All Roll Calls
Yes: 105 • No: 0
Rhode IslandH54602025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
AN ACT RELATING TO AERONAUTICS -- UNIFORM AERONAUTICAL REGULATORY ACT .
Sponsored By: Samuel A. Azzinaro (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
15 provisions identified: 13 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
More veterans qualify for burial help
Coast Guard and Space Force veterans gain access to two Rhode Island burial programs. Veterans’ memorial cemetery burial requires at least two years of service ending honorably. Publicly paid burial requires wartime service, an honorable discharge, death in Rhode Island, and insufficient money for necessary funeral expenses. The law sets no funeral assistance amount.
Space Force veterans gain care access
Space Force veterans now qualify for Rhode Island Veterans’ Home care. Applicants need an honorable discharge and a need for the home’s care. They generally need at least 90 days of service, beginning or ending during a foreign war or qualifying campaign. Shorter service qualifies when it caused a service-connected disability or disease. Applicants also need Rhode Island enlistment or induction quota credit, or two consecutive years of state residency before applying.
Space Force members gain housing protections
Space Force members gain Rhode Island’s protections against housing discrimination based on military status. They also gain foreclosure protections for property they own with mortgage-secured debts taken on before military service. Required written notice to the lender triggers foreclosure protections, and courts can adjust obligations. Foreclosure limits cover service and nine months afterward, with exceptions for a court order or agreement by all parties.
Space Force gains military weapons exemptions
Active-duty Space Force members are exempt from the basic pistol/revolver safety certificate and permit requirements. Active Space Force reservists are exempt from the safety certificate requirement while in active status. On-duty members also receive the listed firearms, explosives, and loaded-rifle or shotgun vehicle exceptions. The concealed-carry exemption excludes firearms transported as merchandise or household or business goods.
Space Force honor pensions gain protection
Qualifying Space Force Medal of Honor special pension payments are protected from seizure to collect debts. The recipient must be named on the Medal of Honor Roll. The law does not change the pension amount.
Space Force hunters get certificate exemption
Current Space Force members and honorably discharged Space Force veterans do not need a hunter competency certificate. This exemption applies when seeking a Rhode Island hunting license.
Space Force families gain assistance eligibility
Rhode Island lawmakers can fund assistance for honorably discharged Space Force veterans and their eligible dependent families. The law authorizes annual funding but does not guarantee an appropriation or set an amount.
School protections reach Space Force children
Rhode Island’s military children education compact now includes active-duty Space Force households. Its school protections cover qualifying children in those households enrolled in kindergarten through grade 12.
Space Force service gains Guard recognition
Space Force officers, reserve officers, former officers, and honorably discharged enlisted personnel can be selected as Rhode Island National Guard officers. Eligibility does not guarantee an appointment. Space Force service also counts toward the service time needed for Rhode Island National Guard officers’ retirement.
Space Force veterans gain municipal job access
Honorably discharged Space Force veterans can qualify for municipal police and firefighter appointments in Rhode Island. Applicants must be U.S. citizens. Those registered to vote during service must be qualified voters of the appointing city or town on the appointment date. Eligibility does not guarantee a job.
Space Force owners gain business eligibility
Space Force service now counts under Rhode Island’s veteran-owned business rules. Veterans need at least 180 days of active duty and discharge or release under conditions other than dishonorable. A qualifying small business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by economically disadvantaged veterans. This eligibility does not guarantee a contract or payment.
Space Force aircraft gain military status
Public aircraft operated in service of the U.S. Space Force now count as military aircraft under Rhode Island law. This brings them within state laws that use that definition.
Space Force officers gain notary powers
Active commissioned Space Force officers at the specified equivalent ranks can perform listed notarial acts. They can serve people abroad, or military members and their lawful dependents inside or outside the United States. They can also certify a foreign notary’s authority for acknowledgments made before April 27, 1928. The document must appear duly recorded in Rhode Island land records. Once the foreign notary’s authority is established, the acknowledgment has the same effect as one before a Rhode Island notary.
False Space Force claims face penalties
The stolen valor offense now covers fraudulent claims of Space Force membership or veteran status. It applies when someone knowingly obtains money or property through such claims using unauthorized military items or false identification. The misdemeanor carries up to one year in prison, a $1,000 fine, or both.
Loaded long guns face road restrictions
Rhode Island bans loaded rifles and shotguns on or along public highways, roads, lanes, and trails. The rule also covers rifles and shotguns with shells or cartridges remaining in their magazines. Exceptions cover specified law enforcement personnel, on-duty military members, federally authorized personnel, and people legally hunting. Violations carry up to five years in prison, a fine up to $5,000, or both.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Samuel A. Azzinaro
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Marvin L. Abney
Democratic • House
Julie A. Casimiro
Democratic • House
Deborah A. Fellela
Democratic • House
Raymond A. Hull
Democratic • House
Earl A. Read, III
Democratic • House
Joseph J. Solomon, Jr.
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 6/18/2025
RELATING TO AERONAUTICS--UNIFORM AERONAUTICAL REGULATORY ACT In Concurrence Passage
Yes: 36 • No: 0
House vote • 3/27/2025
UNIFORM AERONAUTICAL REG. ACT PASSAGE
Yes: 69 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor — Chapter 165
6/24/2025GovernorTransmitted to Governor
6/18/2025GovernorSenate passed in concurrence
6/18/2025SenatePlaced on Senate Calendar (06/18/2025)
6/17/2025SenateCommittee recommends passage in concurrence
6/2/2025Scheduled for consideration (06/02/2025)
5/31/2025Referred to Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs
5/31/2025SenateHouse read and passed
3/27/2025HousePlaced on House Calendar (03/27/2025)
3/21/2025HouseCommittee recommends passage
3/13/2025Scheduled for consideration (03/13/2025)
3/7/2025Committee recommended measure be held for further study
3/4/2025Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/04/2025)
2/28/2025Introduced, referred to House Veterans Affairs
2/12/2025House
Bill Text
H5460 - As Introduced
2/12/2025
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