State constitution
Constitution of Rhode Island
Data from RI General Assembly
Full article/section structure with condensed section text. Repealed sections are marked. Article V is a single distribution-of-powers statement. Read the verbatim text at the source link.
Article I Declaration of Certain Constitutional Rights and Principles
§ 1 Right to make and alter Constitution
The people have the fundamental power to make and modify their form of government.
§ 2 Laws for good of whole
The burdens of the state ought to be fairly distributed; no person may be denied equal protection or deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process, nor discriminated against by the state.
§ 3 Freedom of religion
Religious liberty is protected; no person may be compelled to support any religion or be burdened on account of religious belief.
§ 4 Slavery prohibited
Slavery shall not be permitted in this state.
§ 5 Entitlement to remedies for injuries
Every person is entitled to a remedy by recourse to the law for injuries to person, property, or reputation.
§ 6 Search and seizure
The people are secure against unreasonable searches and seizures; warrants require probable cause supported by oath and a particular description.
§ 7 Presentment or indictment
Serious crimes require grand jury indictment (with military exceptions); no person is twice put in jeopardy for the same offense.
§ 8 Bail, fines and punishments
Excessive bail and fines and cruel punishments are forbidden; penalties must be proportioned to the offense.
§ 9 Right to bail and habeas corpus
All persons are bailable except for capital or specified offenses; the writ of habeas corpus is protected.
§ 10 Rights of accused persons
The accused has the right to a speedy public jury trial, to be informed of the accusation, to confront witnesses, to compulsory process, and to counsel.
§ 11 Relief of debtors from prison
A debtor who surrenders their estate may not be continued in prison.
§ 12 Ex post facto laws
No ex post facto law nor law impairing the obligation of contracts shall be passed.
§ 13 Self-crimination
No person may be compelled to give self-incriminating testimony.
§ 14 Presumption of innocence
The accused is presumed innocent, and unnecessary severity toward the accused is restricted.
§ 15 Trial by jury
The right of trial by jury is preserved; civil juries may be fewer than twelve but no fewer than six.
§ 16 Compensation for taking property
Private property may not be taken for public use without just compensation.
§ 17 Fishery rights and shore privileges
The people retain the rights of fishery and the privileges of the shore, including fishing, gathering seaweed, and passage along the shore.
§ 18 Subordination of military to civil authority
The military is subordinate to civil authority, and martial law is limited.
§ 19 Quartering of soldiers
Soldiers may not be quartered in homes without consent except in wartime as prescribed by law.
§ 20 Freedom of press
The liberty of the press is protected; in libel prosecutions truth may be given in evidence.
§ 21 Right to assemble and free speech
The people have the right to peaceably assemble, to petition, and to free speech.
§ 22 Right to bear arms
The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
§ 23 Rights of victims of crime
Victims of crime are entitled to fair treatment and to address the court before sentencing.
§ 24 Rights not enumerated
Rights not enumerated are retained by the people; state protections are independent of the federal constitution.
Article II Of Suffrage
§ 1 Persons entitled to vote
Every citizen 18 or older meeting residence requirements is entitled to vote.
§ 2 Nomination of candidates and elections
The General Assembly provides for voter registration and the conduct of elections.
Article III Of Qualification for Office
§ 1 Qualified electors
Persons holding civil office must be qualified electors.
§ 2 Disqualification upon conviction
A person convicted of a felony is barred from office for three years after completing the sentence.
§ 3 Oath of general officers
General officers take a prescribed oath before assuming their duties.
§ 4 Oath of assembly members and judges
Legislators and judges swear to support both the state and federal constitutions.
§ 5 Administration of oaths
The secretary of state administers oaths to executive officers.
§ 6 Holding offices under other governments
Simultaneous state and federal office is prohibited, and legislators may not hold executive positions.
§ 7 Ethical conduct
Public officials must adhere to high ethical standards and avoid conflicts of interest.
§ 8 Ethics commission and code of ethics
An ethics commission adopts and enforces a code of ethics for all public officials.
Article IV Of Elections and Campaign Finance
§ 1 Election and terms of officers
Statewide executive officers serve four-year terms and legislators two-year terms; recall procedures are authorized.
§ 2 Election by plurality
Offices are awarded to the candidate receiving the most votes.
§ 3 Filling vacancies in elected offices
Executive vacancies are filled by succession or by the General Assembly.
§ 4 Temporary appointment to fill vacancies
The governor may temporarily fill certain offices when the legislature is not in session.
§ 5 Special elections to fill general assembly vacancies
Legislative vacancies are filled by special election.
§ 6 Elections in grand committee
The General Assembly makes certain selections by majority vote in grand committee.
§ 7 Grand committee procedures
Defines quorum and permitted activities for joint legislative sessions.
§ 8 Voter registration lists
Eliminates the former requirement to transmit voter rolls to the General Assembly.
§ 9 Reports of campaign contributions
Candidates must disclose their campaign contributions and expenditures.
§ 10 Limitations on contributions and public financing
The General Assembly limits contributions and provides voluntary public campaign financing.
Article V Of the Distribution of Powers
§ 1 Three departments of government
The powers of government are distributed into three separate departments: the legislative, executive, and judicial.
Article VI Of the Legislative Power
§ 1 Constitution supreme law
This Constitution is the supreme law of the state; inconsistent laws are void.
§ 2 Power vested in general assembly
Legislative power is vested in a two-house General Assembly whose concurrence is required to enact laws.
§ 3 Sessions and compensation
The General Assembly meets in annual session beginning the first Tuesday in January; legislator pay is set.
§ 4 Restriction on counsel activities
Legislators may not accept fees in cases pending before either house.
§ 5 Immunities of members
Members are privileged from arrest during sessions and are not questioned elsewhere for speech in debate.
§ 6 Election and qualification of members
Each house judges the elections of its members; a majority is a quorum.
§ 7 Rules and contempt
Each house may make its rules, punish contempts, and expel a member by two-thirds vote.
§ 8 House journals
Each house keeps a journal and records votes on request.
§ 9 Adjournment of houses
Neither house may adjourn for more than two days without the other's consent.
§ 10 Continuation of previous powers
Repealed.
§ 11 Vote required for local appropriations
Bills appropriating public funds for local or private purposes require a two-thirds vote.
§ 12 Property valuations for taxes
The General Assembly may establish methods of property valuation for taxation.
§ 13 Continuance in office
Officers may be allowed to hold over until successors qualify.
§ 14 General corporation laws
General incorporation laws are permitted, but eminent-domain grants require a special act.
§ 15 Lotteries
Lotteries are restricted to state-operated systems and those previously authorized.
§ 16 Borrowing power
State debt is limited to fifty thousand dollars without voter approval, except in war or emergency.
§ 17 Borrowing in anticipation of receipts
Temporary borrowing against expected revenues is permitted within limits.
§ 18 Redevelopment powers
Urban renewal and redevelopment of blighted areas, including eminent domain, are authorized.
§ 19 Taking property for highways and parks
Excess land may be taken for public infrastructure, with surplus sold or leased.
§ 20 Off-street parking facilities
Cities and towns may acquire land by eminent domain for parking facilities.
§ 21 Emergency powers in case of enemy attack
Temporary powers are granted for governmental continuity during enemy-caused emergencies.
§ 22 Restriction of gambling
Expanding gambling requires statewide and local referendum approval.
Article VII Of the House of Representatives
§ 1 Composition
The House consists of seventy-five representatives (reduced from one hundred in 2003) apportioned by population.
§ 2 Officers and organization
The House elects its speaker and other officers.
Article VIII Of the Senate
§ 1 Composition
The Senate consists of thirty-eight elected members (reduced from fifty in 2003).
§ 2 Presiding officer
Since 2003 the Senate elects its own president; formerly the lieutenant governor presided.
§ 3 (Repealed)
Repealed.
§ 4 (Repealed)
Repealed.
Article IX Of the Executive Power
§ 1 Power vested in governor
Executive power is vested in the governor and lieutenant governor, elected by the people.
§ 2 Faithful execution of laws
The governor takes care that the laws are faithfully executed.
§ 3 Captain general and commander
The governor is commander-in-chief of the state's military forces.
§ 4 Reprieves
The governor may grant reprieves after conviction until the next legislative session.
§ 5 Powers of appointment
The governor appoints state officers with Senate consent and may delegate inferior appointments.
§ 6 Adjournment of general assembly
The governor may adjourn the legislature when the houses disagree on timing or location.
§ 7 Convening special sessions
The governor may convene the General Assembly on extraordinary occasions.
§ 8 Commissions
All commissions are issued under the state seal and signed by the governor.
§ 9 Vacancy in governor's office
The lieutenant governor succeeds to the governorship on a vacancy.
§ 10 Vacancies in both offices
The House speaker becomes governor when both executive offices are vacant.
§ 11 Compensation of governor
Compensation of the governor and lieutenant governor is set by law and not diminished during the term.
§ 12 Powers and duties of secretary, attorney-general, and treasurer
These officers retain existing duties subject to legislative modification.
§ 13 Pardons
The governor, with Senate approval, has pardon power except in impeachment cases.
§ 14 Veto power
The governor may veto bills; both houses may override by three-fifths votes; unreturned bills become law after six days.
§ 15 State budget
The governor prepares and presents an annual consolidated budget.
§ 16 Limitation on state spending
Annual appropriations are capped at ninety-seven percent of estimated general revenues, with the excess to reserve or capital funds.
§ 17 Budget reserve account
A reserve fund is established for emergencies and unanticipated deficits.
Article X Of the Judicial Power
§ 1 Power vested in court
Judicial power is vested in a supreme court and inferior courts established by the General Assembly.
§ 2 Jurisdiction of courts
The supreme court has appellate authority and power to issue prerogative writs; a majority is a quorum.
§ 3 Advisory opinions
The supreme court gives written opinions when requested by the governor or legislature.
§ 4 State court judges and judicial selection
Judges are nominated by merit from a nominating commission and confirmed as provided.
§ 5 Tenure of supreme court justices
Supreme court justices hold office for life during good behavior.
§ 6 Compensation of judges
Supreme court judges' compensation may not be diminished during their tenure.
§ 7 Wardens and justices of peace
Towns may elect wardens and justices of the peace, commissioned by the governor.
Article XI Of Impeachments
§ 1 Power to impeach
The House has sole impeachment power; impeaching the governor requires a two-thirds vote.
§ 2 Trial of impeachments
The Senate tries impeachments; conviction requires two-thirds, with the chief justice presiding for the governor.
§ 3 Officers subject to impeachment
Executive and judicial officers may be impeached for incapacity, felony, moral turpitude, or misfeasance; judgment is limited to removal.
Article XII Of Education
§ 1 Duty of general assembly
The General Assembly shall promote public schools and libraries.
§ 2 Perpetual school fund
Appropriated education funds form a permanent endowment.
§ 3 Donations
Educational donations are applied according to the donors' terms.
§ 4 Implementation and diversion prohibition
Necessary legislation is required and education funds may not be diverted.
Article XIII Home Rule for Cities and Towns
§ 1 Intent of article
Declares the purpose of granting local self-government in municipal matters.
§ 2 Local legislative powers
Cities and towns may adopt and amend charters and enact local laws not conflicting with state law.
§ 3 Local legislative bodies
Cities and towns must have elected legislative bodies.
§ 4 Powers of general assembly
The state retains authority over municipalities through uniformly applicable general laws.
§ 5 Local taxing and borrowing powers
Municipal taxation and borrowing are limited to powers the General Assembly authorizes.
§ 6 Charter commissions
Provides procedures for adopting charters by petition and elected commission.
§ 7 Adoption of charters
Charter commissions submit proposed charters to the voters for approval.
§ 8 Amendments to charters
Legislative bodies may propose charter amendments for voter approval.
§ 9 Filing charter petitions to bicameral bodies
Charter petitions may be filed with either branch of a multi-branch legislature.
§ 10 Charter certificates
Certified charters are filed with the secretary of state and in municipal records.
§ 11 Judicial powers unaffected
State judicial authority is preserved despite home rule.
Article XIV Constitutional Amendments and Revisions
§ 1 Procedure for amendments
The General Assembly may propose amendments by majority vote of both houses, subject to voter approval at the next general election.
§ 2 Constitutional conventions
A constitutional convention may be convened by majority vote and voter approval, with revisions submitted to the voters.
Article XV General Transition
§ 1 Rights and duties continued
Existing rights, duties, laws, and regulations continue except where modified by this Constitution.
§ 2 Validity of bonds and contracts
Existing bonds, debts, contracts, and legal actions remain valid.
§ 3 Continuation of office holders
Current officials continue until their terms end or successors qualify.
§ 4 Implementing legislation
Requires implementing legislation for the ethics and campaign-finance provisions.
Full, verbatim text at RI General Assembly