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View all Recent Press Releases
    
06/12/2025
House, Senate approve Bennett, Burke minimum wage bill
The House of Representatives and Senate today approved bills introduced by Rep. David A. Bennett and Sen. John Burke that would increase Rhode Island’s minimum wage from $15 to $17 over a two-year period.

  
06/12/2025
Assembly OKs bill reviving board that brings together conservation, affordable housing interests
The General Assembly has approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Jacob E. Bissaillon and Rep. June S. Speakman to revive a state board that brings together leaders in land conservation, construction and affordable housing to promote sustainable housing growth throughout Rhode Island.



  
06/11/2025
House Finance Committee approves 2026 state budget bill
The House Finance Committee voted 11-3 today to approve a balanced $14.33 billion budget for the 2026 fiscal year that closes budget gaps; bolsters Medicaid despite threats at the federal level; increases reimbursements for primary care providers, nursing homes and hospitals; and provides additional resources to address the housing crisis.


  
06/10/2025
Assembly approves ‘PURPLE Alert’ legislation for missing individuals with disabilities
The General Assembly today approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Tina L. Spears and Sen. Todd M. Patalano to establish a “PURPLE Alert” system to help quickly find missing adults with serious disabilities whose health and safety is at risk.


  
06/10/2025
Assembly OKs bill to test biosolids for PFAS
The legislation is aimed at preventing contamination of food, soil and groundwater at farms
 
The General Assembly has approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Terri Cortvriend and Sen. Alana M. DiMario to require anyone applying for a permit to spread biosolids on land to first test the material for PFAS — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The legislation now goes to the governor.


  
06/05/2025
House approves assault weapons ban
 The House of Representatives voted 42-28 in favor of legislation sponsored by Rep. Jason Knight to ban assault weapons in Rhode Island. The legislation now moves to the Senate.  
06/05/2025
Legislators oppose Coast Guard plan to remove navigational aids
An overwhelming majority of the members of the General Assembly are urging the U.S. Coast Guard to scrap its proposal to remove 38 navigational aids that help guide boaters around the coast of Rhode Island.


  
05/29/2025
House OKs McGaw bill enabling natural organic reduction, alkaline hydrolysis as alternatives to burial, cremation
Legislation would make greener options available in R.I.
 
The House of Representatives has approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Michelle McGaw that would provide Rhode Islanders two alternatives to burial or cremation: natural organic reduction and alkaline hydrolysis.


  
05/15/2025
Final bills in Speaker Shekarchi’s housing package pass House
House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi announced that today, the House of Representatives passed the final two pieces of legislation in his 2025 package of housing legislation.  
05/13/2025
Senate OKs bill to prohibit electronic devices during school day
The Senate has approved legislation sponsored by Senate Health and Human Services Committee Chairwoman Melissa Murray to require every school in Rhode Island to have a policy on the use of personal electronics that prohibits students from having access to them during the school day. The bill now heads to the House.


  
05/13/2025
Senate approves Valverde bill protecting 340B discount prescription program
The Senate has approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Bridget Valverde to protect a critical discount pharmaceutical program that enables safety-net hospitals, clinics and other health care agencies to provide care to the most vulnerable Rhode Islanders.


  
05/06/2025
Senate approves bill to reduce insurers’ prior authorization requirements
Legislation would free PCPs from time-consuming roadblock to patient care

The Senate has approved legislation sponsored by Senate Health and Human Services Committee Chairwoman Melissa Murray to prohibit insurers from requiring prior authorization for medically necessary health care services and prescriptions ordered by patients’ primary care providers.