Browse Bills
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18,735 bills found
Allows for a tenant to withhold payment of rent and deposit the rent accruing into an escrow bearing account, upon the issuance of a second notice of violation by an enforcing officer for any state or local minimum housing code enforcement agency.
This bill would give tenants a new legal tool to use when their landlord repeatedly fails to fix housing code violations.
Establishes the Residential and Commercial Property Acquisition Program Act to implement residential or commercial property acquisitions, paired with funding for relocation costs within or proximate to the current community.
This bill would create a new state program in Rhode Island that allows the government to purchase homes and businesses that are at risk — most likely due to flooding, rising sea levels, or other water-related hazards, given its placement under "Waters and Navigation" law.
Creates the multi-unit residential decarbonization initiative program to provide funding for feasibility studies to convert large, multi-family residential units to non-emitting renewable geothermal energy.
This bill would create a new state program in Rhode Island called the Multi-Unit Residential Decarbonization Initiative.
Reduces the newspaper advertising notice requirements for amendments to zoning ordinances and planning board meetings from three (3) weeks to two (2) weeks.
This bill would reduce the amount of advance notice that local governments in Rhode Island must publish in newspapers before holding certain public meetings.
Allows for building inspectors to conduct “virtual inspections” or utilize photographic evidence, at the building official’s discretion, from time to time during and upon completion of the work for which the building official has issued a permit.
This bill would update Rhode Island's state building code to allow building inspectors to conduct inspections remotely, rather than always requiring an in-person visit.
Permits property owners or contractors to utilize an independent building inspector if the municipality’s building inspector does not inspect the property within twenty days of notification.
This bill addresses situations where a local government's building inspector fails to show up in a timely manner to inspect a property.
Provides that no train or light engine used in connection with the movement of freight be operated unless it had a crew consisting of at least 2 persons and includes the imposition of fines upon a company, individual or business for violations.
This bill would require that any freight train or locomotive operating in Rhode Island must have at least two crew members on board at all times.
Authorizes the town of Smithfield, if an aggregate of two hundred fifty (250) or more units should be proposed in comprehensive permit project(s), to enact an emergency moratorium until the permit requirement of § 45-53-4 are amended.
This bill would give the town of Smithfield, Rhode Island a special legal tool to temporarily pause certain housing development projects under specific circumstances.
Permits Smithfield to require 2 parking spaces for each studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom low- or moderate-income housing unit upon the determination that limited or no local public transportation or off-street parking is available near these units.
This bill would give the town of Smithfield, Rhode Island a specific authority related to parking requirements for affordable housing developments.
Increases the minimum veterans’ exemption from one thousand dollars ($1,000) to six thousand dollars ($6,000) with respect to municipal taxes.
This bill would increase the minimum property tax break that Rhode Island veterans receive on their local (municipal) property taxes.
Allows the town of Smithfield to receive a one-half (1/2) credit for affordable housing units for manufactured homes in age restricted communities in conformance with all zoning laws and/or ordinances of the town.
This bill would change how the town of Smithfield, Rhode Island counts certain types of housing toward its affordable housing requirements.
Spells out what a public works project includes and the requirements of this section shall apply to all such public works projects.
This Rhode Island bill aims to clarify the definition of what counts as a "public works project" under state law, and to make clear that certain legal requirements apply to all projects that fall under that definition.
Increases the minimum hourly wage commencing January 1, 2029, by an amount equal to the total percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the Northeast Region for the calendar year 2027.
This bill would adjust Rhode Island's minimum wage starting January 1, 2029, by tying an increase to inflation data.
Allows employees, not represented by a union, to create a group to collectively bargain with employers.
This bill would give workers in Rhode Island who are not represented by a traditional union the ability to form their own group and negotiate with their employer as a collective.
Mandates any contract for capital improvements at any healthcare facility adhere to the requirements of chapter 13 of title 37.
This bill would require that any construction or major renovation project at a healthcare facility in Rhode Island follow a specific set of rules already established in state law — known as Chapter 13 of Title 37.
Provides that Rhode Island state employees be eligible for temporary disability insurance effective January 1, 2027.
This bill would extend Rhode Island's Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) program to cover state government employees, starting January 1, 2027.
Eliminates the "until June 30, 2026" sunset on the increase in the total amount of earnings a partial-unemployment insurance claimant can receive before being entirely disqualified for unemployment insurance benefits.
This bill deals with partial unemployment insurance, which is a program that helps workers who are still employed but have had their hours — and therefore their paychecks — reduced.
Provides that commencing January 1, 2027, the minimum wage shall be twenty-four dollars ($24.00) per hour.
This bill would raise Rhode Island's minimum wage to $24.
Makes construction contractors civilly liable and/or jointly civilly liable for any claims of wage theft or nonpayment from an employee against the contractor, its subcontractors and any subcontractor.
This bill would hold construction contractors legally responsible when workers don't receive the wages they're owed — even if those workers were hired by a subcontractor rather than the main contractor directly.
Allows a different minimum salary schedule for Providence public school teachers and provides a process for the dismissal and demotion of teachers. The reconstitution and control of the Providence public schools would terminate on June 30, 2026.
This bill makes specific changes to how Providence public schools are managed, particularly around teacher pay and employment procedures.
Allows a police officer to be reemployed by a state agency or department for purposes of working a state-funded detail subject to certain restrictions.
This bill would allow retired police officers in Rhode Island to be rehired by a state agency or department specifically to work state-funded details — these are paid assignments where officers provide security or traffic control at events, construction sites, or other locations.
Moves North Kingstown from the third division of the district court to the fourth division to better balance case workloads among the divisions.
This bill would move the town of North Kingstown from one district court division to another.
For purposes of the judicial security act permits an authorized agent to file a written notice with a state, county, or municipal agency on behalf of a protected individual.
This bill makes a small but practical change to Rhode Island's Judicial Security Act, which is a law designed to protect judges and certain court officials by keeping their personal information (like home addresses) private and off public records.
Permits RI Supreme Court Committee on Racial and Ethnic Fairness, in consultation with RI Bar Association and its Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, to appoint members of JNC and requires judicial candidates to disclose political donations.
This bill makes two main changes to how Rhode Island selects judges.