# Rhode Island S3301: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE -- ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT . Rhode Island S3301, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE -- ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT ., is a 2026 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Jacob Bissaillon (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-06-23 (Signed by Governor — Chapter 327) (as of 2026-11-01). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-S3301-2026 - 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 S3301 - State: Rhode Island - Session: 2026 Regular Session - Title: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE -- ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT . - Status: signed - Chamber: Senate - Introduced: 2026-05-15 - Last action: 2026-06-23, Signed by Governor — Chapter 327 - Sponsor: Jacob Bissaillon (Democratic) - Cosponsors: 1 - Touches household money: no - Roll calls: 2 (100 yes, 7 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 9 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - More housing choices on residential lots: benefit, medium. Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) that meet state ADU rules are allowed in all residential zones. Towns must use an administrative building permit, not a discretionary approval, when those rules are met. Cities and towns may also let manufactured homes that meet state building code standards count as… - SAFE Units: safety rules and code relief: benefit, medium. The law defines SAFE Units as temporary, transitional housing. These units are mostly exempt from the State Building Code, the Comprehensive Fire Safety Act, and the Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Code. They still must meet clear safety rules: smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, a fire extinguishe… - Easier to convert old buildings to housing: benefit, medium. The law lets you convert commercial buildings to homes when at least half of the floor area becomes residential. These projects do not need more than one parking space per unit. If a project keeps the building footprint (with small expansions for code or utility upgrades), includes at least 20% low… - Housing and daycare allowed in more zones: benefit, medium. Households, community residences, and family daycare homes are permitted in all residential zones. They are also permitted in industrial and commercial zones unless housing is banned there for health or safety reasons. This expands where people can live and where family daycare can operate. - Towns can fast‑track SAFE Units in emergencies: benefit, medium. A mayor or town chief can declare a limited emergency during severe weather or after a disaster to speed SAFE Unit setup. The council must approve. The declaration lasts 60 days and can renew in 30‑day blocks, up to 180 days per year. The chief must report within 30 days and then every 60 days on a… - Temporary home on your lot after disasters: benefit, low. If a fire, flood, or similar event makes your home unlivable, the owner can place a mobile or manufactured home on the same property. Former occupants can live there for up to 12 months or until repairs are done. The owner must apply to the local building official for the needed permits. - Towns must allow disability access changes: benefit, low. If you have a disability and live in a home or plan to live there, you can request access changes. The town must allow reasonable access modifications for you. The request must come from the person with a disability who resides or intends to reside there. - Plant agriculture allowed in most zones: benefit, low. Plant agriculture is a permitted use in all zoning districts, including industrial and commercial. Towns can still prohibit it to protect public health or safety or to protect wildlife habitat. - These changes take effect now: benefit, low. The law takes effect upon passage. The new rules apply immediately. ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Jacob Bissaillon (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Tiara T. Mack (Democratic), Senate ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2026-06-10 | House | STATE BUILDING CODE PASSAGE IN CONCURRENCE | pass | 63 | 7 | | | 2026-06-04 | Senate | HEALTH/SAFETY-STATE BUILD CODE- ADMINISTRATION & ENFORCEMENT Passage | pass | 37 | 0 | | ## Actions (11) - 2026-06-23: Signed by Governor — Chapter 327 (Governor) - 2026-06-18: Transmitted to Governor (Governor) - 2026-06-10: House passed in concurrence (House) - 2026-06-09: Placed on House Calendar (06/10/2026) (House) - 2026-06-04: Senate read and passed (Senate) - 2026-06-02: Placed on Senate Calendar (06/04/2026) (Senate) - 2026-06-02: Committee recommends passage - 2026-05-29: Scheduled for consideration (06/02/2026) - 2026-05-21: Committee recommended measure be held for further study - 2026-05-15: Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/21/2026) - 2026-05-15: Introduced, referred to Senate Housing and Municipal Government (Senate) ## Bill text - S3301 - As Introduced, 2026-05-15: [HTML](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/SenateText26/S3301.htm), [PDF](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/SenateText26/S3301.pdf) ## Related bills - S3363: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION . (became law) - S3353: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO PAY CERTAIN CLAIMS . (became law) - S3337: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION . (became law) - S3333: AN ACT RELATING TO THE NORTH TIVERTON FIRE DISTRICT . (became law) - S3315: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES . (became law) - S3293: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION . (became law) ## Sources - [S3301 - As Introduced (HTML)](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/SenateText26/S3301.htm) - [S3301 - As Introduced (PDF)](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/SenateText26/S3301.pdf) ## Related - [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) - [S3337: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION .](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-S3337-2026) - [S3333: AN ACT RELATING TO THE NORTH TIVERTON FIRE DISTRICT .](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-S3333-2026) - [S3315: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES .](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-S3315-2026) - [S3293: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION .](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-S3293-2026) - [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-S3301-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).