FastDemocracy
Rhode Island Bill Tracking And State Guide
Everything you need to know to engage with the Senate and House
How does a bill become law in Rhode Island?
- Introduction: A bill can be introduced by any Representative or Senator in their respective house.
- Numbering: The Recording Secretary numbers the bill in the House of Representatives, and the Secretary of the Senate does the same for the Senate.
- Referral: The Speaker of the House or the President of the Senate refers the bill to the appropriate committee.
- Committee Action: The committee may take various actions, including:
- a. Recommend passage as introduced;
- b. Recommend passage with amendments;
- c. Recommend passage of a substitute;
- d. Recommend further referral to another committee;
- e. Recommend indefinite postponement;
- f. Report the bill to the floor without a recommendation.
- Calendar: The bill goes on the calendar when a committee recommends passage. All "Public Bills" are reproduced with a short explanation for distribution.
- Transmission: After passage in one house, the bill is sent to the other house to follow a similar procedure.
- Final Passage: If both houses concur, the bill is forwarded to the Governor.
Governor's Actions:
- The Governor may sign and approve the bill, returning it to the Secretary of State who notifies the original house of its passage into law.
- The Governor may veto the bill, returning it to the original house. If three-fifths of the members in both houses vote in favor, the bill becomes law despite the veto.
- The Governor may allow the bill to become law without a signature if it is not signed within six days (excluding Sunday) while the General Assembly is in session. If the Assembly is adjourned, the bill becomes law unless the Governor disapproves it in writing within ten days after adjournment.
- By statute, any law that does not specify when it takes effect will become effective on July 1 of the year it was enacted by the General Assembly.
How can a member of the public get involved in the legislative process in Rhode Island?
Members of the public can get involved in the legislative process in Rhode Island by participating in the following ways:
1. Contacting Legislators: Individuals can reach out to their elected Representatives and Senators to express their opinions about proposed legislation or to advocate for new bills.
2. Attending Public Hearings: Citizens are encouraged to attend public hearings held by committees in the House and Senate. These hearings provide an opportunity to provide testimony, ask questions, and voice support or opposition to specific bills.
3. Submitting Testimony: Members of the public can submit written testimony on bills being considered. This allows individuals to formally present their views, even if they cannot attend hearings in person.
4. Following Legislation: Interested individuals can track the progress of bills through the legislative process. This allows them to stay informed about when bills are being debated, amended, or voted upon.
5. Engagement in Advocacy: Joining or collaborating with advocacy groups that align with specific legislative interests can amplify an individual's voice and influence on the legislative process.
6. Researching Bills: Keeping informed about current legislation, proposed bills, and their implications is crucial. This can help the public make informed statements during public hearings or when communicating with legislators.
How can FastDemocracy help me with that?
Tracking bills is hard, especially if you rely on state legislature websites, which are often hard to navigate. Thousands of bills get filed in Rhode Island every year (and about 180,000 bills nationwide). If you want to be an effective advocate, you need to know where legislation of interest stands, and act quickly.
FastDemocracy's free version allows you to track an unlimited number of bills - no strings attached. We'll send you a daily or weekly email on your priority bills and give you tools to research bills and legislators.
FastDemocracy Professional is for anyone who tracks bills in a professional capacity. It features
- real-time bill, amendment and hearing alerts
- automated reporting
- team collaboration
- bill tagging for clients and stakeholders
- bill similarity detection
- ...and much more
How do I track bills in Rhode Island?
1. Sign up here for a free FastDemocracy account.
2. Head to Tracked Topics to select issue areas you care about.
3. Use the search bar on top if you're looking for something specific.
4. Click "Track Bill" for any legislation you'd like to monitor a bit closer. That's how you add it to your Tracked Bills. You can also click on a bill to learn more, see the bill summary, most recent actions, votes, news and tweets. You can also contact legislators or share your bills on social media.
5. You can track an unlimited number of bills for free and we'll send you a daily or weekly email if your tracked legislation moves.
6. Do you need real-time alerts, outreach tools, bill lists, and professional functions? Then FastDemocracy Professional is the right fit for you.
7. Track bills on your smartphone using our free mobile app.
How do I find my local Rhode Island Senator and Representative?
You can use the Find Your Legislators tool to find them, see their voting records, and contact them.
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Most tracked bills in Rhode Island, 2026 Regular Session
JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AUDITORY ORAL PROGRAM (Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $1,167,100 to the Rhode Island Auditory Oral Program, to support it’s mission.)
Last Action
01/07/2026 Introduced, referred to House Finance
House • Jan 07, 2026Latest Version
HOUSE RESOLUTION REINSTATING THE LIFE OF AND EXTENDING THE REPORTING AND EXPIRATION DATES OF THE SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO REVIEW AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICIES THAT DEAL WITH NUMEROUS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SHORT-TERM RENTALS ISSUES (Reinstates the life and extends reporting date of the Commission to Review and Provide Recommendations for Policies That Deal With Numerous Economic and Social Short-Term Rentals Issues from 9/30/25 to 9/30/26 and said commission would expire on 1/10/27.)
Last Action
01/07/2026 Introduced, referred to House Education
House • Jan 07, 2026Latest Version
JOINT RESOLUTION RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING A CONVENTION OF THE STATES UNDER ARTICLE V OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION (Petitions congress to call a convention for the purpose of proposing amendments to the U.S. Constitution to impose restraints on the federal government.)
Last Action
01/07/2026 Introduced, referred to House State Government & Elections
House • Jan 07, 2026Latest Version
AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND CLIMATE SUPERFUND ACT OF 2026 (Creates the Rhode Island Climate Superfund Act of 2026.)
Last Action
01/07/2026 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
House • Jan 07, 2026Latest Version
AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE (Provides that licensed independent clinical social workers be able to enroll and bill Medicaid directly for covered services provided to adults with Medicaid fee-for-service coverage.)
Last Action
01/07/2026 Introduced, referred to House Finance
House • Jan 07, 2026Latest Version
AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- BOARD OF MEDICAL LICENSURE AND DISCIPLINE (Prohibits healthcare providers and health plans from denying the payment of a medical bill, solely because the bill may have arisen from a third-party claim.)
Last Action
01/07/2026 Introduced, referred to House Corporations
House • Jan 07, 2026Latest Version
SENATE RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE REPORTING AND EXPIRATION DATES OF THE SPECIAL COMMISSION TO MAKE A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF RHODE ISLAND'S HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE RELATED TO EDUCATING AND RETAINING PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS AND ESTABLISHING A STATE MEDICAL SCHOOL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND (Extends reporting and expiration dates of commission studying RI's Healthcare Workforce Relating to Educating and Retaining Primary Care Physicians and a Medical School at URI from January 2, 2026, to March 1, 2026, and expires on June 30, 2026.)
Last Action
01/07/2026 Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar (01/08/2026)
Senate • Jan 07, 2026Latest Version
SENATE RESOLUTION HONORING THE VICTIMS OF THE BROWN UNIVERSITY SHOOTING AND COMMENDING FIRST RESPONDERS
Last Action
01/06/2026 Senate read and passed
Senate • Jan 06, 2026Latest Version
HOUSE RESOLUTION PRAISING THE RHODE ISLAND AND FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, PROVIDENCE MAYOR BRETT P. SMILEY, RHODE ISLAND ATTORNEY GENERAL PETER NERONHA, COLONEL OSCAR PEREZ, CHIEF OF THE PROVIDENCE POLICE DEPARTMENT, PROVIDENCE FIRE CHIEF DEREK SILVA, AND THE HEROIC MEDICAL PERSONNEL, PARTICULARLY THOSE AT RHODE ISLAND HOSPITAL, WHO SAVED THE LIVES OF MANY OF THE SHOOTING VICTIMS AT BROWN UNIVERSITY
Last Action
01/06/2026 House read and passed
House • Jan 06, 2026Latest Version
All Legislators in Rhode Island (Senator and Representative)