Skip to main content
Independent and nonpartisan. SaveYourState is a civic information resource. It is not a government website and is not affiliated with any government agency, party, or campaign.

Rhode Island · 2025 Regular Session · Resolution

HR 5386: JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- JURY NULLIFICATION AS PROPER TRIAL DEFENSE ARGUMENT

In committee Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

HR 5386 is a resolution introduced in the Rhode Island House on February 7, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- JURY NULLIFICATION AS PROPER TRIAL DEFENSE ARGUMENT. Primary sponsor: Cherie Cruz (Democratic), Jenni Furtado (Democratic), Raymond Hull (Democratic), Leo Felix (Democratic), Sherry Roberts (Republican), John Lombardi (Democratic), Paul Santucci (Republican), Chris Paplauskas (Republican), Dick Fascia (Republican), David Place (Republican). Most recent recorded action (February 27, 2025): 02/27/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study.

Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

This joint resolution would propose to the voters a constitutional amendment which would allow a criminal defendant to argue jury nullification as a defense.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 5 · Republican 5

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Cherie CruzPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse58
Jenni FurtadoPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse64
Raymond HullPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse6
Leo FelixPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse61
Sherry RobertsPrimary sponsorRepublicanHouse29
John LombardiPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse8
Paul SantucciPrimary sponsorRepublicanHouse53
Chris PaplauskasPrimary sponsorRepublicanHouse15
Dick FasciaPrimary sponsorRepublicanHouse42
David PlacePrimary sponsorRepublicanHouse47

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

  1. 02/27/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
  2. 02/21/2025 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (02/27/2025)
  3. 02/07/2025 Introduced, referred to House State Government & Elections

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source