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.

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.

Unlike most other states, the Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island does not preside over the Senate, and is instead active in other areas such as state commissions on health and businesses.