Rhode Island

STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND PROTECT OUR HEALTHCARE ACT OF 2026 - Creates a publicly funded program for uninsured individuals requiring on an appropriation of $53,200,000 for fiscal year 2027 and an appropriation of 109,600,000 for fiscal year 2028 and every fiscal year thereafter.

TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION - Authorizes the town of Barrington to provide a tax dollar credit reduction for legally blind persons by ordinance.

TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES - Authorizes the town of Bristol to apply the owner-occupied tax rate for mixed-used properties where the residential portion is owner-occupied.

TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES - Authorizes the town council of Little Compton to establish a homestead exemption for residential dwellings.

TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES - Authorizes the town council of Little Compton to establish a homestead exemption for residential dwellings.

TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES - Authorizes the town of Bristol to apply the owner-occupied tax rate for mixed-used properties where the residential portion is owner-occupied.

TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION - Authorizes the town of Barrington to provide a tax dollar credit reduction for legally blind persons by ordinance.

HEALTH AND SAFETY -- REFUSE DISPOSAL - Prohibits the construction, expansion or operation of a pyrolysis facility within one mile of a school.

WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTY ACQUISITION PROGRAM ACT - Establishes the Residential and Commercial Property Acquisition Program Act to implement residential or commercial property acquisitions, paired with funding for relocation costs within or proximate to the current community.

TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION - Exempts from sales tax energy storage systems, as defined in § 39-33-1.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- REGULATION OF SALES - Makes it unlawful for anyone under the age of 21 to operate a motor vehicle while knowingly having liquor in any part of the vehicle, except when accompanied by another adult who is 21 years of age or older and related to the operator.

HEALTH AND SAFETY -- RHODE ISLAND BAN ON THE CORPORATE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE ACT - Establishes the Rhode Island Ban on the Corporate Practice of Medicine Act.

THE UTGR MASTER CONTRACT AND THE TWIN RIVER -- TIVERTON MASTER CONTRACT -- CONSOLIDATED MARKETING PROGRAM - Restates the UTGR Master Contract and the Twin River-Tiverton Master Contract and consolidates the marketing program of each into the Consolidated Marketing Program.

PUBLIC FINANCE -- STATE BUDGET -- PROGRAM PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT - Provides additional oversight and reporting measures related to audits and capital projects.

HEALTH AND SAFETY -- RHODE ISLAND HEALTHCARE TRANSACTION OVERSIGHT ACT - Requires a healthcare entity to submit written notice to the attorney general and the department of health of any material change transaction at least 180 days prior to that transaction.

MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF LICENSES - Requires that the license plates of a vehicle be confiscated by a police officer if the owner was arrested for driving while their license was suspended, revoked or cancelled for refusing to submit to a chemical test or for operating under the influence.

SPORTS, RACING, AND ATHLETICS -- DOG RACING IN BURRILLVILLE, LINCOLN, AND WEST GREENWICH - Prevents anyone from wagering money or any other thing of value on the outcome of a greyhound race or other dog race, or accept or facilitate such wagering, regardless of the location at which the race takes place.

EDUCATION -- THE PAUL W. CROWLEY RHODE ISLAND STUDENT INVESTMENT INITIATIVE - Nullifies the department of elementary and secondary education recommendation that the turnaround plan for Providence public schools be continued.

COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- COURTS -- PERMITTING VIRTUAL OR REMOTE COURT HEARINGS - Permits all Rhode Island courts to conduct hearings remotely and allow any party or attorney to appear by telephone or video conference, with remote appearances having the same legal effect as in-person appearances.

MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- ACCIDENTS AND ACCIDENT REPORTS -- THE MATTHEW O'GARA ACT OF 2026 - Increases the penalties for a first offense of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death to a minimum 10 years in incarceration, a minimum of $10,000 and a minimum license revocation of 10 years.

HEALTH AND SAFETY -- DETERMINATION OF NEED FOR NEW HEALTHCARE EQUIPMENT AND NEW INSTITUTIONAL HEALTH SERVICES - Imposes a moratorium on the issuance of new home care provider, home nursing care provider and hospice provider licenses prior to 7/1/2031, and provides for health systems planning specific to these provider licenses during the moratorium by the DOH.

HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE RHODE ISLAND MATERNAL HEALTH IMPROVEMENT AND EQUITY ACT OF 2026 - Establishes the Rhode Island Maternal Health Improvement and Equity Act of 2026, to establish permanent statewide support for maternal health and to implement the maternal health strategic plan improving maternal health care and access.