Rhode Island 2026 Session Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 8 D · 2 R cosponsors

HB 7489 — AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- MOTOR VEHICLE OFFENSES

Last action — 04/28/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study

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

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

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

Prognosis

Advancing 42% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 10 sponsors

    10 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (8 D · 2 R) — cross-party backing.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Summary

Requires persons convicted of driving under influence or refusal to submit to chemical test, have an ignition interlock system installed in vehicle as part of sentence and to pay an assessment to pay for the interlock systems.

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

6 changes Share ↗

Compared against the R.I. General Laws as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

This bill amends existing motor vehicle offense laws by updating the ignition interlock and testing requirements and related licensing provisions.

  • R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-2.8

    and/or blood and urine testing imposed as a part of sentence — Requirements. → and/or blood and urine testing imposed as part of sentence — Requirements.

    Removes a minor redundancy in the title.

  • R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-2.8(a)(1)

    or both, the magistrate may exercise his or her discretion and eliminate the requirement of an ignition interlock system; provided, that blood and/or urine testing is mandated as a condition to operating a motor vehicle as provided in this section. → or both, the magistrate may exercise their discretion and eliminate the requirement of an ignition interlock system; provided, that blood and/or urine testing remains mandated as a condition to operate a motor vehicle as provided in this section.

    Clarifies language regarding the magistrate's discretion.

  • R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-2.8(b)(1)

    For a violation of § 31-27-2(d)(1), a person shall be subject to a minimum thirty-day (30) license suspension and an imposition of an ignition interlock system and/or blood and urine testing for three (3) months to one year. → For a violation of § 31-27-2(d)(1), a person shall be subject to a minimum thirty-day (30) license suspension and may be required to install an ignition interlock system and/or submit to blood and urine testing for three (3) months to one year.

    Changes mandatory requirements into potential requirements for the magistrate.

  • R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-2.8(b)(4)

    For a violation of § 31-27-2.1(c)(2), a person shall be subject to a minimum sixty-day (60) license suspension and an imposition of an ignition interlock system and/or blood and urine testing for a period of one to four (4) years. → For a violation of § 31-27-2.1(c)(2), a person shall be subject to a minimum sixty-day (60) license suspension and may be required to have an ignition interlock system and/or submit to blood and urine testing for a period of one to four (4) years.

    Same as above; modifies the framework for penalties.

  • R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-2.8(c)

    Any conditional driving privileges must be set by the sentencing judge or magistrate after a hearing in which the motorist must provide proof of employment status and hours of employment, or any other legitimate reasons justifying a hardship license. → Any conditional driving privileges must be determined by the magistrate or judge following evidence from the motorist of employment status and hours or other valid hardship reasons.

    Clarifies the process for establishing conditional driving privileges.

  • R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-2.8(c)(h)

    Any individual who violates the requirements of subsection (c) shall be subject to the penalties enumerated in § 31-11-18.1. → Any individual who violates the requirements of subsection (c) shall be subject to the penalties outlined in § 31-11-18.1.

    Updates legal language for clarity and consistency.

Action History

  1. 04/28/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study

  2. 04/24/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/28/2026)

  3. 02/04/2026 Introduced, referred to House Judiciary

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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10 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 104 not signed on

Sponsors (10)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (104)

104 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 104 →

"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 transportation
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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 7489 do?
Requires persons convicted of driving under influence or refusal to submit to chemical test, have an ignition interlock system installed in vehicle as part of sentence and to pay an assessment to pay for the interlock systems.
Who sponsors HB 7489?
HB 7489 is sponsored by Evan P. Shanley (Democratic), Christopher G. Paplauskas (Republican), Arthur J. Corvese (Democratic), Paul M. Santucci (Republican), Robert E. Craven, Sr. (Democratic), Matt S. Dawson (Democratic), Raymond A. Hull (Democratic), Patricia A. Serpa (Democratic), Earl A. Read, III (Democratic), and Thomas E. Noret (Democratic).
What is the current status of HB 7489?
This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced February 04, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track HB 7489?
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Last checked for changes 2 months ago · updated continuously

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