Brian C. Newberry

Voted to keep Rhode Island's supervised drug-use centers open two more years, to March 2028. The centers are meant to prevent overdose deaths. It passed the House 51-16.

May 29, 2025Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: legiscan.com

Voted against banning new high-heat waste processing plants in certain environmentally sensitive areas. It passed the House 44-22.

June 30, 2021Opposes Environment and Public Health

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted against the 2021 Act on Climate, which made the state's greenhouse gas reduction targets mandatory. It passed the House 53-22.

March 23, 2021Opposes Environment and Public Health

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted against raising the state minimum wage to $9 an hour in 2015. It passed the House 63-10.

June 18, 2014Opposes Reduce Wealth Gap

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted against raising the state minimum wage to $9 an hour in 2015. It passed the House 63-10.

June 18, 2014Opposes Labor Rights

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Introduced a bill to require strict disclosure of who pays for political ads and ballot question ads. A House committee held it for further study.

February 27, 2026Supports Anti-Corruption

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Introduced a bill to have one state office handle public records requests, post them in an online database and provide records in digital form at no cost. A House committee held it for further study.

February 28, 2024Supports Anti-Corruption

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Introduced a bill to require an audio recording of every government meeting that is closed to the public. A House committee held it for further study.

January 15, 2021Supports Anti-Corruption

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Introduced a bill to require the attorney general to answer open meetings complaints within 20 days. A House committee held it for further study.

February 14, 2019Supports Anti-Corruption

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Publicly called on Attorney General Peter Kilmartin to release the state police files from the 38 Studios investigation, in a September 2016 interview. He also said he was giving up the minority leader post after six years.

September 16, 2016Supports Anti-Corruption

Source: pbn.com

Voted against requiring disclosure of who pays for independent political spending. It passed the House 57-13.

June 5, 2012Opposes Anti-Corruption

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Introduced a bill to require the governor to send lawmakers a zero-based budget, in which every expense is justified from scratch, phased in over five years. A House committee held it for further study.

February 14, 2019Supports Government Efficiency

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, effective November 13, 2009, that moved plumbing, mechanical, irrigation and telecommunications license holders from yearly renewals to renewals every two years.

November 13, 2009Supports Government Efficiency

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted against letting Providence raise its property tax levy by up to 8 percent in one year, above the usual state cap. It passed the House 56-17.

May 27, 2025Supports Cost of Living Reduction

Source: legiscan.com

Sponsored a law, effective June 23, 2023, that let North Smithfield borrow up to $18 million, with voter approval, to build or renovate a police station.

June 23, 2023Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Introduced a bill to require the governor to send lawmakers a zero-based budget, in which every expense is justified from scratch, phased in over five years. A House committee held it for further study.

February 14, 2019Supports Government Spending Reduction

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on July 1, 2014, that let North Smithfield borrow $5.2 million to repair its town hall and two other town buildings and combine town and school offices.

July 1, 2014Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on July 1, 2014, that let North Smithfield borrow $4.3 million to repair, consolidate or demolish school buildings.

July 1, 2014Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Introduced a bill, after the failed 38 Studios video game company loan, to bar the state economic development agency from lending more than $5 million to any one borrower. A House committee held it for further study.

February 28, 2013Supports Government Spending Reduction

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Introduced a bill to make state lawmakers pay 20 percent of the cost of their health insurance and to end payments to lawmakers who turn the coverage down. A House committee held it for further study.

January 30, 2013Supports Government Spending Reduction

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted for the 2011 overhaul of the state and municipal pension systems, which changed what workers pay in and the benefits they receive. It passed the House 57-15.

November 17, 2011Supports Government Spending Reduction

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, effective June 23, 2023, that let North Smithfield borrow up to $18 million, with voter approval, to build or renovate a police station.

June 23, 2023Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Introduced a bill to end the bond people must post to challenge a civil forfeiture and to let courts reduce or cancel a forfeiture that is too harsh. A House committee held it for further study.

January 28, 2016Supports Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Introduced a bill to create a first-time home buyer savings program with state income tax breaks on money saved and its earnings. It did not pass.

February 12, 2026Supports Housing Affordability

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Introduced a bill to add a tax on large corporations with over $15 million in assets that buy single-family homes, with the money going to the state housing production fund. A House committee held it for further study.

February 15, 2024Supports Housing Affordability

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted to stop towns from using zoning to limit unrelated people living together below one person per bedroom. It passed the House 49-22.

June 15, 2023Supports Housing Affordability

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Introduced a bill to bar the state from cutting any school district's education aid by more than 1 percent of its prior-year local school budget. A House committee held it for further study.

March 4, 2024Supports Public Education Quality

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a civics education law, signed on July 8, 2021, that required public middle and high school students to show they understand civics and to do at least one student-led civics project.

July 8, 2021Supports Public Education Quality

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on July 1, 2014, that let North Smithfield borrow $4.3 million to repair, consolidate or demolish school buildings.

July 1, 2014Supports Public Education Quality

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted against requiring gun owners to store firearms safely, with penalties for violations. It passed the House 46-24.

May 28, 2024Opposes Gun Control

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted against raising the minimum age to buy guns or ammunition from 18 to 21. It passed the House 53-15.

June 10, 2022Opposes Gun Control

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted against banning carrying a loaded rifle or shotgun in public, with exceptions such as hunting and police work. It passed the House 53-16.

June 10, 2022Opposes Gun Control

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted against making it a felony to own gun magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. It passed the House 43-27.

June 10, 2022Opposes Gun Control

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted against banning buying a gun for someone who is not allowed to have one and raising penalties for lying on gun purchase forms. It passed the House 46-27.

June 30, 2021Opposes Gun Control

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted against banning guns on school grounds, except for police and school security. It passed the House 44-28.

June 30, 2021Opposes Gun Control

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted against shielding Rhode Island health care providers from lawsuits and prosecution by other states over reproductive and gender-affirming care. It passed the House 50-15.

June 11, 2024Opposes Women's Reproductive Rights

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted against covering abortion in Medicaid and state employee health plans. It passed the House 49-24.

April 27, 2023Opposes Women's Reproductive Rights

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted against the final version of the Reproductive Privacy Act, which wrote the right to an abortion into state law. It passed the House 45-29.

June 19, 2019Opposes Women's Reproductive Rights

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Introduced a bill to create a redistricting commission to draw legislative and congressional districts every 10 years, with appeals to the state supreme court. A House committee held it for further study.

February 13, 2025Supports Election Integrity

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Introduced a bill to have the state find and cancel voter registrations of people who moved out of their city or town, after mailed notice and two federal elections without voting. A House committee held it for further study.

February 24, 2021Supports Election Integrity

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted to require voters to show identification at the polls, with a provisional ballot for those without it. It passed the House 54-21.

June 30, 2011Supports Election Integrity

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Introduced a bill to create a first-time home buyer savings program with state income tax breaks on money saved and its earnings. It did not pass.

February 12, 2026Supports Personal Income Tax Reduction

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Introduced a bill to exempt some or all Social Security benefits from state income tax, depending on income. It did not pass.

February 7, 2020Supports Personal Income Tax Reduction

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted against letting voters with disabilities and military voters use ballots sent to them electronically. It passed the House 45-16.

June 17, 2022Opposes Civil Rights

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted to allow same-sex couples to marry in Rhode Island. It passed the House 56-15.

May 2, 2013Supports Civil Rights

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted to create civil unions for same-sex couples. It passed the House 62-11.

May 19, 2011Supports Civil Rights

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted against the plan to put tolls on large commercial trucks to pay for bridge repairs. It passed the House 52-21.

February 10, 2016Opposes Public Infrastructure

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on July 1, 2014, that let North Smithfield borrow $5.2 million to repair its town hall and two other town buildings and combine town and school offices.

July 1, 2014Supports Public Infrastructure

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted against requiring doctors and hospitals to tell patients when artificial intelligence is used to write up their visit. It passed the House 51-14.

June 11, 2026

Source: legiscan.com

Voted against stopping towns from using zoning to treat certified addiction recovery homes worse than other houses. It passed the House 53-15.

June 11, 2026

Source: legiscan.com

Voted against barring civil arrests at Rhode Island courthouses without a judge's warrant. It passed the House 56-16.

June 10, 2026

Source: legiscan.com

Voted against requiring legislative and gubernatorial approval before Rhode Island joins the federal private-school voucher tax credit. It passed the House 55-14.

June 10, 2026

Source: legiscan.com

Voted against letting people with more than one non-violent felony clear their records after 15 years without a new arrest. It passed the House 56-14.

June 9, 2026

Source: legiscan.com

Introduced a bill to elect the attorney general in a nonpartisan election starting in 2030. A House committee held it for further study.

February 12, 2026

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Introduced a bill to take Rhode Island out of the national popular vote compact for electing the president. A House committee held it for further study.

February 12, 2026

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted against replacing the 10-member coastal council with a 7-member board of environmental experts. It passed the House 52-19.

June 20, 2025

Source: legiscan.com

Voted against banning the sale, manufacture and purchase of assault-style firearms in Rhode Island. It passed the House 44-28.

June 20, 2025

Source: legiscan.com

Voted against burying part of a high-voltage power line and charging the extra cost to electric customers in Providence and East Providence. It passed the House 52-18.

June 10, 2025

Source: legiscan.com

Voted against requiring police to send guns used in crimes for ballistic testing and enter the results in the national tracing database. It passed the House 49-21.

June 10, 2025

Source: legiscan.com

Voted against making kratom legal to sell to adults 21 and over under labeling rules. Opponents wanted the product kept off the shelf. It passed the House 40-24.

May 29, 2025

Source: legiscan.com

Voted against letting people with one felony and one misdemeanor clear the felony from their record after 15 years, excluding violent crimes. It passed the House 54-19.

June 13, 2024

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a campaign finance law, effective June 27, 2023, that doubled the yearly limit on donations from people and political action committees to $2,000, raised the donor reporting threshold from $100 to $200, and extended public matching funds to primary candidates.

June 27, 2023

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 27, 2022, that let North Smithfield give property tax exemptions to veterans and to parents of service members killed in action.

June 27, 2022

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted to legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older and set up a state commission to regulate sales. It passed the House 55-16.

May 24, 2022

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, effective April 23, 2021, that made North Smithfield owners of historic homes eligible for state historic home tax credits.

April 23, 2021

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted against creating a new crime for delivering illegal drugs that cause a death. It passed the House 55-14.

June 14, 2018

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 25, 2015, that changed North Smithfield's property tax freeze for older residents into a program that defers the taxes instead.

June 25, 2015

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Was unanimously re-elected House Minority Leader, the top Republican post in the House, by the House Republican caucus on November 12, 2014. He first became minority leader in May 2011.

November 12, 2014

Source: valleybreeze.com

Sponsored a law, signed on July 3, 2014, that let North Smithfield give the Rankin Estates development a partial property tax break for seven years.

July 3, 2014

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a bill letting state-licensed constables carry out body attachments, which are court orders to bring a person to court. It passed both chambers on June 20, 2014, but Governor Lincoln Chafee vetoed it on July 3, 2014.

July 3, 2014

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 19, 2012, that protected land held by nonprofit groups for cemeteries from being claimed by others through long-term use (adverse possession).

June 19, 2012

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted to make possession of an ounce or less of marijuana a civil offense with a fine instead of a crime. It passed the House 50-24.

June 5, 2012

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Introduced a bill to end straight-ticket voting, which let voters pick every candidate of one party with a single mark. A House committee held it for further study.

February 16, 2011

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, effective June 22, 2010, that let North Smithfield set up its own municipal court.

June 22, 2010

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted to let voters decide on allowing state-run casino gambling at Twin River and Newport Grand, subject to local approval. It passed the House 62-12.

June 10, 2010

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov