What are the most tracked bills in Rhode Island (2026 Regular Session)?

The top 5 most tracked bills are HB 7030: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- HEALTHCARE WORKER PLATFORM ACT (Creates the healthcare worker platform act that requires platforms offering healthcare shifts to register with the Rhode Island department of health while exempting them from being classified as nursing service agencies.), HB 7080: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- THIRD-PARTY LITIGATION FINANCING CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT (Provides for "litigation financing" regulation by DBR.), HB 7075: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES -- THE MATTHEW FEDERICO DIABETIC SAFETY ACT (Requires health plans that provide prescription benefits to cover at least one type of glucagon auto-injector, nasal spray, or formulation that does not require reconstitution to treat hypoglycemia. No copayment or deductible would be required.), HB 7183: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- BUILDING BENCHMARKING AND REPORTING ACT OF 2026 (Establishes a program for the energy and water benchmarking of large buildings in Rhode Island and a standard for their energy performance.), HB 7002: 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.), SB 2108: AN ACT RELATING TO 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.)

Why do I need bill tracking for Rhode Island?

Tracking bills is hard, especially if you rely on state legislature websites! Thousands of bills get filed in each state legislature across the US every year (about 180,000 bills per year nationwide). Legislation gets introduced by bill sponsors, heard in committees, amended, passed and becomes law. If you want to be an effective advocate, you need to know what action to take and when to take it. We can help you stay up to date on bills you care about, so you can take timely action.

What are the benefits of FastDemocracy Professional?

FastDemocracy Professional is a full-suite lobbying and bill tracking software for government relations professionals. Get accurate, realtime legislative tracking alerts for state legislatures and Congress, generate professional legislative reports for clients and stakeholders, collaborate with colleagues, organize your advocacy and save hours of work every week.

Free bill tracking for Rhode Island

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:
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. 
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.
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.
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.
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.
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

Learn more about FastDemocracy Professional

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.