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Rhode IslandS10872025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE .

Sponsored By: Robert Britto (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Tent owners avoid recurring permit fees

Owners and operators of covered tents and membrane frame structures no longer face recurring building-code permits and fees. Annual certification still applies through a process set by the state building commissioner with the state fire marshal. Coverage depends on the definitions in the state building code or its rules.

State repays annual permitting compliance costs

The Department of Business Regulation must reimburse annual fees and costs tied to electronic permitting compliance. Reimbursements follow procedures set by the department. The provision does not specify payment amounts or fully define who qualifies.

Permit applicants pay added fees

Each covered municipal or state-agency application carries an extra charge of 0.1% of its total application fee. Separate building-permit levies equal 0.1% of commercial construction costs and 0.2% of residential construction costs. The residential levy is capped at $100 for permits for one- and two-family homes. All commercial levy revenue and half the residential levy revenue support the online permitting system. The remaining residential share funds contractor training grants, subject to General Assembly approval of funding. Training support includes programs benefiting minority-owned businesses and state and local building officials. Collected charges go to state general revenues, and municipalities must send application surcharges monthly to the state Building Office.

Permit applicants move to one online system

Rhode Island requires one shared online system for applications, plan reviews, inspections, project tracking, and fee payments. Municipalities must use it for covered development, subdivision, zoning, and low- and moderate-income housing applications by October 1, 2025. Transportation, environmental management, and coastal management agencies must use it for covered applications by October 1, 2026. Required filings and documents must be electronic by those deadlines. The state building commissioner arranges the system and sets rules for its phased rollout with other state offices. Beginning January 1, 2025, the commissioner enforces these requirements, including in municipalities without building officials. The law also requires ongoing implementation and operations reports to the Governor and General Assembly.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Robert Britto

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Jacob Bissaillon

    Democratic • Senate

  • John P. Burke

    Democratic • Senate

  • Brian J. Thompson

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 86 • No: 5

House vote • 6/21/2025

STATE BUILDING CODE PASSAGE IN CONCURRENCE

Yes: 53 • No: 4

Senate vote • 6/20/2025

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE Passage

Yes: 33 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor — Chapter 366

    7/1/2025Governor

  2. Transmitted to Governor

    6/25/2025Governor

  3. House passed in concurrence

    6/21/2025House

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

    6/21/2025House

  5. Senate read and passed

    6/20/2025Senate

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

    6/18/2025Senate

  7. Committee recommends passage

    6/18/2025

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

    6/16/2025

  9. Committee recommended measure be held for further study

    5/29/2025

  10. Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/29/2025)

    5/23/2025

  11. Introduced, referred to Senate Housing and Municipal Government

    5/23/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • S1087 - As Introduced

    5/23/2025

    HTMLPDF

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