Brian Patrick Kennedy represents District 38 in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, covering Hopkinton and Westerly. Born on January 3, 1961, in Westerly, Rhode Island, he has served continuously since first elected in November 1988, making him the senior ranking member and current Speaker Pro Tempore. A real estate broker and appraiser with Kennedy Realty and Appraisal since 1986, he advanced from the Democratic primary in September 2024 and was re-elected in November 2024.

Notable achievements and positions include serving as the first Rhode Island legislator elected president of the National Conference of State Legislatures in August 2023; Chair of the Health Committee for the National Conference of Insurance Legislators since 2001; and leadership on committees such as House Corporations , Innovation and Technology, Rules, State Government and Elections, and Conduct. He sponsored key laws like the 2024 Facilitating Business Rapid Response to State Declared Disaster Act, 2023 interstate nurse licensure compact amendments, 2024 Vegetation Management for Electric System Reliability Act, 2017 elderly-protection law, and anti-patent troll legislation in 2016. Additional roles include Joint Defense Economy Planning Commission member and boards for Westerly Hospital, Rhode Island Academic Decathlon, and South County Tourism Council.

Education and Political Experience

Education:
- B.A. in History and General Social Studies, Providence College, 1983
- M.B.A., Anna Maria College, 1987
- Chariho Regional High School, Class of 1979

Political Experience:
- Rhode Island House of Representatives, District 38 , 1989–present
- Speaker Pro Tempore, 2017–present
- State Committeeman, District 16/38, since 1988
- Committees: Corporations, Innovation and Technology, Rules, State Government and Elections, Conduct; former Environment and Natural Resources, Oversight, Joint Economic Development and Healthcare Oversight
- National roles: NCSL President , prior VP/President-elect; active in Insurance Legislators Foundation and American Council of Young Political Leaders