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Read. Follow. Verify.Rhode Island Bill Recognizes Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe for Federal Benefits
Last action · April 7, 2026: Committee recommended measure be held for further studySponsors: Slater and 1 other
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What This Bill Proposed
Rhode Island would officially recognize the Seaconke Wampanoag tribe as a Native American Indian tribe specifically to help its members establish eligibility for federal benefits and privileges.
The measure changes the state-level legal status of a specific indigenous group, directly impacting members' ability to qualify for federal programs without altering state funding or creating new reservation lands.
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.
Seaconke Wampanoag tribe
Tribe members receive official state recognition designed to assist them in establishing eligibility for federal benefits and privileges.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does state recognition mean for the Seaconke Wampanoag tribe?
Does this bill grant reservation land or state funding?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.
Procedural history
3 actions- Apr 7, 2026Committee recommended measure be held for further study
- Apr 3, 2026Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/07/2026)
- Feb 27, 2026IntroducedIntroduced, referred to House State Government & Elections
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
status.rilegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 45)
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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