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SB 2930

AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- MINIMUM WAGES

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jonathon Acosta and 4 co-sponsors

The bill would raise Rhode Island’s minimum wage to $24 per hour by January 1, 2027, with defined steps up to that level.

05/06/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · SB 2930

Summary: SB 2930 (Rhode Island) – Minimum Wages

Jurisdiction: Rhode Island | Session: 2026 | Introduced: March 4, 2026 | Referred to: Senate Labor & Gaming

1) Purpose and Intent

  • The bill proposes to codify a state minimum wage schedule and set a specific wage increase path through January 1, 2027, culminating in a new wage level of $24.00 per hour on January 1, 2027.
  • It amends Rhode Island’s General Laws to establish a long-term, stepwise increase in the minimum wage, with a near-term update continuing the already-in-place annual adjustments and a notable jump to a higher target by 2027.
  • An additional point: the act takes effect upon passage (no separate effective date beyond enactment).

2) Key Provisions and Changes

  • Section 28-12-3 (Minimum Wages) – Repeats/updates the schedule of minimum wage amounts for each specified date:
    • 1999–1996: Historical steps (from $5.65 in 1999, up to $9.60 in 2016, etc.) are listed to reflect previously incremental increases.
    • 2018–2026: Continues progressive increases with specified annual amounts:
    • 2018: $10.10
    • 2019: $10.50
    • 2020: $11.50
    • 2022: $12.25
    • 2023: $13.00
    • 2024: $14.00
    • 2025: $15.00
    • 2026: $16.00
    • 2027: Proposed to be $24.00 per hour (an explicit, large increase from the $16.00 level in 2026).
    • The text also shows a parenthetical interpretation that appears to indicate “$24.00” per hour for 2027.
  • Section 2 – Effective Date:
    • The act is to take effect upon passage (i.e., immediately upon enactment).

Note: The text includes a drafting oddity in line items for 2027 stating “seventeen twenty-four dollars ($17.00) ($24.00) per hour,” which appears to intend that the wage reach $24.00 per hour in 2027, though the formatting is ambiguous. The Explanatory section clarifies the intent: minimum wage would be $24.00 per hour starting January 1, 2027.

3) Who and What Would Be Affected

  • Employers: Subject to Rhode Island state minimum wage requirements; salaries paid to employees must meet the scheduled minimums on the specified dates.
  • Employees: All workers covered by Rhode Island minimum wage laws would be entitled to wages meeting or exceeding the scheduled amounts on the established dates.
  • Businesses with labor costs: Potentially affected by a substantial projected wage increase by 2027, which could impact budgeting, pricing, and staffing decisions.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced: March 4, 2026.
  • Assigned to: Senate Labor & Gaming.
  • Schedule: Hearing and/or consideration scheduled for May 6, 2026 (action history indicates an upcoming hearing date in May 2026).
  • Effective date: Immediate upon passage (no separate future effective date).

5) Practical Considerations

  • The bill sets a steep, explicit endpoint ($24.00/hour by 2027), representing a rapid acceleration beyond typical gradual increases.
  • If enacted, employers would need to plan for the jump in 2027, including potential impacts on pricing, profitability, and worker classifications.
  • The proposal does not outline exemptions (e.g., for tipped workers, youth, or specific industries) within the text presented; readers should review the full bill for any such provisions.

If you’d like, I can provide a comparison to Rhode Island’s current minimum wage schedule, or outline potential budgetary impacts for a small business over the 2024–2027 period.

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

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