Advocacy in Action March 9, 2026

This Week at the State House
 
Tuesday, March 10th
  
New Employer Tax Proposal
 
The companion bill to last week’s H.7965 is scheduled for hearing in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee at the Rise (approximately 4:30 p.m.) in the Senate Lounge.  S.2110 establishes a fund to aid families of children with serious illnesses by paying medical expenses not covered by state or federal programs or insurance.  Monies for the fund are raised through a $1.50 per employee tax on businesses.  According to the Department of Labor and Training’s January report, Rhode Island has approximately 513,100 nonfarm employees, including 66,200 government employees. Based on these figures, the proposed assessment should generate more than $670,000 annually.  https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2110.pdf
 
Testimony can be submitted to:  [email protected]
 
 
Gift Card Fraud
 
House Judiciary will meet at the Rise in the House Lounge.  Gift card fraud is on the agenda.
H.8044 creates penalties for using gift cards fraudulently. Using such cards with a value of less and $1500 would be larceny, subject to a fine of $1000, imprisonment up to one year, and restitution.  If the card is worth $1500 to $5000, the fine is $1500 and potential imprisonment of three years. For cards worth $5000 to $10,000, the fine is up to $3000 and possible imprisonment up to six years.  If the card is more than $10,000, the prison sentence could be ten years and a fine of $5000.   https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8044.pdf
 
 
Safety Barrier Installation Requirement for Retail Establishment
 
The Senate Commerce Committee has on its agenda for Tuesday at the Rise in Room 212, S.2523 which would require commercial property owners to install vehicle barriers at their retail establishments: (1) when new construction is underway, (2) within three years after the passage of the act, or (3) when undertaking renovations subject to a building permit. The bill allows insurers to consider the installation to provide a discount on the owner's insurance policy.  Failure to comply with the barrier requirement results in a civil penalty up to $5000 and a possible suspension of the occupancy permit. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2523.pdf 
Testimony may be submitted at: [email protected]
 
 
Wednesday, March 11th
 
Building Benchmarking, Building Performance Standards, Carbon Emission Reductions
 
On Wednesday at 4pm in the House Lounge, the House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources will convene for hearings on a few bills impacting commercial buildings. Last year, one of these bills passed the House during the last night of session and was getting a great deal of attention as proponents pushed to pass it in the Senate.  Testimony regarding these matters can be submitted to: [email protected]
 
H.7183 – Building Benchmarking and Reporting Act of 2026 - creates a new statute – Chapter 27.5 – to facilitate an energy reporting requirement for residential, commercial and industrial buildings with twenty-five thousand gross square feet or more.  The following information must be provided to the Office of Energy Resources (OER):  property address, primary use, gross floor area, annual energy use, source of energy use, annual greenhouse gas emissions, and a statement of compliance or noncompliance with the statute.  Buildings with 50,000 sq ft or more begin reporting May 15, 2028.  Building between 25,000 – 49.999 sq. ft. begin reporting May 15, 2030.  Exemptions are available for vacant buildings, buildings possessing a demolition permit and buildings with no energy services provided.  OER is required to collect the data and to post building specific information on its website, as well as “Progress against baseline year data for intervening years for both energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.”  H.7183, under the enforcement provision, allows OER to withhold grants and Infrastructure Bank monies from buildings that fail to comply with reporting requirements or “decarbonization efforts.”  No other sections of the bill provide OER with the ability to implement decarbonization requirements based on the results of the benchmarking reports.  Bills in previous years have included such explicit authority.  Lastly, any municipality currently implementing a reporting program (Providence) may continue to do so and submit its information to OER - relieving building owners from a double reporting requirement.  https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7183.pdf
 
H.7184 – Building Performance Standards – is sponsored by the same Representative Kislak that sponsored H.7183.  Like H.7183, it creates Chapter 27.5 but provides an alternative avenue to addressing building emissions.  H.7184 requires the Office of Energy Resources (OER) to work with the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) to create building performance metrices for buildings with more than 25,000 gross sq. ft. of space.  This applies to residential and commercial buildings, but not to buildings where a majority of energy is used for manufacturing, electricity generating, or thermal energy generating purposes.   The bill does not establish a specific reporting requirement like H.7183; but it does give OER explicit authority to adopt energy use and greenhouse gas emission standards for covered buildings based on use types.  Starting December 31, 2028, OER and DEM would adopt the metrics and set standards that would eventually lead to a net zero emissions standard.  The standards would be updated every five years between 2028 and 2050 and are expected to be adopted in such a way to establish a straight-line trajectory to the net zero target.  Interim standards can be adopted for certain property types if it is deemed necessary.  Starting June 30, 2035, and every five years thereafter, property owners must demonstrate progress toward the performance standards.  The bill provides the ability to apply for waivers for hardship for a five-year period or to propose an alternative action plan for consideration.  OER must establish penalties for violations of the law.  Monies raised through the penalties are deposited in a “Building Performance Standard Fund” overseen by a newly established Environmental Justice Advisor Board comprised of nonprofits, public agencies, housing advocates, small businesses, experts in racial and social equity and the AFL-CIO.  Board members receive a stipend for their service as well as reimbursement for childcare needs to attend meetings.  https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7184.pdf
 
H.7484 – Buildings Carbon Emissions Reduction Act – bans municipalities from issuing a permit, after December 31, 2026, for construction of any new large development (over 50,000 sq.ft gross space) unless it will likely meet 100% clean energy use by 2050.  An exemption does exist for buildings in the event it is deemed unfeasible, although financial considerations are not acceptable.  Modification can only be issued if the building is unable to meet building code requirements, cannot operate without gas or oil piping systems, is a commercial food service establishment or is built all-electric ready.  Hospitals, medical facilities, laboratories for biological research and restaurants are exempt from the ban. 
https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7484.pdf
 
Thursday, March 12h
 
Digital Right to Repair, Credit Card Transaction Fees
 
On Thursday, the House Corporations Committee will meet at the Rise in Room 101 regarding a digital right to repair bill and credit card transaction fees.  Testimony regarding these matters can be submitted to: [email protected]
 
H.7180 establishes a “digital electronics right to repair” act, which would allow for digital electronic equipment and parts that are sold in this state on or after January 1, 2027, to be repaired at an independent repair provider. Additionally, it requires an original equipment manufacturer to make available to any independent repair facility any documentation, parts, and tools required for diagnosis, maintenance, or other repairs.  https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7180.pdf
 
H.8121 prohibits the charging of interchange fees on sales and use tax or excise tax when payment is made with a credit or debit card. If a fee is charged, it is deemed to be a violation of the deceptive trade practices act and is subject to a penalty of $1,000 per electronic transaction. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8212.pdf
 
 
Non-compete Agreement
 
S.2160, – Rhode Island Noncompetition Agreement Act, will be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee, at the Rise in Room 313.  Current law bans businesses from entering into noncompete agreements with individuals that make 250% of the federal poverty level or less ($39,125 for a single person).  S.2160 strikes this language, making noncompete agreements illegal unless it is entered into as part of a sale of the business or is made with an employee making under $125,000 a year. An exemption also exists for businesses governed by the federal Gramm Leach-Bliley Act. The bill adds a provision allowing businesses to enter into agreements with employees not to share customer lists and future business plans.  https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2160.pdf
 
 
 
New Introductions
 
The House and Senate introduced 319 bills last week.  This edition of Advocacy in Action includes a portion of the bills of interest to the business community.  The remainder will be included in future weeks’ editions.
 
Senate Bill No. 2736  Burke, Bissaillon, Thompson, Famiglietti, Patalano, Raptakis, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- DIVISION OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY (Ensures that the State of Rhode Island adopt the protections afforded under the Occupational Safety and Health Act if its scope or enforcement capacity is diminished.)  https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2736.pdf
 
Senate Bill No. 2737  Lawson, Ciccone, Tikoian, Burke, Bissaillon, LaMountain, Murray, Britto, McKenney, Felag, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- TEMPORARY DISABILITY INSURANCE -- GENERAL PROVISIONS (Expands the benefit definitions to include a grandchild and care recipient and increases benefits period to 10 weeks for 2027 and 12 weeks for 2028 and provides a TDI/TCI opt-in option for self-employed workers.)
https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2737.pdf

Senate Bill No. 2739  Famiglietti, Dimitri, Euer, McKenney, Zurier, Bissaillon, Thompson, Bell, Raptakis, Burke, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- WORKERS' COMPENSATION -- PROCEDURE (Amends the workers' compensation reimbursement provisions related to the liability of third person for damages.)  https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2739.pdf
 
Senate Bill No. 2744  Ciccone, Burke, Felag, Acosta, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- THE RHODE ISLAND OPPORTUNITY FOR EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP ACT (Establishes an opportunity for employee ownership where the owner notifies all current full-time and part-time employees and provides them with a 30-day window in which to initiate a process to potentially purchase the business as a workers' cooperative.)
https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2744.pdf

Senate Bill No. 2766  Gu, DiPalma, Urso, Vargas, Zurier, Paolino, Burke, AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- RHODE ISLAND DELETE ACT (Requires any entity that knowingly collects, shares or sells to third parties the personal data of a consumer to register with the department of business regulations and permits for the consumer to request deletion of the personal data.)  https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2766.pdf
 
Senate Bill No. 2768  Thompson, Murray, AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- UNFAIR SALES PRACTICES (Requires any business entity that makes automatic renewal offers or memberships or subscriptions that are available on-line, also make the canceling such agreements for goods, services, memberships or subscriptions equally accessible on-line.)
https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2768.pdf

Senate Bill No. 2809  (Lieutenant Governor)  Ciccone, DiPalma, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP TAX CREDIT (Establishes a tax credit for businesses transitioning to employee ownership.)
https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2809.pdf

Senate Bill No. 2833  Valverde, Ciccone, Lauria, DiPalma, Acosta, Bissaillon, Kallman, Felag, Pearson, Quezada, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- RHODE ISLAND LOCAL INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT ACT (Provides a tax credit to a taxpayer that makes a qualified investment in a qualified business.)
https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2833.pdf

Senate Bill No. 2847  Thompson, DiPalma, Murray, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- STATE TAX OFFICIALS (Caps delinquent tax interest rate at 12%. Prohibits audits beyond 3 years from date of tax filing, 7 years for fraudulent filings, and in no event beyond 10 years from date of filing or required filing date, whichever is later.)  https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2847.pdf

Senate Bill No. 2903  Gu, DiMario, Urso, Kallman, McKenney, Euer, Thompson, DiPalma, AN ACT RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTY ACQUISITION PROGRAM ACT (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.)  https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2903.pdf
 
House Bill No. 7960  (Dept. of Labor and Training)  Corvese, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- PAYMENT OF WAGES (Eliminates prescribed timelines for hearing and determination in certain enforcement actions before the department labor and training to align with reasonable practice.)
https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7960.pdf


House Bill No. 7964  Stewart, Potter, Cruz, Kislak, Cotter, Morales, Furtado, McEntee, Tanzi, Donovan, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- THE RHODE ISLAND OPPORTUNITY FOR EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP ACT (Establishes an opportunity for employee ownership where the owner notifies all current full-time and part-time employees and provides them with a 30-day window in which to initiate a process to potentially purchase the business as a workers' cooperative.)  https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7964.pdf

House Bill No. 7966  Morales, Sanchez, Cruz, Potter, Tanzi, Cotter, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE EXTREME TEMPERATURE WORKER PROTECTION ACT (Requires employers to protect workers from extreme heat and cold by implementing safety plans, providing paid rest breaks, shade or warmth, drinking water, and protective equipment, ensuring training, and recordkeeping.)  https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7966.pdf
 
House Bill No. 7969  Fellela, Serpa, Hull, Edwards, Corvese, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- DIVISION OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY (Ensures that the State of Rhode Island adopt the protections afforded under the Occupational Safety and Health Act if its scope or enforcement capacity is diminished.)  https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7969.pdf
 
House Bill No. 7993  (Attorney General)  Morales, Stewart, Cotter, Potter, Sanchez, Giraldo, Cruz, Tanzi, AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL (Establishes a bureau of public protection within the department of attorney general.)  https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7993.pdf
 
House Bill No. 8035  Santucci, Chippendale, Nardone, Newberry, Costantino, Place, Roberts, Hopkins, AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- PROPERTY TAX/RENT FREEZE BILL (Prohibits cities or towns that implement a rent control ordinance from raising property taxes and such prohibition would last for as long as the rent control ordinance is in effect.)
https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8035.pdf


House Bill No. 8047  Dawson, AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- DECISIONS, SPECIAL FINDINGS AND ASSESSMENT OF DAMAGES (Adds the doctrine of assumption of risk to the current comparative negligence statute.)
https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8047.pdf


House Bill No. 8051 Casey, AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- CAUSES OF ACTION (Tolls the statute of limitations for causes of action arising out of business activities conducted in this state by a person or entity required to register with the secretary of state but failing to do so, until such person or entity becomes registered.)
https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8051.pdf


House Bill No. 8060 Solomon, AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- IMPERSONATION AND IDENTITY FRAUD (Protects individuals and businesses from those who knowingly impersonate an entity with the intent of facilitating fraud. This act would also protect individuals and businesses from digital forgery.)
https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8060.pdf

House Bill No. 8106  (Lieutenant Governor)  Casey, AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- ESTATES IN REAL PROPERTY (Prohibits restrictive covenants related to grocery stores.)  https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8106.pdf
 
House Bill No. 8108  Potter, Cruz, Handy, DeSimone, Alzate, Stewart, Morales, Kislak, Giraldo, Batista, AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT (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.)  https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8108.pdf