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H7137 • 2026

AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE RHODE ISLAND LOBBYING REFORM ACT (Prohibits lobbyists from making any political contributions to any member of the general assembly from January 1 through July 1 in any year, unless the general assembly adjourns for the year prior to July 1.)

AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE RHODE ISLAND LOBBYING REFORM ACT (Prohibits lobbyists from making any political contributions to any member of the general assembly from January 1 through July 1 in any year, unless the general assembly adjourns for the year prior to July 1.)

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Lombardi, Hull, Cruz, Stewart
Last action
2026-03-31
Official status
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The plain English breakdown is still being put together. The official documents below are already here.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-31 Committee

    Committee recommended measure be held for further study

  2. 2026-03-27 Rhode Island General Assembly

    Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/31/2026)

  3. 2026-01-15 Rhode Island General Assembly

    Introduced, referred to House State Government & Elections

Official Summary Text

AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE RHODE ISLAND LOBBYING REFORM ACT (Prohibits lobbyists from making any political contributions to any member of the general assembly from January 1 through July 1 in any year, unless the general assembly adjourns for the year prior to July 1.)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
H7137

2026 -- H 7137
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LC003766
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
____________
A N A C T
RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE RHODE ISLAND
LOBBYING REFORM ACT

Introduced By:
Representatives J. Lombardi, Hull, Cruz, and Stewart

Date Introduced:
January 15, 2026

Referred To:
House State Government & Elections
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
1
SECTION 1. Chapter 42-139.1 of the General Laws entitled "The Rhode Island Lobbying
2
Reform Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
3

42-139.1-14. Prohibited contributions by lobbyists.

4

No lobbyist, governed by this chapter, shall make any political contributions to any
5
member of the general assembly in any year during the period from January 1 through July 1, unless
6
the general assembly has adjourned its business for the year prior to July 1 of the session year.
7
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC003766
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE RHODE ISLAND
LOBBYING REFORM ACT
***
1
This act would prohibit lobbyists from making any political contributions to any member
2
of the general assembly from January 1 through July 1 in any year, unless the general assembly
3
adjourns for the year prior to July 1.
4
This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC003766
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