LobbyComply Blog

The Rhode Island Ethics Commission voted to increase the maximum value of gifts public officials can receive from interested persons. The current gift limit of $25 with an aggregated limit of $75 per year will be doubled to $50 and $150 per year. Additionally, the definition of interested persons will be expanded to include lobbyists and lobbyist employers. The new limits will be effective January 1, 2026, after the commission finalizes the changes.

Monitor your registration thresholds by state, by referring to our easy to navigate online guidebooks. Request a web tour to learn more.

The General Assembly passed House Bill 6173,  the Rhode Island Anti-Bid-Rigging Act. The act prohibits two or more persons from predetermining the winning bidder of a contract proposed, offered, or otherwise submitted for competitive bidding by a government entity. Violations of this act are a felony and can cause vendors to be subject to disbarment. The bill was signed by Gov. McKee on June 30 and is effective immediately.

Comply with state and local procurement lobbying rules. Our online guidebooks make it easy to view regulations all in one place. Learn more here.

The Rhode Island Ethics Commission voted to initiate the formal rulemaking process to amend the state Code of Ethics Gift Rule. Proposed amendments include restricting registered lobbyists from giving gifts to state officials and employees and increasing maximum allowable gift values. The commission will now prepare amended regulations and file a notice of proposed rulemaking for public comment with the Office of Secretary of State. The public comment period will last for a minimum of 30 days before a vote to adopt the finalized amendments will take place.

Invite them out for coffee or a steak? Make sure you know the gift restrictions of your state or municipality. Request a demo of our online guidebooks today.

The Rhode Island Board of Elections scheduled a special election to be held on August 5 for Senate District 4. The seat was previously held by Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 76. Ruggerio served as a state senator for the last 40 years. A special primary will take place July 8.

Democrat Gabe Amo has won the election for Rhode Island House District 1.

He defeated his opponent, Gerry Leonard (R), and became the state’s first black candidate to be elected to congress.

He states that he “didn’t run to make history” and is eager to serve the state he loves.

He aims to use his position to fight for stronger gun control and to protect social security.

Amo’s other top priority is to ensure the federal government begin to function again.

Amo continues democratic holding of this particular seat.

Twelve candidates are running in the September 5, 2023, Democratic special primary for Rhode Island’s 1^st Congressional District.

The special election will take place November 7 and will be the first congressional special election in Rhode Island since the 1967.

The seat became vacant following incumbent Democratic Representative David Cicilline’s resignation to become the CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation. 

Lawmakers passed a campaign finance bill to double contribution limits and define terms regarding in-kind donations.

Senate Bill 846 raises the individual contribution limit from $1,000 to $2,000 per year and doubles permitted anonymous donations from $100 to $200.

In an effort to police in-kind contributions, fair market value is defined as the usual and normal charge for goods and services.

The bill became effective without the governor’s signature on June 27.

A special election has been scheduled to fill the upcoming vacancy in the state’s 1^st Congressional District.

The seat will become vacant when Rep. David Cicilline’s resignation takes effect on June 1.

A primary election will be held on September 5, followed by a general election on November 7.

The winner of the special election will serve the remainder of the term set to expire on January 3, 2025.

Rhode Island lawmakers introduced a bill amending the Lobbying Reform Act to apply registration and reporting requirements to individuals who lobby at the local level.

Senate Bill 2512 expands the definition of lobbying to cover individuals who lobby municipal government executives and legislative bodies as well as local fire districts.

If passed, the new law will take effect immediately.

Democrat Sam Zurier defeated Alex Cannon in a special election to serve as the next Rhode Island state Senator for District 3.

The District 3 seat became vacant after Sen. Gayle Goldin resigned earlier this year to take a job with the Biden administration.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit upheld Rhode Island’s campaign finance law requiring the identification of donors in political advertisements.

The state law requires disclosure of independent expenditures totaling more than $1,000 to the Board of Elections with a listing of the candidate or referendum involved and all individual donors who gave more than $1,000.

The top five donors must also be listed in the ad itself.

The groups challenging the constitutionality of the law said they would appeal the issue to the Supreme Court

Rhode Island State officials scheduled a special election on November 2 for the state Senate seat in Providence District 3.

The seat became vacant when Sen. Gayle Goldin resigned to accept a position as a senior adviser in the U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau.

A primary will be held on October 5, if necessary.

Both chambers of the Rhode Island General Assembly recessed after passing the budget for the fiscal year 2022.

The Legislature is expected to reconvene in the fall in order to address some outstanding issues.

This includes a voting package that would continue less restrictive absentee voting rules temporarily in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea announced a special election for Providence City Council Ward 15 on July 6.

If required, a special primary election is scheduled for June 8.

The city council seat is vacant after Sabina Matos was confirmed and sworn in as lieutenant governor of the state earlier this month.

The winner of the special election will serve the remainder of Matos’s term until the end of 2022.