Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · Rhode Island
Votes with Democrats
98%
on 102 party-line votes · Senate Democrats median 97%
Cast a vote
86%
Yea or Nay on 1,135 of 1,315 roll calls · Senate median 93%
Their bills that became law
9 of 26
as a primary sponsor, this session · Democrats median 10.5
Roll calls on record
1,315
2026 Regular Session
Votes and bills updated Nov 4, 2026 from LegiScan (CC BY 4.0), which republishes the legislature’s own records. Profile details from OpenStates / Plural Policy. Figures cover 2026 Regular Session.
How John Burke votes
A party-line vote is a roll call where most voting Democrats and most voting Republicans took opposite sides. Absences and not-voting are never counted. Same method as our Congress pages.
Where John Burke sits in the Senate
Each dot is one member of the Senate, placed by how often they voted on the Democratic side of party-line votes. John Burke is circled.
Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party
2 of 102 party-line votes.
H8400 · Prohibits the operation of any thermal waste conversion facility such as pyrolysis within the Quonset Point/Davisville Industrial Park and expires on June 1, 2027.
In plain English Prohibits operating thermal waste conversion facilities like pyrolysis in the Quonset Point/Davisville Industrial Park until June 1, 2027.
Passage · 2026-06-11 · Passed 29–9 · most Democrats voted the other way
S3224 · Prohibits the operation of any thermal waste conversion facility such as pyrolysis within the Quonset Point/Davisville Industrial Park and expires on June 1, 2027.
In plain English Prohibits operating thermal waste conversion facilities like pyrolysis in the Quonset Point/Davisville Industrial Park until June 1, 2027.
Passage · 2026-06-10 · Passed 29–9 · most Democrats voted the other way
Closest votes they cast
Roll calls decided by the fewest votes, one per bill.
S2480 · Makes traffic accident data a public record, subject to federal law.
In plain English Makes traffic accident data a public record, subject to federal law.
Senate Committee on Judiciary: Passage · 2026-06-09 · Passed 6–4
S2983 · Permits the expungement of records 5 years after the imposition of sentence for misdemeanors and 10 years after the imposition of sentence for felonies, and if the sentence is greater than 10 years, then, upon successful completion of the sentence.
In plain English Allows expungement of criminal records five years after sentencing for misdemeanors and ten years after sentencing for felonies, or upon sentence completion if longer than ten years.
Senate Committee on Judiciary: Passage · 2026-05-21 · Passed 5–3
S2964 · Makes persons convicted of petty misdemeanors and convicted of simple possession of controlled substances, eligible to have their records expunged three years after completion of their sentence.
In plain English Allows people convicted of petty misdemeanors or simple drug possession to have their records expunged three years after completing their sentence.
Senate Committee on Judiciary: Passage · 2026-05-21 · Passed 5–3
S2735 · Amends the process for creating and governing project labor agreements (“PLA”).
Senate Committee on Labor & Gaming: Passage of Sub A · 2026-06-04 · Passed 5–1
S3339 · Prohibits ICE employees, agents or officials from being within two hundred feet (200') of any polling place during voting, including early voting and election day voting.
In plain English Prohibits Immigration and Customs Enforcement employees from being within 200 feet of polling places during early voting and election day.
Senate Committee on Judiciary: Passage · 2026-06-03 · Passed 7–3
Republicans they vote with most
Share of contested roll calls (the losing side got at least 10%) where both voted and landed on the same side. Unanimous votes are left out, because on those everyone agrees.
Thomas PaolinoRepublican · District 17 · 113 shared contested votes
26%
Gordon RogersRepublican · District 21 · 93 shared contested votes
23%
Jessica de la CruzRepublican · District 23 · 97 shared contested votes
19%
Their session, month by month
Dark bars are roll calls they were recorded on each month; the red part is the ones without a Yea or Nay (180 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.
← Rhode Island Delegation
YeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYea
Their bills, from filing to law
Bills John Burke was a primary sponsor of this session. Most bills from either party never leave committee; in Illinois many never get past the Assignments or Rules committee.
Introduced26
Out of committee10
Passed one chamber10
Passed both chambers9
Became law9
Never left committee16
For comparison, the median Democratic member of the Senate has 10.5 bills that became law this session.
What their bills are about
Labor And Labor Relations 5Taxation 3Health And Safety 2Criminal Offenses 2Public Property And Works 2PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS — STATE PURCHASES 2
Eliminates the "until June 30, 2026" sunset on the increase in the total amount of earnings a partial-unemployment insurance claimant can receive before being entirely disqualified for unemployment insurance benefits.
In plain English Eliminates the June 30, 2026 expiration date for increased earnings limits for partial unemployment insurance claimants.
Official synopsis: LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS — EMPLOYMENT SECURITY – Eliminates the "until June 30, 2026" sunset on the increase in the total amount of earnings a partial-unemployment insurance claimant can receive before being entirely disqualified for unemployment insurance benefits.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-19
Creates a program through which fire departments and fire districts are notified of locations of registrants of electric and hybrid motor vehicles can register their vehicles with their local fire department or fire district.
HEALTH AND SAFETY — OFFICE OF STATE FIRE MARSHAL – Creates a program through which fire departments and fire districts are notified of locations of registrants of electric and hybrid motor vehicles can register their vehicles with their local fire department or fire district.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-19
Defines public-private partnerships and provides the framework to encourage the use of public-private partnerships for proposals for state purchases.
In plain English Defines public-private partnerships and creates a framework for the state to use them in purchasing proposals.
Official synopsis: PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS — STATE PURCHASES – Defines public-private partnerships and provides the framework to encourage the use of public-private partnerships for proposals for state purchases.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-18
Provides that all contractual provisions in a firefighters collective bargaining agreement continue until a successor agreement has been reached or an interest arbitration award has been rendered.
In plain English Requires firefighter contract terms to remain in effect until a new agreement or arbitration decision is reached.
Official synopsis: LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS — FIREFIGHTERS' ARBITRATION – Provides that all contractual provisions in a firefighters collective bargaining agreement continue until a successor agreement has been reached or an interest arbitration award has been rendered.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-18
Amends the process for creating and governing project labor agreements (“PLA”).
PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS — STATE PURCHASES – Amends the process for creating and governing project labor agreements (“PLA”).
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-18
Allows the waiver of interest on overdue taxes for commercial properties.
In plain English Allows local governments to waive interest charges on overdue taxes for commercial properties.
Official synopsis: TAXATION — LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES – Allows the waiver of interest on overdue taxes for commercial properties.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-18
Moves North Kingstown from the third division of the district court to the fourth division to better balance case workloads among the divisions.
In plain English Moves North Kingstown from the third district court division to the fourth division.
Official synopsis: COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE — COURTS — DISTRICT COURT – Moves North Kingstown from the third division of the district court to the fourth division to better balance case workloads among the divisions.
Became lawEffective without Governor's signature · 2026-06-12
Creates the public health data privacy and protection act to regulate the reporting of information relating to reportable disease data in the possession of the department of health.
HEALTH AND SAFETY — PUBLIC HEALTH DATA PRIVACY AND PROTECTION ACT – Creates the public health data privacy and protection act to regulate the reporting of information relating to reportable disease data in the possession of the department of health.
Passed one chamberReferred to House Health & Human Services · 2026-06-05
Provides that a portion of state income taxes from employees working at not-for-profit healthcare institutions, health service institutions, and educational institutions be allocated to the city of Providence.
In plain English Allocates a portion of state income taxes from employees at nonprofit healthcare and educational institutions to the city of Providence.
Official synopsis: TAXATION — CITY OF PROVIDENCE: TRANSFER OF PORTION OF STATE INCOME TAXES OF NEW EMPLOYEES OF NOT-FOR-PROFIT HEALTH CARE INSTITUTIONS AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS – Provides that a portion of state income taxes from employees working at not-for-profit healthcare institutions, health service institutions, and educational institutions…
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-05-28
Restates the UTGR Master Contract and the Twin River-Tiverton Master Contract and consolidates the marketing program of each into the Consolidated Marketing Program.
In plain English Restates two gaming contracts and combines their marketing programs into one consolidated program.
Official synopsis: THE UTGR MASTER CONTRACT AND THE TWIN RIVER — TIVERTON MASTER CONTRACT — CONSOLIDATED MARKETING PROGRAM – Restates the UTGR Master Contract and the Twin River-Tiverton Master Contract and consolidates the marketing program of each into the Consolidated Marketing Program.
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-05-26
Provides that adjunct faculty members at any state college or university who teach at least 50% of the hours regularly worked by full-time faculty in a semester be eligible for the same medical benefits as other full-time state employees.
In plain English Allows adjunct faculty at state colleges and universities who teach at least 50% of full-time hours to receive the same medical benefits as full-time state employees.
Official synopsis: PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES — INSURANCE BENEFITS – Provides that adjunct faculty members at any state college or university who teach at least 50% of the hours regularly worked by full-time faculty in a semester be eligible for the same medical benefits as other full-time…
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-05-26
Reinstates, for all teachers and state employees who retired after July 1, 2012, their annual cost of living adjustment for retirement plan year 2026.
EDUCATION — TEACHERS' RETIREMENT – Reinstates, for all teachers and state employees who retired after July 1, 2012, their annual cost of living adjustment for retirement plan year 2026.
Not out of committeeMeeting postponed (05/14/2026) · 2026-05-11
Exempts from sales tax the amount paid for a parking space to a patron for one hour or less, in or on a parking facility on which a commercial establishment is located.
In plain English Exempts from sales tax parking fees of one hour or less at facilities on commercial establishment grounds.
Official synopsis: TAXATION — SALES AND USE TAXES — LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION – Exempts from sales tax the amount paid for a parking space to a patron for one hour or less, in or on a parking facility on which a commercial establishment is located.
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-05-07
Grants hourly credit of 288 hours against 576 hours if graduate of accredited trade school/raises to 4 years of work under master plumber and requires 8,000 hours of on-the-job training plus 5 years of registration with DLT.
In plain English Allows trade school graduates to count 288 hours toward the 576-hour requirement for plumber licensing and requires four years of work under a master plumber.
Official synopsis: BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS — PLUMBERS, IRRIGATORS, AND WATER SYSTEM INSTALLERS – Grants hourly credit of 288 hours against 576 hours if graduate of accredited trade school/raises to 4 years of work under master plumber and requires 8,000 hours of on-the-job training plus 5 years of…
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-05-06
Requires all health care workers who are employed on any Sunday or holiday, to be compensated at the rate of time and one-half.
In plain English Requires health care workers employed on Sundays or holidays to be paid one and one-half times their regular rate.
Official synopsis: LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS — MINIMUM WAGES — HEALTHCARE WORKER OVERTIME PAY – Requires all health care workers who are employed on any Sunday or holiday, to be compensated at the rate of time and one-half.
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-05-06
“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.
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H8436 · 2026-06-11
Amends the current statute governing exemptions from property taxes for elderly and the disabled in the town of Glocester. (Passage)
H7477 · 2026-06-11
Replaces the existing limited liability company act with a newer and updated model act. (Passage)
H7079 · 2026-06-11
Permits those individuals convicted of multiple felonies and misdemeanors to have their records expunged and provides criteria for the court to consider in determining whether the person is of good character. (Passage)
S2733 · 2026-06-11
Makes 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. (Passage)
H8463 · 2026-06-11
Makes 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. (Passage)
S2829 · 2026-06-11
Establishes a procedure to permit DCYF to apply for benefits on behalf of children, who are eligible, that are within temporary custody or guardianship of the department. (Passage)
S3080 · 2026-06-11
Establishes the thermal energy network & jobs act facilitating study of the technology to determine if goals can be met by implementing thermal energy networks in Rhode Island/creates a task force of interested parties to be an advisory committee. (Passage)
S2365 · 2026-06-11
Eliminates the age requirement for modification on Social Security income. (Passage)
S3361 · 2026-06-11
Allows for sending of the notice under power of sale and rights of active military servicemembers by USPS First Class Mail and/or an overnight delivery service, instead of by USPS certified mail return receipt requested. (Passage)
S3361 · 2026-06-11
Allows for sending of the notice under power of sale and rights of active military servicemembers by USPS First Class Mail and/or an overnight delivery service, instead of by USPS certified mail return receipt requested. (Passage)
S2334 · 2026-06-11
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. (Passage)
S3370 · 2026-06-11
Exempts from taxation the real and tangible personal property of Amos House, provided it remains a qualified tax-exempt corporation pursuant to § 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code. (Passage)
S2045 · 2026-06-11
Protects people attending Rhode Island court proceedings from civil arrest without a judicial warrant, ensures court access, sets enforcement rules, and provides remedies for violations. (Passage)
S2045 · 2026-06-11
Protects people attending Rhode Island court proceedings from civil arrest without a judicial warrant, ensures court access, sets enforcement rules, and provides remedies for violations. (Passage)
S2555 · 2026-06-11
Requires DOE to establish a bilingual education support fund. (Passage)
H7030 · 2026-06-11
Establishes the healthcare worker platform and would require platforms offering healthcare shifts to register with the department of health by June 1, 2027, while, specifically, exempting them from being classified as nursing service agencies. (Passage)
S3290 · 2026-06-11
Establishes a separate domestic violence calendar within the superior court to handle felony domestic violence cases. (Passage)
S2292 · 2026-06-11
Makes 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. (Passage)
S2678 · 2026-06-11
Increases monthly minimum benefit for a spouse, domestic partner, former spouse. (Passage)
S2834 · 2026-06-11
Permits extended early intervention services for children with developmental disabilities whose third birthday is between May 1 and August 31. (Passage)
S3185 · 2026-06-11
Exempts property that consists of the lake bed and Wilson’s Reservoir in the town of Burrillville from taxes. (Passage)
H7585 · 2026-06-11
Permits hit and run victims suffering serious bodily injury to recover under the crime victim compensation program. (Passage)
H8582 · 2026-06-11
Imposes certain duties, transparency, and accountability from pharmacy benefits managers and pharmacy benefits management services. (Passage)
H8155 · 2026-06-11
Under the emergency fund for victims, increases the share of a victim’s total award that may be used for relocation related expenses but not increase total compensation available to a victim. (Passage)
S2823 · 2026-06-11
Establishes a child tax credit in the amount of three hundred thirty dollars ($330) for eligible taxpayers adjusted for inflation annually commencing January 1, 2027. (Passage)
H7625 · 2026-06-11
Commencing January 1, 2027, mandates insurers provide health insurance coverage without cost-share requirements for vaccinations recommended by the DOH and mandates the coverage for the medical assistance program and managed care organizations. (Passage)
H7198 · 2026-06-11
Further delineate the definitions of felony, misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor. (Passage)
H7879 · 2026-06-11
Facilitates the study of thermal energy technology to determine if these goals can be met by the implementation of thermal energy networks in Rhode Island. (Passage)
H8046 · 2026-06-11
Establishes a set service rate of seventy dollars ($70.00) for the service of all writs, citations or subpoenas. (Passage)
H7740 · 2026-06-11
Provides and clarifies procedures for the administration of deep sedation and general anesthesia by certain types of nurses. (Passage)
H8384 · 2026-06-11
Creates an enhanced penalty defined as "road rage" to be applied in addition to penalties for convictions of certain motor vehicle offenses. (Passage)
S2734 · 2026-06-11
Requires owners or landlords who rent shoreline property to provide their tenants, before the start of the tenancy, with a detailed, written disclosure regarding public shoreline access rights. (Passage)
H7866 · 2026-06-11
Raises the percentage from eighty percent (80%) to eighty-five percent (85%) regarding declaring a vehicle a total loss. (Passage)
H8605 · 2026-06-11
JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO PAY CERTAIN CLAIMS (Authorizes the appropriation to pay certain claims.) (Passage)
S3334 · 2026-06-11
Amends the compositions of the Rhode Island life science hub board of directors and amends the I-195 redevelopment district commission and provides additional amendments to the powers and duties of the commission. (Passage)
H8005 · 2026-06-11
Amends the standards and limitations on permitted parking requirements for dwelling units. (Passage)
H7975 · 2026-06-11
Requires licensed retailers authorized to sell intoxicating beverages to provide a lid to a consumer upon request. (Passage)
H8546 · 2026-06-11
REGARDING MOTIONS AT THE TOWN OF SCITUATE ANNUAL FINANCIAL TOWN MEETING (Passage)
S2676 · 2026-06-11
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.) (Passage)
H7683 · 2026-06-11
Increases monthly minimum benefit for a spouse, domestic partner, former spouse. (Passage)
H7290 · 2026-06-11
Places limits on the number of self-service checkout stations a grocery store can have and on the workload of employees assigned to monitor those checkout stations. (Passage)
S2123 · 2026-06-11
Exempts from taxation the real and tangible personal property of Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center located in the city of Pawtucket. Effective retroactively to December 31, 2025 and affects next levy issued by the city or town where property is located. (Passage)
H7020 · 2026-06-11
Authorizes veterinarians to establish a client-patient relationship through electronic means, subject to limitations and requirements such as Vet making a good faith effort to determine if care should be provided through telemedicine instead of in person. (Passage)
H8484 · 2026-06-11
Exempts from taxation the real and tangible personal property of Amos House, provided it remains a qualified tax-exempt corporation pursuant to § 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code. (Passage)
H8435 · 2026-06-11
Allows for the issuance of a Class B license for the property located at 102 Granite Street, in the town of Westerly. (Passage)
H8110 · 2026-06-11
Requires owners or landlords who rent shoreline property to provide their tenants, before the start of the tenancy, with a detailed, written disclosure regarding public shoreline access rights. (Passage)
H8527 · 2026-06-11
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 (Passage)
S2047 · 2026-06-11
Further delineates the definitions of felony, misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor. (Passage)
S3366 · 2026-06-11
Creates special motor vehicle registration plates for vehicles based on the not-for-profit entity Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub. (Passage)
H7538 · 2026-06-11
Requires healthcare providers and healthcare facilities to inform patients of the use of artificial intelligence to memorialize patient visits. (Passage)
S2828 · 2026-06-11
Amends the Rhode Island works program to increases the monthly cash benefit to one hundred percent (100%) of the federal poverty level effective July 1, 2026. (Passage)
H8252 · 2026-06-11
Provides any student, who meets the requirements of this section, with an exemption from paying nonresident tuition at Rhode Island public universities, colleges, or community colleges. (Passage)
S2667 · 2026-06-11
Increases income limits for eligible families and also increases the exit threshold. (Passage)
S2667 · 2026-06-11
Increases income limits for eligible families and also increases the exit threshold. (Passage)
S2330 · 2026-06-11
Permits the implementation of a system of electronic registration and titling of motor vehicles, by the DMV and requires that rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this chapter, be promulgated by the administrator of the DMV. (Passage)
S2650 · 2026-06-11
Provides any student, who meets the requirements of this section, with an exemption from paying nonresident tuition at Rhode Island public universities, colleges, or community colleges. (Passage)
H7495 · 2026-06-11
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. (Passage)
H7183 · 2026-06-11
Establishes a program for the energy and water benchmarking of large buildings in Rhode Island and a standard for their energy performance. (Passage)
Complete voting record from LegiScan (showing the 60 most recent of 1315 total roll-call votes this session).
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