Rhode Island 2026 Session Status: In Committee 2 D cosponsors

SB 2944 — AN ACT RELATING TO CORPORATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS, AND PARTNERSHIPS -- RHODE ISLAND BUSINESS CORPORATION ACT

Last action — 05/21/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study

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  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.

Prognosis

Stalled 18% · 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.

  • 2 sponsors

    2 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (2 D).

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.

In plain language

The bill requires businesses to register and maintain filings for consumer and small business transparency.

This legislation mandates that businesses register with the secretary of state and keep their filings up to date. Its aim is to make it easier for consumers and small businesses to identify responsible parties and verify the business's good standing.

What this means for you
  • Consumers: Consumers will be able to easily verify the legitimacy of businesses they choose to engage with.
  • Small Business: Small businesses can readily identify and contact responsible parties in case of disputes or concerns.

Summary

Requires businesses that conduct business to register and maintain required filings with the secretary of state so that consumers and small businesses may readily identify responsible parties, verify good standing, and effectuate service of process.

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

7 changes Share ↗

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

The bill updates the Rhode Island Business Corporation Act to clarify the requirements and penalties for foreign corporations transacting business in the state without proper authorization.

  • R.I. Gen. Laws § 7-1.2-1401

    Noforeigncorporationhastherighttotransactbusinessinthisstateuntilithasprocured a certificate of authority to do so from the secretary of state.

    Clarifies that foreign corporations must obtain a certificate of authority to transact business in Rhode Island.

  • R.I. Gen. Laws § 7-1.2-1418

    No foreign corporation transacting business in this state without a certificate of authority is permitted to maintain any action, suit, or proceeding in any court of this state, until the corporation has obtained a certificate of authority.

    Reinforces that foreign corporations without proper certification cannot initiate legal proceedings in Rhode Island.

  • R.I. Gen. Laws § 7-1.2-1418

    A foreign corporation which transacts business in this state without a certificate of authority is liable to this state, for the years or parts of years during which it transacted business in this state without a certificate of authority.

    Establishes liability for foreign corporations conducting business without certification, allowing the state to collect fees for unauthorized transactions.

  • R.I. Gen. Laws § 7-1.2-1418

    For purposes of subsections (e) and (f) of this section, a foreign corporation 'commenced transacting business in this state' on the earliest date of: (1) Contracting with a person in this state; (2) Providing, performing, administering, or arranging for services to be performed in this state.

    Defines the criteria for when a foreign corporation is considered to have started transacting business in Rhode Island.

  • R.I. Gen. Laws § 7-1.2-1418

    The attorney general may bring proceedings to recover all amounts due this state under the provisions of this section.

    Allows the attorney general to take action to recover fees from foreign corporations that fail to comply with registration requirements.

  • R.I. Gen. Laws § 7-1.2-1418

    A foreign corporation that transacts business in this state without a certificate of authority shall, in addition to the amounts due under subsection (c) of this section, shall be subject to a civil penalty of three hundred dollars ($300) for each month or part thereof during which it transacts business in this state without a certificate of authority.

    Imposes a civil penalty on foreign corporations for each month they operate without proper authority.

  • R.I. Gen. Laws § 7-1.2-1418

    In addition to the monthly civil penalty in subsection (e) of this section, the secretary of state may assess an enhanced civil penalty not to exceed twelve percent (12%) of the gross receipts generated from conducting business activities in this state during the period of noncompliance.

    Introduces an enhanced civil penalty based on gross receipts for foreign corporations operating without authority.

Action History

  1. 05/21/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study

  2. 05/15/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/21/2026)

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

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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2 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 112 not signed on

Sponsors (2)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (112)

112 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

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Frequently asked questions

What does SB 2944 do?
Requires businesses that conduct business to register and maintain required filings with the secretary of state so that consumers and small businesses may readily identify responsible parties, verify good standing, and effectuate service of process.
Who sponsors SB 2944?
SB 2944 is sponsored by Stefano V. Famiglietti (Democratic) and Brian J. Thompson (Democratic).
What is the current status of SB 2944?
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 2944?
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