This week at the
General Assembly
STATE HOUSE — Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the General Assembly this week. For more information on any of these items visit http://www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease
§ House approves assault weapons ban
The House passed legislation (2025-H 5436A) sponsored by Rep. Jason Knight (D-Dist. 67, Barrington, Warren) to prohibit certain assault weapons in Rhode Island. The legislation now moves to the Senate where Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Tiverton, Newport) is sponsoring its companion (2025-S 0359).
Click here to see news release.
§ Senate approves Tikoian bill to increase Medicaid reimbursement to hospitals
The Senate approved legislation (2025-S 0848) introduced by Majority Whip David P. Tikoian (D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, Lincoln, North Providence) that would increase Medicaid reimbursements to hospitals. The bill would expand an existing payment program that would allow the state to maximize federal matching dollars. The measure now moves to the House, which passed similar legislation (2025-H 6095) sponsored by Rep. David A. Bennett (D-Dist. 20, Warwick, Cranston).
Click here to see news release.
§ House, Senate approve Serpa, Burke bills to increase nonprofit transparency
The House and Senate approved legislation (2025-H 6235Aaa, 2025-S 0579A) introduced by Rep. Patricia A. Serpa (D-Dist. 27, West Warwick, Coventry) and Sen. John P. Burke (D-Dist. 9 West Warwick) that would require nonprofit organizations to disclose their five top salaries before receiving grants or funding from the General Assembly. The bills now move to the opposite respective chambers.
Click here to see Serpa release.
Click here to see Burke release.
§ Senate gives nod to bid to make clean air, soil, climate a constitutional right
The Senate approved a Green Amendment resolution (2025-S 0327) introduced by Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D-Dist. 37, South Kingstown) that would ask the state’s voters to make clean air, health, uncontaminated soil, a life-supporting climate and the preservation of the environment’s natural, scenic and recreational values a right in the state constitution. The measure, which would be placed on the ballot at the next statewide general election, now moves to the House of Representatives where similar legislation (2025-H 5732) has been introduced by Rep. David A. Bennett (D-Dist. 20, Warwick, Cranston).
Click here to see news release.
- Senate approves Ciccone bill to increase sports betting options
The Senate approved legislation (2025-S 0748Aaa) introduced by Majority Leader Frank A. Ciccone III (D-Dist. 7, Providence, Johnston) that would increase the number of companies allowed to offer sports betting in Rhode Island. Currently, only IGT has state approval to run the state’s only sports betting service. The bill now heads to the House where Rep. Matthew S. Dawson (D-Dist. 65, East Providence) has introduced the legislation (2025-H 6048).
Click here to see news release.
- Senate OKs Urso bill on work protections to those experiencing menopause
The Senate passed legislation (2025-S 0361) introduced by Sen. Lori Urso (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket) that updates fair employment practices to support women experiencing menopause. The bill would add menopause to this list of protected conditions, encouraging support for women as they experience troublesome menopause-related conditions. The bill now heads to the House where Rep. Karen Alzate (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket, Central Falls) has introduced the legislation (2025-H 6161).
Click here to see news release.
§ Senate OKs bill to let pharmacists authorize refill if prescriber can’t be reached
The Senate approved legislation (2025-S 0483) sponsored by Sen. Pamela J. Lauria (D-Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol, East Providence) to allow pharmacists, in the event they receive a request for a prescription refill and are unable to obtain authorization from the prescriber or the patient no longer has a prescriber, to dispense a one-time refill for continuation of the patient’s therapy for up to 100 days under certain conditions. The legislation now goes to the House, which has approved a companion bill (2025-H 5633) sponsored by Representative McGaw (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Little Compton).
Click here to see news release.
§ Senate OKs DiMario bill to test biosolids for PFAS
The Senate approved legislation (2025-S 0650A) sponsored by Sen. Alana M. DiMario (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown, New Shoreham) to require anyone applying for a permit to spread biosolids on land to test the material for PFAS — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Biosolids are the solids that are left after sewage is treated, and are sometimes used as fertilizer. Biosolids containing PFAS have contaminated numerous farms in Maine. The bill now goes to the House, which passed companion legislation (2025-H 5844A) sponsored by Rep. Terri Cortvriend (D-Dist. 72, Portsmouth, Middletown).
Click here to see news release.
§ Legislators oppose Coast Guard plan to remove navigational aids
In an effort led by Rep. Michelle McGaw (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Little Compton) and Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton), all 37 members of the Senate and 49 of the 75 members of the House of Representatives have submitted a letter to the Coast Guard opposing its plan to remove 38 navigational aids from Rhode Island waters. Rep. Lauren H. Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport) and Sen. Linda L. Ujifusa (D-Dist. 11, Portsmouth, Bristol) have also introduced matching House and Senate resolutions (2025-H 6372, 2025-S 1117) expressing opposition to the proposal.
Click here to see news release.
