Amends chapter 44 of title 34 to establish energy storage systems on certain lands consistent with a municipality's comprehensive plan.
In plain English Allows energy storage systems to be built on certain lands if they match the municipality's comprehensive plan.
Official synopsis: PROPERTY — ABANDONED PROPERTY – Amends chapter 44 of title 34 to establish energy storage systems on certain lands consistent with a municipality's comprehensive plan.
Became lawEffective without Governor's signature · 2026-06-24
Prohibits any city or town from enacting any zoning ordinance that would place restrictions on residential NARR-certified recovery residences that are not applicable to other residential homes.
In plain English Prohibits cities and towns from imposing zoning restrictions on certified recovery residences that don't apply to other residential homes.
Official synopsis: TOWNS AND CITIES — ZONING ORDINANCES – Prohibits any city or town from enacting any zoning ordinance that would place restrictions on residential NARR-certified recovery residences that are not applicable to other residential homes.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-19
JOINT RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY CURRENT CONDOMINIUM LAW AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND ONGOING AFFORDABILITY OF CONDOMINIUMS IN RHODE ISLAND (Creates a 16-member commission to study current condominium law and provide recommendations for improvements, and who would report back to the General Assembly by December 31, 2027, and would expire on March 15, 2028.)
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-19
Amends the state building code and would require that the state adopt the 2024 International Residential Code and prohibit the state building committee from adopting amendments for one to four residential dwelling units until 2030.
In plain English Requires the state to adopt the 2024 International Residential Code and prohibits amendments for small residential buildings until 2030.
Official synopsis: HEALTH AND SAFETY — STATE BUILDING CODE – Amends the state building code and would require that the state adopt the 2024 International Residential Code and prohibit the state building committee from adopting amendments for one to four residential dwelling units until 2030.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-19
Requires licensed retailers authorized to sell intoxicating beverages to provide a lid to a consumer upon request.
In plain English Requires liquor retailers to provide a lid to customers who request one.
Official synopsis: ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES — RETAIL LICENSES – Requires licensed retailers authorized to sell intoxicating beverages to provide a lid to a consumer upon request.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-18
Amends several definitions to the general law chapter relating to abandoned property, adds a definition for "eligible nonprofit corporation", provides criteria for when properties are considered abandoned or a public nuisance.
In plain English Amends definitions of abandoned property, adds a definition for eligible nonprofit corporations, and sets criteria for when properties are considered abandoned or a public nuisance.
Official synopsis: PROPERTY — ABANDONED PROPERTY – Amends several definitions to the general law chapter relating to abandoned property, adds a definition for "eligible nonprofit corporation", provides criteria for when properties are considered abandoned or a public nuisance.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-18
Removes obsolete language and clarifies asbestos abatement and radon control requirements.
In plain English Removes outdated language and clarifies requirements for asbestos removal and radon control.
Official synopsis: HEALTH AND SAFETY — ASBESTOS ABATEMENT – Removes obsolete language and clarifies asbestos abatement and radon control requirements.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-10
Excludes portable solar generation devices intended primarily to offset part of a customer's electricity consumption from the definition of eligible net-metering system.
PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS — NET METERING — PORTABLE SOLAR GENERATION DEVICES – Excludes portable solar generation devices intended primarily to offset part of a customer's electricity consumption from the definition of eligible net-metering system.
Passed one chamberReferred to Senate Environment and Agriculture · 2026-06-09
Allows advisory bodies to participate in a public meeting using videoconferencing, subject to certain requirements.
In plain English Allows advisory bodies to hold public meetings where members participate by videoconference, subject to certain requirements.
Official synopsis: STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT — OPEN MEETINGS – Allows advisory bodies to participate in a public meeting using videoconferencing, subject to certain requirements.
Passed one chamberReferred to Senate Judiciary · 2026-06-05
Enacts the RI individual market affordability act of 2026 to establish a program to help reduce out-of-pocket costs for low- and moderate-income consumers enrolled in individual health insurance coverage through the RI health benefits exchange.
STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT — RHODE ISLAND INDIVIDUAL MARKET AFFORDABILITY ACT OF 2026 – Enacts the RI individual market affordability act of 2026 to establish a program to help reduce out-of-pocket costs for low- and moderate-income consumers enrolled in individual health insurance coverage through the…
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-05-12
Prohibits an educational institution or school district from accessing or using location data for tracking a student's institutional device or personal device, except in limited circumstances.
In plain English Prohibits schools from tracking student devices' locations except in limited circumstances.
Official synopsis: EDUCATION — STUDENT COMPUTER DEVICE PRIVACY – Prohibits an educational institution or school district from accessing or using location data for tracking a student's institutional device or personal device, except in limited circumstances.
Passed one chamberReferred to Senate Education · 2026-05-01
HOUSE RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING THE FIRST SATURDAY IN MAY AS "RHODE ISLAND LABYRINTH DAY" AND RECOGNIZING MAY 2, 2026, AS "WORLD LABYRINTH DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
Became lawHouse read and passed · 2026-04-30
Increases historic tax credit to 30%, and up to 35%, depending on the amount of rental area available for multi-family housing, affordable rental units and units sold as affordable housing.
TAXATION — HISTORIC PRESERVATION TAX CREDITS 2013 – Increases historic tax credit to 30%, and up to 35%, depending on the amount of rental area available for multi-family housing, affordable rental units and units sold as affordable housing.
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-04-29
Establishes a new categorical funding category for civics education.
EDUCATION — THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT – Establishes a new categorical funding category for civics education.
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-04-28
Requires the disclosure of the transfer of certain assets of healthcare facilities and provides penalties for failing to file healthcare facility ownership information.
HEALTH AND SAFETY — LICENSING OF HEALTHCARE FACILITIES – Requires the disclosure of the transfer of certain assets of healthcare facilities and provides penalties for failing to file healthcare facility ownership information.
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-04-09
“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.