Rhode Island

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- TEMPORARY EXTENDED SERVICE HOURS - Allows, but not require, local licensing authorities to grant temporary periods for extended indoor service hours under existing liquor licenses for certain 2026 FIFA World Cup Tournament matches.

EDUCATION -- RHODE ISLAND PREKINDERGARTEN EDUCATION ACT - Establishes guidelines, rules and regulations for the implementation and expansion of prekindergarten education programs for children ages 3-4 to increase children’s school readiness statewide.

Specifies that pre-k programs for three (3) – and four (4) – years olds be added to programs to increase access to voluntary, free, high-quality pre-kindergarten programs.

CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- TRESPASS AND VANDALISM - Defines squatter as a person occupying a dwelling unit who is not authorized by the property owner, landlord or tenant to occupy the unit and provides remedies for property owner including police assistance to remove a squatter.

WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- ALCOHOL BOATING SAFETY ACT - Gives the Rhode Island traffic tribunal jurisdiction to hear first offense refusals to submit to a chemical test pursuant to the Alcohol Boating Safety Act.

INSURANCE -- EQUITABLE FUNDING FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER BAD DEBT - Establishes a procedure for a health insurer to reimburse a healthcare provider no less than sixty-five percent (65%) of each unpaid co-payment, co-insurance or deductible amount due, after reasonable collection efforts.

EDUCATION -- POST-SECONDARY STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN ACT - Prohibits public and private colleges and universities from charging students for institution provided health insurance in the absence of affirmative action by the student opting-in to coverage.

TAXATION -- PERSONAL INCOME TAX - Raises the earned-income tax credit to thirty percent (30%) for the tax years 2027 and beyond.

PROPERTY -- CONDOMINIUM LAW - Amends various sections of the condominium law to enhance transparency and would require that regular and special meetings of the executive board be open to unit owners.

TAXATION -- BUSINESS CORPORATION TAX - Repeals the corporation minimum tax.

TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING - Allows faith-based organizations to develop affordable housing on land they own provided at least 50 % of the housing to be developed is low- or moderate-income housing and the land is owned or held in trust by the faith-based organizations.

COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- COURTS -- JUDICIAL SELECTION - Requires the JNC to establish standardized merit-based selection process and that applications be evaluated according to uniform, job-related criteria adopted in advance and published on the commission's website.

COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- COURTS -- FAMILY COURT - Requires that the chief judge of the family court in appointing magistrates do so in accordance with the judicial selection and nomination process set forth in chapter 16.1 of title 8.

STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OFFICE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Promotes fiscal integrity, transparency, and accountability in the state’s healthcare system by mandating that certain reporting covered health entities submit quarterly financial reports to the secretary.

HUMAN SERVICES -- THE RHODE ISLAND WORKS PROGRAM - Eliminates the sunset on the provision of funding, modify eligibility requirement to 85% of state median income and expand funding to at least 20 hours per week.

COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- COURTS -- JUDICIAL SELECTION - Permits RI Supreme Court Committee on Racial and Ethnic Fairness, in consultation with RI Bar Association and its Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, to appoint members of JNC and requires judicial candidates to disclose political donations.

TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION - Phases out the local meals and beverage tax by January 1, 2030.

MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT - Provides the general assembly make an annual appropriation of not less than eighty thousand dollars ($80,000) to the Rhode Island emergency management agency to assist with emergency communications during major or multiple emergency incidents.

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- COUNTY GRAND JURIES - Permits grand juries to issue reports and provides for a process for review and acceptance by the superior court for dissemination to the public.

INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES - Prohibits insurance companies from paying a rate that is less than the approved Medicaid rate set by the executive office of health and human services.