Rhode Island Bill Requires Courts to Decide Legal Questions Without Deference to State Agencies

Original title: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES (Amends the administrative procedures act and provides that on the review of an agency decision by a court upon appeal, the court shall decide questions of law without deference to any previous determination or interpretation of the law by the agency.)

Last action · February 3, 2026: Committee postponed at request of sponsor (02/05/2026)Sponsors: David Place and 5 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Proposed

State courts reviewing an agency decision upon appeal are required to decide all questions of law independently, without giving to any previous determination or interpretation of the law by the agency.

Why it matters

Changes the standard of review for individuals and businesses appealing state agency decisions, ensuring courts interpret legal questions independently rather than relying on agency expertise or prior legal interpretations.

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

State agencies

Directly affected

Appellants challenging agency decisions

Key Facts

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does this bill change how courts review state agency decisions?

It requires courts to decide questions of law independently, without deferring to any previous determination or interpretation made by the agency.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.

Procedural history

3 actions

Feb 3, 2026
Committee postponed at request of sponsor (02/05/2026)
Jan 30, 2026
Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
Jan 28, 2026Introduced
Introduced, referred to House State Government & Elections

Version history

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