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, 2024 Regular Session
AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- EXAMINATIONS (Amends the statutory provisions regarding domestic and foreign insurers and insurer examinations to provide provisions with regard to cybersecurity events involving Rhode Island consumers.)
Last Action
06/26/2024 Signed by Governor
executive • Jun 26, 2024Latest Version
AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES (Amends several sections of law relating to zoning ordinances to provide uniform zoning standards for accessory dwelling units.)
Last Action
06/25/2024 Signed by Governor
executive • Jun 25, 2024Latest Version
AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION (Requires the department of administration to publish a report to the speaker of the house, president of the senate, and secretary of housing evaluating the cost to establish and maintain a statewide geographic information system.)
Last Action
06/25/2024 Signed by Governor
executive • Jun 25, 2024Latest Version
AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- SUBDIVISION OF LAND (Provides amendments relative to the permitting authority of, and acceptable forms of financial security permissible for construction and/or improvement guarantees relating to the completion of required public improvements.)
Last Action
06/25/2024 Signed by Governor
executive • Jun 25, 2024Latest Version
AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- RHODE ISLAND COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING AND LAND USE ACT (Provides amendments relative to the compliance and implementation of the comprehensive planning and use act including the conditions upon which limitations may be placed on land use applications by municipalities.)
Last Action
06/25/2024 Signed by Governor
executive • Jun 25, 2024Latest Version
AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND HOUSING RESOURCES ACT OF 1998 (Provides that mobile and manufactured homes be included as affordable housing under certain conditions.)
Last Action
06/25/2024 Signed by Governor
executive • Jun 25, 2024Latest Version
AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES (Amends provisions relative to the application of zoning ordinances pertaining to wetland buffers to projects for development, redevelopment, construction or rehabilitation.)
Last Action
06/25/2024 Signed by Governor
executive • Jun 25, 2024Latest Version
AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- SUBDIVISION OF LAND (Makes amendments to various provisions relative to subdivision of land review, review stages, special provisions related to development and the procedures for approvals from various permitting authorities.)
Last Action
06/25/2024 Signed by Governor
executive • Jun 25, 2024Latest Version
AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE (Amends various provisions relative to the duties of the state building commissioner and establishes a building code education and training unit to educate building officials and inspectors statewide.)
Last Action
06/25/2024 Signed by Governor
executive • Jun 25, 2024Latest Version
AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY LICENSURE COMPACT (Creates the occupational therapy licensure compact that would allow licensed occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants to practice in all states that join the compact.)
Last Action
06/25/2024 Signed by Governor
executive • Jun 25, 2024Latest Version
AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- ELECTRICIANS (Clarifies the types of electrical services that require an electrical contractor's license.)
Last Action
06/24/2024 Signed by Governor
executive • Jun 24, 2024Latest Version
AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- FACILITATING BUSINESS RAPID RESPONSE TO STATE DECLARED DISASTER ACT OF 2024 (Exempts out-of-state businesses and their employees performing services, during declared state or federal disasters or emergencies, from state or local business requirements, as well as state or local taxes or fees)
Last Action
06/24/2024 Signed by Governor
executive • Jun 24, 2024Latest Version
AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES (Prohibits healthcare entities from interfering with a patient's right to choose to obtain a clinician-administered drug from their provider or pharmacy of choice.)
Last Action
06/24/2024 Signed by Governor
executive • Jun 24, 2024Latest Version
AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- FACILITATING BUSINESS RAPID RESPONSE TO STATE DECLARED DISASTER ACT OF 2024 (Exempts out-of-state businesses and their employees performing services, during declared state or federal disasters or emergencies, from state or local business requirements, as well as state or local taxes or fees.)
Last Action
06/24/2024 Signed by Governor
executive • Jun 24, 2024Latest Version
AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- SUBDIVISION OF LAND (Requires that municipalities implement electronic permitting for all development applications pursuant to zoning and the subdivision of land.)
Last Action
06/24/2024 Signed by Governor
executive • Jun 24, 2024Latest Version
AN ACT MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE STATE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2025
Last Action
06/17/2024 Signed by Governor
executive • Jun 17, 2024Latest Version
AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- PRESCRIPTION DRUG COST PROTECTION (Prohibits the state, participating ERISA or any health plan from purchasing referenced drugs for a cost higher than the referenced rate.)
Last Action
05/24/2024 Referred to House Health & Human Services
House • May 24, 2024Latest Version
AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES (Amends several sections of law relating to zoning ordinances to provide uniform zoning standards for accessory dwelling units.)
Last Action
05/16/2024 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Senate • May 16, 2024Latest Version
AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- DEFENDING AFFORDABLE PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS ACT (Prohibits any health insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, or other third-party payor from discriminating against any 340B entity participating in a drug discount program.)
Last Action
03/19/2024 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
House • Mar 19, 2024Latest Version
AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ACCOUNTABILITY ACT (Requires DOA provide inventory of all state agencies using artificial intelligence (AI); establishes a permanent commission to monitor the use of AI in state government and makes recommendations for state government policy and other decisions.)
Last Action
01/25/2024 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
House • Jan 25, 2024Latest Version
All Legislators in Rhode Island (Senator and Representative)
