2026 -- H 7367

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LC003719

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE

RECOMMENDATIONS TO REDUCE THE FORTY-HOUR WORKWEEK TO A THIRTY-

TWO-HOUR WORKWEEK

     Introduced By: Representatives Alzate, Stewart, Potter, Casimiro, Cotter, Fogarty,
Dawson, Hull, Speakman, and Boylan

     Date Introduced: January 28, 2026

     Referred To: House Labor

     WHEREAS, In the United States, a full-time job typically requires a five-day, 40-hour

workweek; and

     WHEREAS, As technology advances and employees become more productive, the

opportunity to work a 32-hour workweek has become more feasible; and

     WHEREAS, A 32-hour workweek offers significant benefits, including boosting

employee well-being, increasing productivity and focus, improving work-life balance, and aiding

recruitment/retention; and

     WHEREAS, Transitioning to a 32-hour workweek can be done through measures like

initiating a trial period, coordinating shifts with colleagues and maintaining accountability by

setting and tracking clear goals; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created

consisting of nine (9) members: three (3) of whom shall be members of the House of

Representatives, not more than two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the

Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be the Director of the Rhode Island Department of

Labor and Training, or designee; one of whom shall be the President of the RI Hospitality

Association, or designee; one of whom shall be the Executive Director of the RI Manufacturers

Association (RIMA), or designee; one of whom shall be President of the National Federation of

Independent Business (NFIB), or designee; one of whom shall be the President of the RI AFL-

CIO, or designee; and one of whom shall be a member of the general public currently employed

in a forty (40) hour workweek in Rhode Island, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House.

     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a permanent advisory

commission, a legislative study commission, or any commission created by a General Assembly

resolution, the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu

of a legislator.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to make a comprehensive study and analysis of

the feasibility and legal requirements necessary to implement the transition of the forty-hour

workweek to a thirty-two-hour workweek in the State of Rhode Island. The recommendations

would be based, but not limited to, the following requirements:

     (1) Maintaining accountability for job performance;

     (2) The definition of a full-time employee;

     (3) No reduction in the rate of weekly wages resulting from the reduction of hours;

     (4) Compensation for hours/days/overtime worked in excess of thirty-two hours;

     (5) Businesses required to participate in a thirty-two-hour workweek; and

     (6) Consideration and definition of what constitutes the time that would be included as

part of a thirty-two-hour workweek.

     Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at

the call of the Speaker of the House and organize and shall select a chairperson from among the

Legislators.

     Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.

     The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

     All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,

documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or

desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

     The Speaker of the House is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters

for said commission; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

House of Representatives no later than March 15, 2027, and said commission shall expire on June

15, 2027.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE

RECOMMENDATIONS TO REDUCE THE FORTY-HOUR WORKWEEK TO A THIRTY-

TWO-HOUR WORKWEEK

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     This resolution would create a nine (9) member special legislative study commission

whose purpose it would be to study and provide recommendations to reduce the forty-hour

workweek to a thirty-two-hour workweek, and who would report back to the House no later than

March 15, 2027, and would expire on June 15, 2027.

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