Rhode Island Senate clears a slate of local tax, homestead and animal‑control bills

Summary

The Senate passed a set of local bills on the regular calendar, including local tax credits for legally blind residents (Barrington), homestead and veterans exemptions, revisions to levy and assessment statutes, a Jamestown affordability measure, and two Barrington animal-related bills on dog fees and fines. Recorded roll-call tallies were unanimous or near‑unanimous per the clerk's record.

The Rhode Island Senate approved multiple local bills on its regular calendar covering taxation, homestead exemptions, and animal‑control measures.

Senator Laurier presented S 2037, a Barrington local bill converting a tax exemption for legally blind individuals into a tax credit. Senator Ujifusa presented S 2040, a local taxation/levy/assessment bill. Chairman DePalma presented S 2041 to establish a homestead exemption for Little Compton. Senator Oyer presented a Jamestown affordability-related tax measure (S 2422). Senator Loria presented two Barrington animal bills: one adjusting dog license fees and another increasing fines for violating dog ordinances. Each bill was moved for passage and recorded by the clerk with unanimous or near‑unanimous affirmative tallies as noted on the record.

Recorded vote tallies in the transcript: S 2037 (36–0), S 2040 (36–0), S 2041 (34–0), S 2422 (35–0), S 2470 (35–0), S 2472 (36–0). No floor debate substantive objections were recorded in the transcript for these items.