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HB 7495

AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- RHODE ISLAND CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES REPORTING

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Edith Ajello and 9 co-sponsors

HB 7495 aims to set standards for reasonable campaign expenditures, mandate disclosures, and strengthen enforcement to improve transparency and limit influence from spending.

06/18/2026 Signed by Governor
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 7495

Summary of HB 7495 (Rhode Island, 2026)

Purpose and intent

HB 7495, titled AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS — SAFEGUARDING ELECTION CANDIDATES USING REASONABLE EXPENDITURES ACT, appears to address campaign spending in Rhode Island elections with a focus on safeguarding candidates by implementing reasonable expenditure standards. The bill’s stated aim is to create framework for expenditures by candidates and related entities to promote transparency, prevent improper influence, and ensure expenditures are reasonable in relation to campaigns.

Key provisions and changes (as indicated by bill text and committee history)

  • Establishes standards for “reasonable expenditures” by candidates running for elective office in Rhode Island. The precise definitions of what constitutes reasonable expenditures are not provided in the summary notes, but the act centers on expenditure limits or guidelines to avoid excessive or misleading spending.
  • Creates a regulatory or enforcement mechanism to monitor candidate expenditures. This may involve reporting requirements, timelines for disclosures, and potential penalties for noncompliance.
  • Addresses the relationship between candidate committees, political committees, and related entities to ensure expenditures are properly attributed and transparent.
  • Potentially sets thresholds, caps, or reporting intervals for campaign expenditures and contributions, aligning spending with candidate finance reporting requirements.
  • Includes provisions to safeguard against improper expenditure practices that could unduly influence voters or undermine the integrity of elections.

Note: The exact dollar amounts, percentage caps, reporting deadlines, and specific enforcement penalties are not provided in the summary materials available here. The bill’s text would detail these mechanics (e.g., when reports are due, what constitutes a reportable expense, and applicable penalties).

Who would be affected

  • Candidates for Rhode Island public office, including campaign committees and political action committees (PACs) affiliated with campaigns.
  • Campaign treasurers and financial officers responsible for reporting campaign expenditures.
  • State election officials and the Rhode Island Secretariat of State or relevant election oversight agencies tasked with administering campaign finance rules.
  • Voters, to the extent that enhanced expenditure disclosures improve transparency and understanding of campaign finance.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced and referred to the House Committee on State Government & Elections on February 4, 2026.
  • Committee recommended the measure be held for further study on March 31, 2026.
  • A proposed substitute was introduced around June 5, 2026, with scheduling for consideration set for June 8, 2026.
  • The bill has multiple sponsors (co-sponsors from several legislators), indicating broad legislative interest and potential for amendment.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Transparency: If enacted, the bill could improve transparency around campaign spending and ensure expenditures align with reasonable standards.
  • Compliance burden: Campaign committees may face new reporting requirements and potential penalties, increasing compliance considerations for candidates.
  • Equity and integrity: By setting expenditure safeguards, the bill aims to reduce the potential for excessive or opaque spending to influence election outcomes.
  • Implementation specifics: The effectiveness and practical impact hinge on the bill’s detailed definitions (e.g., what counts as a “reasonable expenditure,” thresholds, and enforcement mechanisms) contained in the full text.

This summary reflects the publicly available information and committee actions up to mid-2026. For a complete understanding, the full legislative text, including definitions, thresholds, reporting forms, and penalties, should be consulted once available.

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

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