Vol. CXXXII · No. CCLXVIIIFRIDAY, JULY 10, 2026Ocean State Edition

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Governance

268 articles · page 2 of 23
GovernanceFree press

New Rhode Island Law Phases Out Dangerous Rat Poisons That Harm Wildlife

Governor Dan McKee signed legislation on June 25, 2026, phasing out anticoagulant rodenticides that harm wildlife and creating a pilot program for safer rodent control alternatives. The law prohibits consumer sales of first-generation anticoagulant rodenticides beginning March 1, 2027, and second-generation products starting January 1, 2028. Licensed commercial applicators are exempt. The bill was sponsored by Senator Melissa Murray and Representative Rebecca Kislak and passed the General Assembly on June 8.

valleybreeze.comJUN 28, 2026
GovernancePrimary

Governor McKee Signs Bills Into Law on June 19, 2026

Governor Dan McKee transmitted multiple bills on Friday, June 19, 2026, both with and without signature. The official announcement was published Monday, June 22, 2026. Specific bill details were provided via linked transmittal documents from the governor's office.

governor.ri.gov
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JUN 28, 2026
JudiciaryGovernancePaywall

Federal judge permanently blocks Trump administration election overhaul in Rhode Island case

U.S. District Court Judge Denise Casper in Boston permanently barred the Trump administration from implementing an executive order requiring documentary proof of citizenship to vote and other election changes. The ruling, which converts a prior preliminary injunction to a permanent ban, affirmed that the Constitution grants states and Congress—not the president—authority to regulate elections. Rhode Island was among the plaintiff states in the case.

bostonglobe.comJUN 27, 2026
JudiciaryGovernancePaywall

Boston federal judge blocks Trump executive order on mail ballots, voter lists

U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani halted President Trump's executive order seeking to create a federal voter list and limit mail ballot eligibility, ruling the provisions unconstitutionally violate separation of powers. The ruling applies to the 2026 midterm election cycle and stems from lawsuits filed in Boston federal court by a coalition of nearly two dozen states, including Rhode Island. The White House indicated it will appeal.

bostonglobe.comJUN 27, 2026
GovernanceCommerceFree press

Rhode Island Becomes First State to Mandate Grocery Self-Checkout Staffing Ratios

Governor McKee signed the Restrictions on Self-Service Checkout Stations Act into law on June 25, making Rhode Island the first state to regulate self-checkout lanes. The law requires one manually staffed cashier lane for every three self-checkout stations and prohibits dual-duty assignments for monitoring staff. Stores violating the law face fines up to $1,000 per day.

wpri.comJUN 27, 2026
GovernancePaywall

McKee Vetoes Building Energy Reporting Bill, Climate Advocates Urge Override

Governor McKee issued his first veto of 2026, rejecting legislation requiring energy-use reporting for large buildings and campuses. Climate Action RI called the veto "deeply disappointing" and noted it followed their endorsement of McKee's primary opponent, Helena Foulkes. McKee cited implementation challenges and negative cost impacts on housing development and businesses. The veto came on June 25.

bostonglobe.comJUN 27, 2026
GovernanceJudiciaryOther

McKee Signs Law Creating Two-Year Window for Child Sex Abuse Civil Claims

Governor McKee signed legislation on June 24 amending the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse claims and creating a two-year window for victims to bring otherwise time-barred civil claims against institutions and supervisors. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, following a March attorney general report identifying 75 clergy who abused over 300 children in the Catholic Diocese of Providence since 1950.

insurancejournal.comJUN 27, 2026
GovernanceCommunity

FY2027 Budget Passes General Assembly, Signed by McKee With $15.2 Billion in Spending

The Rhode Island General Assembly passed a $15.2 billion FY2027 state budget on June 9-11, with the House approving 65-10 and Senate passing 32-6. Governor McKee signed the budget on June 12 at Children's Friend in Providence. The budget aims to provide economic relief and improve education and healthcare without raising broad-based taxes or fees.

thelocalinsidernews.comJUN 27, 2026
GovernanceFree press

McKee Issues Statewide Drought Watch, First Since 2002

Governor McKee issued a statewide drought watch on June 25, as recommended by the state's Drought Steering Committee, marking the first such declaration since 2002. The watch follows a drought advisory issued last month, based on three scientific indices showing precipitation deficits, record-low streamflows, and declining groundwater levels extending back to June 2025.

valleybreeze.comJUN 27, 2026
GovernanceFree press

McKee Signs Quonset Sludge Moratorium and Establishes Study Commission

Governor McKee signed legislation on June 23 establishing a moratorium on sludge management at Quonset and creating a study commission to examine the issue. The measure addresses concerns about sludge processing facilities and their environmental impact. Details about the commission's scope and timeline will be determined through the legislative study process.

pbn.comJUN 27, 2026
JudiciaryGovernanceFree press

Shekarchi Files Superior Court Action to Block Ethics Commission Probe Over Revolving Door

Former House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi filed an emergency motion in Rhode Island Superior Court on June 25, 2026, seeking to halt the state Ethics Commission from investigating a complaint that his pursuit of a Supreme Court seat violates the revolving-door law. The commission had denied his motion to dismiss the complaint, which argues Shekarchi cannot apply for a judgeship within one year of resigning as Speaker. Shekarchi's lawyers contend Supreme Court seats are exempt from the revolving-door ban as a constitutional office; the commission's prosecutor disagrees.

turnto10.comJUN 26, 2026
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