HOUSE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO REDUCE THE FORTY-HOUR WORKWEEK TO A THIRTY-TWO-HOUR WORKWEEK (Creates a 9-member commission to study and provide recommendations to reduce the forty-hour workweek to a thirty-two-hour workweek, and would report back to the House by March 15, 2027, and would expire on June 15, 2027.)

H7367

2026 -- H 7367
========
LC003719
========

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
____________
H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE
RECOMMENDATIONS TO REDUCE THE FORTY-HOUR WORKWEEK TO A THIRTY-
TWO-HOUR WORKWEEK

Introduced By:
Representatives Alzate, Stewart, Potter, Casimiro, Fogarty, Dawson,
Hull, Speakman, Boylan, and Morales

Date Introduced:
January 28, 2026

Referred To:
House Labor
1
WHEREAS, In the United States, a full-time job typically requires a five-day, 40-hour
2
workweek; and
3
WHEREAS, As technology advances and employees become more productive, the
4
opportunity to work a 32-hour workweek has become more feasible; and
5
WHEREAS, A 32-hour workweek offers significant benefits, including boosting
6
employee well-being, increasing productivity and focus, improving work-life balance, and aiding
7
recruitment/retention; and
8
WHEREAS, Transitioning to a 32-hour workweek can be done through measures like
9
initiating a trial period, coordinating shifts with colleagues and maintaining accountability by
10
setting and tracking clear goals; now, therefore be it
11
RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created
12
consisting of nine (9) members: three (3) of whom shall be members of the House of
13
Representatives, not more than two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the
14
Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be the Director of the Rhode Island Department of
15
Labor and Training, or designee; one of whom shall be the President of the RI Hospitality
16
Association, or designee; one of whom shall be the Executive Director of the RI Manufacturers
17
Association (RIMA), or designee; one of whom shall be President of the National Federation of
18
Independent Business (NFIB), or designee; one of whom shall be the President of the RI AFL-
19
CIO, or designee; and one of whom shall be a member of the general public currently employed

1
in a forty (40) hour workweek in Rhode Island, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House.
2
In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a permanent advisory
3
commission, a legislative study commission, or any commission created by a General Assembly
4
resolution, the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu
5
of a legislator.
6
The purpose of said commission shall be to make a comprehensive study and analysis of
7
the feasibility and legal requirements necessary to implement the transition of the forty-hour
8
workweek to a thirty-two-hour workweek in the State of Rhode Island. The recommendations
9
would be based, but not limited to, the following requirements:
10
(1) Maintaining accountability for job performance;
11
(2) The definition of a full-time employee;
12
(3) No reduction in the rate of weekly wages resulting from the reduction of hours;
13
(4) Compensation for hours/days/overtime worked in excess of thirty-two hours;
14
(5) Businesses required to participate in a thirty-two-hour workweek; and
15
(6) Consideration and definition of what constitutes the time that would be included as
16
part of a thirty-two-hour workweek.
17
Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at
18
the call of the Speaker of the House and organize and shall select a chairperson from among the
19
Legislators.
20
Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.
21
The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.
22
All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,
23
documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or
24
desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.
25
The Speaker of the House is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters
26
for said commission; and be it further
27
RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the
28
House of Representatives no later than March 15, 2027, and said commission shall expire on June
29
15, 2027.
========
LC003719
========

LC003719 - Page 2 of 3
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE
RECOMMENDATIONS TO REDUCE THE FORTY-HOUR WORKWEEK TO A THIRTY-
TWO-HOUR WORKWEEK
***
1
This resolution would create a nine (9) member special legislative study commission
2
whose purpose it would be to study and provide recommendations to reduce the forty-hour
3
workweek to a thirty-two-hour workweek, and who would report back to the House no later than
4
March 15, 2027, and would expire on June 15, 2027.
========
LC003719
========

LC003719 - Page 3 of 3