Their bills, from filing to law
Bills Joseph McNamara was a primary sponsor of this session. Most bills from either party never leave committee; in Illinois many never get past the Assignments or Rules committee.
Introduced25
Out of committee12
Passed one chamber12
Passed both chambers11
Became law11
Never left committee13
For comparison, the median Democratic member of the House has 6 bills that became law this session.
What their bills are about
Education 7Insurance 3EDUCATION — HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS 2Towns And Cities 2TOWNS AND CITIES — GENERAL POWERS 2EDUCATION — THE RHODE ISLAND PREKINDERGARTEN EDUCATION ACT 1
Grants the city of Warwick the authority to sell the property located at 34 Warwick Lake Avenue, without regard for statutory limitations pursuant to § 45-2-6, to clear the title to said property.
In plain English Allows the city of Warwick to sell property at 34 Warwick Lake Avenue without certain statutory restrictions to clear the title.
Official synopsis: TOWNS AND CITIES — GENERAL POWERS — CITY OF WARWICK – Grants the city of Warwick the authority to sell the property located at 34 Warwick Lake Avenue, without regard for statutory limitations pursuant to § 45-2-6, to clear the title to said property.
Became lawEffective without Governor's signature · 2026-06-26
Allows for the issuance of a Class BV license for the property located at 1814 Broad Street in the city of Cranston.
In plain English Allows issuance of a Class BV alcoholic beverage license for a specific property in Cranston.
Official synopsis: ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES — RETAIL LICENSES – Allows for the issuance of a Class BV license for the property located at 1814 Broad Street in the city of Cranston.
Became lawEffective without Governor's signature · 2026-06-26
Changes tax exemptions to tax credits in the city of Cranston.
In plain English Changes property tax exemptions to tax credits in Cranston.
Official synopsis: TAXATION — PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION – Changes tax exemptions to tax credits in the city of Cranston.
Became lawEffective without Governor's signature · 2026-06-26
JOINT RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY RHODE ISLAND'S EDUCATION FUNDING FORMULA AND EDUCATION FINANCE SYSTEM (Creates a special joint legislative commission to make a comprehensive study of Rhode Island's education funding formula and education finance system.)
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-22
Provides and clarifies 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 clarifies procedures for the administration of deep sedation and general anesthesia by certain types of nurses.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-18
Changes the date for the election of delegates to the conventions from the fourth Tuesday in April to the first Tuesday in March 2028.
In plain English Changes the date for electing delegates to national conventions from April to March 2028.
Official synopsis: ELECTIONS — PRIMARIES FOR ELECTION OF DELEGATES TO NATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND FOR PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE – Changes the date for the election of delegates to the conventions from the fourth Tuesday in April to the first Tuesday in March 2028.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-18
Directs the state department of education to establish an anti-hazing policy in student athletics.
In plain English Requires the state education department to create an anti-hazing policy for student athletics.
Official synopsis: EDUCATION — HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS – Directs the state department of education to establish an anti-hazing policy in student athletics.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-18
HOUSE RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING THE 61ST ANNUAL GASPEE DAYS CELEBRATION AND THE MOMENTOUS 254TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BURNING OF THE GASPEE
Became lawHouse read and passed · 2026-06-11
Expands the jurisdiction of the city of Warwick municipal court.
In plain English Expands the jurisdiction of the Warwick municipal court.
Official synopsis: TOWNS AND CITIES — GENERAL POWERS — WARWICK MUNICIPAL COURT – Expands the jurisdiction of the city of Warwick municipal court.
Became lawEffective without Governor's signature · 2026-06-11
Mandates the use of a soft-shell helmet cover device that adds a padded, soft-shell layer to the outside of a traditional football helmet, for students participating in Rhode Island interscholastic league football
In plain English Requires Rhode Island interscholastic league football players to wear soft-shell helmet covers with padded outer layers.
Official synopsis: EDUCATION — HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS – Mandates the use of a soft-shell helmet cover device that adds a padded, soft-shell layer to the outside of a traditional football helmet, for students participating in Rhode Island interscholastic league football
Passed one chamberReferred to Senate Education · 2026-06-09
Converts the Rhode Island Hope Scholarship Pilot Program Act into a continuing scholarship program at Rhode Island College, similar to the Rhode Island Promise Scholarship at the Community College of Rhode Island.
EDUCATION — RHODE ISLAND HOPE SCHOLARSHIP PILOT PROGRAM ACT – Converts the Rhode Island Hope Scholarship Pilot Program Act into a continuing scholarship program at Rhode Island College, similar to the Rhode Island Promise Scholarship at the Community College of Rhode Island.
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-04-30
Establishes guidelines, rules and regulations for the implementation and expansion of prekindergarten education programs for children ages 3-4 to increase children’s school readiness statewide.
EDUCATION — RHODE ISLAND PREKINDERGARTEN EDUCATION ACT – Establishes guidelines, rules and regulations for the implementation and expansion of prekindergarten education programs for children ages 3-4 to increase children’s school readiness statewide.
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-04-28
JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AUDITORY ORAL PROGRAM (Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $1,167,100 to the Rhode Island Auditory Oral Program, to support it’s mission.)
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-04-28
HOUSE RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING "NATIONAL INFERTILITY AWARENESS WEEK" ON APRIL 19-25, 2026, IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
Became lawHouse read and passed · 2026-04-16
Provides that no contract between a dental plan or other healthcare entity and a dentist requires the dentist to accept exclusively by virtual credit cards.
INSURANCE — ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES – Provides that no contract between a dental plan or other healthcare entity and a dentist requires the dentist to accept exclusively by virtual credit cards.
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-04-14
“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.