Rhode Island 2026 Session Status: In Committee 8 D cosponsors

SB 2966 — AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- COURTS -- PERMITTING VIRTUAL OR REMOTE COURT HEARINGS

Last action — 05/05/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced March 04, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.

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A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Stalled 26% · moderate confidence

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 8 sponsors

    8 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (8 D).

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Summary

Permits all Rhode Island courts to conduct hearings remotely and allow any party or attorney to appear by telephone or video conference, with remote appearances having the same legal effect as in-person appearances.

Bill Text

Action History

  1. 05/05/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study

  2. 05/01/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/05/2026)

  3. 03/04/2026 Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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8 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 106 not signed on

Sponsors (8)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (106)

106 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety civil-rights technology
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Frequently asked questions

What does SB 2966 do?
Permits all Rhode Island courts to conduct hearings remotely and allow any party or attorney to appear by telephone or video conference, with remote appearances having the same legal effect as in-person appearances.
Who sponsors SB 2966?
SB 2966 is sponsored by Dawn Euer (Democratic), Lammis J. Vargas (Democratic), Ana B. Quezada (Democratic), Samuel W. Bell (Democratic), Linda L. Ujifusa (Democratic), Meghan E. Kallman (Democratic), Jonathon Acosta (Democratic), and Tiara T. Mack (Democratic).
What is the current status of SB 2966?
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced March 04, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track SB 2966?
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Last checked for changes about 2 months ago · updated continuously

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