HOUSE RESOLUTION AMENDING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE YEARS 2025 AND 2026 (Amends the House rules to mandate that all lobbyists vacate the House floor twenty (20) minutes prior to the beginning of the scheduled House session.)

Plain-English Summary

This resolution proposes a change to the internal operating rules of the Rhode Island House of Representatives for the 2025 and 2026 legislative sessions. Specifically, it would require that all lobbyists leave the floor of the House chamber at least 20 minutes before each scheduled House session is set to begin. This is a procedural rule change, meaning it governs how the House conducts its own business rather than creating a new law that applies to the general public.

The rule would directly affect registered lobbyists — professionals who are paid to advocate for the interests of businesses, organizations, or other groups before the legislature. Currently, lobbyists may have access to the House floor closer to session time; this change would create a clear buffer period before official business begins. House members and their staff would not be affected by this restriction.

The practical effect of this change is to create a window of time before each session during which lawmakers can gather, prepare, and confer without the presence of lobbyists. Supporters of rules like this typically argue they help ensure that the formal legislative process begins with some separation between legislators and outside advocacy. The resolution has been referred to the House Rules Committee, which will decide whether to advance it for a full vote by the House membership.