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SB 2400

AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

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

All final Rhode Island administrative rules require General Assembly approval before they become effective, with a hard deadline of December 31 of the promulgation year.

05/21/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · SB 2400

Overview

  • Bill: SB 2400
  • Session: 2026
  • Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
  • Title: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
  • Introduced: January 30, 2026
  • Referred to: Senate Judiciary
  • Sponsors: DiPalma, Zurier, E. Morgan, Acosta, de la Cruz (co-sponsors)

Main Purpose

To require that all final rules issued under Rhode Island’s Administrative Procedures Act must be approved by the General Assembly before they become effective. The bill establishes a firm deadline (no later than December 31 of the year the rule is promulgated) for Assembly approval and outlines filing, timing, and content requirements for final rules.

Key Provisions

  • Filing of Final Rules

    • Agencies must file each final rule with the Secretary of State after the public comment period ends.
    • A standardized form/process must be used as determined by the Secretary of State.
    • The Secretary of State will affix a certification of filing time/date.
    • The Secretary may reject a final rule for noncompliance with format, codification, or publication requirements, returning it to the agency within 15 days of receipt.

  • Administrative Corrections

    • The Secretary of State may make minor, non-substantive corrections (spelling, grammar, format) with a record of corrections.

  • Filing Deadline

    • Agencies must file the final rule within 180 days after the close of the public comment period; if not filed in time, the rulemaking must restart.

  • Required Rule Record (for final filing)

    • Date the final rule was signed by the agency head.
    • Authority citation for the rule.
    • Any legal findings required as a prerequisite.
    • The rule’s effective date.
    • A concise explanatory statement (as defined by § 42-35-2.6).

  • Effective Date and Assembly Approval

    • Generally, final rules become effective 20 days after filing, unless:
    • A later date is required by statute or stated in the rule.
    • Emergency rules (§ 42-35-2.10) become effective upon signature by the agency head and the governor or designee.
    • Direct-final rules (§ 42-35-2.11) with no objections become effective 30 days after publication unless a later date is specified.
    • Final rules are not effective until accepted by the Secretary of State.
    • No rule becomes final without General Assembly approval after the last agency rulemaking action but no later than December 31 of the year promulgated.

  • Legislative Oversight

    • No final rule may become final without approval by the General Assembly, completed before December 31 of the year the rule was promulgated.

  • Public Notice and Transparency

    • The Secretary of State must maintain a permanent register of all filed rules and concise explanatory statements.
    • Copies of certified final rules must be provided to agencies on request.
    • Notice of each final rule must be published in the State Register.
    • Within 20 days of filing, agencies must email copies of certified final rules to all members of the General Assembly.

Who Is Affected

  • State agencies that promulgate rules under the Administrative Procedures Act.
  • The Secretary of State (administrative filing, formatting, corrections, and publication duties).
  • The General Assembly (mandatory approval/ veto-like oversight prior to final effectiveness).
  • Rhode Island taxpayers and stakeholders who rely on state rules, given increased opportunity for legislative review and potential delay.

Procedural and Timeline Implications

  • Adds a mandatory legislative review step for all final rules, ensuring Assembly approval before rules become effective.
  • Establishes a hard deadline (December 31) for Assembly action on each promulgated rule.
  • Extends the rulemaking process by potentially delaying rules until the General Assembly approves them.
  • Introduces formal filing, documentation, and transparency requirements to the rulemaking process.

Summary

SB 2400 seeks to enhance legislative oversight of administrative rules in Rhode Island by requiring General Assembly approval for all final rules before they become effective, with a deadline of December 31 in the promulgation year. It tightens filing standards, adds explicit content requirements for final rules, provides for minor clerical corrections by the Secretary of State, and improves transparency through mandatory reporting and dissemination to legislators.

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

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