Rep. Scott Slater

Maddy summaryHB 5766 proposes to reinstate cost of living adjustments (COLAs) for individuals receiving retirement benefits from the state retirement system. These adjustments would become payable to retirees and beneficiaries under a specific condition. The bill's key mechanism specifies that COLAs will be granted only when the retirement system's annual investment return exceeds ten percent.

Reduces the current varying percentages for early retirement penalty for teachers, municipal and state employees to a cumulative annual reduction of 3% and monthly reduction of .25%.

Maddy summaryHB 5021 expands the state retirement system to include two specific public officer roles: the administrator of community confinement and the home confinement coordinator. It amends the section of the General Laws that outlines retirement contributions and benefits for correctional officers. This change means these two positions will now be covered under the same retirement provisions as other correctional officers within the department of corrections.

Maddy summaryHB 5762 proposes to recalculate retirement allowances and pension benefits for teachers, state employees, and municipal employees. The bill establishes new percentage allowance schedules for determining benefits based on an employee's years of service, with different rates for various periods of service. It also revises the method for calculating a retiree's average highest compensation, specifying different look-back periods depending on their retirement date and membership start date. These changes include new calculation methods for service before and after July 1, 2012, with additional adjustments taking effect on July 1, 2025.

Allows municipalities to enact ordinances that would permit municipalities and water suppliers to enter properties to perform lead service line replacements and permit tenants to request and schedule private side lead service line replacements.

Maddy summaryHB 5368 is an act that modifies the state law governing the maximum amount of local taxes cities and towns can levy. This bill specifically allows the City of Providence to exceed the standard tax levy cap for its fiscal year 2026. Normally, municipalities are limited to a certain percentage increase in their total tax levy each year, but this legislation would create a temporary exemption for Providence. This directly affects the City of Providence's ability to raise tax revenue and its taxpayers for that fiscal year.

Authorizes the tax administrator to waive interest and penalties on delinquent taxes paid in full during a one week amnesty period. Also reinstates a suspended driver’s license upon payment in full.

Maddy summaryHB 6058 updates the "Dual Enrollment Equal Opportunity Act" by replacing the term "postsecondary institution" with "public higher education institution" throughout the law. This clarifies that the dual enrollment program - allowing high school students to take college courses at the same time - applies directly to all Rhode Island public colleges and universities, including community colleges. The bill does not change existing policies or funding rules but ensures the law explicitly covers all public higher education institutions. It affects high school students seeking college credit and public colleges/universities offering dual enrollment courses.

Maddy summaryRhode Island's House of Representatives passed HR 6225 to express official condolences to families who lost loved ones in the April 8, 2025, Jet Set Club collapse in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, which killed 184 people. The resolution formally extends "deepest condolences" to affected families and directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the Dominican Independence and Heritage Award Committee of Rhode Island (DIHACRI). As a commemorative resolution, it has no binding effect or policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution recognizes the Cambodian New Year (Choul Chnam Thmey) and "The Year of the Snake" celebration in Rhode Island, specifically from April 14-16, 2025. It honors the traditions of this three-day holiday, including its cultural significance marking the end of the harvest season and the Zodiac-based year designation. The resolution expresses the House’s respect for Rhode Island’s Cambodian community and directs the Secretary of State to share the resolution with the Cambodian Society of Rhode Island, Inc.