AUTHORIZING THE TOWN OF JAMESTOWN TO FUND AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS AND TO ISSUE NOT MORE THAN $3,000,000 BONDS AND NOTES THEREFOR
In plain English Allows the Town of Jamestown to issue up to $3,000,000 in bonds for affordable housing projects, subject to voter approval.
Official synopsis: Proposes a bond measure to authorize the Town of Jamestown to issue up to three million dollars ($3,000,000) in general obligation bonds, subject to voter approval, to support affordable housing projects in Jamestown.
Became lawEffective without Governor's signature · 2026-06-11
SENATE RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING AND RECOGNIZING THE STUDENTS AND FACULTY OF THOMPSON MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE ANNUAL RHODE ISLAND CIVICS DAY AND CELEBRATING THEIR AWARD-WINNING ACHIEVEMENT
Became lawSenate read and passed · 2026-06-10
Allows an owner or owners of real property to execute a deed that names one or more beneficiaries who will obtain title to the property at the owner's death without the necessity of probate.
In plain English Allows property owners to execute a deed naming beneficiaries who automatically receive the property upon the owner's death without probate.
Official synopsis: PROBATE PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE — UNIFORM REAL PROPERTY TRANSFER ON DEATH ACT – Allows an owner or owners of real property to execute a deed that names one or more beneficiaries who will obtain title to the property at the owner's death without the necessity…
Out of committeeSenate passed as amended (floor amendment) · 2026-06-09
Requires every individual or group health insurance contract effective on or after January 1, 2027, to provide coverage to the insured and the insured's spouse and dependents for all FDA-approved contraceptive drugs, devices and other products.
In plain English Requires health insurance plans starting January 1, 2027, to cover all FDA-approved contraceptive drugs, devices and products for the insured, spouse and dependents.
Official synopsis: INSURANCE — ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES – Requires every individual or group health insurance contract effective on or after January 1, 2027, to provide coverage to the insured and the insured's spouse and dependents for all FDA-approved contraceptive drugs, devices and other products.
Passed one chamberReferred to House Finance · 2026-05-29
Requires the JNC to establish standardized merit-based selection process and that applications be evaluated according to uniform, job-related criteria adopted in advance and published on the commission's website.
In plain English Requires the Judicial Nominating Commission to use standardized merit-based criteria, adopted in advance and published online, to evaluate judicial applications.
Official synopsis: COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE — COURTS — JUDICIAL SELECTION – Requires the JNC to establish standardized merit-based selection process and that applications be evaluated according to uniform, job-related criteria adopted in advance and published on the commission's website.
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-05-28
Permits RI Supreme Court Committee on Racial and Ethnic Fairness, in consultation with RI Bar Association and its Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, to appoint members of JNC and requires judicial candidates to disclose political donations.
COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE — COURTS — JUDICIAL SELECTION – Permits RI Supreme Court Committee on Racial and Ethnic Fairness, in consultation with RI Bar Association and its Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, to appoint members of JNC and requires judicial candidates to disclose…
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-05-28
Requires that the chief judge of the family court in appointing magistrates do so in accordance with the judicial selection and nomination process set forth in chapter 16.1 of title 8.
In plain English Requires the family court chief judge to appoint magistrates using the judicial selection process in state law.
Official synopsis: COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE — COURTS — FAMILY COURT – Requires that the chief judge of the family court in appointing magistrates do so in accordance with the judicial selection and nomination process set forth in chapter 16.1 of title 8.
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-05-28
Establishes the Rhode Island Maternal Health Improvement and Equity Act of 2026, to establish permanent statewide support for maternal health and to implement the maternal health strategic plan improving maternal health care and access.
In plain English Establishes permanent statewide support for maternal health and implements a strategic plan to improve maternal health care and access.
Official synopsis: HEALTH AND SAFETY — THE RHODE ISLAND MATERNAL HEALTH IMPROVEMENT AND EQUITY ACT OF 2026 – Establishes the Rhode Island Maternal Health Improvement and Equity Act of 2026, to establish permanent statewide support for maternal health and to implement the maternal health strategic plan improving…
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-05-28
Creates new tax on gains from sale or exchange of real property held for short periods of time, 6 years or less, establishes a comprehensive framework to calculate and implement enforcement and provides imprisonment and/or fines for those who evade taxes.
TAXATION — TAX ON GAINS FROM THE SALE OR EXCHANGE OF REAL PROPERTY – Creates new tax on gains from sale or exchange of real property held for short periods of time, 6 years or less, establishes a comprehensive framework to calculate and implement enforcement…
Not out of committeeCommittee heard · 2026-05-12
SENATE RESOLUTION EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF PAMELA F. KELLEY
Became lawSenate read and passed · 2026-05-07
Authorizes the town of Jamestown to authorize, by ordinance, the expansion of the local tax exemption ordinance for seniors.
In plain English Allows the town of Jamestown to expand its property tax exemption for seniors through a local ordinance.
Official synopsis: TAXATION — PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION – Authorizes the town of Jamestown to authorize, by ordinance, the expansion of the local tax exemption ordinance for seniors.
Became lawEffective without Governor's signature · 2026-05-06
Excludes nuclear power from the office of energy resources and division of public utilities from participation, procuring and entering into long-term contracts.
In plain English Prevents the state energy office and public utilities division from participating in or signing long-term contracts for nuclear power.
Official synopsis: PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS — AFFORDABLE CLEAN ENERGY SECURITY ACT – Excludes nuclear power from the office of energy resources and division of public utilities from participation, procuring and entering into long-term contracts.
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-04-28
Creates the multi-unit residential decarbonization initiative program to provide funding for feasibility studies to convert large, multi-family residential units to non-emitting renewable geothermal energy.
In plain English Creates a program to fund feasibility studies for converting large apartment buildings to geothermal heating and cooling systems.
Official synopsis: STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT — DECARBONIZATION DEMONSTRATION INITIATIVE ACT OF 2026 – Creates the multi-unit residential decarbonization initiative program to provide funding for feasibility studies to convert large, multi-family residential units to non-emitting renewable geothermal energy.
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-04-09
Requires notice to E-ZPass users before DMV reporting, and set rules and regulations for transponder failures, requires outreach and free replacements, and allow mitigation or forgiveness of tolls and penalties from equipment failures.
In plain English Requires notice to E-ZPass users before DMV reporting, sets rules for transponder failures, requires outreach and free replacements, and allows forgiveness of tolls and penalties from equipment failures.
Official synopsis: HIGHWAYS — RHODE ISLAND TURNPIKE AND BRIDGE AUTHORITY – Requires notice to E-ZPass users before DMV reporting, and set rules and regulations for transponder failures, requires outreach and free replacements, and allow mitigation or forgiveness of tolls and penalties from equipment failures.
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-04-09
Prohibits the closure or significant reduction of services of a birthing center without notice, application, financial disclosure, public hearing, and approval by the department of health.
In plain English Requires birthing centers to obtain department of health approval before closing or significantly reducing services, following notice, application, financial disclosure, and public hearing.
Official synopsis: HEALTH AND SAFETY — THE HOSPITAL CONVERSIONS ACT – Prohibits the closure or significant reduction of services of a birthing center without notice, application, financial disclosure, public hearing, and approval by the department of health.
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.