Rhode Island Senate

10/26/2026

The Special Legislative Commission to Make a Comprehensive Study of Rhode Island’s Medical Malpractice Impact on Health Care Providers & Health Care Costs in Rhode Island meets today at 5:30 p.m. in Room 313 on the third floor of the State House.

More: https://rilegislature.gov/pressrelease/_layouts/RIL.PressRelease.ListStructure/Forms/DisplayForm.aspx?List=c8baae31-3c10-431c-8dcd-9dbbe21ce3e9&ID=376882

Agenda: https://status.rilegislature.gov/documents/Medical%20Malpractice%20Impact%2010-26-26.html

Watch: https://capitoltvri.cablecast.tv/

Rhode Island Capitol TV department, located in the Rhode Island State House, is the media outlet for Rhode Island’s General Assembly. All of the programming aired on Capitol TV is available “on demand” on the state’s website at www.rilegislature.gov, under WATCH. Also stream LIVE from your f...

10/26/2026

The Joint Committee on State Lottery will meet today at 4 p.m. in Room 101 on the first floor of the State House.

Agenda: https://status.rilegislature.gov/documents/agenda-21776.aspx

Watch: https://capitoltvri.cablecast.tv/

Rhode Island Capitol TV department, located in the Rhode Island State House, is the media outlet for Rhode Island’s General Assembly. All of the programming aired on Capitol TV is available “on demand” on the state’s website at www.rilegislature.gov, under WATCH. Also stream LIVE from your f...

10/23/2026

Today, Senate President Valarie Lawson, Pam Lauria, RI Senator D32 and Senator Robert Britto joined other East Providence lawmakers from the Rhode Island House of Representatives and community members for a tour of the “Tiny Townies” pre-K hub currently under construction at the new Martin Middle School in East Providence.

10/23/2026

On Thursday, Senator Robert Britto and Senate Majority Whip Senator David P. Tikoian joined Decoding Dyslexia Rhode Island for the annual Light RI Red for Dyslexia event at the State House.

Watch: https://capitoltvri.cablecast.tv/show/12422

10/21/2026

Today, Senator Sue Sosnowski and Senator Alana DiMario, Rhode Island District 36 took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the University of Rhode Island Rams new outdoor track and field facility at the Kingston campus. The new facility provides a state-of-the-art competition venue for URI student-athletes and a community resource for Rhode Islanders.

10/15/2026

Today, Senate Majority Whip Senator David P. Tikoian joined Governor Dan McKee, Representative Thomas Noret and others in West Warwick for the ceremonial signing of legislation that expands the state’s requirement for AEDs in all middle and high schools, public or private, and requires those schools to develop cardiac emergency response plans (CERPs) for high schools and middle schools and emergency action plans (EAPs) for school athletics. Senators John Burke and Pete Appollonio Jr were also in attendance.

The legislation, which the Governor formally signed into law in June, strengthens cardiac emergency preparedness by putting plans in place and ensuring staff and coaches are ready to act in the event of a cardiac arrest.

“The safety of students, student-athletes, staff and visitors should be a priority in every school — public or private,” said Senator Tikoian. “This law will ensure that their safety is enhanced by a coordinated response plan where teams are trained and empowered to administer lifesaving care until emergency medical services arrive.”

Learn more: https://rilegislature.gov/pressrelease/_layouts/RIL.PressRelease.ListStructure/Forms/DisplayForm.aspx?List=c8baae31-3c10-431c-8dcd-9dbbe21ce3e9&ID=376879

10/13/2026

Senator Alana DiMario, Rhode Island District 36 was recently honored for her work supporting early childhood education by the Rhode Island Association for the Education of Young Children. She received the Sue Connor Special Friend of Rhode Island’s Children - Early Childhood Advocate award, which recognizes “significant contributions to early childhood education in Rhode Island” at RIAEYC’s annual Early Childhood Conference.

“Early educators build the foundation for everything Rhode Island will become. Investing in them is investing in our future,” said Senator DiMario (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown, New Shoreham). “This award means so much coming from an organization like RIAEYC, which is made up of so many of the educators providing for the well-being of our young children. I am honored and energized to keep working with my colleagues in the General Assembly to support our early child educators and give our children the present and future they deserve.”

Learn more: https://www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease/_layouts/RIL.PressRelease.ListStructure/Forms/DisplayForm.aspx?List=c8baae31-3c10-431c-8dcd-9dbbe21ce3e9&ID=376874

10/08/2026

Today, several members of the Rhode Island Senate and Rhode Island House of Representatives joined Save The Bay - Narragansett Bay, Clean Water Action Rhode Island and the Coalition for High Performing Recycling for an event focused on litter, marine debris and microplastic pollution.

The gathering included a short walk and litter cleanup along the shoreline at the Bay Center in Providence, followed by a boat ride and microplastics trawl on the Providence River aboard one of Save The Bay’s education vessels.

10/06/2026

President of the Senate Valarie Lawson, Majority Leader Frank A. Ciccone, II, Majority Whip David P. Tikoian, and Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz issued the following statement on the retirement of JCLS Executive Director Henry Kinch, and welcoming incoming Executive Director Lisa Tomasso:

We are deeply grateful to Henry Kinch for his many years of service to our state and, since 2021, his exceptional stewardship of the Joint Committee on Legislative Services. Mr. Kinch helped further professional the operations of the legislature, modernized the Senate’s committee hearing rooms, improved the General Assembly website, and effectively addressed countless personnel, facilities restoration, and management issues. He has been a consummate professional and has always been tremendously responsive to the needs of the Senate. We wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.

We are excited to welcome Lisa Tomasso to JCLS. We have worked closely with Ms. Tomasso both during her time as a state representative and as a vice president at the Hospital Association of Rhode Island. In her role at HARI, Ms. Tomasso brought tremendous insight to the table as the Senate focused on improving our state’s health care system. She is professional, smart, and tireless, and we look forward to working with her as the next executive director of JCLS.

10/06/2026

Today, Senator Jacob Bissaillon and June Speakman, RI State Representative, District 68, Bristol & Warren joined R.I. General Treasurer James Diossa and others to announce the third phase of RI AnchorHome, a homeownership program that provides first-time homebuyers with affordable, sustainable mortgage options.

As part of the latest expansion, three new participating financial institutions will join the program, further extending its reach and helping more Rhode Islanders achieve the dream of homeownership.

“Homeownership is a cornerstone of the American dream. For our shared prosperity, and for our state’s future, it is imperative that we put it back within reach for all Rhode Islanders,” said Senator Bissaillon (D-Dist. 1, Providence), who chairs the Senate Committee on Housing & Municipal Government. “By creating flexibility for local lenders and providing support for first-time homebuyers, RI AnchorHome plays a critical role in doing just that. I am grateful to Treasurer Diossa’s office and the many partners who have made this important program possible.”

Learn more: https://rilegislature.gov/pressrelease/_layouts/RIL.PressRelease.ListStructure/Forms/DisplayForm.aspx?List=c8baae31-3c10-431c-8dcd-9dbbe21ce3e9&ID=376871

Watch: https://capitoltvri.cablecast.tv/show/12411