Bill
Bill > H8048
RI H8048
RI H8048Permits RI Supreme Court Committee on Racial and Ethnic Fairness, in consultation with RI Bar Association and its Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, to appoint members of JNC and requires judicial candidates to disclose political donations.
summary
Introduced
02/27/2026
02/27/2026
In Committee
02/27/2026
02/27/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This act would permit the Rhode Island Supreme Court Committee on Racial and Ethnic Fairness, in consultation with the Rhode Island Bar Association and its Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, to appoint a qualified individual to serve as the new or replacement member of the Judicial Nominating Commission if the members with expired terms are not replaced via the normal process. It would also require the commission to provide a public forum relative to adopting rules and procedures, would require judicial candidates to disclose political donations and require the commission to broadcast, via the internet, each open meeting and to maintain an archive of each recording. This act would take effect upon passage.
AI Summary
This bill modifies the process for appointing members to the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC), which is responsible for recommending candidates for judicial positions in Rhode Island. Specifically, if a member's term expires and a replacement isn't appointed through the usual channels, the Rhode Island Supreme Court Committee on Racial and Ethnic Fairness, in consultation with the Rhode Island Bar Association and its Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, will appoint a qualified individual to fill the vacancy. The bill also requires the JNC to hold public forums for input on its rules and procedures, mandates that judicial candidates disclose their political donations, and mandates that all open JNC meetings be broadcast live online and their recordings archived for public access.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (5)
Last Action
Introduced, referred to House Judiciary (on 02/27/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://status.rilegislature.gov/ |
| BillText | https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/H8048.pdf |
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