PRIA Logo™
Rhode IslandH59672025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES .

Sponsored By: June Speakman (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Renewable energy owners face capacity-based local taxes

Effective upon passage, Rhode Island sets local taxes based on renewable energy resources’ alternating-current nameplate capacity. Renewable energy resources and related equipment are taxed as tangible property at $5 per kilowatt. Land hosting renewable energy resources is taxed at $3.50 per kilowatt. Existing equipment exemptions under state tax law sections 44-3-3(a)(22), (48), and (49) remain in place.

Renewable projects gain zoning approval with limits

Effective upon passage, renewable energy projects on qualifying previously contaminated land are permitted uses under local zoning. The law treats these projects as consistent with the local comprehensive plan and as having no significant negative environmental impacts. Applicants must prove contamination through a government designation, qualifying Phase I or Phase II environmental assessment, or the federal brownfield-site definition. Local authorities apply the by-right zoning process, which does not require a zoning change for the use. Projects must meet applicable industrial or manufacturing zoning rules, and structures cannot cover more than 75% of the lot.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • June Speakman

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 104 • No: 0

Senate vote • 6/21/2025

RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES In Concurrence Passage

Yes: 35 • No: 0

House vote • 6/12/2025

LEVY & ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES PASSAGE

Yes: 69 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor — Chapter 397

    7/2/2025Governor

  2. Transmitted to Governor

    6/27/2025Governor

  3. Senate passed Sub A in concurrence

    6/21/2025Senate

  4. Placed on Senate Calendar (06/20/2025)

    6/18/2025Senate

  5. Committee recommends passage of Sub A in concurrence

    6/18/2025

  6. Scheduled for consideration (06/18/2025)

    6/16/2025

  7. Referred to Senate Finance

    6/13/2025Senate

  8. House passed Sub A

    6/12/2025House

  9. Placed on House Calendar (06/12/2025)

    6/6/2025House

  10. Committee recommends passage of Sub A

    5/28/2025

  11. Proposed Substitute

    5/27/2025

  12. Scheduled for consideration (05/28/2025)

    5/25/2025

  13. Committee recommended measure be held for further study

    4/22/2025

  14. Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/22/2025)

    4/18/2025

  15. Introduced, referred to House Municipal Government & Housing

    2/28/2025House

Bill Text

  • H5967 - As Introduced

    2/28/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • H5967 - Substitute

    2/28/2025

    HTMLPDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation