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RI S2814

Bill

Status

Introduced

3/4/2026

Primary Sponsor

Victoria Gu

Click for details

Origin

Senate

2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Eliminates the 5% hotel tax allocation currently paid to the Greater Providence-Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau from regional tourism districts including Aquidneck Island, Statewide, Block Island, and South County districts

  • Increases the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation's share of hotel tax revenue by 5 percentage points across multiple tourism districts (e.g., from 28% to 33% in Aquidneck Island district, from 70% to 75% in Statewide district)

  • Creates a new distribution formula for "whole home short-term rental tax" received after December 31, 2025: 50% to the Housing Resources and Homelessness restricted receipt account, 25% to regional tourism districts, and 25% to host municipalities

  • Beginning July 1, 2026, directs 5% of taxes from Aquidneck Island, Statewide, Block Island, and South County districts to the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation specifically for tourism development, public art, and events

  • Takes effect upon passage

Legislative Description

Removes the requirement that 5% of the hotel tax generated from regional tourism districts be paid to the Greater Providence-Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau, and adds that 5% of the hotel tax to the existing tax paid to the RI commerce corporation.

State Affairs And Government

Last Action

Introduced, referred to Senate Finance

3/4/2026

Committee Referrals

Finance3/4/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available