Rhode Island Senate reelects Dominic J. Ruggierio as president, adopts interim rules and names standing committees

Dominic J. Ruggierio was elected president of the Rhode Island Senate for 2025–2026 at the chamber’s organizational session, the body adopted interim rules and the president announced committee assignments and a new focus on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

The vote to adopt the 2023–24 Senate rules as interim rules passed 38–0 after Leader Valerie J. Lawson moved to reinstate the prior rules pending a report by the rules committee. After procedural motions and the administration of several oaths, the Senate conducted roll-call and voice votes to fill leadership posts and standing committees for the two-year term.

Why it matters: The organizational actions set the Senate’s procedural framework, leadership and committee assignments that will shape which bills reach the floor and which policy areas—such as the newly announced artificial intelligence and emerging technologies initiative—receive prioritized study and hearings in 2025 and 2026.

The session opened after the 2024 Senate was formally adjourned. Leader Ryan Miller Pearson moved that the Senate adjourn the 2024 session and the chair declared the ayes had it. Secretary of State Greg Amore then certified the list of members elected to the Senate, and senators took the oath of office.

Senator Murray formally nominated Dominic J. Ruggierio for a new term as president; Senator Robert Brito seconded the nomination. After the roll-call nomination process the clerk reported “26 votes for senator Ruggierio with 12 present,” and the chair announced that Dominic J. Ruggierio had been elected president of the Rhode Island Senate for 2025 and 2026. The oath of office for the president was administered by Chief Magistrate Dominic A. DeSandro III of the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal.

Other officer elections and appointments announced during the session included the election of Helena S. Reed as secretary of the Senate and John S. Baxter Jr. as reading clerk; both offices were filled by roll-call or machine vote and declared elected by the presiding officer. Senator Hannah M. Gallo was elected president pro tempore, and Senator Matthew L. LaMountain was elected deputy president pro tempore. The clerk announced winners for those offices after the tallying procedures.

President Ruggierio used his remarks to welcome returning and newly elected members and to ask Senator Victoria Gu to share a new committee on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, saying the legislature must bring “needed diligence” to rapidly advancing technologies. He also announced leadership assignments: Valerie J. Lawson as majority leader and David P. Zicoian as majority whip (appointment letters and internal caucus notices were read into the record), and Jessica De La Cruz as minority leader with Gordon Rogers as minority whip, per a communication from the Republican caucus.

President Ruggierio submitted appointments to standing committees under the interim rules; the clerk read the lists into the record. Highlights included Louis P. DePalma named chair of the Finance Committee; Melissa A. Murray named chair of Health and Human Services; Hannah M. Gallo named chair of Education; and V. Susan Sosnowski named chair of Environment and Agriculture. The reading of committee rosters covered the full slate of standing committees that will govern hearings and bill referrals for the session.

Routine organizational announcements followed: the Finance Committee scheduled a meeting Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in Room 211; the Senate will meet Tuesdays at 4 p.m. until further notice; and the governor’s State of the State address is scheduled for Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. A reception for members, families and guests was announced to follow the session.

The secretary of state referenced section 22-3-13 of the General Laws of 1956 when certifying election returns before administering oaths to members and officers.

Less consequential procedural items included the reading of communications and the ceremonial introductions of guests and family members throughout the session. The Senate recessed at the conclusion of the session after the organizational business was completed.

The record shows unanimous adoption of interim rules, formal election of senate officers by roll-call or machine vote as announced, and the president’s public charge to form a committee on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.