Rhode Island

STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- POLICE OFFICERS -- COMMISSION ON STANDARDS AND TRAINING - Establishes an equivalent training certification program at the municipal police academy.

TAXATION -- CIGARETTE, OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS, AND ELECTRONIC NICOTINE-DELIVERY SYSTEMS PRODUCTS - Defines "electronic nicotine-delivery system shop" and requires that ten percent (10%) of sales revenue from said shops be transferred to the tobacco cessation programs pursuant to § 27-20-53.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES - Allows holders of a Class P license to purchase alcoholic beverages from either a retail or wholesale establishment in the State of Rhode Island.

LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- CONSUMER CREDIT HISTORY EMPLOYMENT PROTECTION ACT -- DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES - Prohibits employers from seeking/using credit reports in making hiring decisions concerning prospective employees, asking questions about the applicant's financial past during interviews or including credit history questions in their job applications.

PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARD - Requires the PUC to make public notification of any changes in eligibility or production of energy, and would direct the commission to promulgate rules and regulations to allow and facilitate the prompt public disclosure of this information.

PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- DUTIES OF UTILITIES AND CARRIERS - Terminates the requirement that the public utilities commission allocate five million dollars ($5,000,000) annually to the Rhode Island infrastructure bank for use with energy efficient programs.

PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT - Removes the five (5) year waiting period for filing a motion to seal an eviction court file. It also deletes the numerical limitation on filing seal requests.

EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT - Amends State funding calculations for special education, revising extraordinary cost calculations for FY 2028-2029, and providing additional funds for excess costs when special education students move into a district after the budget is approved.

MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SUPER SPEEDER ACCOUNTABILITY ACT - Establishes the Super Speeder Accountability Act to be used as a sentencing option or enhancement for drivers charged with certain driving violations.

PROPERTY -- FAIR CHANCE IN HOUSING BACKGROUND CHECKS ACT - Limits how landlords use criminal history in rental decisions by delaying background checks until after a conditional offer has been made, restricting which records may be considered, banning discriminatory ads, and providing enforcement and penalties.

PROPERTY -- CONDOMINIUM LAW - Requires condominium associations to conduct structural surveys and reserve studies, fund reserves at 15%, and plan for repairs.

EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT - Removes funding requirement from department of elementary and secondary education.

MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF LICENSES -- VIOLATIONS - Repeals the section of law relating to suspension of operator licenses for failure to pay fines.

PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL TENANT'S RIGHT TO LEGAL REPRESENTATION ACT - Creates the division of civil representation within the department of housing and require civil representation by a Designated Legal Organization to provide legal representation to all tenants who qualify in eviction proceedings.

STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT - Directs the department of environmental management to administer and manage the land and natural resources of the Big River Reservoir.

STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- 2021 ACT ON CLIMATE - Raises the minimum fee per barrel of petroleum products or crude oil from five cents ($0.05) to twelve cents ($0.12) per barrel as part of the uniform oil spill response and prevention fee.

EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT - Mandates additional state education funding for the mental and behavioral health of students equal to 2% of the district’s total expenditures, and require those funds be used to hire staff such as school social workers, and behavioral specialists.

AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY -- STATE FORESTS AND FORESTRY PROJECTS - Directs the general assembly to fund ten full time equivalent positions in FY 2027 to support DEM's efforts in the areas of forestry and forestry projects.

PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- AFFORDABLE CLEAN ENERGY SECURITY ACT - Excludes nuclear power from the office of energy resources and division of public utilities from participation, procuring and entering into long-term contracts.

MOTOR AND OTHER MOTOR VEHICLES -- MOTOR VEHICLE OFFENSES - Clarifies that a magistrate or sentencing judge sitting in a court with jurisdiction over alcohol-related offenses shall, upon request, immediately grant a conditional hardship license after imposing a ninety (90) day hardship loss of license.