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4/13/2026
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MEDIA ADVISORY: Senate Judiciary Committee to hear testimony on animal protection, weapons bills
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STATE HOUSE — The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to meet tomorrow to hear testimony on bills related to animal protections and weapons.
The committee is scheduled to meet Tuesday, April 14, at the rise of the Senate (about 5 p.m.) in Room 313 on the third floor of the State House.
The committee will hear several bills related to animal protections and weapons, including:
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2026-S 2151 — by Sen. Lori Urso (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket), which would allow animal control officers in the cities and towns to lawfully take charge of and provide adequate care to any animal found abandoned or neglected or hazardously accumulated and includes them as agents authorized to enforce the provisions of this law.
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2026-S 2298 — by Sen. Andrew R. Dimitri (D-Dist. 25, Johnston), which would increase the penalty for cruelty to animals, first offense, from 11 months to 12 months incarceration.
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2026-S 2397 — by Sen. Lori Urso (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket), which would increase penalties for a second or subsequent offense with a fine of not less than $500 or no more than $2,500 and up to two years imprisonment, for violating the law on the care of dogs.
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2026-S 2610 — by Sen. Lori Urso (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket), which would create a cause of action for the intentional or negligent injury or death of a pet.
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2026-S 2723 — by Sen. Andrew R. Dimitri (D-Dist. 25, Johnston), which would include animal cruelty offenses to the domestic violence crimes committed by a family or household members against another.
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2026-S 2153 — by Senate Minority Whip Gordon E. Rogers (R-Dist. 21, Foster, Scituate, Coventry, West Greenwich), which would allow the attorney general to enter into agreements with other states to recognize a concealed handgun permit as valid and authorizes Rhode Island to recognize and honor a concealed weapon permit from out of state with certain requirements.
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2026-S 2155 — by Senate Minority Whip Gordon E. Rogers (R-Dist. 21, Foster, Scituate, Coventry, West Greenwich), which would permit Rhode Island residents, 21 years of age or older, to carry a concealed handgun, without a permit.
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2026-S 2163 — by Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz (R-Dist. 23, North Smithfield, Burrillville, Glocester), which would provide the review and appeal process for individuals applying for a permit or license to carry a handgun with the licensing authority or attorney general.
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2026-S 2164 — by Senate Minority Whip Gordon E. Rogers (R-Dist. 21, Foster, Scituate, Coventry, West Greenwich), which would define suitable person, establish reasons for applying for concealed carry permit, establishes what information is required on applications, establishes appeal process for denials, provides that records are not public, permits hunting with suppressor.
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2026-S 2277 — by Senate Minority Whip Gordon E. Rogers (R-Dist. 21, Foster, Scituate, Coventry, West Greenwich), which would define suitable person for purposes of concealed carry pistol permit establishes reasons and information needed for applying for the permit, an appeal process and provides that records are not public records.
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2026-S 2283 — by Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz (R-Dist. 23, North Smithfield, Burrillville, Glocester), which would provide for a cause of action against an individual or entity that prohibits the possession of firearms on real property, except residences, by an individual that is authorized and licensed to carry a firearm.
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2026-S 2285 — by Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, West Greenwich), which would increase sentences for carrying a stolen firearm when committing a crime of violence and for possessing a stolen firearm. The bill would also require that a person convicted of these offenses serve a period of time in which they would not be eligible for parole or probation.
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2026-S 2295 — by Sen. Mark McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick), which would prohibit purchases of more than one firearm in any 30-day period.
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2026-S 2306 — by Senate Minority Whip Gordon E. Rogers (R-Dist. 21, Foster, Scituate, Coventry, West Greenwich), which would permit possession or use of device that muffles sound on any firearm longer than 17 inches in length and permits the use of such a device by any person while hunting, provided that they have a valid hunting license.
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2026-S 2314 — by Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, West Greenwich), which would make a first offense of possessing a large capacity feeding device a misdemeanor and subsequent offenses felonies.
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2026-S 2395 — by Sen. Brian J. Thompson (D-Dist. 20, Woonsocket, Cumberland), which would allow a person over 18 to purchase a stun gun or electronic dart gun and prohibit the sale of a stun gun or electronic dart gun to a person under 18 and criminalizes using a stun gun or electronic dart gun in a crime or against a police officer.
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2026-S 2611 — by Sen. Pamela J. Lauria (D-Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol, East Providence), which would establish the Rhode Island Firearm Industry Accountability Act of 2026.
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2026-S 2710 — by Sen. Tiara T. Mack (D-Dist. 6, Providence), which would restrict the possession of prohibited firearms.
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2026-S 2726 — by Sen. Mark McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick), which would change the application to purchase a firearm. Further, this act would require all persons seeking to possess a firearm except for police and military personnel to complete and pass a basic firearm safety training course.
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2026-S 2958 — by Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Newport, Tiverton, Little Compton), which would require shooting ranges to post signs in any area in which shooting occurs that contain the following language: “WARNING: If you or a loved one is experiencing distress and/or depression, call the 988 Suicide and Crisis hotline or text ‘HOME’ to 741741.”
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2026-S 2971 — by Sen. Bridget Valverde (D-Dist. 35, North Kingstown, East Greenwich, South Kingstown), which would create a process for an individual to voluntarily be either temporarily or indefinitely added to a list restricting their rights to purchase or possess firearms. The bill would also add civil fines and misdemeanor for violations.
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2026-S 3108 — by Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Newport, Tiverton, Little Compton), which would allow a law enforcement agency to consider expunged records when issuing a license or permit to carry a pistol or revolver.
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2026-S 3110 — by Sen. Jacob Bissaillon (D-Dist. 1, Providence), which would specify that it is unlawful for any person under the age of 18 to possess a firearm.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is chaired by Sen. Matthew L. LaMountain (D-Dist. 31, Warwick, Cranston). The meeting will be broadcast live on Channel 75 for Cox customers. It will also be livestreamed at capitoltvri.cablecast.tv.
For more information, contact:
Daniel Trafford, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-1922
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