# Rhode Island H7491: AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE TO ISSUE NOT TO EXCEED $25,000,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND NOTES TO FUND THE PROVIDENCE HOUSING TRUST FUND TO FINANCE AFFORDABLE MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING PROJECTS IN THE CITY . Rhode Island H7491, AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE TO ISSUE NOT TO EXCEED $25,000,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND NOTES TO FUND THE PROVIDENCE HOUSING TRUST FUND TO FINANCE AFFORDABLE MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING PROJECTS IN THE CITY ., is a 2026 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Rebecca M. Kislak (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-06-19 (Signed by Governor) (as of 2026-11-01). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H7491-2026 - As of: 2026-11-01 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Rhode Island H7491 - State: Rhode Island - Session: 2026 Regular Session - Title: AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE TO ISSUE NOT TO EXCEED $25,000,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND NOTES TO FUND THE PROVIDENCE HOUSING TRUST FUND TO FINANCE AFFORDABLE MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING PROJECTS IN THE CITY . - Status: signed - Chamber: House - Introduced: 2026-02-04 - Last action: 2026-06-19, Signed by Governor - Sponsor: Rebecca M. Kislak (Democratic) - Cosponsors: 9 - Touches household money: no - Roll calls: 1 (70 yes, 0 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 4 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - More affordable apartments for Providence renters: benefit, medium. The law allows Providence to issue up to $25 million in bonds for the Providence Housing Trust Fund. The money finances affordable multi‑family housing projects in the city. The city can also apply for federal or state grants to add to this funding. The bonds can be issued only if voters approve th… - Providence property taxes back housing bonds: cost, medium. These bonds are general obligations backed by all taxable property in Providence. The city must set aside money each year to pay principal and interest. If it does not, the needed amount is added to the annual property tax levy, without limit on rate or amount. This can raise property taxes for own… - Tools to issue and manage bonds: mixed, low. Providence can use short‑term notes to bridge cash before bonds or outside aid arrive; all notes must be repaid within five years, and refundings face a 200% cap tied to the authorized bonds. With council approval, the treasurer can advance city funds before borrowing; advances are repaid without i… - Voters decide housing bonds in 2026: mixed, low. On November 3, 2026, Providence voters decide whether to approve up to $25 million in bonds for affordable housing projects. The city clerk keeps the act available for public inspection until the election. The borrowing authority and the related tax pledge take effect only if voters approve. ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Rebecca M. Kislak (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Edith H. Ajello (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Anthony J. DeSimone (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Grace Diaz (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Raymond A. Hull (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: John J. Lombardi (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Charlene Lima (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Ramon A. Perez (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Enrique Sanchez (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Scott A. Slater (Democratic), House ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2026-05-14 | House | HOUSING PROJECTS IN PROVIDENCE PASSAGE | pass | 70 | 0 | | ## Actions (14) - 2026-06-19: Signed by Governor (Governor) - 2026-06-16: Transmitted to Governor (Governor) - 2026-06-09: Senate passed in concurrence (Senate) - 2026-06-05: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar (06/09/2026) (Senate) - 2026-06-02: Committee recommends passage in concurrence - 2026-05-29: Scheduled for consideration (06/02/2026) - 2026-05-22: Referred to Senate Finance (Senate) - 2026-05-14: House read and passed (House) - 2026-05-10: Placed on House Calendar (05/14/2026) (House) - 2026-05-07: Committee recommends passage - 2026-05-01: Scheduled for consideration (05/07/2026) - 2026-03-31: Committee recommended measure be held for further study - 2026-03-27: Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/31/2026) - 2026-02-04: Introduced, referred to House Municipal Government & Housing (House) ## Bill text - H7491 - As Introduced, 2026-02-04: [HTML](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/H7491.htm), [PDF](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/H7491.pdf) ## Related bills - H8025: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION . (became law) - H8046: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- FEES . (became law) - H7866: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- UNFAIR CLAIMS SETTLEMENT PRACTICES ACT . (became law) - H7642: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- DISTRICT COURT PRACTICE . (became law) - S3363: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION . (became law) - S3353: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO PAY CERTAIN CLAIMS . (became law) ## Sources - [H7491 - As Introduced (HTML)](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/H7491.htm) - [H7491 - As Introduced (PDF)](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/H7491.pdf) ## Related - [H8025: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION .](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H8025-2026) - [H8046: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- FEES .](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H8046-2026) - [H7866: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- UNFAIR CLAIMS SETTLEMENT PRACTICES ACT .](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H7866-2026) - [H7642: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- DISTRIC…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H7642-2026) - [S3363: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION .](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-S3363-2026) - [S3353: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO PAY CERTAIN CLAIMS .](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-S3353-2026) - [Rhode Island bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/rhode-island/bills) - [Rhode Island state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/rhode-island) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H7491-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).