H 7137Ethics & Transparency

State Affairs and Government - The Rhode Island Lobbying Reform Act

Lobbyists are prohibited from donating to state legislators between January 1 and July 1 while the assembly is in session.

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Introduced Jan 15, 2026Committee House State Government & Elections

Plain-English Summary

This legislation amends the "Rhode Island Lobbying Reform Act" to establish specific restrictions on political donations. It prohibits registered lobbyists from making political contributions to any member of the general assembly between January 1 and July 1 of each year. This prohibition generally covers the period when the legislature is in session. However, if the general assembly finishes its business and adjourns for the year before July 1, the restriction ends at that time.

For younger readers

This bill creates a new rule for people called "lobbyists." A lobbyist is someone whose job is to talk to lawmakers to try to get them to vote a certain way on new laws. This bill says that lobbyists are not allowed to give money to the lawmakers (the people writing the rules) between New Year's Day and July 1st. This is the time of year when the lawmakers are busiest working on new rules for the state. If the lawmakers finish their work early, the lobbyists can start giving money again sooner.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

LobbyistsMembers of the General AssemblyPolitical CandidatesSpecial Interest GroupsVoters

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

None

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Reduces the immediate influence of money in politics during the active legislative session, potentially curbing "pay-to-play" dynamics where donations are exchanged for favorable votes.
Promotes a more ethical government framework by separating the act of lobbying on specific bills from the act of financing political campaigns, thereby increasing public trust.
Helps level the playing field for community organizations and disadvantaged groups who cannot afford to make political contributions to gain access or influence during critical voting periods.
May inadvertently disadvantage labor unions or progressive advocacy groups that rely on lobbyists to support allied legislators during difficult legislative battles.
Does not address "dark money" or contributions made by Political Action Committees (PACs) that represent corporate interests, potentially leaving a loophole for indirect influence.
Could be seen as a performative measure that delays contributions rather than banning them, failing to address the systemic issue of corporate money in politics.

For Conservatives

Increases government ethics by preventing the "swamp" behavior of exchanging immediate cash contributions for legislative favors while the assembly is in session.
Limits the influence of all special interest groups, including liberal activist organizations, ensuring legislators focus on their constituents rather than donors during the session.
Strengthens the integrity of the legislative process by removing the appearance of impropriety, aligning with values of law and order and honest governance.
Restricts the First Amendment rights of individuals (lobbyists) to engage in political speech through donations, limiting their personal freedom to support candidates.
Interferes with the free market of political association by dictating when private citizens can use their money to support political causes.
Expands government regulations and red tape within the Lobbying Reform Act, adding more rules that private professionals must navigate.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 4 additions

SECTION 1. Chapter 42-139.1 of the General Laws entitled "The Rhode Island Lobbying Reform Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 42-139.1-14. Prohibited contributions by lobbyists. No lobbyist, governed by this chapter, shall make any political contributions to any member of the general assembly in any year during the period from January 1 through July 1, unless the general assembly has adjourned its business for the year prior to July 1 of the session year.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.