K. Joseph Shekarchi reelected speaker as Rhode Island House organizes for 2025 session

The Rhode Island House of Representatives formally organized for the 2025–26 legislative term on Jan. 7 at the State House in Providence, reelecting K. Joseph Shekarchi as speaker after a roll call vote that produced 62 votes for Shekarchi and 10 for Michael Chippendale.

The session opened with the administration of oaths for members and officers. Secretary of State Greg M. Amore administered the oath to members; Supreme Court Justice Maureen McKenna Goldberg administered the oath to the reelected speaker. Francis McCabe was elected clerk of the House by a single-ballot procedure, and Diane DePena was elected recording clerk.

The reelection resolves the chamber’s leadership for 2025–26 and frames the House’s agenda at a time the speaker said the state faces a major budget shortfall and urgent policy priorities. "My door is open. My sleeves are rolled up, and I'm ready to get to work on behalf of the great people of this state," Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi said after taking the oath.

Why it matters: the speaker controls much of the House’s floor schedule and committee process; Shekarchi’s return to the rostrum sets the tone for how the chamber will approach a projected budget deficit, housing investments and health-care funding in the coming months.

Most important actions and vote - Speaker election: Representative Jennifer Stewart nominated K. Joseph Shekarchi; Representative Matthew Dawson seconded the nomination. The chamber closed nominations and held a roll-call count; the chair announced 62 votes for Shekarchi and 10 for Michael Chippendale. The chair declared Shekarchi reelected speaker for 2025–26. The votes were announced publicly during the session and reflected in the final tally. - Clerk and recording clerk elections: Francis McCabe was elected clerk of the House by voice and ballot procedures described on the floor; Diane DePena was elected recording clerk by single-ballot procedure.

Speaker's priorities and administration remarks Shekarchi used his inaugural remarks to highlight several policy priorities and to flag fiscal and operational challenges. He told members the House faces "a sizable budget deficit estimated at more than $300,000,000 in the year ahead" and called housing, health care and workforce shortages top concerns. He cited prior legislative actions, including nearly 50 housing laws enacted in recent years, a $120,000,000 housing bond passed by voters, and about $332,000,000 of state fiscal recovery funds invested toward affordable housing.

Shekarchi said the House will press the state's housing agency to accelerate deployment of homelessness resources and to improve execution of prior investments. He listed other items the chamber will oversee, naming: - health-care funding already included in the budget, including about $160,000,000 for rate increases tied to home- and community-based behavioral health and children’s services; - a $45,000,000 investment to create a life-sciences hub; - oversight of large infrastructure work including the Washington Bridge reconstruction; and - oversight of a large-scale cyberattack that affected the Rhode Island Bridges program.

Nominations, roll call and procedural notes Representatives offered nominations and seconds on the floor. Representative Jennifer Stewart presented Shekarchi’s nomination and said, "he cares deeply about the rights and well-being of all Rhode Islanders." Representative Matthew Dawson formally seconded. Representative Brian Newberry and others nominated Michael Chippendale; Newberry urged later debate about the distribution of chamber power.

After closing nominations on a floor motion moved by Representative Lita Bajewski and seconded, the clerk conducted the roll call. The chair announced the vote totals and formally administered the oath to the speaker.

Minority and other remarks Minority Leader Michael Chippendale congratulated the speaker on his reelection while pressing a set of priorities he said voters emphasized in November: "They're telling us to focus on the economy, cut waste, lower the cost of living, and ensure public safety," Chippendale said. Other members made introductions and brief remarks welcoming new members, and House leaders outlined a near-term schedule and deadlines.

Administrative schedule and deadlines announced House leaders announced administrative dates and rules deadlines for the coming week: - Members may begin introducing legislation on Thursday, Jan. 9; the House will meet that day at 4 p.m. - A brief House Democratic caucus was scheduled at 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 9 in the lounge. - Members wishing to introduce legislation related to House rules must submit language to Legislative Council by close of business on Thursday, Jan. 9; the desk will accept introduced bills through Monday, Jan. 13 at noon in anticipation of a Rules Committee hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 15. - The House planned sessions on Tuesday, Jan. 14 (5 p.m., to accommodate the governor’s State of the State address) and Wednesday, Jan. 15 (4 p.m.).

What was not decided No new statutes, budget bills, or binding policy measures were adopted during the organizational session beyond the officer elections and the routine adoption of officers and oaths; substantive legislation will be introduced in subsequent sessions and committee hearings.

Ending After the day’s business and a series of member introductions, leaders recessed the chamber; a light dinner was provided for freshmen members and their families, and members were reminded that the House will reconvene for legislative business under the newly confirmed leadership.