All Roll Calls
Yes: 139 • No: 0
Rhode IslandH76062026 Regular SessionHouse
AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- LIBRARY EBOOK CONTRACTS .
Sponsored By: Lauren H. Carson (Democratic)
Became Law
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.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Stronger ebook lending rights for libraries
The law stops publishers from adding terms that block normal library work with ebooks and digital audiobooks. Libraries can use access technology, make non-public preservation copies, share through interlibrary loan, and set loan periods. Vendors cannot charge a library more than the public price for the same title. They cannot force per-loan fees unless the total cost is substantially lower than buying. They cannot cap total loans or license time unless they also offer a fairly priced perpetual public-use license. Contracts cannot gag libraries from sharing license terms or push them to break Rhode Island’s patron-privacy law.
Rhode Island enforcement of library ebook deals
Rhode Island law governs contracts to license ebooks and digital audiobooks to Rhode Island libraries. Any banned terms are unconscionable and unenforceable, and courts can block them. Offers with banned terms count as unfair or deceptive acts, and libraries, library officers, borrowers, or the Attorney General can seek relief. Existing contracts already in force are not changed by this law. Enforcement starts only after the Attorney General posts a notice that at least two other states have similar laws and, together, those states have at least 10,000,000 people.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Lauren H. Carson
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Terri Cortvriend
Democratic • House
Megan L. Cotter
Democratic • House
Susan R. Donovan
Democratic • House
Kathleen A. Fogarty
Democratic • House
David Morales
Democratic • House
Tina L. Spears
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 6/10/2026
LIBRARY EBOOK CONTRACTS PASSAGE PASSAGE OF AMENDMENT
Yes: 69 • No: 0
House vote • 6/10/2026
LIBRARY EBOOK CONTRACTS PASSAGE AS AMENDED
Yes: 70 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Effective without Governor's signature — Chapter 344
6/24/2026GovernorTransmitted to Governor
6/16/2026GovernorSenate passed Sub A as amended in concurrence
6/11/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Calendar (06/11/2026)
6/10/2026SenateHouse passed Sub A as amended (floor amendment)
6/10/2026HousePlaced on House Calendar (06/10/2026)
6/8/2026HouseCommittee recommends passage of Sub A
6/8/2026Scheduled for consideration (06/08/2026)
6/6/2026Committee recommended Substitute A be held for further study
6/2/2026Proposed Substitute
5/29/2026Scheduled for consideration (06/02/2026)
5/29/2026Committee recommended measure be held for further study
3/3/2026Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/03/2026)
2/27/2026Meeting postponed (02/24/2026)
2/23/2026Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
2/19/2026Introduced, referred to House Corporations
2/11/2026House
Bill Text
H7606 - As Introduced
2/11/2026
H7606 - Substitute
2/11/2026
H7606 - Substitute As Amended
2/11/2026
Related Bills
H8025, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION .
H8046, AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- FEES .
H7866, AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- UNFAIR CLAIMS SETTLEMENT PRACTICES ACT .
H7642, AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- DISTRICT COURT PRACTICE .
S3363, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION .
S3353, JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO PAY CERTAIN CLAIMS .