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HB 7055

AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- COUNCIL ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sam Azzinaro and 9 co-sponsors

Allows future bargaining for longevity payments by state employees starting July 1, 2026, preserving current rules and phasing for existing employees.

06/02/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 7055

Bill Summary: HB 7055 (Rhode Island) — Relating to Education – Council on Postsecondary Education

Purpose and intent

  • This act aims to modify longevity payments across several state employer groups and, notably, to allow state employees to negotiate longevity payments in future collective bargaining agreements beginning July 1, 2026.
  • It broadens the framework for longevity by aligning multiple chapters to permit negotiated longevity in the future, while maintaining existing long-standing rules for current and past arrangements.

Key provisions and changes

  1. Longevity payments for postsecondary education employees (Board of Governors for Higher Education)

    • Non-classified employees (excluding faculty and those already receiving longevity) under grade 19 or higher:
      • Qualify for a longevity payment of 5% of base salary after 10 years.
      • Increase to 10% of base salary after 20 years.
      • Longevity payments are not included in base salary.
    • The Board may promulgate implementing regulations.
    • There shall be no further longevity increases starting July 1, 2011, for general employees, with carve-outs for those covered by collective bargaining agreements in effect on June 1, 2011 (these longevity increases cease on July 1, 2011, or upon expiration of the applicable agreement, whichever is later).
    • Any previously accrued longevity payments are to be added to base salary as of June 30, 2011 (or at the expiration of the applicable agreement, whichever is later).
    • Beginning July 1, 2026, state employees may negotiate longevity payments in their subsequent collective bargaining agreements.

  2. Longevity payments for elementary/secondary education employees (Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education)

    • Similar structure to higher education provisions:
      • 5% after 10 years; 10% after 20 years; applies to non-classified employees under grade 19.
      • Not included in base salary; regulations may be issued by the Board of Regents.
      • No further longevity increases after July 1, 2011, with the same transitional treatment for employees under collective bargaining agreements in effect June 1, 2011.
      • Accrued longevity payments as of June 30, 2011 added to base salary (per applicable agreement timing).
      • Beginning July 1, 2026, longevity payments may be negotiated in future collective bargaining agreements.

  3. Longevity payments for state employees in the Merit System (36-4)

    • 36-4-17.2 (Future longevity payments):
      • No further increases after July 1, 2011, with exceptions for those under a collective bargaining agreement in effect on June 1, 2011 (or expiration of the agreement).
      • Previously accrued longevity continues at the June 30, 2011 level (or per the agreement’s expiration rules).
      • Beginning July 1, 2026, state employees may negotiate longevity payments in future collective bargaining agreements.
    • 36-4-17.1 (Historical longevity payments) remains: eligibility for aggregate longevity upon reemployment still applies to certain past provisions.

  4. Longevity payments for legislative, judicial, executive offices, and certain state departments (36-6-22)

    • No further longevity increases beginning July 1, 2011 for officers, secretaries, and employees in these branches/departments, with transition rules for those under post-2011 collective bargaining agreements.
    • Accrued longevity remains at the 2011 levels as applicable.
    • Beginning July 1, 2026, future longevity payments may be negotiated in subsequent collective bargaining agreements.

  5. Quasi-public corporations (36-16.2-1)

    • No further longevity increases beginning July 1, 2011 for quasi-public employees, with similar transition provisions for those under a collective bargaining agreement as of June 1, 2011.
    • Accrued longevity payments continue under the June 30, 2011 level (or per agreement expiration timing).
    • Beginning July 1, 2026, longevity payments may be negotiated in future collective bargaining agreements.

Who is affected

  • State employees across multiple employment categories:
    • Higher education (Board of Governors for Higher Education)
    • Elementary and secondary education (Board of Regents)
    • State merit system employees (various state departments and offices)
    • Legislative, judicial, executive branches, and quasi-public corporations
  • Unionized employees covered by collective bargaining agreements (CBA), particularly those in effect as of June 1, 2011, who have transitional longevity provisions.
  • All non-classified employees under the specified programs (except those already receiving longevity or faculty).

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: Upon passage of the bill.
  • Key future milestone: July 1, 2026
    • Beginning this date, state employees may negotiate longevity payments in their subsequent CBAs.
  • Historical provisions:
    • July 1, 2011: No new longevity increases for most state entities; existing accrued longevity can be integrated into base pay per the terms described.
    • June 1, 2011: Reference date for CBA-related transitional rules.
  • Implementation:
    • Each affected agency/board would be authorized to create regulations implementing these provisions where applicable.

Potential impact

  • Provides a clear path for future bargaining around longevity payments starting in 2026, potentially increasing compensation packages through negotiated agreements.
  • Maintains existing structure for longevity for current employees with detailed phase-out rules.
  • Affects budget planning and labor negotiations for multiple state entities and quasi-public organizations.
  • The act does not immediately grant new increases beyond preserving and transitioning current longevity rules; it authorizes future bargaining instead.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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