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We’re tracking legislation that aligns with our policy priorities, and any legislation that is related to Rhode Island’s food system.

RI FOOD SYSTEM BILL TRACKER

Weekly Bill Tracker Update

February 24, 2025

Our bill tracker is following nearly 90 bills! Last week, the General Assembly was on recess, limiting the number of bills introduced. Only 10 bills – all on the Senate side – were added to the tracker as a result.  A couple of the most interesting bills are below:

  • SB333, requiring EOHHS to establish a 1-year pilot program for nutritional assistance and medically tailored meals, groceries and produce for people with diet-related diseases or food insecurity, and other interventions where there is a clinical need.
  • SJR327, a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to Article 1 providing for a right to clean air, soil, climate, and the environment’s natural values. 

 Committee hearings with food systems bills are officially kicking off this week! Here’s more information: 

 Tuesday, February 25

  • Senate Committee on the Judiciary 
    • SB130, changing the fines for any person convicted of a first violation of this chapter from $85 to $200, and increasing the period of time that the violator may be ordered to pick up litter.
  • House Committee on Health & Human Services
    • HB5354, adding pickles and relish to foods not requiring refrigeration, the sale of raw milk and the taking of mushrooms for personal use

 Thursday, February 27 

  • House Committee Environment and Natural Resources
    • HR5074, a House resolution requesting RI Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC) to conduct a recycling/waste audit on the RI State House and provide recommendations
    • HB5294, creating the Old Growth Forest Protection Act to provide protection for state-owned forestland in their natural state prohibiting extractive logging and clearcutting in any forest on state-owned land. 
    • HB5341, authorizing the collection of a small additional fee, in addition to the registration fee paid by motorboat owners, to be deposited in a restricted account in order to fund the newly established freshwater lake management program.
    • HB5342, establishing an agricultural restricted receipt account within the Department of Environmental Management. An advisory committee would be established to determine suggested uses of the funds in said account.
    • HB5343, taking several measures to lead by example by banning state purchases of plastic bottles, and requiring state funds to be used to lease or purchase electric vehicles and renewable energy efficient technologies for use on state property.
    • HB5424, establishing the Rhode Island Climate Superfund Act cost recovery program.
  • House Committee on Municipal Government & Housing
    • HB5030, granting the town council of the town of South Kingstown the authority to enact a homestead exemption ordinance.
    • HB5308, permitting every municipality in the state to offer a homestead tax exemption of up to 20% of assessed value on residential properties, and also provides that municipalities that grant greater exemptions not limited by this section. 
    • HB5449, repealing § 3-7-19 which prohibits retail liquor licenses within 200ft of schools and religious institutions

 Legislation aligning with RIFPC’s 2025 policy priorities: 

  • SB104 | HB5195: Introduced by Rep. Cortvriend and Sen. Valverde, these bills would establish a Compost Fund to support composting efforts around the State through a surcharge on municipal waste. 
  • HB5404: Sponsored by Rep. Hagan McEntee, this legislation would provide a tax credit for food donations by qualified taxpayers to nonprofit organizations up to $5,000 per year.
  • HB5534: Rep. McGaw introduced this bill that would exempt certain urban and small farmers from sales taxes, real, tangible and personal property taxes and incomes taxes as well as define urban and small farmers and urban farmland. 

 

READ OUR 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION HERE

+ Access to healthy food+ Agriculture+ Climate Change+ Environmental Protection+ Equity and Justice+ Fisheries and Aquaculture+ Food businesses+ Food Safety+ Miscellaneous+ Policy Priorities+ Recycling, Recovery and Wasted Food

Inclusion in this report does not indicate either support or opposition by the RI Food Policy Council. This Bill Tracker is a reference, covering all legislation affecting the Rhode Island food system and all topics of interest to Council members. The Tracker is updated daily during the legislative session (January-June), and organized by major impact areas.

Find a summary of legislative trends and activities, and other interesting notes here every Monday during the legislative session. We also include links to upcoming committee meetings and agendas.

PLEASE NOTE: A bill that impacts the food system in multiple ways is only listed once, in what is determined to be its primary area of impact.

Questions or feedback on the bill tracker should be sent to info@rifoodcouncil.org.