Rhode Island Senate

Rhode Island Senate
Coat of arms or logo
Seal of the Rhode Island Senate
Type
Type
Term limits
None
History
New session started
January 3, 2023
Leadership
Dominick J. Ruggerio (D)
since March 23, 2017
President pro tempore
Hanna M. Gallo (D)
since January 5, 2021
Majority Leader
Ryan W. Pearson (D)
since January 3, 2023
Minority Leader
Jessica de la Cruz (R)
since August 2, 2022
Structure
Seats38
Political groups
Majority (33)
  •   Democratic (33)

Minority (5)

Length of term
2 years
AuthorityArticle VI, Constitution of Rhode Island
Salary$19,036/year
Elections
First-past-the-post
Last election
November 8, 2022
(38 seats)
Next election
November 5, 2024
(38 seats)
RedistrictingLegislative Control
Meeting place
Senate Chamber
Rhode Island State Capitol
Providence, Rhode Island
Website
Rhode Island Senate

The Rhode Island Senate is the upper house of the Rhode Island General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Rhode Island, the lower house being the Rhode Island House of Representatives. It is composed of 38 Senators, each of whom is elected to a two-year term. Rhode Island is one of the 14 states where its upper house serves at a two-year cycle, rather than the normal four-year term as in most states. There is no limit to the number of terms that a Senator may serve. The Rhode Island Senate meets at the Rhode Island State Capitol in Providence.

Like other upper houses of state and territorial legislatures and the federal U.S. Senate, the Senate can confirm or reject gubernatorial appointments to executive departments, commissions and boards and Justices to the Rhode Island Judiciary.