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S2639 • 2026

AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- SINGLE-USE PLASTIC STRAWS (Allows customers to directly take single-use plastic straws from single straw dispensers at food service establishments.)

AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- SINGLE-USE PLASTIC STRAWS (Allows customers to directly take single-use plastic straws from single straw dispensers at food service establishments.)

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Dimitri, Famiglietti, Tikoian, Britto, Thompson, Patalano
Last action
2026-05-06
Official status
Referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- SINGLE-USE PLASTIC STRAWS (Allows customers to directly take single-use plastic straws from single straw dispensers at food service establishments.)

AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- SINGLE-USE PLASTIC STRAWS (Allows customers to directly take single-use plastic straws from single straw dispensers at food service establishments.)

What This Bill Does

  • AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- SINGLE-USE PLASTIC STRAWS (Allows customers to directly take single-use plastic straws from single straw dispensers at food service establishments.)

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

Published version

Plain English: S2639A 2026 -- S 2639 SUBSTITUTE A ======== LC005408/SUB A ======== STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D.

  • S2639A 2026 -- S 2639 SUBSTITUTE A ======== LC005408/SUB A ======== STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D.
  • 2026 ____________ A N A C T RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- SINGLE-USE PLASTIC STRAWS Introduced By: Senators Dimitri, Famiglietti, Tikoian, Britto, Thompson, and Patalano Date Introduced: February 27, 2026 Referred To: Senate Commerce It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: 1 SECTION 1.
  • Section 21-27.2-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 21-27.2 entitled "Single- 2 Use Plastic Straws" is hereby amended to read as follows: 3 21-27.2-2.
  • Prohibited practices exception.

Bill History

  1. 2026-05-06 Rhode Island General Assembly

    Referred to House Environment and Natural Resources

  2. 2026-05-05 Senate

    Senate passed Sub A

  3. 2026-04-29 Rhode Island General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Calendar (05/05/2026)

  4. 2026-04-28 Committee

    Committee recommends passage of Sub A

  5. 2026-04-27 Rhode Island General Assembly

    Proposed Substitute

  6. 2026-04-24 Rhode Island General Assembly

    Scheduled for consideration (04/28/2026)

  7. 2026-03-24 Committee

    Committee recommended measure be held for further study

  8. 2026-03-20 Rhode Island General Assembly

    Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/24/2026)

  9. 2026-02-27 Rhode Island General Assembly

    Introduced, referred to Senate Commerce

Official Summary Text

AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- SINGLE-USE PLASTIC STRAWS (Allows customers to directly take single-use plastic straws from single straw dispensers at food service establishments.)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
S2639A

2026 -- S 2639 SUBSTITUTE A
========
LC005408/SUB A
========

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
____________
A N A C T
RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- SINGLE-USE PLASTIC STRAWS

Introduced By:
Senators Dimitri, Famiglietti, Tikoian, Britto, Thompson, and Patalano

Date Introduced:
February 27, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Commerce
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
1
SECTION 1. Section 21-27.2-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 21-27.2 entitled "Single-
2
Use Plastic Straws" is hereby amended to read as follows:
3

21-27.2-2. Prohibited practices exception.
4
A food service establishment shall not provide a single-use plastic straw to a consumer
5
unless requested or by the consumer
or is directly taken from a single straw dispenser
.
6
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
========
LC005408/SUB A
========

EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- SINGLE-USE PLASTIC STRAWS
***
1
This act would allow customers to directly take single-use plastic straws from single straw
2
dispensers at food service establishments.
3
This act would take effect upon passage.
========
LC005408/SUB A
========

LC005408/SUB A - Page 2 of 1