Rhode Island Overview – 2023 Session
RHODE ISLAND
Legislative Overview – 2023 Session
(Adjourned on June 16, 2023)
14 pet-related items were proposed during the 2023 legislative session, 5 of which was designated as priority by the Pet Advocacy Network.
Final Disposition of Priority ISSUES:
| BILL # | SUMMARY | FINAL DISPOSITION |
| HB 5207 | “Animal Abuser Registry Act”: Amends Title 4 (Animals & Animal Husbandry) of Rhode Island General Laws by adding a new Chapter 1.3 to create the “Animal Abuser Registry Act”. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| HB 5476 | Animal Supply Sales Tax Exemption: Amends Title 44 (Taxation), Chapter 44-18 (Sales and Use Taxes – Liability and Computation), Section 44-18-30 (Gross receipts exempt from sales and use taxes) of RI General Laws to exempt from the sales and use tax the sale of animal supplies, food and related products. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| HB 5706 | Animal Cruelty/Pet Ownership Prohibition: Amends Title 4 (Animals & Animal Husbandry), Chapter 4-1 (Cruelty to Animals), Section 4-1-3 (Unnecessary cruelty) of RI General Laws to prohibit pet ownership by people convicted of certain animal cruelty offenses. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| SB 83 | Pet Care Services Sales Tax Repeal: Amends Title 44 (Taxation), Chapter 44-18 (Sales and Use Taxes – Liability and Computation), Section 7.3 (Services Defined) of RI General Laws to repeal the sales tax on pet care services. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| REG 2023-001 | Pet Dealer Definition Amendment/Licensure Rulemaking: Proposed rulemaking amends Title 250 (Dept. of Environmental Management), Chapter 40 (Agriculture & Resource Marketing), Subchapter 05 (Animal Health), Part 4 (Rules and Regulations Governing Animal Care Facilities), Sections 4.5 (Definitions) and 4.9 (Applications for Licenses or Certificates of Registration to Operate an Animal Care Facility) of the RI Code of Regulations to: 1) Add the term and definition for “dealer”; and 2) Provide licensure provisions for “dealers”. | PENDING |
View ALL Rhode Island legislation tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2023 session.
View ALL local ordinances tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2023 session.
View ALL federal and state issues tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2023-24 session.