Rhode Island State Senator

John Burke 2026 Regular Session - Authored & Sponsored Legislation (Page 18)

Legislative Session

Co-Sponsor of Legislation

RI

Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

Rhode Island Senate Bill S2275

Introduced
1/23/26  
Restores the requirement that a local review board issue findings for denial in reviewing a comprehensive permit request and clarifies that affordable housing units shall be included in each town and city when the building permits for units are granted.
RI

Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

Rhode Island Senate Bill S2280

Introduced
1/23/26  
Requires all schools and educational institutions to develop and implement a school safety plan that would provide for immediate access to school facilities by first responders in an emergency.
RI

Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

Rhode Island Senate Bill S2258

Introduced
1/23/26  
JOINT RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY SAFE STAFFING RATIOS IN HOSPITALS (Creates a 15-member joint commission to study and provide recommendations regarding safe staffing ratios in hospitals, and who would report back to the General Assembly by September 1, 2027, and expire on January 30, 2028.)
RI

Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

Rhode Island Senate Bill S2209

Introduced
1/23/26  
Strengthens school security measures/established 8 member school emergency response committee/rapid response teams/SWAT teams/requires annual appropriation of $1,000,000 to achieve these goals.
RI

Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

Rhode Island Senate Bill S2228

Introduced
1/23/26  
Allows a modification to federal adjusted gross income for all social security income for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2027.
RI

Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

Rhode Island Senate Bill S2292

Introduced
1/23/26  
Refer
1/23/26  
Report Pass
4/2/26  
Engrossed
4/7/26  
Makes it a felony for any person to remove or attempt to remove any firearm or other weapon or any communication device from any peace officer or investigator of the department of attorney general.
RI

Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

Rhode Island Senate Bill S2263

Introduced
1/23/26  
Prohibits any city, town, quasi-municipal corporation or public corporation from assessing any existing agricultural operation or agricultural land for the extension of any water utilities past the property and from imposing any connection fee.
RI

Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

Rhode Island Senate Bill S2302

Introduced
1/23/26  
Makes it a misdemeanor to knowingly file a false report of misconduct of any law enforcement official, public safety official, or hospital staff.
RI

Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

Rhode Island Senate Bill S2298

Introduced
1/23/26  
Increases the penalty for cruelty to animals, first offense, from eleven months to twelve months incarceration.
RI

Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

Rhode Island Senate Bill S2253

Introduced
1/23/26  
Refer
1/23/26  
Report Pass
3/26/26  
Engrossed
3/31/26  
Includes any costs paid by an enrollee or on behalf of the enrollee, by a third party when calculating an enrollee’s overall contribution to any out-of-pocket maximum or cost sharing requirement, under a health plan as of January 1, 2027.
RI

Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

Rhode Island Senate Bill S2251

Introduced
1/23/26  
Eliminates the estate tax in Rhode Island.
RI

Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

Rhode Island Senate Bill S2296

Introduced
1/23/26  
Criminalizes and sets mandatory minimum sentences for the unlawful interference with traffic upon the federal and state highways of this state.
RI

Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

Rhode Island Senate Bill S2198

Introduced
1/23/26  
JOINT RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY BLOCKCHAIN AND CRYPTOCURRENCY (Creates a 5 member commission to recommend legislative proposals for blockchain and cryptocurrency, and submit an interim progress report by January 5, 2027, and a final report by January 5, 2028, and would expire on February 5, 2028.)
RI

Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

Rhode Island Senate Bill S2273

Introduced
1/23/26  
Sets the zoning statewide for “family child care homes” to no fewer than twelve (12) children maximum.
RI

Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

Rhode Island Senate Bill S2334

Introduced
1/23/26  
Refer
1/23/26  
Report Pass
5/14/26  
Engrossed
5/19/26  
Authorizes the use of campaign funds for security related expenses, including home and office security systems and ongoing monitoring, in response to threats arising from their public service or candidacy.