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State of Rhode Island, Office of Library & Information Services , An agency of the Department of Administration

2026 Legislative Updates

Updates from previous years can be found in the Legislative Updates Archive.

2026

H 7417:

Creates the Save Rhode Island School Libraries Act.

Read the full text for H 7417 at the Rhode Island General Assembly website.
Sponsor(s):
  • Representative Rebecca M. Kislak
  • Representative Earl A. Read, III
  • Representative Jenni A. Furtado
  • Representative Megan L. Cotter
  • Representative Terri Cortvriend
  • Representative Mary Ann Shallcross Smith
  • Representative Thomas E. Noret
  • Representative Joseph M. McNamara
  • Representative Cherie L. Cruz
  • Representative Julie A. Casimiro
Actions:
  • 01-30-2026

    Introduced, referred to House Education

Companion Bill: S 2078
H 7606:

Establishes enforcement limitations on contract terms for the licensing of electronic books or digital audiobooks to libraries to preclude the library from being subject to unfair sales practices.

Read the full text for H 7606 at the Rhode Island General Assembly website.
Sponsor(s):
  • Representative Lauren H. Carson
  • Representative David Morales
  • Representative Terri Cortvriend
  • Representative Kathleen A. Fogarty
  • Representative Megan L. Cotter
  • Representative Susan R. Donovan
  • Representative Tina L. Spears
Actions:
  • 02-11-2026

    Introduced, referred to House Corporations

H 7691:

Requires that the state's share to public libraries be fixed at twenty-five percent (25%) of the amount appropriated by the city or town in their budgets for fiscal year 2027.

Read the full text for H 7691 at the Rhode Island General Assembly website.
Sponsor(s):
  • Representative Jennifer A. Stewart
  • Representative David Morales
  • Representative Julie A. Casimiro
  • Representative Joshua J. Giraldo
  • Representative Karen Alzate
  • Representative Joseph M. McNamara
  • Representative Teresa Ann Tanzi
  • Representative Jennifer Smith Boylan
  • Representative Katherine S. Kazarian
  • Representative Mary Duffy Messier
Actions:
  • 02-11-2026

    Introduced, referred to House Finance

S 2078:

Creates the School Libraries Act.

Read the full text for S 2078 at the Rhode Island General Assembly website.
Sponsor(s):
  • Senator Hanna M. Gallo
  • Senator David P. Tikoian
  • Senator Frank A. Ciccone, III
  • Senator Victoria Gu
  • Senator Louis P. DiPalma
  • Senator John P. Burke
  • Senator Matthew L. LaMountain
  • Senator Melissa A. Murray
Actions:
  • 01-16-2026

    Introduced, referred to Senate Education

Companion Bill: H 7417
S 2525:

Establishes enforcement limitations on contract terms for the licensing of electronic books or digital audiobooks to libraries to preclude the library from being subject to unfair sales practices.

Read the full text for S 2525 at the Rhode Island General Assembly website.
Sponsor(s):
  • Senator Mark P. McKenney
  • Senator Melissa A. Murray
  • Senator Matthew L. LaMountain
  • Senator Hanna M. Gallo
  • Senator Lori Urso
  • Senator Samuel D. Zurier
Actions:
  • 02-13-2026

    Introduced, referred to Senate Education

Companion Bill: H 7606