Overview
Analysis not available yet
Voting Record
Votes cast
1029 of 1077
Voted yes
98%
With party
100%
Broke ranks
0 times
Notable votes
S2074APUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- REGULATORY POWERS OF ADMINISTRATIONSenate floor · Jun 4, 2026Yea
S2074APUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- REGULATORY POWERS OF ADMINISTRATIONSenate floor · Jun 4, 2026Yea
Money Trail
2026 On-Going Qrtly (1st) filed Apr 14, 2026
Rhode Island Campaign Finance public reports; private street address and ZIP details are omitted.
Raised
$20,505
Spent
$4,135
Cash on hand
$53,612
Individual · $20,105PACs · $400Other · $0
Top contributors
Michael Bellindividual$4,000
Diane Mayerfeldindividual$4,000
Olin Thompsonindividual$2,000
Samuel W Bellindividual$2,000
Samantha Weiserindividual$2,000
Valarie Lawsonindividual$500
Francis Richardsindividual$500
Daniel Abramindividual$300
David Stuebeindividual$270
Peter Friedrichsindividual$200
Full campaign finance reportLatest filing: 2026 On-Going Qrtly (1st) filed Apr 14, 2026 · from the RI Board of Elections
Sponsored Bills
Filter session:Showing 96 bills
S3234Proclaiming May 2026 as “Jewish American Heritage Month” in the State of Rhode IslandFloor Passed
S3116Police & PrisonsState Affairs and Government - Restrictions on State and Municipal Cooperation with Civil Immigration EnforcementIntroduced
About
Senator Samuel W. Bell Member, Senate Committee on Commerce Samuel W. Bell is a Democrat representing District 5 (Providence) in the Rhode Island Senate. District Five contains the neighborhoods of Mount Pleasant, Elmhurst, Federal Hill, Valley, and the northern portion of the West End. Sen. Bell grew his roots as an activist after the horrific shooting in Newtown, CT, advocating for sensible gun legislation.
Because of his investigation, the NRA was forced to pay the second largest campaign fine in state history due to their illegal actions. Sen. Bell was elected to the Senate in 2018. During his time in the General Assembly, Sen. Bell has been an active voice on a wide range of issues. He has vigorously opposed Medicaid cuts and championed their repeal.
He championed the successful initiative to repeal the authorization for Medicaid to charge co-pays. He has sponsored legislation seeking to create a Medicare for All system for Rhode Island, providing high-quality healthcare for free to all Rhode Islanders.
Along with other members of the Providence delegation, he successfully advocated for the repeal of the 2021 cuts to Providence's state aid, cuts he vocally opposed at the time. Sen. Bell has also worked on improving, professionalizing, and streamlining government processes.
For instance, his successful legislation to eliminate the need for a special bill to update corporate charter paperwork that has lapsed for less than 20 years. In his other professional life, Sen. Bell is a geologist.
He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Astronomy and Geology from Amherst College; a Master's Degree in Geosciences from Brown University; and a Ph.D. in Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Science from Brown University. He works as a geologist with the Planetary Science Institute. Sen. Bell is married to Samantha Weiser, and they have a son, Jacob.
Born with interstitial lung disease and requiring oxygen since birth, Jacob grows bigger and stronger every day. His parents love him very much. Sen. Bell and his family live in Mount Pleasant, Providence. Sen. Bell can be reached at his personal email, swbell11@gmail.com, as well as his personal phone, (401) 680-0725. You can also email his legislative address, sen-bell@rilegislature.gov.