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
Raises the percentage from eighty percent (80%) to eighty-five percent (85%) regarding declaring a vehicle a total loss.
In plain English Raises the percentage threshold for declaring a vehicle a total loss from eighty to eighty-five percent.
Official synopsis: INSURANCE — UNFAIR CLAIMS SETTLEMENT PRACTICES ACT – Raises the percentage from eighty percent (80%) to eighty-five percent (85%) regarding declaring a vehicle a total loss.
Became lawEffective without Governor's signature · 2026-06-26
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.
In plain English Changes the composition of the Rhode Island life science hub board of directors and amends the I-195 redevelopment district commission's powers and duties.
Official synopsis: HEALTH AND SAFETY — THE RHODE ISLAND LIFE SCIENCE HUB ACT – 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.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-23
Hospital Conversions act amended to authorize AG and DOH to permit expedited review application for hospital insolvency proceedings. Sunsets in one year.
In plain English Allows the Attorney General and Department of Health to permit expedited review of hospital insolvency proceedings, expiring in one year.
Official synopsis: HEALTH AND SAFETY — THE HOSPITAL CONVERSIONS ACT – Hospital Conversions act amended to authorize AG and DOH to permit expedited review application for hospital insolvency proceedings. Sunsets in one year.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-18
Requires all write-in votes, regardless of qualification, to be reported and published by the state board of elections, on its website.
In plain English Requires the state board of elections to report and publish all write-in votes on its website, regardless of whether they meet qualification requirements.
Official synopsis: ELECTIONS — CONDUCT OF ELECTION AND VOTING EQUIPMENT, AND SUPPLIES – Requires all write-in votes, regardless of qualification, to be reported and published by the state board of elections, on its website.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-18
Submits the State's 2026 capital development program requesting the issuance of general obligation bonds for approval of the electorate at the general election to be held in November 2026.
CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM — 2026 BOND REFERENDA – Submits the State's 2026 capital development program requesting the issuance of general obligation bonds for approval of the electorate at the general election to be held in November 2026.
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-05-21
Changes how voter are notified of elections and vote registration deadlines, and local board questions.
ELECTIONS — LOCAL CANVASSING AUTHORITIES – Changes how voter are notified of elections and vote registration deadlines, and local board questions.
Passed one chamberReferred to Senate Judiciary · 2026-05-01
Requires public auctions by any city or town of real estate or an interest therein to only be done in person and not by electronic or remote procedures unless authorized by court order.
PROPERTY — PUBLIC AUCTIONS OF REAL ESTATE – Requires public auctions by any city or town of real estate or an interest therein to only be done in person and not by electronic or remote procedures unless authorized by court order.
Not out of committeeCommittee postponed at request of sponsor · 2026-04-28
Requires that the primary election date, statutorily the eighth Tuesday preceding the biennial state elections, shall be held on the Wednesday when Labor Day is the day before said Tuesday. No other filing deadlines would be affected.
ELECTIONS — PRIMARY ELECTIONS – Requires that the primary election date, statutorily the eighth Tuesday preceding the biennial state elections, shall be held on the Wednesday when Labor Day is the day before said Tuesday. No other filing deadlines would be affected.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-04-20
Amends the pension benefits for both current and former Rhode Island State Police members.
STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT — STATE POLICE – Amends the pension benefits for both current and former Rhode Island State Police members.
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-04-16
Defines an alternative nicotine product as any noncombustible product without tobacco leaf but nicotine from another source and also taxes alternative nicotine products at $2.00 per container up to 20 units.
TAXATION — CIGARETTE, OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS, AND ELECTRONIC NICOTINE-DELIVERY SYSTEM PRODUCTS – Defines an alternative nicotine product as any noncombustible product without tobacco leaf but nicotine from another source and also taxes alternative nicotine products at $2.00 per container up to 20 units.
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-04-09
Clarifies the right of the public to have access to bulk electronic data processing records, compilations of electronic court records, including the Rhode Island adult criminal database and the Rhode Island traffic tribunal database extract.
PUBLIC RECORDS — ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS – Clarifies the right of the public to have access to bulk electronic data processing records, compilations of electronic court records, including the Rhode Island adult criminal database and the Rhode Island traffic tribunal database extract.
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-03-31
Adds a provision that allows a tenant to pay the last month's rent or any other prepaid rent. It also increases the amount that a security deposit can be requested from one to two (2) months of rent.
PROPERTY — RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT – Adds a provision that allows a tenant to pay the last month's rent or any other prepaid rent. It also increases the amount that a security deposit can be requested from one to two (2) months of…
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-03-18
Defines squatter as a person occupying a dwelling unit who is not authorized by the property owner, landlord or tenant to occupy the unit and provides remedies for property owner including police assistance to remove a squatter.
CRIMINAL OFFENSES — TRESPASS AND VANDALISM – Defines squatter as a person occupying a dwelling unit who is not authorized by the property owner, landlord or tenant to occupy the unit and provides remedies for property owner including police assistance to remove a squatter.
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-03-18
Replaces the existing chapter on this subject by requiring school districts to organize concussion oversight teams, develop removal-from-play, return-to-play, and return-to-learn protocols, and develop a concussion brochure.
EDUCATION — SCHOOL AND YOUTH PROGRAMS CONCUSSION ACT – Replaces the existing chapter on this subject by requiring school districts to organize concussion oversight teams, develop removal-from-play, return-to-play, and return-to-learn protocols, and develop a concussion brochure.
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-03-10
“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.