2026 -- S 2020

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LC003186

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND FIRE

SERVICES TRAINING FUND ACT

     Introduced By: Senators Burke, DiPalma, Felag, LaMountain, Tikoian, Sosnowski,
Ciccone, Famiglietti, and Appollonio

     Date Introduced: January 09, 2026

     Referred To: Senate Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 42 of the General Laws entitled "STATE AFFAIRS AND

GOVERNMENT" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 28.11

RHODE ISLAND FIRE SERVICES TRAINING FUND ACT

     42-28.11-1. Title and purpose.

     This act shall be known and may be cited as the “Rhode Island Fire Services Training Fund

Act.” The purpose of this chapter is to create a stable, dedicated funding source for statewide fire

service training by establishing a twenty-five hundredths percent (0.25%) assessment on property

and casualty insurance premiums.

     42-28.11-2. Rhode Island fire services training fund establishment.

     A restricted, non-lapsing Rhode Island fire services training fund within the department of

public safety is hereby created to support the Rhode Island fire academy and statewide fire service

training.

     42-28.11-3. Assessment on insurers.

     (a) On January 1, 2028 and every January 1 thereafter every insurance company authorized

to write property and casualty insurance in Rhode Island, for every property and casualty insurance

policy issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027, shall remit an annual assessment equal to

twenty-five hundredths percent (0.25%) of all premiums collected the prior calendar year on:

     (1) Homeowners insurance;

     (2) Dwelling fire policies;

     (3) Commercial property insurance;

     (4) Commercial multi-peril insurance policies;

     (5) Inland marine insurance policies; and

     (6) Other property and casualty insurance lines as defined by the department of business

regulation.

     (b) The assessment shall be in addition to all other fees or taxes and shall not be passed

onto policyholders as a specific line-item surcharge.

     (c) Payments shall be due on January 1 annually.

     (d) All assessments and interest shall be deposited into the Rhode Island fire services

training fund. Interest on any late payment shall be calculated pursuant to the provisions of § 9-21-

10.

     (e) The state fire marshal shall administer the fund and disburse fund proceeds as

authorized by the general assembly. Unexpended balances shall not revert to the general fund, but

shall remain in the Rhode Island fire services training fund.

     42-28.11-4. Authorized use of funds.

     As authorized by the general assembly the funds may be used for:

     (1) Rhode Island Fire Academy operations;

     (2) Recruit training;

     (3) Certification programs;

     (4) Hazardous materials, technical rescue, marine, and EMS training;

     (5) Capital improvements and live-burn facilities;

     (6) Mobile training units;

     (7) Curriculum and instructor development; and

     (8) Municipal training grants.

     42-28.11-5. Reporting.

     An annual report shall be submitted by January 31 of each year, beginning in 2028, to the

governor and general assembly detailing revenues, expenditures, training delivered, and municipal

participation.

     42-28.11-6. Severability.

     If any provision of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstances is held

invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this chapter which can be

given effect without the invalid provisions or application, and to this end the provisions of this

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chapter are declared to be severable.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND FIRE

SERVICES TRAINING FUND ACT

***

     This act would establish the Rhode Island fire services training fund, a restricted, non-

lapsing fund within the department of public safety to support the Rhode Island Fire Academy and

statewide fire service training. An annual assessment equal to twenty-five hundredths percent

(0.25%) of all written premiums for the prior calendar year would be used to fund the program.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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