RI 2026
S.2198 Sub A SENATE FLOOR · JUN 10 • S.2021 FINANCE HEARING · JUN 8 • H.7957 / S.2196 HELD • H.7413 HELD · FEB 3 • H.7843 HELD · APR 2 • H.7955 / S.2648 HELD • SINE DIE APPROX. JUN 28 • S.2198 Sub A SENATE FLOOR · JUN 10 • S.2021 FINANCE HEARING · JUN 8 • H.7957 / S.2196 HELD • H.7413 HELD · FEB 3 • H.7843 HELD · APR 2 • H.7955 / S.2648 HELD • SINE DIE APPROX. JUN 28 •

Bitcoin Policy for the Ocean State

The Rhode Island Bitcoin Policy Initiative drafts bills, writes fiscal analyses, and delivers testimony on digital asset policy at the Rhode Island General Assembly. Nonpartisan. Founded in 2025 by Dan Hersey.

2025–2026 Legislative Session
See the bills → Bitcoin 101 for legislators →

2026 Active Legislation

Four bills we've drafted or helped introduce in the Rhode Island General Assembly this session · status as of June 6, 2026

S2198 Sub A
Senate Floor · Jun 10

Blockchain Study Commission

Reported out of committee June 2; on Senate Calendar for floor vote June 10. Sub A creates a 10-member commission to study blockchain applications for voting, land registries, public records, and economic development.
S2021
Senate Finance · Hearing Jun 8

De Minimis Tax Exemption

Tax-free Bitcoin payments up to $5,000/month ($20,000/year) to reduce friction for everyday use. Hearing scheduled for June 8 in Senate Finance.
H7957 / S2196
Held for Further Study

Private Key Protection

Protects citizens from being compelled to disclose private cryptographic keys in legal proceedings. H.7957 held Mar 5; S.2196 held Apr 7.
H7413
Held for Further Study

Economic Growth Blockchain Act

Regulatory sandbox and Special Purpose Depository Institutions to make RI a blockchain innovation hub. Held for further study Feb 3.
View All Legislation →

The numbers behind the case

Why Rhode Island sound-money policy is the cheapest national policy win available.

$500K–$2.5M
Annual fiscal cost of S.2021

0.01–0.04% of RI general revenue. Full analysis.

46th
RI on CNBC’s 2025 business-climate index

Tied with Louisiana. 40th on the Tax Foundation 2026 index.

$537M
Projected five-year RI structural deficit

RIPEC, March 2026. FY27 deficit projected at $101M.

52.4%
Sustainable share of Bitcoin mining, Q4 2025

Bitcoin Mining Council. Up from 37.6% in 2022; coal share fell from 36.6% to 8.9%.