HOUSE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO REDUCE THE FORTY-HOUR WORKWEEK TO A THIRTY-TWO-HOUR WORKWEEK (Creates a 9-member commission to study and provide recommendations to reduce the forty-hour workweek to a thirty-two-hour workweek, and would report back to the House by March 15, 2027, and would expire on June 15, 2027.)

RI House Resolution: Study on Reducing the Standard Workweek to 32 Hours

This Rhode Island House Resolution would create a special 9-member commission to study the idea of reducing the standard workweek from 40 hours to 32 hours. The commission would not change any laws on its own — its job would simply be to research the concept, gather information, and make recommendations to the Rhode Island House of Representatives. The commission would need to submit its findings by March 15, 2027, and would officially dissolve on June 15, 2027.

The commission would likely look at questions such as how a shorter workweek might affect workers' pay and well-being, how businesses — especially small businesses — might be impacted, and whether Rhode Island workers would still receive the same level of pay for fewer hours. It would also likely examine experiences from other places that have already experimented with shorter workweeks.

This resolution would affect a wide range of Rhode Islanders, including employees across many industries, business owners, and employers who would need to adapt if any future legislation were passed. It is important to note that this resolution does not actually change any workplace rules — it only sets up a study process. Any real changes to work hour standards would require separate legislation after the commission completes its work.

Currently, the bill has been referred to the House Labor Committee and was scheduled for a hearing in February 2026. The committee has recommended it be held for further study, meaning no final action has been taken yet.