Representative June Speakman

June S. Speakman is a Democratic state representative serving District 68, which encompasses Bristol and Warren, Rhode Island. Born on January 21, 1954, she was first elected to the Rhode Island House of Representatives in a special election in March 2019 and was re-elected in 2020.

Political Experience

Representative Speakman holds several key positions within the state legislature:

• Second Vice Chair of the House Municipal Government and Housing Committee
• Chair of the House Commission on Housing Affordability
• Chair of the Government Efficiency Subcommittee within the House Oversight Committee
• Member of the House Oversight Committee
• Member of the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee
• Member of the House Health and Human Services Committee
• Delegate to the New England Board of Higher Education

Notable Achievements

Representative Speakman has focused extensively on housing policy reform in Rhode Island. Her major legislative accomplishments include:

• Sponsoring legislation that established Rhode Island's first permanent funding stream for affordable housing in 2021, providing an estimated $4 million annually
• Introducing the 2024 law enabling Rhode Island homeowners to develop accessory dwelling units on their properties
• Sponsoring bills in 2025 that encourage townhome development as an affordable housing option, establish a land bank for transforming vacant properties into housing, and create a Housing Champion designation to incentivize communities to address the affordable housing crisis
• Championing the creation of the House Commission on Housing Affordability through sponsored legislation to explore obstacles to affordable housing construction and develop mechanisms for increasing housing stock

Education

Representative Speakman holds a Doctorate in Political Science from City University of New York and a Master's degree .