopkinton, Consisting of One or More Buildings on a Single Campus, and Improvements at the Switch Road Campus Including, but Not Limited To, Costs of Land Acquisition, Demolition, Design, Health and Safety Projects, Playgrounds, Landscaping, Paving, and All Expenses Incidental Thereto, by the Issuance of Not More Than $116,000,000 Bonds And/or Notes Therefor, Subject to Approval of State Housing Aid at a Reimbursement Rate or State Share Ratio of Not Less Than 61% at the Time of Issuance, Which Rate or Ratio May Increase to 65% at Project Completion | This bill lets the Chariho Regional School District borrow $116 million for a new elementary school, pending voter approval. |
| H8528 | Capital Development Program -- 2026 Bond Referenda | This bill places a $600 million bond referendum on the November 2026 ballot to fund various state capital projects. |
| H8529 | Health and Safety -- The Rhode Island Life Science Hub Act | This bill updates leadership and zoning rules for the I-195 Redevelopment District and extends its expiration to 2039. |
| H8530 | Taxation -- Sales and Use Taxes--Liability and Computation | This bill exempts municipally operated beach parking fees in the town of Tiverton from state sales and use taxes. |
| May 5th, 2026 | ||
| S3250 | Taxation -- Personal Income Tax | This bill lets the state share uninsured taxpayers' contact info with the health exchange to offer insurance enrollment options. |
| S3251 | Education -- Teachers' Retirement | Allows Rhode Island teachers, state employees, and municipal employees to retire at age 60 with 30 years of service. |
| S3252 | Towns and Cities -- Relating to Central Falls Pension Plan | Reduces Central Falls police and firefighter pension contributions from 11.7% to 10% starting July 2026 and updates benefit agreements. |
| S3253 | State Affairs and Government -- Office of Health and Human Services | This bill requires hospitals, nursing homes, and health centers to submit quarterly financial reports to the state. |
| S3254 | Towns and Cities -- State Aid | Grants state payments to towns hosting federal Department of Defense facilities to offset lost local property tax revenue. |
| S3256 | Health and Safety -- Public Health Data Privacy and Protection Act | This bill makes disease data collected by the state health department confidential and restricts how it can be shared. |
| S3257 | Human Services -- The Rhode Island Prescription Drug Purchasing Pool Act | This bill establishes a state-managed purchasing pool to allow public and private employers to buy prescription drugs together. |
| S3258 | Businesses and Professions -- Pharmacies | This bill updates pharmacy audit rules, limits audit frequency, and gives the Attorney General power to enforce these regulations. |
| S3259 | Food and Drugs -- Uniform Controlled Substances Act | This bill updates rules for prescribing opioids, limits initial prescriptions to a seven-day supply, and requires checking patient records. |
| S3260 | Commercial Law -- General Regulatory Provisions -- Deceptive Trade Practices | This bill prohibits Pharmacy Benefits Managers from engaging in certain pricing, data sharing, and patient steering practices. |
| S3261 | Taxation -- Property Subject to Taxation -- Veterans' Exemptions -- Town of Exeter | This bill allows the town of Exeter to offer a $5,000 property tax exemption to totally disabled military veterans. |
| S3262 | Taxation-Property Subject to Taxation -- Glocester -- Exemption of Elderly and Disabled Persons | This bill updates property tax exemptions for elderly and disabled residents in Glocester, adjusting amounts and eligibility rules. |
| S3263 | Criminal Procedure -- Criminal Injuries Compensation | This bill updates the criminal injuries compensation program by removing outdated language and adding emergency relocation compensation for stalking victims. |
| S3265 | Motor and Other Vehicles -- Registration of Vehicles | Cars manufactured without a front license plate bracket no longer need to display a front license plate. |
| S3266 | To Vacate the Forfeiture or Revocation of the Charter of Charlie's Oil Co., Inc. | This bill allows Charlie's Oil Co., Inc. to restore its corporate status by paying overdue taxes and fees. |
| May 1st, 2026 | ||
| H8498 | Health and Safety -- Responsible Recycling, Reuse and Disposal of Mattresses | Repeals the state law that created the mandatory mattress recycling program and its associated consumer fees. |
| H8499 | Health and Safety -- Proper Management of Unused Paint | This bill eliminates Rhode Island's unused paint recycling program and removes the mandatory fee added to paint sales. |
| H8500 | State Affairs and Government -- Office of Health and Human Services | This bill requires hospitals and nursing homes to submit quarterly financial reports for state review of their financial stability. |
| H8501 | Statutes and Statutory Construction | This bill reenacts laws about towns and cities and fixes spelling, grammar, and cross-references throughout state laws. |
| H8502 | Criminal Offenses -- Victim Proximity Protection Act | This bill prohibits convicted sex offenders from living near their victims and mandates GPS tracking and no-contact orders. |
| H8504 | Labor and Labor Relations -- Fair Employment Practices | This bill removes the exception for domestic service workers, classifying them as employees under state anti-discrimination employment laws. |
| H8505 | Labor and Labor Relations -- Workplace Psychological Safety Act | This bill makes workplace bullying illegal and allows employees to sue employers who fail to prevent or address it. |
| H8506 | Towns and Cities -- Relating to Central Falls Pension Plan | This bill lowers pension contributions for Central Falls police and firefighters from 11.7% to 10% starting in July 2026. |
| H8507 | Authorizing the Town of Narragansett to Finance the Equipping, Expansion, Improvement and Renovation of Fire Stations in the Town of Narragansett and to Issue Not More Than $3,000,000 Bonds and Notes Therefor | This bill allows Narragansett to borrow up to $3,000,000 to improve fire stations, pending voter approval in 2026. |
| H8508 | Taxation -- Property Subject to Taxation | Exempts the real and tangible personal property of the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center in Providence from property taxes. |
| H8509 | Solemnization of Marriages | Allows Joseph Couto to legally officiate the marriage of Brandon Kemmy and Jacqueline Manousos in Tiverton, Rhode Island. |
| H8510 | Motor and Other Vehicles -- Registration of Vehicles | This bill allows Kei cars and trucks to be registered and driven on roads under 35 miles per hour. |
| H8511 | Education -- The Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act | This bill increases state education funding for public school students from low-income families by raising the "student success factor." |
| H8512 | Taxation -- Sales and Use Taxes -- Liability and Computation | This bill creates a state sales tax holiday for food and beverages for one week in summer and winter. |
| S3241 | Authorizing the Town of Narragansett to Finance the Equipping, Expansion, Improvement and Renovation of Fire Stations in the Town of Narragansett and to Issue Not More Than $3,000,000 Bonds and Notes Therefor | This bill allows Narragansett to borrow $3 million to improve and equip its fire stations, pending voter approval. |
| S3242 | Authorizing the Chariho Regional School District to Finance the Construction, Furnishing and Equipping of an Elementary School Serving the Towns of Charlestown, Richmond and Hopkinton, Consisting of One or More Buildings on a Single Campus, and Improvements at the Switch Road Campus Including, but Not Limited To, Costs of Land Acquisition, Demolition, Design, Health and Safety Projects, Playgrounds, Landscaping, Paving, and All Expenses Incidental Thereto, by the Issuance of Not More Than $116,000,000 Bonds And/or Notes Therefor, Subject to Approval of State Housing Aid at a Reimbursement Rate or State Share Ratio of Not Less Than 61% at the Time of Issuance, Which Rate or Ratio May Increase to 65% at Project Completion | Authorizes the Chariho Regional School District to issue $116 million in bonds for a new elementary school, pending voter approval. |
| S3243 | Authorizing the Town of Portsmouth to Issue Not to Exceed $41,000,000 General Obligation Bonds, Notes and Other Evidences of Indebtedness to Finance the Construction, Additions, Renovation, Improvement, Alteration, Repair, Furnishing and Equipping of Schools and School Facilities Throughout the Town | This bill allows Portsmouth to borrow up to $41 million for public school construction and repairs, pending voter approval. |
| S3244 | Health and Safety -- The Hospital Conversions Act | This bill allows the state to place failing, mismanaged, or unsafe hospitals into court-ordered receivership to manage their operations. |
| April 29th, 2026 | ||
| H8481 | Motor and Other Vehicles -- Adjudication of Traffic Offenses | This bill increases the fine for driving at an unreasonable and imprudent speed from $95 to $170. |
| H8482 | Motor and Other Vehicles -- Motor Vehicle Offenses | This bill increases prison sentences and fines for drivers causing death or serious injury through reckless or drunk driving. |