The 2026 Legislative Session is now in full gear with weekly committee hearings considering a wide range of bills that will impact small business owners.

While the McKee Administration attempts to lower ratepayers’ energy bills by rolling back state-imposed climate mandates, some lawmakers are moving in the opposite direction. NFIB provided testimony in opposition to several bills changing state energy policy. One bill requires owners of buildings over 50,000 square feet to abide by stringent state energy reporting requirement, with buildings of 25,000 square feet required to do the same soon after. Other proposals demanded that buildings meet energy efficiency and carbon reduction standards, while another piece of legislation requires carbon impact analysis prior to obtaining building permits. These bills would add burdensome new rules for building owners and have a chilling effect on new construction.

NFIB also provided opposition testimony to legislation allowing striking workers to collect unemployment insurance benefits. Not only would this bill place employers at an unfair disadvantage during labor negotiations, but it also threatens the state’s conformity with federal unemployment insurance laws. Additionally, NFIB submitted comments opposing another expansion of TCI to 12 weeks duration.

Finally, NFIB supported a bill to help owners defray the cost of credit card swipe fees. The bill would prohibit credit card companies from charging processing fees on various state taxes, including the sales tax. It is unfair that Rhode Island businesses are being financially penalized for collecting taxes for the state.