Prohibits the importation, disbursement, distribution, or sale, of any species of non-native (exotic) terrestrial invasive plants.
In plain English Bans importing, giving away, distributing, or selling non-native invasive plant species.
Official synopsis: AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY — PROTECTION OF TREES AND PLANTS GENERALLY — RHODE ISLAND INVASIVE PLANT MANAGEMENT ACT – Prohibits the importation, disbursement, distribution, or sale, of any species of non-native (exotic) terrestrial invasive plants.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-19
Authorizes the use of campaign funds for security related expenses, including home and office security systems and ongoing monitoring, in response to threats arising from their public service or candidacy.
In plain English Allows candidates and public officials to use campaign funds for home and office security systems and monitoring in response to threats from their public service or candidacy.
Official synopsis: ELECTIONS — RHODE ISLAND CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES REPORTING – Authorizes the use of campaign funds for security related expenses, including home and office security systems and ongoing monitoring, in response to threats arising from their public service or candidacy.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-18
Increases from seven (7) days to nine (9) days the period of time in which a request for a recount of the votes cast can be made to the board of elections. No certificates of election may be issued, until the recount if any is completed.
In plain English Increases the deadline for requesting a vote recount from seven days to nine days and delays issuing election certificates until any recount is finished.
Official synopsis: ELECTIONS — CONDUCT OF ELECTION AND VOTING EQUIPMENT, AND SUPPLIES – Increases from seven (7) days to nine (9) days the period of time in which a request for a recount of the votes cast can be made to the board of elections. No certificates…
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-10
Spells out requirements for operation of recreational vehicles, manual, electric or gas powered.
In plain English Requires recreational vehicles that are manual, electric, or gas powered to meet specified operational requirements.
Official synopsis: MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES — ELECTRIC BICYCLES – Spells out requirements for operation of recreational vehicles, manual, electric or gas powered.
Passed one chamberReferred to Senate Judiciary · 2026-06-09
Amends the state’s online E-Permitting Portal using automated plan review and instant permit issuance.
In plain English Allows automated plan review and instant permit issuance through the state's online permitting system.
Official synopsis: PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS — SOLAR COST REDUCTION ACT – Amends the state’s online E-Permitting Portal using automated plan review and instant permit issuance.
Passed one chamberReferred to Senate Environment and Agriculture · 2026-06-09
Regulates property insurers to limit underwriting and investment in fossil fuel projects, requires climate risk reporting and emissions disclosures, and aligns insurance practices with science-based climate targets.
INSURANCE — RHODE ISLAND INSURANCE MARKET PROTECTION ACT – Regulates property insurers to limit underwriting and investment in fossil fuel projects, requires climate risk reporting and emissions disclosures, and aligns insurance practices with science-based climate targets.
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-05-05
Permits a nurse who has the appropriate knowledge, credentials and clinical competency, to provide home services foot care, which includes routine foot and nail care, as well as implementing a plan of care that includes hygiene and fingernails.
In plain English Allows nurses with appropriate knowledge and credentials to provide home foot and nail care services.
Official synopsis: BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS — NURSES – Permits a nurse who has the appropriate knowledge, credentials and clinical competency, to provide home services foot care, which includes routine foot and nail care, as well as implementing a plan of care that includes hygiene and fingernails.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-04-29
Increases the fines for dog ordinance violations in the town of Barrington.
In plain English Increases fines for dog ordinance violations in the town of Barrington.
Official synopsis: ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY — DOGS – Increases the fines for dog ordinance violations in the town of Barrington.
Became lawEffective without Governor's signature · 2026-04-22
Permits the town of Barrington to assess an annual dog licensing fee of seven dollars ($7.00).
In plain English Allows the town of Barrington to charge a seven-dollar annual fee for dog licenses.
Official synopsis: ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY — DOGS – Permits the town of Barrington to assess an annual dog licensing fee of seven dollars ($7.00).
Became lawEffective without Governor's signature · 2026-04-22
Authorizes the town of Barrington to provide a tax dollar credit reduction for legally blind persons by ordinance.
In plain English Allows the town of Barrington to provide property tax credits for legally blind residents through local ordinance.
Official synopsis: TAXATION — PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION – Authorizes the town of Barrington to provide a tax dollar credit reduction for legally blind persons by ordinance.
Became lawEffective without Governor's signature · 2026-04-10
Exempts from sales tax energy storage systems, as defined in § 39-33-1.
TAXATION — SALES AND USE TAXES — LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION – Exempts from sales tax energy storage systems, as defined in § 39-33-1.
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-04-09
Requires all major hospitals within the state constructed or substantially renovated or expanded on or after 1/1/2028 to use renewable energy sources for power.
HEALTH AND SAFETY — DETERMINATION OF NEED FOR NEW HEALTHCARE EQUIPMENT AND NEW INSTITUTIONAL HEALTH SERVICES – Requires all major hospitals within the state constructed or substantially renovated or expanded on or after 1/1/2028 to use renewable energy sources for power.
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-04-09
Exempts from the sales tax behind-the-meter batteries interconnected with a solar photovoltaic system.
TAXATION — SALES AND USE TAXES — LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION – Exempts from the sales tax behind-the-meter batteries interconnected with a solar photovoltaic system.
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-04-09
Specifies that it is unlawful for any person under the age of eighteen (18) to possess a firearm.
CRIMINAL OFFENSES — WEAPONS – Specifies that it is unlawful for any person under the age of eighteen (18) to possess a firearm.
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-04-08
Changes 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.
CRIMINAL OFFENSES — WEAPONS — RESPONSIBLE FIREARM PURCHASING ACT – Changes 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.
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-04-08
“In plain English” lines are written by ThePolitibase with AI (Claude), from the official synopsis only; the synopsis is the authoritative text. Descriptions are the legislature’s own synopsis. Bill data from LegiScan, CC BY 4.0.