Provides that energy storage systems located on abandoned or contaminated property be permitted by right as a permitted use and not considered to have negative environmental impacts.
PROPERTY — ABANDONED PROPERTY – Provides that energy storage systems located on abandoned or contaminated property be permitted by right as a permitted use and not considered to have negative environmental impacts.
Became lawEffective without Governor's signature · 2026-06-24
Provides technical amendments relating to comprehensive planning and land use, subdivision of land, zoning ordinances and low- and moderate-income housing.
In plain English Makes technical amendments to laws governing comprehensive planning, land use, subdivisions, zoning, and low- and moderate-income housing.
Official synopsis: COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE — COURTS — SUPERIOR COURT – Provides technical amendments relating to comprehensive planning and land use, subdivision of land, zoning ordinances and low- and moderate-income housing.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-23
Authorizes municipalities to make an emergency declaration under limited circumstances to allow for the construction and use of SAFE Units on a temporary basis which have specialized requirements and exemptions from the state fire and building codes.
In plain English Allows municipalities to declare emergencies to temporarily construct and use SAFE Units with exemptions from state fire and building codes.
Official synopsis: HEALTH AND SAFETY — STATE BUILDING CODE — ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT – Authorizes municipalities to make an emergency declaration under limited circumstances to allow for the construction and use of SAFE Units on a temporary basis which have specialized requirements and exemptions from the state…
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-23
Makes the bridge over Smith Street and Route 95, the George Nee Bridge.
In plain English Names the bridge over Smith Street and Route 95 the George Nee Bridge.
Official synopsis: THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY — PERMANENT JOINT COMMITTEE ON NAMING ALL NEW BUILDINGS, BRIDGES, EDIFICES AND OTHER STATE CONSTRUCTIONS – Makes the bridge over Smith Street and Route 95, the George Nee Bridge.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-23
Requires party chairpersons to submit lists of party voters to the mayor or council president within 30 days of notice of vacancy in a municipal election office and mayor/council president are required to make a replacement nomination within 30 days.
In plain English Requires party chairpersons to submit voter lists within 30 days of a municipal election office vacancy and mayors or council presidents to nominate replacements within 30 days.
Official synopsis: ELECTIONS — LOCAL CANVASSING AUTHORITIES – Requires party chairpersons to submit lists of party voters to the mayor or council president within 30 days of notice of vacancy in a municipal election office and mayor/council president are required to make a replacement nomination within 30…
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-23
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.
In plain English Allows people convicted of multiple felonies and misdemeanors to request expungement of their criminal records based on court-determined good character.
Official synopsis: CRIMINAL PROCEDURE — EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS – 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.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-22
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.
In plain English Requires platforms offering healthcare shifts to register with the health department by June 1, 2027, and exempts them from nursing service agency classification.
Official synopsis: HEALTH AND SAFETY — HEALTHCARE WORKER PLATFORM ACT – 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.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-22
AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE TO ISSUE NOT TO EXCEED $25,000,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND NOTES TO FUND THE PROVIDENCE HOUSING TRUST FUND TO FINANCE AFFORDABLE MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING PROJECTS IN THE CITY
In plain English Authorizes Providence to issue up to $25 million in bonds to fund affordable multi-family housing projects.
Official synopsis: Authorizes the city of Providence to issue not more than $25,000,000 in general obligation bonds and notes to fund the providence housing trust fund to finance affordable multi-family housing projects in the city.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-19
Provides guidelines regarding placing restrictions on residential recovery houses.
In plain English Provides guidelines for how towns and cities can restrict where residential recovery houses are located through zoning rules.
Official synopsis: TOWNS AND CITIES — ZONING ORDINANCES – Provides guidelines regarding placing restrictions on residential recovery houses.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-19
Adopts the uniform partition of heirs property act.
In plain English Adopts the uniform partition of heirs property act to establish procedures for dividing property owned by multiple heirs.
Official synopsis: PROPERTY — UNIFORM PARTITION OF HEIRS' PROPERTY ACT – Adopts the uniform partition of heirs property act.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-19
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
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 health department 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
Increases the fees charged for filings and writs of execution in the district court, superior court and family court.
In plain English Increases filing and writ of execution fees in district, superior, and family courts.
Official synopsis: COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE — PROCEDURE GENERALLY — FEES – Increases the fees charged for filings and writs of execution in the district court, superior court and family court.
Became lawEffective without Governor's signature · 2026-06-11
Amends sections of the Rhode Island Cannabis Act relative to proof of residency terminology, and amends the definition of applicant and provides a new process for the approval and certification for social equity and cannabis retail sales licenses.
In plain English Amends Rhode Island's cannabis law to change residency proof terms and create a new approval process for social equity and retail cannabis licenses.
Official synopsis: FOOD AND DRUGS — THE RHODE ISLAND CANNABIS ACT – Amends sections of the Rhode Island Cannabis Act relative to proof of residency terminology, and amends the definition of applicant and provides a new process for the approval and certification for social equity and cannabis…
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-10
SENATE RESOLUTION EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE JOSEPH A. ABBATE
Not out of committeeRecommended for Immediate Consideration · 2026-06-09
“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.