Rhode Island Legislators Take Aim at 16-Year-Old Broadband Law

May 15, 2026 – Rhode Island lawmakers are looking to overhaul a 2009 broadband law they say limits the state's ability to hold internet providers accountable for pricing, outages, and service quality.

The Rhode Island Broadband Oversight and Accountability Act would revise the state's Broadband Deployment and Investment Act and allow officials to collect broadband performance and availability data independently.

“I was shocked to learn how extensively this 16-year-old Rhode Island law restricts Rhode Island from implementing regulations, including management of fees, for internet service providers,” said Rep. Michelle McGaw , D-Portsmouth, who sponsored the bill in the House.

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