Exempts certain vehicles that are not manufactured with the proper front plate registration bracket from the requirement that motor vehicles display a front facing registration plate.
In plain English Exempts vehicles not manufactured with a front plate bracket from displaying a front registration plate.
Official synopsis: MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES — REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES – Exempts certain vehicles that are not manufactured with the proper front plate registration bracket from the requirement that motor vehicles display a front facing registration plate.
Became lawEffective without Governor's signature · 2026-06-26
Extends the sunsetting of the "Don't Block the Box" automated traffic detection systems from January 15, 2027, to January 15, 2030.
In plain English Extends the expiration date of "Don't Block the Box" automated traffic detection systems from January 2027 to January 2030.
Official synopsis: MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES — AUTOMATED TRAFFIC VIOLATION MONETARY SYSTEMS – Extends the sunsetting of the "Don't Block the Box" automated traffic detection systems from January 15, 2027, to January 15, 2030.
Became lawEffective without Governor's signature · 2026-06-26
Provides that motor vehicle rental companies be entitled to establish non-liability for toll violations, administrative fees, registration penalties, and fines by providing a rental or lease agreement as prima facie evidence against a lessee.
In plain English Allows motor vehicle rental companies to use rental agreements as evidence to avoid liability for toll violations, fees, and fines incurred by lessees.
Official synopsis: HIGHWAYS — RHODE ISLAND TURNPIKE AND BRIDGE AUTHORITY – Provides that motor vehicle rental companies be entitled to establish non-liability for toll violations, administrative fees, registration penalties, and fines by providing a rental or lease agreement as prima facie evidence against a lessee.
Became lawEffective without Governor's signature · 2026-06-26
Requires all public utilities to maintain a customer service facility within the state to perform services such as addressing customer inquiries and accepting bill payments.
In plain English Requires all public utilities to maintain a customer service facility in the state for handling customer inquiries and accepting bill payments.
Official synopsis: PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS — DUTIES OF UTILITIES AND CARRIERS – Requires all public utilities to maintain a customer service facility within the state to perform services such as addressing customer inquiries and accepting bill payments.
Became lawEffective without Governor's signature · 2026-06-24
Amends various sections of the workers' compensation statute relative to the court's jurisdiction and the court's authority.
LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS — WORKERS' COMPENSATION — GENERAL PROVISIONS – Amends various sections of the workers' compensation statute relative to the court's jurisdiction and the court's authority.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-23
Creates the Rhode Island Federal Constitution defense act.
COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE — PROCEDURE GENERALLY — CAUSES OF ACTION — THE RHODE ISLAND FEDERAL CONSTITUTION DEFENSE ACT – Creates the Rhode Island Federal Constitution defense act.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-22
Extends the timeframe for the division of taxation to review nonresident contractor cases and provide a specific penalty for noncompliance with the statute's withholding requirements.
In plain English Extends the timeframe for the division of taxation to review nonresident contractor cases and adds a penalty for noncompliance with withholding requirements.
Official synopsis: TAXATION — STATE TAX OFFICIALS – Extends the timeframe for the division of taxation to review nonresident contractor cases and provide a specific penalty for noncompliance with the statute's withholding requirements.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-19
Adopts 2024 International Residential Code for 1 to 3 family dwelling units by 1/1/27/establishes moratorium on changes to building codes applicable to dwelling units until 1/1/31 unless approved by legislature with procedures for amending building code.
In plain English Adopts the 2024 International Residential Code for one to three family homes by January 1, 2027, and freezes dwelling unit building code changes until 2031 unless the legislature approves them.
Official synopsis: HEALTH AND SAFETY — STATE BUILDING CODE – Adopts 2024 International Residential Code for 1 to 3 family dwelling units by 1/1/27/establishes moratorium on changes to building codes applicable to dwelling units until 1/1/31 unless approved by legislature with procedures for amending building code.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-19
Provides and clarify procedures for the administration of deep sedation and general anesthesia by certain types of nurses.
In plain English Allows certain nurses to administer deep sedation and general anesthesia under specified procedures.
Official synopsis: BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS — NURSES – Provides and clarify procedures for the administration of deep sedation and general anesthesia by certain types of nurses.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-18
Allows a police officer to be reemployed by a state agency or department for purposes of working a state-funded detail subject to certain restrictions.
In plain English Allows a police officer to be reemployed by a state agency for state-funded detail work under certain restrictions.
Official synopsis: PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES — RETIREMENT SYSTEM — CONTRIBUTIONS AND BENEFITS – Allows a police officer to be reemployed by a state agency or department for purposes of working a state-funded detail subject to certain restrictions.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-18
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.
In plain English Allows students who meet specified requirements to attend Rhode Island public universities, colleges, or community colleges without paying nonresident tuition.
Official synopsis: EDUCATION — COUNCIL ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION – 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.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-18
Requires employers to provide each employee of a warehouse distribution center, upon hire, with written description of quotas applicable to the employee within defined time periods and adverse employment action for failure to meet the quota.
In plain English Requires warehouse employers to give new employees written descriptions of their work quotas and consequences for missing them.
Official synopsis: LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS — WAREHOUSE WORKER PROTECTION ACT – Requires employers to provide each employee of a warehouse distribution center, upon hire, with written description of quotas applicable to the employee within defined time periods and adverse employment action for failure to meet the…
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-18
Amends certain signature requirements and deadlines regarding primaries for election of delegates to national conventions for presidential preference.
In plain English Changes signature requirements and deadlines for primary elections that select delegates to national presidential conventions.
Official synopsis: ELECTIONS — PRIMARIES FOR ELECTION OF DELEGATES TO NATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND FOR PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE – Amends certain signature requirements and deadlines regarding primaries for election of delegates to national conventions for presidential preference.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-18
Establishes the office of inspector general to investigate the management and operation of agencies in an effort to prevent and deter fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement in the expenditure of public funds.
In plain English Creates an office of inspector general to investigate agency management and operations to prevent fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement of public funds.
Official synopsis: STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT — OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL – Establishes the office of inspector general to investigate the management and operation of agencies in an effort to prevent and deter fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement in the expenditure of public funds.
Passed one chamberSenate passed Sub A · 2026-06-11
Establishes sales and use tax exemptions for commercial forest product operations and creates a new motor vehicle registration for "forestry vehicles".
In plain English Exempts commercial forest product operations from sales and use taxes and creates a new motor vehicle registration category for forestry vehicles.
Official synopsis: AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY — FORESTRY AND FOREST PARITY ACT – Establishes sales and use tax exemptions for commercial forest product operations and creates a new motor vehicle registration for "forestry vehicles".
Passed one chamberSenate passed Sub A · 2026-06-10
“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.