Browse Bills

Requires the PUC to make public notification of any changes in eligibility or production of energy, and would direct the commission to promulgate rules and regulations to allow and facilitate the prompt public disclosure of this information.

This bill focuses on how Rhode Island's Public Utilities Commission (PUC) — the state agency that oversees energy companies and utility providers — shares information with the public.

Limits rent increases to 4% annually, but allows an additional increase for taxes, insurance, or health and safety costs if the landlord gets an exemption from the secretary of housing, and provides tenants civil remedies for violations.

This bill would place a cap on how much a landlord can raise a tenant's rent each year in Rhode Island.

Directs the public utilities commission to establish a standardized framework for determining authorized common equity ratios and authorized rates of returns on equity for public utilities.

This bill would require Rhode Island's Public Utilities Commission (PUC) — the state agency that oversees companies providing electricity, gas, and other essential services — to create a clear, consistent set of rules for deciding two key financial questions: how much of a utility company's funding should come from its own stockholders (called the "equity ratio"), and how much profit those stockholders are allowed to earn on their investment (called the "return on equity").

Strengthens consumer protections by including definitions related directly to deceptive trade practices inherent in the insurance claim process.

This Rhode Island bill aims to strengthen protections for consumers who are dealing with insurance claims by updating the state's existing laws against deceptive trade practices.

Expands various definitions relative to contractors, home inspectors, and claim adjusters to provide clarity regarding licensed and unlicensed vendors, consultants, or third-party representatives.

This Rhode Island bill would update and expand the definitions used in state law related to three groups of professionals: contractors (people who build or repair homes and buildings), home inspectors (people who assess the condition of properties), and claim adjusters (people who help evaluate insurance claims).

Allows RI to opt out of the provisions of DIDMCA exempting out of state lenders from interest rate limits which apply to RI lenders. Prevents evasion of statutory interest rate limits and lending rules for loans made in RI.

This bill addresses a longstanding gap in how interest rate rules apply to lenders operating in Rhode Island.

Amends the composition of the urban collaborative in Providence and provides that it is governed by a board of trustees.

This bill makes changes to how the Urban Collaborative, a special educational program located in Providence, is organized and run.

Directs the commissioner of postsecondary education to prepare a strategic plan for public higher education which is aligned with the goals of the board of education's strategic plan.

This bill would require Rhode Island's Commissioner of Postsecondary Education to create a formal strategic plan specifically for the state's public colleges and universities.

Extends teacher certifications without fee or penalty for three (3) or five (5) years for teachers who hold certifications as of July 1, 2026.

This bill would automatically extend the teaching certifications of Rhode Island teachers who are currently certified as of July 1, 2026, without requiring them to pay any fees or face any penalties.

Requires transition planning for high school students with disabilities, who have a “504” plan, like the transition planning required for high school students with disabilities, who have an individualized education program (IEP).

This bill would require Rhode Island high schools to provide transition planning services to students with disabilities who have a "Section 504 plan" — a type of accommodation plan that helps students with disabilities access education on equal footing with their peers.

Provides for a comprehensive criminal and employment background check procedure for all school employees.

This bill would establish a comprehensive background check process for all school employees in Rhode Island.

Provides that landlords would pay interest on security deposits in residential landlord-tenant matters.

This bill would require landlords in Rhode Island to pay interest on security deposits they collect from residential tenants.

Directs the office of energy resources to develop building performance standards for large buildings in Rhode Island that would cause greenhouse gas emissions to decline in line with the act on climate requirements.

This bill directs Rhode Island's Office of Energy Resources to create performance standards for large buildings in the state, with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from those buildings over time.

Requires as part of the solar permit application an assessment on carbon-neutral, a solar permit would only be approved if it was carbon neutral based on the assessment.

This bill would add a new requirement to the process of applying for a solar energy permit in Rhode Island.

Reserved for the Speaker.

Reserved for the Speaker.

Disqualifies individuals with prior felony convictions from purchasing or possessing a firearm.

This Rhode Island bill would make it illegal for anyone with a prior felony conviction to purchase or possess a firearm.

Reserved for the Speaker.

Provides for the operation and duties of natural organic reduction for the contained, accelerated conversion of human remains to soil. Disposition facilities would be used for either cremation or natural organic reduction.

This bill would make natural organic reduction — sometimes called "human composting" — a legal option for handling human remains in Rhode Island.

Requires the state, and private insurers that cover prescription hormone therapy, to dispense twelve (12) months’ worth of the prescription as a single prescription.

This bill would require health insurance plans in Rhode Island — including state-run insurance programs and private insurance companies — to provide a full 12-month supply of prescription hormone therapy in a single fill, rather than requiring patients to pick up smaller quantities (such as monthly refills) throughout the year.

Specifies that it is unlawful for any person under the age of eighteen (18) to possess a firearm.

This Rhode Island bill would make it explicitly illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to possess a firearm.

Reserved for the Speaker.

Amends the definition of farm and agricultural land to include land on which agricultural operations are being conducted or is suitable for agriculture operations, and further expand the definition of a farmer.

This bill proposes changes to how Rhode Island law defines "farm and agricultural land" and who qualifies as a "farmer.

Permits every municipality in the state to offer a homestead tax exemption of up to 20% of assessed value on residential properties, and also provides that municipalities that grant greater exemptions not be limited by this section.

This bill would allow every city and town in Rhode Island to offer a "homestead exemption" on property taxes for people who own and live in their homes.