Senate Begins Review of Supreme Court Nominee

Rhode Island senators opened the advice and consent process for Superior Court Judge Luis Matos and eight magistrate nominations.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Legislative Policy

Wide view of granite steps and a columned entrance to a New England state capitol under autumn daylight, with a single flag above the doorway. — The Rhode Island Senate opened review of Gov. Daniel J. McKee's Supreme Court nominee, Superior Court Judge Luis Matos, replacing retiring Justice Maureen McKenna Goldberg. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Rhode Island Senate convened a rare fall session to begin advice and consent on eight magistrate nominations and read in Gov. Daniel J. McKee's Supreme Court pick, Superior Court Judge Luis Matos. The nomination replaces Justice Maureen McKenna Goldberg, who retired from the high court.

Why it matters

Matos' transmittal starts a 60-day window for both chambers to act on the nomination. The outcome will determine who fills a seat on the state's highest court.

Lawmakers have 60 days from the November 4 transmittal to act on Matos' nomination, and state law requires a seven-calendar-day waiting period before consideration begins. The House has not scheduled a hearing, and no vote date has been set.

The players

Daniel J. McKee

Rhode Island's governor, who selected Matos to fill the Supreme Court vacancy and submitted the nomination to the General Assembly.

Luis Matos

A Superior Court judge since 2012 and a Portuguese immigrant nominated to the Rhode Island Supreme Court.

Carol Hagan McEntee

A Rhode Island state representative who expects a House Judiciary hearing on Matos' nomination within the next month.

The details

Matos, a 62-year-old Superior Court judge who has served since 2012, immigrated from Portugal in 1969 and serves on the Judiciary's Committee on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts. The Senate Judiciary Committee has hearings for judicial picks scheduled for November 17 and 18.

Aug. 12: McKee announced Matos as his Supreme Court selection.
Oct. 23: Superior Court Presiding Justice Joseph A. Montalbano recommended Timothy G. Healy and Kara Hoopis Manosh for magistrate positions.
Nov. 4: Matos' nomination paperwork was transmitted to the House and Senate.
Nov. 17 and 18: Senate Judiciary Committee hearings are scheduled for judicial picks.

Legislative Policy

The nomination follows Rhode Island's statutory advice and consent timeline, which sets a 60-day window for lawmakers to act once paperwork is transmitted. Matos' selection continues the executive-legislative process that governs appointments to the state's highest court.

The outcome will determine who sits on Rhode Island's Supreme Court, affecting rulings that apply statewide. Residents can follow the confirmation process through the General Assembly's public hearing schedule as the deadlines approach.

The takeaway

Confirmation timelines are set by statute, so the 60-day clock and the committee hearing dates are the milestones to watch as the Supreme Court seat is filled.

What happens next

The Senate Judiciary Committee holds hearings on judicial picks November 17 and 18, and lawmakers have a 60-day window from November 4 to act on Matos' nomination.