Vol. CXXXII · No. CXLIXMONDAY, MAY 25, 2026Ocean State Edition

RI CAPITOL

RI Capitol’s Civic Intelligence Network · Powered by XPoLL

AllCommerceGovernanceJudiciarySources

Stay updated

One email every Monday morning with the week’s RI Capitol stories. Sign in with Google to subscribe — no password, one-click unsubscribe.

We’ll only store your name, email, and profile picture. Never shared, never sold.

Governance

149 articles · page 12 of 13
GovernanceTransportationPaywall

General Assembly advances legislation to create Crook Point Bridge Authority

The Rhode Island House and Senate approved matching bills creating an independent corporate authority to acquire, develop, and maintain the Crook Point Bridge. The legislation aims to prevent the state Department of Transportation from demolishing the 50-year-old drawbridge stuck in upright position between Providence and East Providence, following Providence Mayor Brett Smiley's request to preserve the landmark.

bostonglobe.comAPR 22, 2026
GovernanceHealthFree press

Health and Human Services Secretary Richard Charest to retire July 3

Rhode Island Health and Human Services Secretary Richard Charest announced his retirement effective July 3, following three years leading the agency with a $6.4 billion annual budget representing nearly 50% of state spending. Charest was praised for expanding access to care but his tenure was marked by federal reimbursement suspensions for Medicaid administration due to state payroll software problems.

RI Capitol
Civic intelligence network · Powered by XPoLL

Stay updated

One email every Monday morning with the week’s RI Capitol stories. Sign in with Google to subscribe — no password, one-click unsubscribe.

We’ll only store your name, email, and profile picture. Never shared, never sold.

© 2026 RI Capitol · All rights reserved.Aggregated summaries linking out to original sources. XPoLL.
rhodeislandcurrent.comAPR 22, 2026
GovernanceHealthFree press

Senate committee considers bill removing testosterone from prescription monitoring database

A bill proposed by Deputy Senate President Pro Tempore Matthew LaMountain would remove testosterone from Rhode Island's prescription drug monitoring database and require deletion of existing records. Supporters argue the measure would protect transgender patients' privacy and extend existing shield laws, while critics warn about potential misuse of sensitive health information.

rhodeislandcurrent.comAPR 22, 2026
GovernanceJudiciaryFree press

Rhode Island House passes bills strengthening clergy sex abuse accountability

The Rhode Island House of Representatives passed legislation addressing clergy sexual abuse following the Attorney General's recent report on abuse within the Catholic Church. The bills aim to strengthen accountability measures and protections for abuse survivors through enhanced reporting and legal mechanisms.

whatsgoingoninrhodeisland.comAPR 22, 2026
GovernancePublic SafetyFree press

Rhode Island House passes bill protecting pets in domestic abuse cases

The Rhode Island House of Representatives approved legislation to protect pets in domestic violence situations. The bill addresses concerns that abusers use pets as leverage against victims and provides legal mechanisms to include animals in protective orders and custody arrangements during abuse cases.

whatsgoingoninrhodeisland.comAPR 22, 2026
GovernanceHealthFree press

General Assembly passes legislation allowing nurses to provide home foot care

The Rhode Island General Assembly passed legislation allowing certified nurses to perform critical foot care at home, addressing a statutory gap that prevented homebound patients from receiving treatment. The modified legislation includes specific training requirements, license renewal standards, and fees, and now awaits Gov. Dan McKee's signature.

newsfromthestates.comAPR 22, 2026
JudiciaryGovernanceFree press

Federal Court Allows Out-of-State Attorneys to File Habeas Petitions in Rhode Island

The U.S. District Court for Rhode Island issued a general order on April 13 permitting out-of-state attorneys to represent detainees filing habeas corpus petitions pro bono for one year. The order responds to a 232% surge in such petitions in 2026, with immigration-related cases comprising 32% of all civil filings. Attorneys must be in good standing with at least one federal or state bar to qualify under the temporary rule.

browndailyherald.comAPR 22, 2026
GovernanceHealthFree press

RI Lawmakers Introduce Death with Dignity Act for Terminally Ill Patients

Rep. Edith Ajello and Sen. Meghan Kallman introduced the Lila Manfield Sapinsley Compassionate Care Act, legislation allowing terminally ill adults to request physician-prescribed medication to end their lives. The bill includes strict safeguards: two documented requests 15 days apart, verification of mental capacity, and full disclosure of treatment alternatives. Thirteen states and DC have similar laws. The bill honors former Senate Minority Leader Lila Sapinsley, who championed the cause before her 2014 death.

johnstonsunrise.netAPR 21, 2026
GovernancePublic SafetyPaywall

What is Reciprocal Concealed Carry: RI Senator Explains Gun Rights Proposal

A Rhode Island senator explained a proposal for reciprocal concealed carry legislation in a video discussion. The proposal relates to ongoing gun policy debates at the statehouse. Limited details available from video summary, but represents active legislative discussion on firearms regulation in Rhode Island.

providencejournal.comAPR 21, 2026
GovernanceHousingPrimary

Rhode Island Delegation Announces $26.2 Million in HUD Funding for Housing and Development

Senators Whitehouse and Reed and Representatives Magaziner and Amo announced Rhode Island will receive $26.2 million in federal HUD funding for community development, housing, homelessness resources, and infrastructure. The allocation includes $16.5 million in Community Development Block Grants, $5.6 million for HOME Investment Partnerships, and $1.5 million for Emergency Solutions Grants. Senator Reed, who serves on the Senate THUD Appropriations Subcommittee, helped secure the funds in the FY2026 appropriations law.

whitehouse.senate.govAPR 21, 2026
GovernanceFinanceFree press

McKee Proposes Rollback of 2-Cent Gas Tax Increase in Budget

Governor Dan McKee announced Wednesday he will seek to reverse last year's 2-cent gas tax hike in his upcoming budget proposal, aiming to return $9.5 million to Rhode Islanders. The governor did not sign last year's budget after the General Assembly added the gas tax increase to fund RIPTA. McKee assured that the cut would not impact road repairs or bridge maintenance as the state retires related debt.

coastalabc.comAPR 21, 2026
Advertisement
Sponsor
NewerPage 12 of 13Older