Environment
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified.
Risks
- No material direct effect identified.
StateRhode IslandTo Governor
HB 7643: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE-- PROCEDURE IN PARTICULAR ACTION -- SMALL CLAIMS AND CONSUMER CLAIMS
Susan Donovan
HB 7643 status: To Governor — 06/24/2026 Effective without Governor's signature (updated Jun 24, 2026).
Source
OpenStates
Confidence
Low
Analysis basis
OpenStates summary
01
What this bill does
Official summary alongside an AI-generated read on where it stands and why.
Overall Score
60OUT OF 100
Score:60/100 civic fit
Risk:Low Risk
Impact:Low Impact 25/100
Constitutionality95%
Bipartisan70%
Public opinion50%
Bill summary
What changes
The bill updates and simplifies the process for assessing filing fees when a party chooses to appeal a small claims or consumer matter decision made by the district court.
Who is affected
Primary users of the district court small claims and consumer claims system, particularly those seeking to file an appeal.
Requirements and enforcement
Parties following the new administrative filing fee guidelines established by the court.
Costs and funding
No direct new costs are established; the bill focuses on the simplification of fee assessment procedures.
When it takes effect
The act was effective without the Governor's signature on June 24, 2026.
Potential benefits
The primary benefit is a more streamlined and transparent procedure for litigants to pay necessary fees when appealing a decision, reducing procedural ambiguity.
Risks and tradeoffs
The bill does not change the substantive rights of the litigants or the outcome of cases; concerns are primarily limited to the efficacy of the new administrative process.
What is still unknown
The long-term impact on the volume of appeals filed in small claims court is not specified.
02
Impact analysis
✦ AI analysisModeled effects across six domains, estimated from bill text and comparable legislation.
Economy
Positive outlook
60%
Benefits
- Predictable filing fee structure
- Reduced administrative time costs
- Lower procedural compliance burden
Risks
- No change to overall fee levels
- Transition period administrative risk
- Potential for fee miscalculation
Society
Positive outlook
60%
Benefits
- Improved access to legal recourse
- Enhanced clarity for pro-se litigants
- Simplified appeal pathways
Risks
- Risk of increased volume of meritless appeals
- Additional pressure on court clerical resources
- No guarantee of improved trial outcomes
Technology Industry
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified.
Risks
- No material direct effect identified.
Civic Accountability
Positive outlook
60%
Benefits
- Transparent filing fee processes
- Standardized administrative application
- Consistent regulatory expectations
Risks
- Lack of oversight on fee setting
- Procedural focus vs systemic reform
- Limited transparency in fee calculation
Public Health & Safety
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified.
Risks
- No material direct effect identified.
03
How trustworthy & consequential it is
Sourcing already shown above, this is what the analysis found worth flagging.
Source
OpenStates
Official bill text or data from OpenStates.
Confidence
Low
Information is limited or incomplete.
Analysis basis
OpenStates summary
Source used for this bill's analysis.
Source note
The scope of change is limited to court filing procedure and does not address the substantive fairness of small claims judgments.
Analysis scope
Source material is limited to an abstract.
04
Where it stands
Official record- IntroducedComplete
- CommitteeComplete
- Chamber votesComplete
- Final agreementComplete
- GovernorCurrent
- EnactedUpcoming
05
How it affects your district
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06
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