TP

Thomas Paolino R

State Senator
Rhode Island Senate District 14
Term: — – Jan. 3, 2026

Biography

Photo URL: https://www.rilegislature.gov/senators/Pictures/Paolino%202022.jpg

On Record (23)

Bill
Repeals daylight savings time in the state and follow the “United States Standard Eastern Time” as provided by an exemption from the advancement of time as provide by the federal Uniform Time Ac of 1966, 15 U.S.C. § 260(a).
Jun 18, 2026 · source · details / share
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Makes a violation using the passing lane on limited access highways when not passing another vehicle.
Jun 18, 2026 · source · details / share
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Establishes a revolving fund to assist first-time home buyers and veterans to purchase a home in Rhode Island by issuing grants of up to forty thousand dollars ($40,000).
May 22, 2026 · source · details / share
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Establishes the first-time home buyer savings program act. Allows modifications to federal adjusted gross income for $50,000 in contributions and $150,000 of interest and dividends included in federal adjusted gross income.
May 22, 2026 · source · details / share
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Expands RI’s Renewable Energy Standard to include nuclear and hydroelectric power as eligible zero-emission resources and sets rules for how they qualify.
May 22, 2026 · source · details / share
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Requires the auditor general to conduct performance audits of all state agencies.
May 22, 2026 · source · details / share
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Exempts from sales tax the amount paid for food and beverages during summer restaurant week and winter restaurant week.
May 22, 2026 · source · details / share
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Increase the estate exemption to $5,000,000 for January 1, 2027, $7,500,000 for January 1, 2029, $10,000,000 for January 1, 2031. This act would eliminate the estate tax for decedents whose death occurs on or after January 1, 2033.
May 22, 2026 · source · details / share
Bill Motor And Other VehiclesMOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PASSING, USE OF LANES, AND RULES OF THE ROAD
MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PASSING, USE OF LANES, AND RULES OF THE ROAD - Makes a violation using the passing lane on limited access highways when not passing another vehicle.
Mar 31, 2026 · source · details / share
Bill General AssemblyGENERAL ASSEMBLY -- AUDITOR GENERAL
GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- AUDITOR GENERAL - Requires the auditor general to conduct performance audits of all state agencies.
Mar 31, 2026 · source · details / share
Bill TaxationTAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXESTAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION
TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION - Phases out the local meals and beverage tax by January 1, 2030.
Mar 31, 2026 · source · details / share
Bill Neutral Motor And Other VehiclesMOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SPEED RESTRICTIONSMOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SPEED RESTRICTIONS -- SCHOOL BUS SPEED LIMIT
MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SPEED RESTRICTIONS -- SCHOOL BUS SPEED LIMIT - Establishes a speed limit for school buses being driven on a limited access highway to ten miles per hour (10mph) less than the posted speed limit.
Mar 16, 2026 · source · details / share
Bill Neutral TaxationTAXATION -- ESTATE AND TRANSFER TAXESTAXATION -- ESTATE AND TRANSFER TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION
TAXATION -- ESTATE AND TRANSFER TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION - Increases the net taxable estate exemption to $3,600,000 on January 1, 2026 and increases the exemption by $1,000,000 on January 1, 2027, and every year thereafter.
Mar 16, 2026 · source · details / share
Bill Neutral General AssemblyGENERAL ASSEMBLY -- JOINT COMMITTEE OF THE REPEALER
GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- JOINT COMMITTEE OF THE REPEALER - Creates the joint committee of the repealer for a term of six (6) years to compile suggestions for repeal of certain statutes, regulations, and executive orders.
Mar 16, 2026 · source · details / share
Bill Neutral PROPERTYPROPERTY -- FIRST-TIME HOME BUYER SAVINGS PROGRAM ACT
PROPERTY -- FIRST-TIME HOME BUYER SAVINGS PROGRAM ACT - Establishes the first-time home buyer savings program act. Allows modifications to federal adjusted gross income for $50,000 in contributions and $150,000 of interest and dividends included in federal adjusted gross income.
Mar 16, 2026 · source · details / share
Bill Neutral EducationEDUCATION -- FAILING SCHOOL CHOICE ACT
EDUCATION -- FAILING SCHOOL CHOICE ACT - Permits students at failing schools to enroll in any public school and also established the Rhode Island education revitalization fund to provide funding to the school choice program.
Mar 16, 2026 · source · details / share
Bill Neutral State Affairs And GovernmentSTATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND HOUSING AND MORTGAGE FINANCE CORPORATION
STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND HOUSING AND MORTGAGE FINANCE CORPORATION - Establishes a revolving fund to assist first-time home buyers and veterans to purchase a home in Rhode Island by issuing grants of up to forty thousand dollars ($40,000).
Mar 16, 2026 · source · details / share
Bill Neutral State Affairs And GovernmentSTATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- SMALL BUSINESS REGULATORY FAIRNESS IN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- SMALL BUSINESS REGULATORY FAIRNESS IN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES - Expands the duties of the small business ombudsman, by also having the ombudsman serve as the Rhode Island commerce corporation's small business advocate.
Mar 16, 2026 · source · details / share
Bill Neutral TaxationTAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXESTAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION
TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION - Exempts from the sales tax eligible school supplies, costing less than $30.00, purchased within one week prior to the commencement of the academic year.
Mar 16, 2026 · source · details / share
Bill Neutral Military Affairs And DefenseMILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT - Requires the director of the Rhode Island emergency management agency and the Rhode Island commerce commission to develop and implement a plan to assist businesses in obtaining flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance program.
Mar 16, 2026 · source · details / share
Bill Neutral Public Utilities And CarriersPUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARD
PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARD - Requires the PUC to make public notification of any changes in eligibility or production of energy, and would direct the commission to promulgate rules and regulations to allow and facilitate the prompt public disclosure of this information.
Mar 16, 2026 · source · details / share
Bill Neutral State Affairs And GovernmentSTATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- STANDARD AND DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME
STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- STANDARD AND DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME - Repeals daylight savings time in the state and follow the “United States Standard Eastern Time” as provided by an exemption from the advancement of time as provide by the federal Uniform Time Ac of 1966, 15 U.S.C. § 260(a).
Mar 16, 2026 · source · details / share
Bill Neutral TaxationTAXATION -- ESTATE AND TRANSFER TAXESTAXATION -- ESTATE AND TRANSFER TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION
TAXATION -- ESTATE AND TRANSFER TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION - Increase the net taxable estate exemption to $3,600,000 on January 1, 2027. This act would also increase the exemption by $1,000,000 on January 1, 2028 and every year thereafter until this section and the tax would sunset and expire on January 1, 2033
Mar 16, 2026 · source · details / share

Crossposts (53)

Bill crosspost
Prohibits solicitation of money or other donations while an individual is standing or sitting in a crosswalk, intersection or safety zone.
Jun 18, 2026 · details / share
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Mandates arming campus police at public higher educational institutions and would include campus police in the definition of "law enforcement officer" for the purposes of the "law enforcement officers' bill of rights".
Jun 18, 2026 · details / share
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Prohibits the compelled production of a private key as it relates to a digital asset, digital identity or other interest or right.
Jun 18, 2026 · details / share
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Requires electric and gas utilities to provide a detailed breakdown of supply, delivery, and public policy costs on electric and gas bills, including specific costs for renewable energy sources, and mandate public comment and PUC approval.
Jun 18, 2026 · details / share
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Restores the requirement that a local review board issue findings for denial in reviewing a comprehensive permit request and clarifies that affordable housing units shall be included in each town and city when the building permits for units are granted.
Jun 18, 2026 · details / share
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Allows automatic voter registration for Rhode Islanders applying for hunting and fishing licenses.
Jun 18, 2026 · details / share
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Amends the definition of farm and agricultural land to include land on which agricultural operations are being conducted or is suitable for agriculture operations, and further expand the definition of a farmer.
Jun 18, 2026 · details / share
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Directs middle and high schools which issue student identification cards to include on those cards on or before September 8, 2026, contact crisis telephone numbers for suicide prevention and substance use disorder prevention.
Jun 18, 2026 · details / share
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Mandates that any surplus state tax revenue received in any fiscal year would be refunded to the taxpayers of this state on a proportional basis in relation to the personal income tax liability incurred by the taxpayers in that fiscal …
Jun 02, 2026 · details / share
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Amends the Identity Theft Protection Act by eliminating current definitions and establishing new definitions. This act also raises the penalty provisions for violations.
Jun 02, 2026 · details / share
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Provides for paid leave for a state employee who donates an organ and duration of the leave is dependent on the type of donation and notice should be provided to the employer at least thirty (30) days prior to the …
Jun 02, 2026 · details / share
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Provides measures to prevent title fraud by authorizing the recorder of deeds to require the production of a government-issued photographic identification card before recording a deed or certain other instruments.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Requires the PUC to produce yearly reports beginning on January 1, 2027 on the ability of the current electric grid to handle electrification loads needed to power cars, buildings, and heating of homes within the state.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Increases the fines for dog ordinance violations in the town of Barrington.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Establishes an equivalent training certification program at the municipal police academy.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Enables students enrolled in certain career and technical education programs to take firefighter exams upon completion of their program.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Establishes certain presumptions pertaining to early childhood education programs operating in RIDE-certified school buildings.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Makes it a felony for any person to remove or attempt to remove any firearm or other weapon or any communication device from any peace officer or investigator of the department of attorney general.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Amends what is considered sexual abuse for purposes of limitations on actions based on sexual abuse or exploitation of a child and would amend the provisions for when a cause of action may be brought.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Amends the heading of § 11-47-60.1 to include the words "Dillon's Law."
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Increases penalties for a variety of motor vehicle offenses.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Repeals the corporation minimum tax.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Establishes a program within the adult correctional institution to permit medication assisted treatment approved by the FDA to be provided for the treatment of opioid use disorder to any incarcerated individual.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Establishes a property tax deferral program for senior citizens, disabled persons or veterans.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Requires that all maintenance of sidewalks along state highways, with the exception of snow and ice removal, be the responsibility of the state.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Gradually phases in modifications to federal adjusted gross income over a five (5) year period for social security income, from twenty percent (20%) up to one hundred percent (100%), beginning on or after January 1, 2027.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Designates certain program workers and shift coordinators at the training school as peace officers while on duty.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Criminalizes and sets mandatory minimum sentences for the unlawful interference with traffic upon the federal and state highways of this state.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Provides that when two or more individuals associate to accomplish the crime of shoplifting, that they would be deemed to be associated for the particular purpose of shoplifting and be guilty of a felony.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Allows the dismissal of a teacher after the March 1 deadline if there is gross misconduct by a teacher upon a student. This act would allow the notice to be given at any time and will not have time constraints.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Changes the maximum term of employment for a superintendent from three (3) to five (5) years.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Provides that public meetings involving collective bargaining agreements of school teachers shall be open to the public.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Establishes a food as medicine pilot program and task force to be administered by the executive office of health and human services.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Increases the number of days a retired municipal employee could work in a calendar year without interruption of pension benefits to ninety (90) days or its equivalent of six hundred thirty (630) hours.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Adds probation and parole officers to the list of state law enforcement professionals, for purpose of retirement on service allowance.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Amends the current law on low-income housing to include moderate-income housing and eliminates the income percentages used to determine qualifications for low or moderate income housing.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Provides that fees for costs charged for search, retrieval or copying of public records shall be waived for members of the general assembly who certify that they are acting in their official capacity.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Establishes the office of inspector general as an independent administrative agency charged with the responsibility to investigate, detect, and prevent fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the expenditure of public funds.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Requires that the governor submit a zero-based budget to the general assembly with the zero-based budget phased in over a five (5) year period, commencing with the fiscal budget year of July 1, 2027.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Allows animal control officers in the cities and towns to lawfully take charge of and provide adequate care to any animal found abandoned or neglected or hazardously accumulated and includes them as agents authorized to enforce the provisions of this …
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Defines squatter as a person occupying a dwelling unit who is not authorized by the property owner, landlord or tenant to occupy the unit and provides remedies for property owner including police assistance to remove a squatter.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Removes the mandatory certification for an individual 16 years or older who was found delinquent for having committed 2 offenses after the age of 16 which would render the person subject to an indictment if the person was an adult.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Amends the school funding formula to ensure that local education authorities do not lose funding due to disruptions in the supplemental nutrition assistance program.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Creates a new registration plate for qualified individuals to possess an "adaptive vehicle license plate" to accommodate the transportation needs of an individual with a significant mobility impairment.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Establishes minimum percentages of bio-based product contained in heating oil sold in the state and sets dates for compliance to set standards.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Requires that notice of a judgment lien be sent within ten (10) business days of the recording of the lien.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Establishes the framework to create a medical school at the University of Rhode Island and provides an initial appropriation of five million dollars ($5,000,000) as the first phase of a multi-year investment for the development of a medical school.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Requires all schools and educational institutions to develop and implement a school safety plan that would provide for immediate access to school facilities by first responders in an emergency.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Allows for the issuance of a Class B or Class B-H liquor license for the property located at 349 Main Street in the town of South Kingstown.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Creates additional safety features for AI companion technology that include addressing suicidal ideation, potential physical harm or financial harm to others expressed by a user. It also requires notification the AI companion does not have human emotions.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Establishes regulations regarding the use of artificial intelligence in mental health care treatments.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Requires healthcare insurers, without prior authorization, to provide post-acute care services to patients discharged from a hospital for a minimum of seven (7) days commencing on or after January 1, 2027.
May 22, 2026 · details / share
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Requires all public utilities to maintain a customer service facility within the state to perform services such as addressing customer inquiries and accepting bill payments.
May 22, 2026 · details / share