Adds a provision in the statute relating to one way highways, providing an increased penalty when a motorist travels the wrong way on an interstate highway or an entrance or exit ramp connected to an interstate highway.
Maddy summaryHB 5695 allows municipalities to hold local tax amnesty events once every three years, enabling residents to avoid late fees on overdue real estate, property, and vehicle taxes. The bill permits cities to create two separate 60-day periods annually (during 2024-2025) where taxpayers can submit written requests to waive interest and penalties. It excludes taxes owed for the current tax year during amnesty periods and requires tax officials to provide written decisions, with appeals to city councils within 10 days if denied. This directly affects taxpayers with overdue local tax payments and gives municipalities a structured process to encourage payment without penalties.
Maddy summaryHB 5322 extends a temporary allowance for retired teachers in Rhode Island to substitute teach up to 180 days per school year (instead of the standard 90-day limit) through July 1, 2026. School districts must first prove they couldn't fill positions with non-retired teachers and report their total certified teaching positions to the state retirement board, while also limiting retired teacher hires to no more than 5% of their total certified positions. This change applies retroactively to June 20, 2025, and directly affects retired teachers seeking substitute roles and school districts facing staffing shortages. The bill does not provide additional retirement credits or require contributions from retired teachers for this work.
Maddy summaryHB 5306 repeals the law establishing the Capital Center Commission, a special development district commission for downtown Providence. This bill removes the legal framework that allowed the commission to manage development projects, collect special assessments from property owners, and oversee improvements like parking, landscaping, and public services within the downtown district. The repeal eliminates the commission's authority without creating new policies or affecting current development activities. As a procedural bill, it directly affects the governance structure for downtown Providence's development efforts.
Maddy summaryHB 6162 grants the City of Providence a one-year exemption from standard property tax levy limits for fiscal year 2026, allowing a maximum 8% tax increase instead of the usual 4% cap. This exemption applies specifically to Providence's property tax levies during FY2026, directly affecting residents and property owners in the city through their local tax bills. The bill modifies existing tax levy rules (which generally cap annual increases at 4% for most cities) to provide this temporary, targeted exception. No other cities or towns are affected by this provision, and the exemption applies only to the 2026 fiscal year.
Maddy summaryHB 5029 sets the state's minimum wage at $16.00 per hour starting January 1, 2026, and increases it to $17.00 per hour beginning January 1, 2027. This bill directly affects all employers covered by the state's minimum wage law, including businesses with hourly workers. The legislation amends existing law to add these specific future wage rates, building on previous annual increases already in effect. It does not include additional provisions or exemptions beyond the specified hourly rates for 2026 and 2027.
Directs RIHousing to work with stakeholders to investigate and determine ways to assist an incorporated homeowners' association to exercise rights to purchase leased land.
Maddy summaryHB 5369 exempts the real and tangible personal property of the Providence Preservation Society from property taxes. This bill adds the society to the existing list of entities eligible for tax exemptions under Rhode Island law. The change directly affects the Providence Preservation Society by removing property tax obligations for its owned buildings and assets used in preservation work. The exemption applies to all real estate and tangible personal property held by the society, consistent with similar exemptions for nonprofit and historical organizations.
Maddy summaryHB 5441 reduces the waiting period for expunging criminal records in Rhode Island. It shortens the timeframe to three years after completing a sentence for a single misdemeanor, and five years for felonies or multiple misdemeanors (two to five offenses). The bill applies to eligible first-time offenders who have paid all court fees and fines, excluding those convicted of violent crimes or specific offenses under Chapter 29 of Title 12. Expungement remains unavailable for violent offenses, and records related to decriminalized offenses can still be expunged after conviction.
Forbids a motor vehicle liability insurance carrier from considering the zip code of where an insured lives for purposes of calculating their policy premium.
