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08/03/2022
Speaker Pro Tem Brian Kennedy named president-elect of National Conference of State Legislatures
House Speaker Pro Tempore Brian Kennedy has been chosen as president-elect of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), a bipartisan organization serving the nation’s 7,383 state lawmakers and legislative staff.

  
08/02/2022
Senator de la Cruz elected Senate Minority Leader; Senator Rogers is Minority Whip
The Rhode Island Senate Minority Caucus is proud to announce the election of Jessica de la Cruz (R-Dist. 23, Burrillville, Glocester, North Smithfield) to serve as the Senate Minority Leader and Gordon E. Rogers (R-Dist. 21, Foster, Scituate, Coventry, West Greenwich) as Senate Minority Whip.

  
07/06/2022
New law sponsored by Rep. Knight, Sen. McCaffrey eliminates court fees for many defendants
Change is meant to free Rhode Islanders from cycle of debt

A new law sponsored by Rep. Jason Knight and Senate Majority Leader Michael J. McCaffrey will eliminate court costs for many Rhode Islanders, lifting a burden that often results in re-incarceration and serves as a stumbling block for many after prison.



  
07/06/2022
Offshore wind procurement bill signed into law
Legislation requiring 600 to 1,000 megawatts of new offshore wind development, sponsored by Sen. Dawn Euer and Rep. Arthur Handy on behalf of Gov. Daniel McKee, has been signed into law.


  
07/05/2022
Bill signed to ban toxic chemicals from food packaging
The governor has signed into law legislation sponsored by Rep. Terri Cortvriend and Sen. James A. Seveney prohibiting per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from food packaging made or sold in Rhode Island beginning in 2024. 


  
07/05/2022
Bills to address housing crisis signed into law
Bills developed based on work of ongoing House commission

The House of Representatives' package of 10 bills to address the state’s housing crisis has been signed into law. The legislation was backed by House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and Rep. June S. Speakman, chairwoman of the Special Legislative Commission to Study the Rhode Island Low and Moderate Income Housing Act.

  
06/30/2022
Sen. Ciccone and Rep. Alzate’s undocumented driving privileges legislation signed into law
Rep. Karen Alzate and Sen. Frank A. Ciccone’s legislation granting driving privilege cards and permits to undocumented Rhode Islanders was signed into law. 


  
06/29/2022
This Year at the General Assembly
Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the General Assembly this year.

  
06/29/2022
President Ruggerio and Rep. Ruggiero’s historic legislation requiring 100% of Rhode Island’s electricity to be offset by renewable energy by 2033 signed into law
Governor Dan McKee signed into law historic legislation sponsored by Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio and Rep. Deborah Ruggiero to substantially increase renewable energy production and supply by requiring that 100 percent of Rhode Island’s electricity be offset by renewable production by 2033.  
06/27/2022
2023 budget bill signed into law
The $13.6 billion state budget for the 2023 fiscal year approved by the General Assembly has been signed into law, providing targeted taxpayer relief and directing spending of the remainder of the state’s American Rescue Act Plan (ARPA) funds on strengthening existing commitments.


  
06/21/2022
Bill signed to raise age for gun, ammunition sales to 21
A month after the horrific mass murder of 19 schoolchildren and two teachers at a Texas elementary school by an 18-year-old gunman, the governor has signed legislation passed by the General Assembly to raise the legal age to purchase firearms or ammunition in Rhode Island from 18 to 21. The bill was sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin and Rep. Teresa Tanzi.


  
06/21/2022
Bill that penalizes the open carrying of loaded rifles and shotguns in public signed into law
Legislation introduced by Senate Majority Leader Michael J. McCaffrey (D-Dist. 29, Warwick) and Rep. Leonela “Leo” Felix (D-Dist. 61, Pawtucket) that enumerates penalties for the open carrying of loaded shotguns and rifles was signed into law today.

  
06/21/2022
Large-capacity magazine ban signed into law
The governor has signed into law legislation approved by the General Assembly and sponsored by Rep. Justine Caldwell and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Cynthia A. Coyne to ban large-capacity gun magazines, which have enabled mass shootings including the one last month in Uvalde, Texas.


  
06/08/2022
'Let RI Vote Act' signed into law
The 'Let RI Vote Act,' legislation sponsored by House Majority Whip Katherine S. Kazarian and Senator Dawn Euer, which expands voter access while ensuring the integrity of Rhode Island elections was signed into law by Governor Daniel McKee.  
05/25/2022
Adult recreational cannabis bill now law
With the governor's signature today, legislation passed by the General Assembly yesterday to legalize, regulate and tax adult recreational cannabis use in Rhode Island is now law.