Rhode Island Vote Reports
2025 RI Legislative Scorecard
The following scorecard lists several key votes in the Rhode Island Legislature in 2025 and ranks state representatives and senators based on their fidelity to (U.S.) constitutional and limited-government principles.
Senate Votes
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Right to Education
Would place a proposed constitutional amendment before voters to create a state constitutional right to an "adequate education" and equal opportunity to receive that education.
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Insurance Mandate for Contraceptives
Requires health-insurance plans to cover the diagnosis and treatment of infertility for women ages 25 to 42.
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Green Constitutional Amendment
Would place a "Green Amendment" before voters to amend the state constitution and create a constitutional right to clean air, water, and soil, as well as "a life-supporting climate," and environmental preservation.
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Minimum-wage Increase
Increases the minimum wage to $16 per hour on January 1, 2026, and then to $17 per hour on January 1, 2027.
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Assault-weapons Ban
Bans the sale of so-called assault weapons.
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Baby Bonds
Creates a baby-bond pilot program for certain low-income families.
House Votes
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Collective-bargaining Expansion
Expands collective-bargaining rights for certain employees of the Department of Education.
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Immigration and Landlords
Prohibits landlords from asking prospective or current tenants about their immigration status.
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Minimum-wage Increase
Increases the minimum wage to $16 per hour on January 1, 2026, and then to $17 per hour on January 1, 2027.
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Assault-weapons Ban
Bans the sale of so-called assault weapons.
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340B Protection
Bars insurers, pharmacy benefit managers, drug manufacturers, or other payors from discriminating against 340B providers.
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Building Decarbonization Act
Would create a program requiring large buildings in Rhode Island to measure and report their energy and water use and meet state energy-performance standards.
2024 RI Legislative Scorecard
The following scorecard lists several key votes in the Rhode Island General Assembly in 2024 and ranks their state representatives and senators based on their fidelity to (U.S.) constitutional and limited-government principles.
Senate Votes
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Taxpayer Funded Dialysis for Illegal Immigrants
Amends Rhode Island's Office of Health and Human Services laws to provide Emergency Medicaid coverage for dialysis treatment and kidney transplants for non-citizens who do not qualify for Medicaid.
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Drug Cost Review Commission
Establishes the Rhode Island Drug Cost Review Commission to review and set price limits for prescription drugs when manufacturers increase or introduce prices above specified thresholds.
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Renewable Energy Subsidy Program
Establishes the Renewable Ready Program to promote renewable energy development on contaminated or state-owned sites by creating a fund within the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank.
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Firearm Storage Requirement
Amends Rhode Island's weapons laws to mandate safe storage of firearms, requiring they be secured in locked containers or equipped with safety devices when not in use.
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Expanding Attorney General's Authority
Allows the state Attorney General to investigate and bring an enforcement action against persistent fraud or illegality in the carrying on, conducting, or transaction of business or governmental activity.
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Election Drop Boxes
Amends Rhode Island's mail ballot laws to require that mail ballot drop boxes be accessible to the public starting 35 days prior to state and federal elections, and 20 days prior to special elections.
House Votes
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Election Media Restrictions
Establishes regulations in Rhode Island to prohibit the distribution of deceptive synthetic media, such as manipulated images, audio, or videos, within 90 days of an election, to prevent "fraudulent" election communications.
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Suppressor Ban Exemption
Amends Rhode Island's weapons laws to maintain the prohibition on manufacturing, selling, purchasing, or possessing firearm silencers, while creating an exemption for law enforcement officers.
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Renewable Energy Subsidy Program
Establishes the Renewable Ready Program to promote renewable energy development on contaminated or state-owned sites by creating a fund within the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank.
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Firearm Storage Requirement
Amends Rhode Island's weapons laws to mandate safe storage of firearms, requiring they be secured in locked containers or equipped with safety devices when not in use.
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Expanding Attorney General's Authority
Allows the state Attorney General to investigate and bring an enforcement action against persistent fraud or illegality in the carrying on, conducting, or transaction of business or governmental activity.
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Election Drop Boxes
Amends Rhode Island's mail ballot laws to require that mail ballot drop boxes be accessible to the public starting 35 days prior to state and federal elections, and 20 days prior to special elections.
2023 RI Legislative Scorecard
The following scorecard lists several key votes in the Rhode Island General Assembly in 2023 and ranks their state representatives and senators based on their fidelity to (U.S.) constitutional and limited-government principles.
Senate Votes
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Forced Workplace Culture
Would allow employees to sue if they face psychological damage in the workplace. The employer would be required to provide a workplace that doesn't have any such cases.
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Reducing Penalties for Illegal Aliens
Lowers the maximum penalty for misdemeanors from 365 days to 364 days, so that illegal immigrants do not have to be reported to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.
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Tax Credits for Theater
Creates tax credit opportunities for musicals, stage plays, and other productions in Rhode Island until 2027.
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IDs for Illegal Immigrants
Makes applicants without "proof of lawful presence" eligible for a Rhode Island driver's license and requires that these IDs "shall not be used as a basis for a criminal investigation, arrest, or detention."
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Mandatory Abortion Coverage
Would require insurance companies to provide abortion coverage to residents of Rhode Island.
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Mandatory EV Chargers
Would require companies to create new parking spaces outfitted with electric vehicle chargers.
House Votes
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Mandatory EV Chargers
Would require companies to create new parking spaces outfitted with electric vehicle chargers.
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Mandatory Abortion Coverage
Would require insurance companies to provide abortion coverage to residents of Rhode Island.
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IDs for Illegal Immigrants
Makes applicants without "proof of lawful presence" eligible for a Rhode Island driver's license and requires that these IDs "shall not be used as a basis for a criminal investigation, arrest, or detention."
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Mandatory Minimum Wage
Expands the number of occupations that qualify for minimum wage and creates new protections for such employees.
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Loose Adoption Laws
Makes adoption easier for single/nonmarried people and removes several requirements to accommodate LGBT adoption.
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Tax Credits for Theater
Creates tax credit opportunities for musicals, stage plays, and other productions in Rhode Island until 2027.
2022 RI Legislative Scorecard 2021-
The following scorecard lists several key votes in the Rhode Island General Assembly in 2021 and 2022 and ranks state representatives and senators based on their fidelity to (U.S.) constitutional and limited-government principles.
This is our first state-level Scorecard; the selected votes may not be reflective of legislators' overall records. Their cumulative scores will change as we add more votes. Please check regularly for updates.
Senate Votes
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"Driver Privilege Cards" for Illegal Aliens
Allows the division of motor vehicles to issue "driver privilege cards and permits" to applicants "unable to establish legal presence in the United States."
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Restricting Firearms Purchases to Ages 21+
Restricts the lawful sale of firearms or ammunition to persons 21 years of age or older, with the exemption of full-time law enforcement, state marshals, and members of the U.S. military.
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Expanding Government Wiretapping
Grants the ability to apply ex parte for a court order authorizing the "interception of any wire, electronic, or oral communications" based on alleged felony violations of the Uniform Act on Prevention for Human Trafficking.
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Permanent Early, Mail-In Voting
Permits early voting by mail without an excuse, removes the requirement that mail ballots be signed by a notary public or two witnesses, and directs every municipality to maintain at least one ballot drop box.
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United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
Urges the federal government to sign and ratify the U.N. Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
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Forced Minimum Wage Increases
Increases the minimum wage from $11.50 per hour to $15.00 per hour, over a 4-year period.
House Votes
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"Driver Privilege Cards" for Illegal Aliens
Allows the division of motor vehicles to issue "driver privilege cards and permits" to applicants "unable to establish legal presence in the United States."
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Expanding Government Wiretapping
Grants the ability to apply ex parte for a court order authorizing the "interception of any wire, electronic, or oral communications" based on alleged felony violations of the Uniform Act on Prevention for Human Trafficking.
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Permanent Early, Mail-In Voting
Permits early voting by mail without an excuse, removes the requirement that mail ballots be signed by a notary public or two witnesses, and directs every municipality to maintain at least one ballot drop box.
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Gun-Free School Zones
Prohibits the possession of firearms on school grounds, except for peace officers, retired law enforcement officers, persons under contract to provide school security services, and unloaded firearms in locked containers or a locked rack in a motor vehicle.
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Forced Minimum Wage Increases
Increases the minimum wage from $11.50 per hour to $15.00 per hour, over a 4-year period.
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2021 "Act on Climate"
Mandates a statewide enforceable target of "net-zero" emissions by 2050, including an "equitable transition to climate compliance for environmental justice populations."