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Final 2026 Legislative Wrap-up, Or Is It?
In this, hopefully the last 2026 edition of Advocacy in Action, we provide you with a list of bills that have become law in 2026, along with the effective dates of the new laws. The legislature finished its work June 11, 2026. Since then, the General Assembly has transmitted bills to the Governor for his consideration. That process was completed last week. In the event a special session is called to order to address judgeships or veto overrides, all legislation that has not passed. to date, is technically alive and can be addressed. Past legislatures have limited voting to the issue or issues causing the General Assembly to reconvene, but it is not a rule. Your Chamber was very engaged: reviewing over 3000 bills, actively tracking just over 250 pieces of legislation, and providing testimony on many of them verbally or in writing. This year is an election year. If you want to be at the table instead of “on the menu,” we encourage you to vote – especially in the primary September 9, 2026. Many elections are determined in the primary, so please make it a priority to vote in September! Early voting takes place August 20 – September 8, 2026. Thank you for reading this publication each week. We will see you at the next Chamber event! New Laws Passed During the 2026 Legislative Session General Business Issues: Business Identity Theft – H.8060 SubA/S.3338 – Public Law Numbers have not yet been assigned - address emerging identity threats such as those who knowingly engage in entity impersonation and the use of artificial intelligence–driven “deepfakes” to perpetrate fraud. The law specifically addresses the illegal use of a logo, trademark, or other mark used to identify an entity. The law took effect upon passage. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8060A.pdf AI Companion Models – H.7350 SubAaa/S.2195 SubAaa – Public Law Chapters have not yet been assigned – make it unlawful for any operator to operate or provide an AI companion to a user unless the AI companion contains a protocol for addressing: (1) Possible suicidal ideation or self-harm expressed by a user to the AI companion; (2) Possible physical harm to others expressed by a user to the AI companion; and (3) When any of those expressions are made, a notification shall be provided to the user that refers them to crisis service providers such as a suicide hotline, crisis text line, or other appropriate crisis services as soon as any of those expressions are detected. Beginning July 1, 2027, operators must file annual reports with the office of the attorney general noting the number of safety protocol activations and related metrics. The attorney general is required to publish aggregated data on its website. Violations are subject to a $15,000 per day fine. The new law takes effect January 1, 2027. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2195Aaa.pdf Secure Choice Retirement Program – H.7475/S.3086 – Public Law Chapters have not yet been assigned – make several technical amendments to the Rhode Island secure choice retirement savings program act necessary for continued administration and inter-state partnership. The law took effect upon passage. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S3086.pdf Labor Issues: Unemployment Compensation Partial Benefits – H.7962 SubA/S.2929 SubA – Public Law Chapters 240 and 241 – extend the current partial unemployment benefit program for three more years to June 30, 2029. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the General Assembly and Governor increased the total amount of earnings a partial-unemployment insurance claimant could receive before being entirely disqualified for unemployment insurance benefits and increased the amount of earnings disregarded when calculating a weekly benefit rate. At the time, it was deemed necessary because jobs were hard to find as many places were forcibly closed by the state. The law was about to sunset June 30, 2026. The link to the Public Law is not yet available. The final version of the bill can be viewed at: https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7962A.pdf Department of Labor and Training Hearing Timeline – H.7960aa/S.3049aa – Public Law Chapters have not yet been assigned – change the timeline for DLT to respond to Payment of Wages complaints. Under the new law, DLT has up to 120 days to schedule a hearing instead of 30 days and an additional 120 days to render a decision. The law also eliminated hearing and determination timelines for DLT in cases of underpayments. The new law is now in effect. The language can be found at: https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7960aa.pdf Expungement of Criminal Records – H.7079 SubA/S.3036 SubA – Public Law Chapters have not yet been assigned - permits individuals convicted of multiple felonies and misdemeanors to have their records expunged and provide criteria for the court to consider in determining whether the person is of good character. The new law was effective upon passage. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7079A.pdf Energy and Environment Issues: Gas Line Termination Resolution – Senate Resolution 2354 - Public Resolution 404 - requests the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission to examine the impacts and continued use of gas line extension allowances as part of Docket 25-45-GE and determine whether changes to such allowances are advisable. The resolution cites the Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council’s 2025 Climate Action Strategy as the driving force for this action. The EC4’s Strategy calls for a reduction in the use of gas for home heating in order to meet the State's 2030, 2040, and 2050 emissions reduction requirements. The resolution states, “Connecting new customers to the gas distribution system locks in customer subsidization of new infrastructure whose intended life extends beyond the 2050 net zero emissions requirements.” While resolutions do not carry the weight of law, they are meant to express a legislative body’s official opinion. They do not require the Governor’s signature. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2354.pdf Taxation Issues: State Budget – H.7127 SubAaa – Public Law Chapter 084 – was signed by the Governor June 12, 2026. The Chamber has reported extensively on this legislation. The 393-page document included:
Waiver of Interest on Overdue Taxes – H.7568/S.2543 – Public Law Chapters 161 and 162 - allow municipalities to waive up to $500 in interest on overdue taxes for commercial properties. Since 2003, cities and towns have had the authority to waive interest on residential properties. The new law adds commercial properties that fall into the same category: (1) The property subject to the overdue payment is the property of the taxpayer and has been for the five (5) years immediately preceding the tax payment which is overdue; (2) The request for a waiver of interest is in writing, signed and dated by the taxpayer; and (3) The taxpayer has made timely payments of taxes to the city or town for the five (5) years immediately preceding the tax payment, which is overdue. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7568.pdf Industry Specific Issues: Retirement License for Building Trades – H.7146aa/S.3138 – Public Law Chapters 058 and 059 – allow any person currently holding a license issued or overseen by the division of professional regulation, who has attained the age of sixty-five, may renew their license as a retirement status license. The licensee cannot practice the trade, but retains the identity as a member of the trade. The special license carries a fee of $20.00. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7146aa.pdf Grocery Store Restrictive Covenants – H.8106/S.2644 – Public Law Chapters 125 and 126 - These bills were introduced at the request of Lt. Governor Matos. The new law, now in effect, bans the use of restrictive deed covenants for a retail establishment “where fresh food is regularly and customarily sold in a bona fide manner for off-premises consumption.” The language includes an exception if the land was used by the seller 6 months prior to the date of agreement, the existing business is relocating within one year to a site within one-half mile away, and the deed restriction is for a period of 18 months or less. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2644.pdf Self-Checkout Stations – H.7290 SubA/S.2342 SubB – Public Law Chapters 127 and 128 - require grocery stores with self-checkout stations to maintain one manual check out station for every three self-checkout lanes in operation. It also requires the store to have in operation one manual station that complies with requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Any employee assigned to oversee the self-checkout lanes must be relieved of all other duties during the assignment. The law does allow for relief of the requirements during “off-peak” hours (before 8am and after 8pm) as well as during declared state of emergencies or several weather alerts. The law, which takes effect January 1, 2027, can be viewed at: https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2342B.pdf Warehouse Distribution Centers - H.7364 SubA/S.2504 SubA – Public Law Chapters 112 and 113 – require employers to notify employees two days in advance of any modifications made to quotas – no timeline was in the original bill. The new law gives employers 21 days to respond to an employee’s request for personal speed data information and states that an employee may only ask for such information once in a 90-day period, unless a disciplinary action is pending. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/Proposed26/H7364A.pdf Bills Vetoed by Governor McKee: Building Energy Benchmarking - H.7183/S.2260 – Governor McKee vetoed the passage of H.7183 and S.2260, the Building Benchmarking and Reporting Act of 2026, designed to facilitate an energy reporting requirement for residential, commercial and industrial buildings with twenty-five thousand gross square feet or more. If the legislature decides to override the Governor’s veto, businesses would be required to provide the following information 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 would begin reporting May 15, 2028. Building between 25,000 – 49.999 sq. ft. would begin reporting May 15, 2030. Exemptions are available for vacant buildings, buildings possessing a demolition permit and buildings with no energy services provided. The bill language requires OER 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.” The bills, under the enforcement provision, allow 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. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7183.pdf https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2260.pdf Bills of Interest That Did Not Pass: Chamber’s Arbitration Law Fix – S.2396/H.7645 - In 2024, arbitration legislation was passed at the end of session. Many in the business community tried to get a handle on what the bill would do, but the complexity and the limited experience in other states created a challenge to provide meaningful testimony. In a nutshell, the 2024 bills, now law, make it easier to avoid arbitration and therefore force a court system solution to certain disputes. The Chamber filed legislation to change the law in three ways: (1) change the treatment of agreements that contain a penalty for hiring a lawyer by making that provision null and void (current law renders the entire agreement null and void); (2) give businesses 180 days to respond to a notice to arbitrate instead of the short 30-day timeframe in law; (3) allow businesses a 15-day right to cure a late payment to the arbiter (current law allows the other party to remove the complaint to court if payment is one day late). The Chamber worked with sponsors and leadership to find compromise language, and will try again in 2027. Workplace Psychological Safety Act - H.8505/S.2502. These bills are often referred to as “the bullying bills.” The bills hold employers responsible for failure to respond and eliminate “psychological abuse” in the workplace. The definition of "workplace bullying" includes “unwelcome, degrading, and dehumanizing conduct, that is severe or pervasive enough to create a work environment that a reasonable person would consider threatening, hostile, or abusive and that unreasonably interferes with the target’s ability to perform job duties. Conduct may include false accusations, sabotage of work performance, consistent ignoring or ostracism, removal of major responsibilities, consistent unreasonable workloads, excessive monitoring, consistent micromanagement, persistent hypercriticism, impossible deadlines…” Employers with fifteen or more employees would have been required to: implement varying response timelines based on perceived urgency, conduct formal fact-finding investigations, issue written findings, undertake disciplinary processes, maintain detailed complaint records, develop and distribute anti-bullying policies and provide training to all employees, including independent contractors. The Senate bill passed the Senate but remained in the House Labor Committee. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2502.pdf Card Check for Unionizing – S.2924/H.7291. These bills would have allowed unions to become the representative of employees of a company by asking employees to sign a card asking for representation and waiving a right to a vote. Unionizing by signing authorization cards—often called "card check"—is a method that bypasses the secret-ballot election process. Unlike a secret-ballot election where an employee votes alone, card signing happens in public. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7291.pdf Minimum Wage Bills – no minimum wage increase bills passed this year; however, Rhode Island has one additional increase in law to take effect January 1, 2027. The rate will go to $17 per hour at that time. Rent Control – H.8108. This bill would have Limited rent increases to 4% annually, but allowed 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 Temporary Caregiver Expansion – S.2737 SubA/H.7968. The Senate passed S.2737 SubA but remained in the House Labor Committee. The bill would have expanded temporary care giver leave to include a grandchild and care recipient (defined as a person for whom the employee is responsible for providing or arranging health or safety related care), and increased the benefit period from 8 weeks to 10 weeks for 2027 and 12 weeks for 2028. The substitute A removed the opt-in for TDI/TCI for self-employed workers but required DLT to study how to implement such a program. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/Proposed26/S2737A.pdf
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Advocacy in Action: June 8, 2026
Anticipated Final Week at the State House The General Assembly hopes to complete its work for the 2026 session this week, likely by Thursday. This edition of Advocacy in Action includes legislation scheduled for actions this week as of Sunday night. The House and Senate may add bills and other Substitute language thereto throughout the week. If the legislative work is completed this week, bills will be transmitted to the Governor periodically over the following few weeks. The Chamber will send out a final legislative wrap-up once that process concludes and will provide a list of new laws businesses need to consider. Monday, June 8th FY2027 Budget Last Friday, the House voted a revised FY 2027 budget by a vote of 65-10, which now proceeds to consideration by the Senate Finance Committee at 5:30pm on Monday, and likely to be on the Senate floor on Tuesday. The $15.2 billion plan raises additional revenue, increases expenditures in a variety of categories and asks the voters for approval to bond $600 million for projects. This represents a 6.2% increase over the current year’s fiscal budget. Many of the proposals were also included in the Governor’s budget submitted in January of this year. The final articles as adopted by the House can be reviewed here: https://www.rilegislature.gov/Budget/SitePages/FY27.aspx. House Floor The House is scheduled to meet at 4pm on Monday to vote on 116 bills between its regular and consent calendars, which include the items below, the full calendars can be found here: https://status.rilegislature.gov/calendars.aspx
Tuesday, June 9th Senate Floor The Senate is scheduled to meet at 4pm on Tuesday to vote on 100 bills between its regular and consent calendars, which includes:
1099 Thresholds At 3pm in Room 35, the House Finance committee will consider H 8604 Sub A, and at 5pm the Senate Finance Committee will hear/consider S 3367, which would update the thresholds that require the filing of Form 1099 with the state from $100 to the federal threshold, currently $600, regardless of whether state income tax is withheld. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/Proposed26/H8604A.pdf Safety Lids & Signage The House and Senate have each advanced, in different form, legislation requiring all licensed retailers authorized that sell intoxicating beverages to provide a safety lid to a consumer upon request. The initial drafts of the bills included that operators prominently and conspicuously display signage of “Don’t get roofied! Drink lids available here. Ask a staff member for details.” The House removed signage from 7975 SUB A prior to passing it. The Senate has scheduled a hearing on passage of this bill in concurrence for Tuesday in room 313 at 3:30pm, but it is possible that other amendments may be made to this proposal. The Senate removed the “Don’t get roofied!” component when it passed S 3000 SUB A, but otherwise retained signage requirements. Hospitality businesses demonstrated willingness to comply with the lid mandate, but express opposition to signage requirements, as it conveys the unfounded message that all venues and operations are unsafe. The Senate bill has yet to be scheduled for consideration in the House as of the writing of this report. Last Week at the State House
Friday night, May 29th, the House Finance Committee passed its version of the State’s FY2027 budget. The $15.2 billion plan raises additional revenue, increases expenditures in a variety of categories and asks the voters for approval to bond $600 million for projects. This represents a 6.2% increase over the current year’s fiscal budget. Many of the proposals were also included in the Governor’s budget submitted in January of this year. The full House will take up the budget on the floor Friday, June 5th at 3:00 p.m. Revenues Raised:
Expenditures of Note:
This Week at the State House As the General Assembly approaches what is likely to be the final two weeks of session, votes and amendments may post during the week. To date, legislation of interest falls on Tuesday, June 2nd; however, the House or Senate could post more bills for Wednesday through Friday as the process moves forward. The General Assembly is expected to be in session June 2nd – June 5th this week and June 8th – 12th the following week. This schedule is subject to change. Tuesday, June 2nd Warehouse Worker Rights and Family Caregivers Support The House Labor Committee will vote on H.7364 - Warehouse Worker Protection Act in a SubA form. The amendment places some guardrails on employer requirements. Employers must notify employees two days in advance of any modifications made to quotas – no timeline was in the original bill. The SubA gives employers 21 days to respond to an employee’s request for personal speed data information and states that an employee may only ask for such information once in a 90-day period, unless a disciplinary action is pending. The SubA can be viewed at: https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/Proposed26/H7364A.pdf The House Labor Committee will hold a hearing on H.8578 – Family Caregivers Support Act, a new bill filed May 22, 2026. The bill declares it unlawful for an employer to fail to hire someone solely due to family caregiver responsibilities. It prohibits employers from denying a worker’s request for accommodations to address family caregiving responsibilities. Businesses must provide flexible scheduling, adjusted hours or remote work unless they can prove it is an “undue hardship” to operations. Employers with less than 25 employees have an affirmative defense, if they have a “reasonable” phased in compliance plan. The bill gives the RI Commission for Human Rights the ability to investigate and adjudicate violations and can order back pay, reinstatement and compensation for lost benefits and attorneys’ fees. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8578.pdf Testimony on H.8578 may be submitted to [email protected] Termination of Gas Line Extensions The Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture will vote on a resolution to terminate any future natural gas line extensions. Senate Resolution 2354, cites the Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council’s 2025 Climate Action Strategy as the driving force for this action. The EC4’s Strategy calls for a reduction in the use of gas for home heating in order to meet the State's 2030, 2040, and 2050 emissions reduction requirements. The resolution states, “Connecting new customers to the gas distribution system locks in customer subsidization of new infrastructure whose intended life extends beyond the 2050 net zero emissions requirements.” While resolutions do not carry the weight of law, they are meant to express a legislative body’s official opinion. They do not require the Governor’s signature. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2354.pdf Delinquent Tax Penalty Relief The Senate Finance Committee will vote on three bills Tuesday: S.2847 – State Tax Officials, caps the interest rate for all delinquent taxes at 12% and limits the authority to audit taxpayers to 3 years from the date of filing. In cases of fraud, the timeframe increases to 7 years from the date of filing. In no case could the Division of Taxation go beyond ten years from the filing deadline. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2847.pdf S.2453 and H.7568 are identical bills that allow municipalities to waive up to $500 in interest on overdue taxes for commercial properties. Since 2003, cities and towns have had the authority to waive interest on residential properties. S.2453 and H.7568 add commercial properties that fall into the same category: (1) The property subject to the overdue payment is the property of the taxpayer and has been for the five (5) years immediately preceding the tax payment which is overdue; (2) The request for a waiver of interest is in writing, signed and dated by the taxpayer; and (3) The taxpayer has made timely payments of taxes to the city or town for the five (5) years immediately preceding the tax payment, which is overdue. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2453.pdf https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7568.pdf AI in the Workplace The Senate Labor Committee will vote on S.2499 – Artificial Intelligence Use and Fair Employment Practices, which 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 Tuesday, May 26th
House Vote on Building Benchmarking The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on a building benchmarking bill, H.7183, which creates an energy reporting requirement for residential, commercial and industrial buildings with twenty-five thousand gross square feet or more. As written, the following information must be provided to the Office of Energy Resources (OER) beginning 5/18/28 for buildings greater than 50,000 sq. ft., and 5/15/30 for buildings greater than 25,000 sq. ft.: 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. 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 Senate Labor Committee Votes on Employment Legislation The Senate Labor & Gaming Committee is scheduled to consider various bills impacting employers at 3:30pm in room 212. S 2502 exposes employers to liability for workplace bullying. This legislation establishes an obligation on employers to create a work environment free from what “a reasonable person would consider threatening, hostile, or abusive and that unreasonably interferes with the target’s ability to perform job duties. Conduct may include false accusations, sabotage of work performance, consistent ignoring or ostracism, removal of major responsibilities, consistent unreasonable workloads, excessive monitoring…persistent hypercriticism, impossible deadlines…” These words can mean different things to different people, leaving everyone wondering what they can and cannot do or say in the workplace. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2502.pdf S 2504 requires employers to provide each employee of a warehouse distribution center, upon hire, with written description of quotas applicable to the employee within defined time periods; and requires employers to provide information concerning adverse employment actions that an employee might face for failure to meet the quota. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2504.pdf S 2737A would expand temporary care giver leave to include a grandchild and care recipient (defined as a person for whom the employee is responsible for providing or arranging health or safety related care), increases the benefit period from 8 weeks to 10 weeks for 2027 and 12 weeks for 2028. The substitute A removes the opt-in for TDI/TCI for self-employed workers but requires DLT to study how to implement such a program. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/Proposed26/S2737A.pdf S 2924 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/SenateText26/S2924.pdf Delinquent Tax Penalty Relief The Senate Finance Committee is scheduled to conduct hearings on legislation to relieving tax penalties on delinquent taxes in Room 211 at the Rise (~5pm). Testimony on these bills can be sent to: [email protected]. S 2370 authorizes the tax administrator to waive interest and penalties on delinquent taxes paid in full during a one-week amnesty period each year. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2370.pdf S 2847 caps the interest rate for all delinquent taxes at 12% and limits the authority to audit taxpayers to 3 years from the date of filing. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2847.pdf Grocery Store Restrictive Covenants The House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on companion legislation H 8106 and S 2644, which were introduced at the request of Lt. Governor Sabina Matos, and would prohibit restrictive covenants related to grocery stores. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8106.pdf https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2644.pdf Wednesday, May 27th Recycling Reforms The House Environment and Natural Resources Committee is scheduled to meet in the House Lounge at 4pm to hear testimony on legislation proposing reforms to the recycling of packaging, paper products, and beverage containers. Testimony on these bills can be sent to: [email protected]. H 7910 establishes an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program for packaging and paper, mandating producers to fund municipal recycling programs and improve their effectiveness. H 7911 establishes an EPR program combined with a beverage container redemption and recycling refund system. It would create a 10 cent deposit on designated beverage containers that consumers can recover through a centralized network of locations established across the state. It does not require any retailer to be a redemption center, and would not apply to beverage containers consumed on premise that work with the recycling refund producer responsibility organization. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7910.pdf https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7911.pdf Thursday, May 28th Extended Service Hours for World Cup H 8009A and S 2627A are scheduled for votes in concurrence and would then be sent to Governor McKee for his approval. Under these bills, municipalities are authorized to grant temporary extended service hours to provide public watch opportunities for certain FIFA World Cup Tournament matches that occur late night. Business operators could apply to their local licensing authority 14 days in advance of certain late night game nights to serve liquor up to 3am and close by 4am. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2627A.pdf https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8009A.pdf Taxation of Corporations, Sales, Meals & Beverages, Gratuities & Overtime The Senate Finance Committee will meet at the Rise in Room 211 on various changes to tax policy. Testimony on these bills may be submitted to [email protected]. S 2022 would eliminate the corporate minimum tax (currently $400 per year). https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2022.pdf S 2028 proposes creating a digital advertising services tax to fund RIPTA, resiliency, housing development, universal school lunch, and support the state general fund. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2028.pdf S 2082 would phase out the 1% meal and beverage tax by 0.25% each year until repealed in 2030. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2082.pdf S 3017 would align RI with federal tax policy, providing for a modification to state taxes for gratuity income up to $25,000 and overtime income up to $12,500. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S3017.pdf New Introductions House Bill No. 8562 BY Blazejewski, Kazarian, Hull, Caldwell, Shanley, Lima, Cotter, Spears, Azzinaro, Nardone Establishes the office of inspector general to investigate the management and operation of agencies to prevent and deter fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement in the expenditure of public funds. House Bill No. 8578 BY O'Brien, Dawson, Caldwell, McEntee, Corvese, Slater, Diaz, Bennett, Kennedy, Azzinaro Provides workplace protection for family caregivers. It also provides for enforcement This Week at the State House
Tuesday, May 19th The House Committee on Environment & Natural Resources is meeting at the Rise (approximately 4:45pm) to vote on a building benchmarking bill and to hear testimony related to black takeout containers. Building Benchmarking H.7183, An Act Relating to Health and Safety – 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. If passed as currently written, 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. Buildings 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 buildingowners from a double reporting requirement. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7183.pdf Black Takeout Containers Ban H.8415, An Act Relating to Health and Safety – Plastic Waste Reduction Act, is a new bill introduced April 8th. The bill bans restaurants and other retail establishments from using black plastic containers for customer leftovers or for takeout (including grab and go) food. If passed, the ban would go into effect October 1, 2026. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8415.pdf No testimony will be taken on H.7183; however, testimony related to H.8415 may be emailed to: [email protected] Wednesday, May 20th Termination of Gas Line Extensions The Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture is scheduled to hear testimony on a resolution to terminate any future natural gas line extensions. Senate Resolution 2354, cites the Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council’s 2025 Climate Action Strategy as the driving force for this action. The EC4’s Strategy calls for a reduction in the use of gas for home heating in order to meet the State's 2030, 2040, and 2050 emissions reduction requirements. The resolution states, “Connecting new customers to the gas distribution system locks in customer subsidization of new infrastructure whose intended life extends beyond the 2050 net zero emissions requirements.” While resolutions do not carry the weight of law, they are meant to express a legislative body’s official opinion. They do not require the Governor’s signature. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2354.pdf Testimony on SR.2354 may be submitted to [email protected] Thursday, May 21st Estate Tax Reduction The House Finance Committee will meet at the Rise in Room 35 to take testimony on H.8190, An Act Relating to Taxation – Estate and Transfer Tax. The bill proposes a phase-out of the estate tax: an exemption of $5 million for deaths occurring January 1, 2027; $7.5 million as of January 1, 2029, $10 million starting January 1, 2031, and a complete elimination of the tax January 1, 2033. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8190.pdf Testimony may be submitted to [email protected] Retroactive Liability and Electricity Cost Increase The Senate Finance Committee is meeting at the Rise in Room 211. Two bills of interest to the business committee will be heard – S.2024 and S.2248 S.2024, An Act Relating to State Affairs and Government – RI Climate Superfund Act, requires the state and municipalities to add up all of the costs expended in the last twenty-five years related to items the bill deems a result of climate change (“sea level rise, flooding, storm surge, extreme heat, drought, erosion, and other climate-driven hazards) including items such as “coastal and flood protection and resilience projects; Stormwater management, drainage, and water infrastructure upgrades; Heat mitigation, air quality improvement, emergency preparedness, and other hazard protection measures that safeguard public health; Resilient transportation, housing, and community infrastructure; Energy system resilience, including grid modernization and distributed energy resources; Ecosystem, agricultural, forest, watershed, and fisheries restoration or protection projects; and Hazard mitigation planning, modeling, monitoring, and early warning systems.” Once the total is calculated, an invoice would be sent to “responsible parties” defined as large businesses that extract and refine fossil fuels (a legal activity under federal and state laws). A ten percent daily penalty is added to late payments. This legislation, passed in Vermont, is being challenged by the US Chamber of Commerce in the federal district court for Vermont. Vermont allocated $600,000 in FY25 to set up the fund and prepare for a legal fight. In FY26, an additional $300,000 was allocated to defend the case. The state’s Agency of Natural Resources and Treasurer’s Office requested an additional $1.5 million in 2025 to hire outside experts to defend against lawsuits. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2024.pdf S.2248, An Act Relating to Public Utilities and Carriers 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 sixth highest residential electricity rates in the country, fifth highest commercial rates, and fourth highest industrial rates according to the Energy Information Agency’s most recent data. (U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly, February, 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. The bill may be reviewed at: https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2248.pdf Testimony on either bill may be submitted to [email protected] Document Language Requirement The Senate Judiciary Committee, meeting at the Rise in Room 313, scheduled S.2965, An Act Relating to State Affairs and Government – Uniform Electronic Transaction Act, for hearing. This bill amends the state’s Act to give consumers the legal right to demand written paperwork in English or Spanish before they sign a contract or complete a transaction electronically. It explicitly allows any individual to block a transaction until they are provided a physical, written copy of the document.This will affect all businesses, particularly those that use Docusign or Adobe Sign. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2965.pdf Testimony may be submitted to [email protected] New Introductions No new bills of interest were filed this week. Advocacy in Action
May 11, 2026 Speaker Shekarchi Hands Gavel to Speaker Blazejewski Thursday May 7th, Speaker Joe Shekarchi resigned his position of Speaker as he submitted his application for Rhode Island Supreme Court Justice. Speaker Shekarchi served as Speaker of the House for six years, being known for his open-door policy, hands-on negotiating standard and inclusive leadership style. The Chamber thanks Speaker Joe Shekarchi for his years of dedicated service to the people of Rhode Island. The House Democrats caucused Thursday and nominated Representative Chris Blazejewski to succeed him as Speaker with Representative Katherine Kazarian elected Majority Leader. As is custom, the Republican delegation nominated Minority Leader Mike Chippendale for Speaker and the vote was 65-10 along party lines. Speaker Blazejewski was first elected in November, 2010 and represents District 2 in Providence. He was House Majority Leader in 2020. As a representative, he championed housing affordability, environmental protection, public education, civil rights, senior services, health care and economic opportunity for working families. He co-sponsored and led passage of the Act on Climate as well as the renewable energy standard setting a course to 100% renewable electricity by 2033. He sponsored the Wavemaker Fellowship program, which aims at attracting and retaining graduates in the STEM fields. Speaker Blazejewski graduated from Harvard University in 2002 and received his law degree from Harvard Law in 2005. An attorney, he works for Sherin and Lodgen LLP. A lifelong Rhode Islander, he resides in Providence with his wife, Ami Gada, their daughter, Aria and their son, Liam. Leader Kazarian has served the residents of East Providence and Pawtucket in District 63 since being elected in November 2012. In January 2021, she was elected Majority Whip. She has introduced laws to allow adults to modify their birth certificates with culturally sensitive language, banning certain military-style assault weapons, and requiring monthly updates from the Department of Transportation on the Washington Bridge and allowing online mail ballot applications and mail ballots. Leader Kazarian worked at both Upserve and Virgin Pulse and was previously a Senior Planner for the City of Pawtucket. She is a graduate of Roger Williams University School of Law and currently works as an Associate Attorney at CMBG3 Law in Boston. Leader Kazarian is a lifelong resident of East Providence where she continues to live with her husband Sam Daniel and their twin daughters. Revenue Estimating Conference Completed The Revenue Estimating Conference has completed its work, leading the way for the debate over the FY27 budget to heat up. The State did realize some reduction in total caseload general revenue spending to the tune of $15.5 million in the current fiscal year over the adopted FY26 budget, but they expect the state to spend $11.7 million more than originally anticipated for FY27. Those numbers are better than predicted in November. In FY27, the conferees believe the state will experience a substantial decrease in RI Works recipients (from 9,875 to 6,600) saving $10.7 million. SSI payments are slightly up by $183,000. Residential Rehabilitation assistance is up $900,000. Other services such as community-based services, day programs, employment services, Transportation and Professional support program costs are projected to be up $5.5 million. Hospital costs are expected to decrease $4.7 million. Long-term care is up $18.1 million. Managed care is $50 million more than the original FY27 adopted budget. Part of the increase will be paid through federal dollars, with the overall budget impact of the FY27 caseload resulting in an increase spending from general revenue funds of $11.7 million On the revenue side, the conferees anticipate an increase of $66.9 million in personal income tax revenue (as compared to the estimate in November) in FY26 and a $35 million increase in FY27 over the November estimate. Business Corporations taxes are up $47 million in FY26 and $23 million over the November estimate for FY27. It is important to note these numbers reflect a decrease in the total corporation tax revenue of $9 million between FY26 and FY27. A great deal of time was spent on estimating sales and use tax numbers for FY27. The Governor’s budget office talked about the slowing economy and the potential to see a shift in spending on items that are not taxable. The conferees settled on a 2% growth with a total sales tax revenue of $1.776 billion ($1.6 million over the November estimate). The conferees enjoyed a brief moment of brevity as they commented on the adoption of “1776” as the sales tax estimate. The FY26 realty transfer tax saw a $10 million increase over FY25 and is expected to get to $33.3 million (another $4.5 million increase over FY26). Lottery revenues are $5 million less than anticipated in the November conference, and estimated to increase slightly - $1.6 million more in FY27. The overall impact to FY26 general revenue is $154.6 million more than anticipated in November’s REC; and $77.8 million more than anticipated for FY27. This Week at the State House Tuesday, May 12th The Senate Finance Committee is meeting at the Rise (approximate 4:45pm) with two bills of interest on the calendar. Tax on Real Property Gains S.2549, An Act Relating to Taxation – Tax on Gains from the Sale or Exchange of Real Property is designed to discourage short-term real estate flipping by imposing a new tax on profits from sales of property held for six years or less. The new tax would be applied as follows: Years property held by transferor 0-99% Gain 100-199% Gain 200% or more Gain Less than 4 months 60% 70% 80% 4 – 8 months 35% 52.5% 70% 8 months – 1 year 30% 45% 60% 1 - 2 years 25% 37.5% 50% 2 - 3 years 20% 30% 40% 3 – 4 years 15% 22.5% 30% 4 - 5 years 10% 15% 20% 5 – 6 years 5% 7.5% 1-% The legislation does provide exclusions for properties sold by 501(c) corporations, properties transferred by courts relative to marriage, certain farmlands and property purchased by the State of Rhode Island. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2549.pdf Employee Ownership Tax Credit Also on the agenda is the Lt. Governor’s bill, S.2809, 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/SenateText26/S2809.pdf Testimony on S.2549 and S.2809 can be emailed to [email protected] Social Security Income Tax Phaseout The House Finance Committee will hear, at the Rise, H.7057, An Act Relating to Taxation – Personal Income Tax. H.7057 gradually phases out the state’s income tax on social security benefits over a 5-year period. Beginning January 2027, the bill provides a 20% exemption, increasing to 40% in 2028, 60% in 2029, 80% in 2030 and a 100% exemption in 2031. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7057.pdf Testimony on H.7057 may be submitted to [email protected] Wednesday, May 13th Benefits for Striking Workers The Senate Labor and Gaming Committee is taking testimony at 4:00pm. S.2170, An Act Relating to Labor and Labor Relations – Employment Security Benefits, would require the payment of unemployment benefits for workers who are on strike or are locked out of their workplaces by their employer due to a labor dispute. Strikes and lockouts are part of the labor negotiation process, often arising from disagreements over wages, working conditions, or other terms of employment. These actions are typically voluntary on the part of the employees and should not be viewed as a situation of involuntary unemployment. According to the Tax Foundation’s 2026 report, Rhode Island ranks 48th out of 50 for unemployment insurance tax liability, 50 being the highest liability. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2170.pdf Testimony on S.2170 may be submitted to [email protected] Thursday, May 14th Grocery Store and Retailer Restrictions The Senate Commerce Committee is scheduled to vote on S.2342 which limits grocery stores by capping the number of self-service checkout stations they can operate to eight, and mandating a minimum ratio of manual checkout stations to self-service checkout stations. Stores would be required to operate one manual checkout station for every two self-check-out stations operating. Lastly, S.2342 states that “No more than two (2) self-service checkout stations may be simultaneously monitored by any one employee.” Any store having multiple violations is subject to a fine equal to the wages paid to the highest paid retail clerk during an eight-hour shift. If the violation is not rectified within thirty days, the business could be subject to a deceptive trade practice violation. Committees can post amended versions of bills 24 hours prior to the vote. It is unclear if a SubA (amendment) will be offered. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2342.pdf New Introductions House Bill No. 8524 Corvese, Kennedy, Azzinaro, Solomon, Casey, McEntee, Noret, Read, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- WORKERS' COMPENSATION--GENERAL PROVISIONS (Amends various sections of the workers' compensation statute relative to the court's jurisdiction and the court's authority.) This Week at the State House
Tuesday, May 5th World Cup Extended Service Hours The House of Representatives will vote on Tuesday on H 8009A, and the Seante is scheduled to vote on Thursday on S 2627A, legislation to enable extended service hours to provide public watch opportunities for certain late night FIFA World Cup Tournament matches. If enacted, licensees could apply at least two weeks in advance of certain match dates to their local licensing authority to extend indoor operating hours up to 4am and liquor service up to 3am. The eligible periods are for the following dates and continue to the early morning hours of the succeeding day: June 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, and 27; and July 2 and 3. A local licensing authority may grant or deny, in full or in part, any application to extend service hours under these provisions. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/Proposed26/H8009A.pdf https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/Proposed26/S2627A.pdf Wednesday, May 6th Payment of Wages The Senate Labor & Gaming Committee will convene at 4pm in Room 212 to hear various legislation impacting the payment of wages. Testimony can be emailed to: [email protected]. Under current law, employers are not obligated to pay overtime to their executive, administrative, and professional employees who are compensated through salary rather than hourly wages, unless the salary of such employees would fall below the minimum wage. S 2166 would make additional salaried employees eligible for overtime pay. Small employers of 1-50 employees and large employers of 50 or more would be required to pay overtime to currently exempt workers if their salary falls below 1.5 times or 2 times, respectively, the minimum hourly wage for a forty-hour workweek. These triggers would increase to 2.5 times the minimum hourly wage for all employers by 2029. Many employees currently classified as exempt are compensated with higher salaries and benefits in exchange for their increased responsibilities and the expectation of flexible work hours. The relationship between employers and employes could become more transactional, shifting from a focus on results and outcomes to hourly tracking and micromanagement. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2166.pdf Between 2020 and 2026, Rhode Island businesses experienced a 47.8% increase in minimum wage labor costs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics calculates the cost-of-living increase to be 26% over the same period. For many businesses, labor is the highest operational cost, so an increase in wage is often difficult. When wages increase, there are other costs that are directly impacted by the increase. For example, if the minimum wage is increased, the unemployment insurance premium goes up, worker’s compensation insurance premiums go up, FICA payments increase. Also, Rhode Island remains the only state in the country that requires many employers to pay premium pay to employees who work Sunday and holidays as part of their normal forty (40) hour work week. For these employers, an increase in the minimum wage rate is an even greater hardship. These additional costs of doing business are not considered as part of these proposals and are simply increases that most businesses, especially our small businesses, cannot absorb without directly impacting their ability to remain open or to expand and grow. S 2325 & S2923 would increase the minimum wage from $17 per hour by the Consumer Price index effective January 1, 2028. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2325.pdf https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2923.pdf S2620 & S 2930 would increase, respectively, the minimum wage commencing January 1, 2027, to be $20 or $24 per hour. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2620.pdf https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2930.pdf S 2408 would increase the tipped minimum wage from $3.89 to $6.75 per hour, a 73.5% increase on January 1, 2027. It is important to understand that the “tipped wage” does not equate to the hourly wage paid to the employee. Both federal and state law require an employee to be paid minimum wage. If the employee does not make minimum wage when the tipped wage and customer tips are added together, the employer must make up the difference. Tips are a part of the employee's wage; tips are not windfalls over and above wages. S 2408 seeks to move the state toward the European model for restaurant wages. Those wages are higher for employees, but the model eliminates tipping. The result is a disincentive to provide good service as many who traveled have experienced. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2408.pdf Thursday, May 7th The House Finance Committee will convene hearings at the Rise (~5pm) in Room 35 on an array of bills proposing changes to various taxes. Testimony on these proposals can be emailed to: [email protected]. Income Tax H 7313 creates a three percent tax surcharge for persons with taxable income over $625,000, taking our State’s highest income tax rate of 5.99 percent to 8.99 percent – a fifty percent increase. This increase would place Rhode Island’s topmost income tax rate at 8th highest in the country. The Chamber is very concerned that the passage of budget proposal will stifle economic development of businesses and encourage those who can, to move to a lower cost state. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7313.pdf H 7805 would provide for a phased reduction of personal income taxes by an aggregate 10% via 5 consecutive annual 2% reductions of tax rates from 2027 to 2031. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7805.pdf H 8438 would carry through the federal deductions provided for qualified gratuity income up to $25,000 and overtime income up to $12,500 to the state level. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8438.pdf Estate Tax Rhode Island maintains a transfer tax on the value of a decedent’s estate, including real property and interest in certain securities located in Rhode Island, before distribution to any beneficiary. It is among the 12 states and the District of Columbia that impose such a tax. For decedents dying on or after 1/1/2026 in Rhode Island the gross estate threshold is $1,838,056, prior to any deductions in value for such items as mortgages, debts, and claims, with a rate from 0.8%-16%, which is near the lowest exemption level of states with an estate tax. The estate tax disincentivize investment in Rhode Island. Aligning it to the federal estate tax exemption or eliminating it altogether would encourage wealthy individuals and their assets to stay in in Rhode Island. H 7312 would raise Rhode Island’s estate tax exemption to be aligned with the federal $15 million estate tax exemption level on January 1, 2027, as is the practice in Connecticut. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7312.pdf Corporate Minimum Tax Rhode Island currently imposes a minimum tax of $400 each year on corporations, including pass through S Corporations. H 7397 would repeal the minimum tax. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7397.pdf Sales Tax Holiday H 8199 would create a sales tax holiday for August 8 & 9, 2026. No sales tax would be collected on nonbusiness sales of tangible personal property, except for sales of telecommunications, tobacco products, gas, steam, oil, electricity, motor vehicles, motorboat, meals or a single item whose price exceeds $2,500. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8199.pdf Tax Amnesty H 7398 authorizes the tax administrator to waive interest and penalties on delinquent taxes paid in full during a one-week amnesty period each year. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7398.pdf Commercial Property Tax Interest Waiver; Local Investment Tax Credit The Senate Finance Committee will convene hearings at the Rise in Room 211. Testimony on these proposals can be emailed to: [email protected]. S 2453 would allow the waiver of interest on overdue taxes for commercial properties in good standing for five prior years, similar to what is currently authorized for residential property. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2453.pdf S 2833 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/SenateText26/S2833.pdf Landlord-Tenant The Senate Housing and Municipal Government Committee is scheduled to meet at the Rise in Room 212 to hear various bills impacting landlords and tenants. Testimony regarding these matters can be submitted to: [email protected]. S2271 would impose rent control, limiting rent increase to no more than 4% annually unless granted an exemption by the secretary of housing. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2271.pdf S 3161authorizes municipalities, through ordinance, to require private real property owners to obtain a license to operate a dwelling unit as student housing. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S3161.pdf S 2266 would prohibit the use of algorithmic pricing by landlords to determinate the amount of rent to be charged. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2266.pdf S 2267 imposes responsibilities on landlords and tenants with respect to the inspection and treatment of bed bugs in residential premises. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2267.pdf S 2579 would increase the notification time about rent increases and termination of tenancy for month-to-month tenants from 30 to 60 days, or 120 days for tenants aged 62 or older. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2579.pdf New Introductions House Bill No. 8505 BY Lombardi, Hull, Sanchez, Cruz, Potter Protects bullying/psychological abuse in workplace inflicted upon employees by employers/co-employees/provides civil remedies to affected employees/fines against employers/imprisonment/fines against co-employees. House Bill No. 8512 BY Cotter, Brien, Corvese Exempts from sales tax the amount paid for food and beverages during summer restaurant week and winter restaurant week. This Week at the State House
Tuesday, April 28th Business Identify Theft and Deceptive Solicitations The Senate Commerce Committee will meet at the Rise (~5pm) in Room 212 for a hearing on S 3212, and the House Corporations Committee will meet at the Rise in Room 101 for a hearing on H 8324, which were introduced on behalf of Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore for the purpose of strengthening protections against businesses identify theft, fraudulent business filings, and deceptive solicitations. It aims to stop scams that impersonate legitimate businesses, create fake companies using someone else’s identity, and sending misleading notices that appear to be official government communications. Testimony for S3212 can be emailed to: [email protected]. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S3212.pdf Testimony for H8324 can be sent to: [email protected]. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8324.pdf Wednesday, April 29th World Cup Extended Service Hours The House Municipal Government and Housing Committee is scheduled to meet at 4pm in the House Lounge and vote on H 8009 Sub A, legislation to enable extended service hours to provide public watch opportunities for certain late night FIFA World Cup Tournament matches. Under the revised proposal, restaurants could apply with two weeks notice to their local licensing authority to extend indoor operating hours up to 4am and liquor service hours to up to 3am on designated evenings with late night World Cup matches. The eligible periods are for the following dates and continue to the early morning hours of the succeeding day: June 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, and 27; and July 2 and 3. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/Proposed26/H8009A.pdf The companion legislation is also scheduled for hearing before the Seante Special Legislation Committee at 430pm on Wednesday in room 211. Testimony can be emailed to: [email protected]. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/Proposed26/S2627A.pdf Caterers Liquor Licenses The Senate Special Legislation Committee will also hear S 2508, which would allow holders of a Class P licenses to ability to also purchase alcoholic beverages at wholesale, as well as permit serving an event host’s alcohol at their residence. Under current licensure, caterers must purchase alcohol at class A retail liquor stores. Providing the ability to purchase at wholesale creates parity for caterers within the competitive hospitality landscape for event businesses. Testimony can be emailed to: [email protected]. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2508.pdf Employee Ownership Included on the Senate Labor Committee meeting agenda for 4pm in Room 212 are two bills relative to employee ownership. Testimony can be emailed to: [email protected]. S.2922 creates the Center for Employee Ownership under the purview the State’s Business Development Center. The mission of the Center is to create a network of technical support and service providers for businesses considering employee-owned business models. While many business owners approach retirement with a clear succession plan, others have not considered what comes next. This bill provides an option by offering guidance on the legal, financial, and operational considerations involved in employee ownership conversions. At the same time, the Center could empower employees by providing support in developing business plans, understanding financing, and perhaps even preparing purchase proposals. Establishing this Center would not only help retain local businesses and jobs, but also strengthen Rhode Island’s economy by promoting stable, locally rooted enterprises. S.2744 requires a majority of businesses in Rhode Island to give all full-time and part-time employees thirty-days-notice of an intent to sell the business. This requirement applies to every business employing between three and five hundred employees that is privately held and not a publicly traded company. It also exempts businesses being sold to family members, sold due to a death or medical condition or compelled by a court order. Once the notice is given, the employees have thirty days “to officially initiate a process to potentially purchase the business.” After this date, the owner has the right to “share the intent to sell publicly.” It is unclear if the owner can proceed to sell the property to another party following the thirty-day notice period. It is also not clear what happens if the employees initiate a process to potentially purchase the business. If an offer to purchase is not put forth, can the business be sold to someone else, or is the owner allowed to entertain offers from other potential buyers but not move forward until an employee actual offer is made? This process is unfair to the business owner who has worked to build a business. The business is a person’s asset and a state requirement to hold the asset for thirty days, perhaps longer, and dictate who receives initial rights to purchase that asset could deter other potential buyers from coming forward. Who wants to put time and effort into evaluating a business if another buyer gets basically a first right of refusal? Thursday, April 30th The Senate Finance Committee will convene hearings at the Rise in Room 211 on multiple proposals seeking to modify how Rhode Islanders are taxed by the state. Testimony on these proposals can be emailed to: [email protected]. Income Tax H 7127, Article 5, Sections 2 and 6, proposes to create a three percent tax surcharge for persons with taxable income over $1 million, taking our State’s highest income tax rate of 5.99 percent to 8.99 percent – a fifty percent increase. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/Article-005.pdf#page=2 S 2238 would create a three percent tax surcharge for persons with taxable income over $640,000. http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2238.pdf These proposals would place Rhode Island’s topmost income tax rate at 8th highest in the country (9th including Washington DC). Many of the “individuals” affected by this tax increase proposal are small businesses. They are referred to as “pass-through” entities that include the income and expenses associated with their businesses on their personal income tax statements. The Chamber is very concerned that the passage of budget proposal or S 2238 will stifle economic development of businesses and encourage those who can, to move to a lower cost state, especially as Rhode Island continues to struggle with high energy costs and higher property tax levies. Estate Tax S 2251 would eliminate the estate tax in Rhode Island. http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2251.pdf S 2019 would phase out the estate tax in Rhode Island by 2033. http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2019.pdf Rhode Island maintains a transfer tax on the value of a decedent’s estate, including real property and interest in certain securities located in Rhode Island, before distribution to any beneficiary. It is among the 12 states and the District of Columbia that impose such a tax. For decedents dying on or after 1/1/2026 in Rhode Island the gross estate threshold is $1,838,056, prior to any deductions in value for such items as mortgages, debts, and claims, with a rate from 0.8%-16%, which is near the lowest exemption level of states with an estate tax. As a comparison, Connecticut imposes a 12% tax that conforms to the federal threshold which was increased to $15 million for 2026 by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The estate tax disincentivize investment in Rhode Island. Aligning it to the federal estate tax exemption or eliminating it altogether would encourage wealthy individuals and their assets to stay in in Rhode Island. Wealth Tax S 2361 proposes an annual one percent (1%) tax on world wide wealth for both individuals and businesses in excess of $25 million. A state-level wealth tax—especially one that attempts to reach assets held around the world—is fraught with legal, economic, and administrative problems. It risks driving away investment, punishing entrepreneurship, and placing Rhode Island at a severe competitive disadvantage relative to other states. http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2361.pdf S 3154 proposes an annual 4% tax on investment income—covering interest, dividends, capital gains, rental income, and other forms of “wealth proceeds.” This action would place Rhode Island at a competitive disadvantage relative to neighboring states. Many small business owners rely on investment income as part of their overall financial structure, including retirement planning, reinvestment into their companies, and capital formation. By imposing an additional layer of taxation on these earnings, the state risks discouraging both in-state investment and the attraction of new capital. The Chamber believes this bill could disproportionately impact closely held and family-owned businesses. These businesses often depend on retained earnings, asset sales, or rental income tied to business operations. Taxing these proceeds at a higher rate could reduce the resources available for expansion, hiring, wage growth, and innovation. The complexity of the proposed tax creates administrative burdens for taxpayers and compliance challenges that may require additional state resources to enforce. Simplicity and predictability in the tax code are essential to fostering a business-friendly environment. http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S3154.pdf This Week at the State House
The General Assembly is observing spring recess this week (April 20-25). Legislative hearings will resume April 28th. To date, 2700 bills have been introduced. The Chamber is actively tracking 232 bills covering issues such as: labor, taxes, energy, environment, licensing, technology in the workplace, etc. The legislature hopes to finish its work mid to late June. May Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) Schedule Released Each year the budget staffs for the Governor, House and Senate meet to hash out the revenue and caseload numbers to be used in the drafting of the final version of the state budget beginning July 1. The meetings are open to the public and can be watched on Capitol TV. https://capitoltvri.cablecast.tv/ The schedule was posted as follows: Monday April 27, 2026 9:00 A.M. Cash Assistance Caseload 1:00 P.M. Medical Caseload Wednesday April 29, 2026 – Economic Overview and Testimony 9:00 A.M. US and RI Economic Forecasts by Moody’s Analytics RI Labor Market Conditions by the Department of Labor and Training Consensus Economic Forecast (the REC adopts economic assumptions) 10:30 A.M. Commerce Corporation Tax Credits RI Commerce Corporation Lottery Receipts Division of Lottery Motion Picture Production Tax Credits Monday May 4, 2026 – Caseload Estimate 9:00 A.M. Caseload Estimating Conference (REC adopts expense numbers assuming current law) May 4, 2026 – Testimony 2:00 P.M. Tax Collections Taxation Friday, May 8, 2026 – Revenue Estimate 9:00 A.M. Revenue Estimating Conference (This meeting is a day-long meeting. The conferees will adopt revenue numbers to be used in the budget assuming only current law) The May REC is extremely important to the budget process. In the weeks following the REC, lawmakers will use these revenue and caseload numbers to determine policy. If they wish to cut programs, they use the REC numbers to determine how much money will be saved or used in other ways. If lawmakers wish to spend more than the revenues provide, then new sources of revenue will be considered to make up the projected deficit. New Introductions Senate Bill No. 3212 (Secretary of State) Britto, McKenney, Burke, Murray, DiPalma, Felag, LaMountain, DiMario, AN ACT RELATING TO UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE -- SECURED TRANSACTIONS (Makes a series of amendments and adds new provisions of law to address business identity theft and deceptive solicitations sent to businesses and the unauthorized formation of entities.) https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S3212.pdf House Bill No. 8450 Newberry, Shekarchi, Finkelman, Chippendale, Marszalkowski, Slater, Phillips, Brien, Santucci, Solomon, AN ACT RELATING TO CORPORATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS -- RHODE ISLAND BUSINESS CORPORATION ACT -- THE RHODE ISLAND BUSINESS CLIMATE REFORM ACT (Adopts several concepts from other jurisdictions with the goal of promoting a stronger climate for business growth in Rhode Island, including a "Franchise Fee" in lieu of the corporation tax.) https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8450.pdf 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 |
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