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H7367
2026 -- H 7367
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LC003719
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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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
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WHEREAS, In the United States, a full-time job typically requires a five-day, 40-hour
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workweek; and
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WHEREAS, As technology advances and employees become more productive, the
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opportunity to work a 32-hour workweek has become more feasible; and
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WHEREAS, A 32-hour workweek offers significant benefits, including boosting
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employee well-being, increasing productivity and focus, improving work-life balance, and aiding
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recruitment/retention; and
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WHEREAS, Transitioning to a 32-hour workweek can be done through measures like
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initiating a trial period, coordinating shifts with colleagues and maintaining accountability by
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setting and tracking clear goals; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created
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consisting of nine (9) members: three (3) of whom shall be members of the House of
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Representatives, not more than two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the
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Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be the Director of the Rhode Island Department of
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Labor and Training, or designee; one of whom shall be the President of the RI Hospitality
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Association, or designee; one of whom shall be the Executive Director of the RI Manufacturers
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Association (RIMA), or designee; one of whom shall be President of the National Federation of
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Independent Business (NFIB), or designee; one of whom shall be the President of the RI AFL-
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CIO, or designee; and one of whom shall be a member of the general public currently employed
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in a forty (40) hour workweek in Rhode Island, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House.
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In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a permanent advisory
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commission, a legislative study commission, or any commission created by a General Assembly
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resolution, the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu
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of a legislator.
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The purpose of said commission shall be to make a comprehensive study and analysis of
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the feasibility and legal requirements necessary to implement the transition of the forty-hour
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workweek to a thirty-two-hour workweek in the State of Rhode Island. The recommendations
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would be based, but not limited to, the following requirements:
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(1) Maintaining accountability for job performance;
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(2) The definition of a full-time employee;
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(3) No reduction in the rate of weekly wages resulting from the reduction of hours;
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(4) Compensation for hours/days/overtime worked in excess of thirty-two hours;
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(5) Businesses required to participate in a thirty-two-hour workweek; and
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(6) Consideration and definition of what constitutes the time that would be included as
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part of a thirty-two-hour workweek.
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Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at
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the call of the Speaker of the House and organize and shall select a chairperson from among the
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Legislators.
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Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.
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The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.
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All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,
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documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or
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desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.
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The Speaker of the House is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters
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for said commission; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the
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House of Representatives no later than March 15, 2027, and said commission shall expire on June
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15, 2027.
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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
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This resolution would create a nine (9) member special legislative study commission
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whose purpose it would be to study and provide recommendations to reduce the forty-hour
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workweek to a thirty-two-hour workweek, and who would report back to the House no later than
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March 15, 2027, and would expire on June 15, 2027.
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