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4/27/2026
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MEDIA ADVISORY: Senate Finance Committee meets twice this week to hear tax proposals, budget articles
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STATE HOUSE – The Senate Finance Committee will be meeting twice this week to continue hearing budget articles, amendments, department budgets and legislation.
The committee is chaired by Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton).
On Tuesday, April 28 at the RISE of the Senate (approximately 5 p.m. in Room 211 of the State House, the committee will hear the FY 26 revised and FY 27 budgets for the Department of Environmental Management and the Coastal Resources Management Council.
The committee will also hear testimony on the following FY 27 budget articles and amendments:
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Article 3, Section 2 (Paint Recycling)
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Article 3, Sections 6, 7, 19, 20, 21 (Big River Management Area)
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Article 3, Sections 22 and 23 (Bays, Rivers, Watershed Fund)
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Article 6, Question 5 (Green Economy Bond)
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Governor’s Budget Amendment #5 (Green Bond clarification)
Among the legislation scheduled to be heard are the following bills:
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2026-S 2237, sponsored by Sen. Tiara T. Mack (D-Dist. 6, Providence), would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $3,000,000 to the Rhode Island Food Bank.
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2026-S 2441, sponsored by Sen. Bridget Valverde (D-Dist. 35, North Kingstown, East Greenwich, South Kingstown), establishes the Compost Fund to award grants related to reducing the amount of solid waste generated in the state.
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2026-S 3181, sponsored by Chairman DiPalma, proposes a bond measure authorizing the State of Rhode Island to issue up to $100,000,000 in general obligation bonds, subject to voter approval, to fund coastal preparedness and resilience projects.
On Thursday, April 30 at the RISE of the Senate (approximately 5 p.m.) in the Senate Lounge of the State House, the committee will hear testimony on the following article and amendment from the FY 27 budget:
Among the legislation scheduled to be heard are the following bills:
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2026-S 2238, sponsored by Sen. Melissa Murray (D-Dist. 24, Woonsocket, North Smithfield), creates an additional tax rate of 3% on taxable income over $640,000 in 2026 dollars. Applies to tax years 2027 and thereafter, and not retroactively.
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2026-S 2251, sponsored by Sen. David P. Tikoian (D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, North Providence, Lincoln), eliminates the estate tax in Rhode Island.
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2026-S 2672, sponsored by Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz (R-Dist. 23, North Smithfield, Burrillville, Glocester), establishes a phased reduction of personal income tax rates.
The meetings will be televised by Capitol Television on: Cox Communications, channels 15 and 61 for high definition; i3Broadband (Formerly Full Channel) on 15; and Verizon, on channel 34. Senate committee hearings may also air on Channel 75 for Cox subscribers. Livestreaming is available at https://capitoltvri.cablecast.tv
For more information, contact:
Greg Pare, Director of Communications for the Senate
State House Room 112
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 276-5558
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