This Week at the State House
 
Tuesday, April 14th  
 
Automatic Renewals; Seniors Discounts
 
The Senate Commerce Committee will meet at the Rise (~5pm) in Room 212 for hearings, including on two bills of interest.
 
S 2768, An Act Relating to Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions – Unfair Sales Practices, would require businesses that make automatic renewals offers or continuous service offers for goods, service, memberships or subscriptions that are available online to disclose offer terms, changes, and make canceling such agreements online. Violations would constitute a deception trade practice subject to enforcement by the Attorney General and by private or class action. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2768.pdf
 
S 2430, An Act Relating to Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions – Senior Savings Protection Act, would require that discounts offered to customers for utilizing automatic payments systems such as ACH or EFT, to also provide the same discount to any person who is 65 years of age or older making payment via paper checks. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2430.pdf
 
Testimony can be emailed to: [email protected].
  
Property Acquisitions; Gas Tax Allocation to RIPTA
 
The House Finance Committee is meeting at the Rise in Room 35 for hearings, including on two bills of interest.
 
H 8169, An Act Relating to Waters and Navigation – Residential and Commercial Property Acquisition Program would facilitate the transfer of property in high-hazard zones and provide for restoration of acquired land to natural habitats to enhance resilience and shoreline access. The legislation requires the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank to create a funding prioritization process, which shall factor in municipal dedication of revenue streams including commercial tax increment, stormwater, or sewer districts, transfer of development rights funds, and developer impact fees. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8169.pdf
 
The Committee will also hear testimony on H8315, An Act Relating to Motor and Other Vehicles – Motor Fuel Tax, which would set the allocation rate for the RI Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) at the greater of the current $0.1175 per gallon or 29.375% of the total proceeds. Current law provides for a gas tax of $0.40 per gallon. Governor McKee’s budget H7127 provides for a reduction of the gas tax to $0.38 per gallon. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8315.pdf
 
Testimony can be emailed to: [email protected].
  
Wednesday, April 15th
 
Card Check Unionization; Workplace AI; Unlawful Employment Practice Liability
 
The House Labor Committee is meeting at 4pm in Room 101 for hearings, including on three bills of interest.
 
H 7291, An Act Relating to Labor and Labor Relations – Labor Relations Act, would allow employees, not represented by a union, to create a group to collectively bargain with employers that would initiate an election by the signing of file cards by 30% of a unit, and for a majority of unit employees voting to determine representation, which may not necessarily constitute the majority of employees of the unit itself.
https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7291.pdf
 
H 7767, An Act Relating to Labor and Labor Relations – Artificial Intelligence Use and Fair Employment Practices, creates a comprehensive statutory framework to address and regulate the use of artificial intelligence in the workplace.  The legislation: (1) Sets rules for “inputs and outputs” generated by AI when used to make significant decisions about workers, (2) Addresses the collection of data through electronic monitoring and time-tracking tools by banning such use unless  the collection purpose meets specific needs set in the legislation (3) Covers “work process information” related to an individual’s productivity. This 11-page bill can be viewed at
https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7767.pdf
 
H 7768, An Act Relating to Labor and Labor Relations – Fair Employment Practices, would hold individuals personally liable for any act that constitutes an unlawful employment practice.
https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7768.pdf
 
Testimony can be emailed to: [email protected].
  
Building Performance Standards
 
The Senate Environment & Agriculture Committee is meeting at 4pm in the Senate Lounge for hearings, including on S 2218, An Act Relating to Health and Safety – Building Performance Standards Act of 2026, which would require the Office of Energy Resources (OER) to work with the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) to create building performance metrices for residential and commercial buildings with more than 25,000 gross sq. ft. of space, but not to buildings where a majority of energy is used for manufacturing, electricity generating, or thermal energy generating purposes. The bill gives 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/SenateText26/S2218.pdf
 
Testimony can be emailed to: [email protected].
  
Hospitality Workforce Training; Partial Unemployment Insurance
 
S 2626, An Act Relating to Food and Drugs – Sanitation in Food Establishments, would impose an annual $50 fee on food service establishment licenses to be deposited in a restricted receipt account at the Department of Labor and Training for the issuance of hospitality workforce training grants. It is introduced at the request of the RI Hospitality Association, and is estimated to generate around $300,000 annually, and would facilitate a centralized industry contribution to help address reductions in state and federal resources for programs like Real Jobs RI.
https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2626.pdf
 
S 2929, An Act Relating to Labor and Labor Relations – Employment Security, would eliminate the 6/30/26 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. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2929.pdf
 
Testimony can be emailed to: [email protected].
  
Thursday, April 16th
 
Automatic Enrollment Retirement Plan Tax Credit
 
H 8189, An Act Relating to Taxation – Employer Tax credits for Retirement Plan Establishment, Participation and Auto-Enrollment, would establish a tax credit against Rhode Island income tax of up to $10,000 for up to 3 years for employers of 100 or fewer employees who established qualified retirement plans for employees with automatic enrollment features. The credit would be allowed to pass through to owners, partners, or members of pass-through entities, and could be carried forward for up to three years.
https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8189.pdf
 
Testimony can be emailed to: [email protected].
  
Energy Code Moratorium; Energy Benchmarking
 
S 3032, An Act Relating to Health and Safety – State Building Code, would establish a moratorium on changes to the state energy conservation code from the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code until January 1, 2031. Rhode Island was the first state in the country to adopt the 2024 IECC, including all electric readiness provisions. This bill was introduced at the request of the Rhode Island Builders Association and would provide stability for training and implementation of the 2024 code, and allow for alignment with outdated codes that have yet to catch up to the 2024 code cycle.
https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S3032.pdf
 
S 2260, An Act Relating to Health and Safety – Building Benchmarking and Reporting Act of 2026, would establish a building energy reporting program for covered residential, nonresidential properties and campuses containing 25,000 or more gross square feet. 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/SenateText26/S2260.pdf
 
Testimony can be emailed to: [email protected].
 
Tort Procedure & Expansion Legislation
 
The Senate Judiciary Committee is meeting at the Rise in Room 313 for hearings, including multiple bills that seek to expand opportunities for and damage claims for tort violations. The full agenda can be viewed here: https://status.rilegislature.gov/documents/agenda-21507.pdf. Of note are:
 
S 3192, An Act Relating to Health and Safety – Abuse in Healthcare Facilities, would remove the intent requirement relative to the definitions of abuse within healthcare facilities to delete the element of willful conduct to be found liable.
https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S3192.pdf
 
S 3193, An Act Relating to Courts and Civil Procedure – Procedure Generally – Causes of Action, would provide for punitive damages in civil actions where there is willful or wanton conduct or a reckless disregard for health, safety and welfare.
https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S3193.pdf   
 
S 3194, An Act Relating to Insurance – Motor Vehicle Insurance – Mandatory Arbitration Provision, would increase the minimum claim amount necessary to require a matter involving motor vehicle liability be submitted to mandatory arbitration from $50,000 to $100,000.
https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S3194.pdf
 
S 3199, An Act Related to Health and Safety – Rights of Nursing Home Patients, would expand standing for and authorize additional causes of action against nursing homes including actual and punitive damages related to violations of rights of nursing home patients.
https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S3199.pdf
 
S 3200, An Act Relating to Labor and Labor Relations – Fair Employment Practices, would hold individuals personally liable for any act that constitutes an unlawful employment practice.
https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S3200.pdf
 
Testimony can be emailed to: [email protected].
 
 New Introductions
  
House Bill No. 8415 Bennett, Hopkins, Edwards, McEntee, Speakman, Handy, Carson, Kislak, Santucci, Boylan
AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PLASTIC WASTE REDUCTION ACT (Prohibits the use of black plastic takeout containers for use to take prepared foods and drinks from restaurants, stores, and other retail sales establishments.)
https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8415.pdf

House Bill No. 8438 Dawson
AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PERSONAL INCOME TAX (Allows a modification to federal adjusted gross income for personal income tax for qualified tips and overtime income consistent with the federal tax treatment.)
https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8438.pdf
​

This Week at the State House
 
Attorney General Authority Over Businesses
 
The breadth of the Attorney General’s authority is a topic of discussion for the House Committee on State Government & Elections Committee at the Rise on Tuesday.  H.7993, An Act Relating to State Affairs and Government – Department of Attorney General, creates a bureau of public protection within the AG’s office. The bill gives the AG authority to appoint special assistant attorneys general, experts, consultants, and other assistants as required.  The bureau is designed to have four divisions:  consumer protection and antitrust enforcement, health care regulation and access, environmental protection and energy regulation and civil rights protection.  If the AG believes anyone or any business has engaged in repeated illegal acts (meaning multiple illegal acts or one illegal act that affects more than one person) the AG can file for an order in superior court, and can direct restitution, damages and penalties and can cancel any certificate filed with the secretary of state.  This means the AG could rescind the right of a business to operate and he would have the right to issue civil investigative demands which is a form of subpoena to obtain information without a court order.  The language contains an exemption for businesses subject to regulation by a state agency - if the action(s) in question taken by the business fall within the jurisdiction of that agency. The bill includes a requirement to annually report to the House and Senate the number of investigations conducted, the number of applications to the superior court submitted and the outcomes of such actions.  H.7993 was submitted at the request of Attorney General Peter Neronha.  The bill can be viewed at https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7993.pdf  
 
Testimony can be emailed to [email protected]
  
Electricity Cost Increase to Certain Customers
 
The House Corporations Committee is meeting at the Rise to discuss H.7880, An Act Relating to Public Utilities and Carriers.  The bill creates a tiered rate system for electricity and natural gas customers whose household income level is below 150% of the federal poverty level. For these households, the plan envisions capping electric rates to ensure that they pay no more than 3% of their income on electricity or 6% of their income if the house utilizes electricity as a sole source of heat.  The program will be funded by increasing rates on all other customers.  Rhode Island customers currently pay the fifth highest residential electricity rates in the country, third highest commercial rates, and second highest industrial rates according to the Energy Information Agency’s most recent data. (U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly, January, 2026, Average Price of Electricity to Ultimate Consumers by End-Use Sector.  https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=epmt_5_6_a)  It is a challenge the state faces as it tries to attract businesses which bring with them jobs that help lift people out of poverty. 
 
Testimony can be sent to [email protected]
  
Wednesday, April 8th
 
Paid Time Off For Blood Donation
 
The Senate Labor Committee is meeting at 4:00 and will hear testimony on two bills of interest.  S.2928, An Act Relating to Labor and Labor Relations – Healthy and Safe Families and Workplaces Act requires employers to provide full-time employees four hours of paid leave once a year to donate blood through any approved blood donation program.  The bill stipulates that the employee is to be paid at the regular rate of pay and the employer can require proof of the donation.  An employee may only use this benefit once a year.  https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2928.pdf
 
AI in the Workplace
 
S.2499, An Act Relating to Labor and Labor Relations – Artificial Intelligence Use and Fair Employment Practices, creates a comprehensive statutory framework to address and regulate the use of artificial intelligence in the workplace.  The legislation: (1) Sets rules for “inputs and outputs” generated by AI when used to make significant decisions about workers, (2) Addresses the collection of data through electronic monitoring and time-tracking tools by banning such use unless  the collection purpose meets specific needs set in the legislation (3) Covers “work process information” related to an individual’s productivity. This 11-page bill can be viewed at https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2499.pdf
 
Testimony for either bill can be sent to the committee at [email protected]
 
 AI Generated Material
 
The House Committee on Innovation, Internet & Technology is meeting at 4:00 on Wednesday.  H.7543, An Act Relating to Commercial Law – Internet Access and Advertising by Facsimile, requires video or photography generated by artificial intelligence that is posted on a public platform and that is viewable in Rhode Island must contain a marking disclosing that the video or photo has been generated by AI. Any violation of this provision by a for-profit entity would constitute a deceptive trade practice. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7543.pdf  
 
Testimony can be sent to [email protected]
   
Commerce Corporation, Qualified Jobs Incentives, Interest on Judgments and Tax Treatments
 
The House Finance Committee will meet at 4:00 to discuss four economic development initiatives.
 
H.7311, An Act Relating to State Affairs and Government – RI Commerce Corporation, limits the authority of the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation to finance any transaction to $5,000,000 for any one individual, business entity or project.  The Commerce Corporation must come to the General Assembly for approval for projects requiring an amount over that threshold.  https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7311.pdf
 
H.7505, An Act Relating to Taxation – RI New Qualified Jobs Incentive Act 2015, sunsets/discontinues the Jobs Development Act rate reduction as of July 1, 2026. This program   currently offers businesses an opportunity to expand their workforce while reducing costs. Companies that create new positions or relocate jobs to the state can receive annual, redeemable tax credits for up to 10 years, with credits of up to $7,500 per job per year. Businesses must create a minimum number of new full-time jobs, varying by industry and company size, with a minimum threshold of 10 new jobs in most cases.  https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7505.pdf
 
H.7810, An Act Relating to Taxation – State Tax Officials, caps the interest rate for all delinquent taxes at twelve percent. It also limits the tax administrator’s authority to audit taxpayers to three years from the date of the tax filing. For fraudulent returns, the audit period would cover up to seven years, but in no event, could an audit be performed beyond ten years. The bill proposes an effective date of January 1, 2027, and applies to all assessments, audits and tax payments, including delinquent taxes, initiated on or after that date.  https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7810.pdf
 
H.8195, An Act Relating to Taxation – RI Local Investment Tax Credit Act, provides an investment tax credit to a taxpayer that makes a qualified investment in a local qualified business of ninety-nine employees or less. The program would be funded by a Rhode Island Commerce Corporation strategic fund. The bill also anticipates the use of annual general revenue appropriations.  https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8195.pdf
 
Testimony on any of these bills can be sent to [email protected]
  
Thursday, April 9th
 
Business Identity Fraud
 
The House Judiciary Committee will meet at the Rise on Thursday.  H.8060, An Act Relating to Criminal Offenses – Impersonation and Identity Fraud, aims to modernize the state's identity fraud laws to include protections against digital forgery and the impersonation of businesses or government agencies.  H.8060 clarifies that it is a crime to knowingly impersonate an entity with the intent to facilitate fraud.  It introduces protections against the creation or distribution of a fake digital likeness of a person or entity intended to deceive without consent. It expands the definition of "means of identification" to include logos and trademarks.  A person or entity that is found in violation of the law would be subject to three years in prison and/or a fine up to $5000 for the first offense; three to five years in prison and/or a fine up to $10,000 for a second offense; and five to ten years in prison and/or a fine of at least $15,000 for subsequent offenses.  https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8060.pdf
Testimony can be submitted at: [email protected]
 
Employee Ownership Tax Credit
 
The House Finance Committee will meet at the Rise on Thursday.  On the agenda is the Lt. Governor’s bill, H.7696, An Act Relating to Taxation – Employee Ownership Tax Credit.  The bill is designed to encourage businesses to transition to employee-owned models like Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) or worker cooperatives.   Businesses can claim a credit of up to 50% of "conversion costs" (legal, accounting, etc.) for transitioning to an ESOP/employee trust (capped at $100,000) or other equity structures (capped at $25,000). Existing employee-owned firms can receive a 50% credit (up to $25,000) for expanding ownership by at least 20%.  The program is to be administered by the Office of Business Development with a total cap of $1,000,000 in annual credits, which are refundable.  https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7696.pdf
Testimony can be submitted at: [email protected]
   
New Introductions
 
Senate Bill No. 3190  Famiglietti, LaMountain, Dimitri, Bissaillon, Patalano, 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/SenateText26/S3190.pdf
 
Senate Bill No. 3193  LaMountain, Burke, Famiglietti, Bissaillon, Dimitri, AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- CAUSES OF ACTION (Provides for punitive damages in civil actions where there is willful or wanton conduct or a reckless disregard for health, safety and welfare.)  https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S3193.pdf
 
Senate Bill No. 3200  McKenney, LaMountain, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES (Prohibits an employer, employment agency, labor organization, or employee, to commit any act declared to be an unlawful employment practice; individuals would be held personally liable for such conduct.)  https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S3200.pdf