Rep. Scott Slater

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution honoring the life and legacy of baseball player Davey Lopes, who passed away after complications from Parkinson's disease. It recognizes his distinguished 45-year career in professional baseball, highlighting his achievements as a second baseman, base stealer, coach, and manager. The resolution expresses the House's condolences and directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the document to Lopes's family.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits pharmacy benefits managers from engaging in specific deceptive trade practices, including spread pricing, effective rate pricing, and patient steering. It directly affects pharmacy benefits managers, pharmacies, pharmacists, and patients enrolled in health plans administered by these managers within Rhode Island. The legislation defines prohibited actions such as charging higher prices than reimbursed amounts, steering patients toward affiliated pharmacies, penalizing enrollees for pharmacy choices, and misusing patient prescription data for business gain. Violations are classified as unfair and deceptive trade practices, allowing the attorney general to pursue legal remedies for each individual consumer transaction where a prohibited act occurs.

Maddy summaryHB 7716 amends Rhode Island's Cannabis Act by removing the requirement to list cannabinoid concentrations (like THC or CBD) as dry-weight percentages on product labels. This change directly affects cannabis businesses - including cultivators, manufacturers, and retailers - that must now display cannabinoid levels using a different method determined by the Cannabis Control Commission. The bill updates labeling standards without altering cannabis legality, age requirements, or licensing rules. It focuses solely on simplifying how product potency is communicated to consumers.

Maddy summaryHB 7717 updates Rhode Island's cannabis law by removing the requirement for the Cannabis Advisory Board to establish five specific subcommittees (focused on public health, safety, industry, market participation, and social equity). The bill directly affects the advisory board, which previously had to form these subcommittees to develop recommendations. The key change is eliminating this statutory structure, allowing the board chair to appoint subcommittees as needed without mandatory categories. This is a procedural adjustment to the advisory board's operating framework, not a change to cannabis regulations or policies. The bill takes effect upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution commemorates Lao New Year, known as Pi Mai Lao, which is celebrated annually in April by the Laotian community in Rhode Island. The bill recognizes the holiday's cultural significance, including traditions like water splashing and family ceremonies that symbolize renewal and hope, while honoring the resilience of Laotian refugees who resettled in the United States after fleeing their homeland in the 1970s. It formally acknowledges the contributions of the Laotian American community to the state and extends best wishes for a healthy and prosperous new year. Finally, the resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the President of Temple Wat Lao in Smithfield, Rhode Island.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution from Rhode Island that officially recognizes the celebration of the Cambodian New Year and the Year of the Horse on April 13-15, 2026. It highlights the holiday's traditions, such as family gatherings, gift-giving to elders, and temple visits, while expressing appreciation for the Cambodian community's contributions to the state's culture. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the President of the Cambodian Society of Rhode Island.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 9, 2026, as "Rhode Island Home Visiting Day" to highlight the importance of home visiting programs for families. It directly affects parents, children, and the organizations that provide these services, which offer support to pregnant individuals and young families. The resolution encourages residents to recognize these programs as vital resources for healthy child development and directs state officials to send copies of the proclamation to relevant health and human services leaders.

Permits all Rhode Island courts to conduct hearings remotely and allow any party or attorney to appear by telephone or video conference, with remote appearances having the same legal effect as in-person appearances.

Authorizes the State of Rhode Island to issue up to eighteen million dollars ($18,000,000) in general obligation bonds, subject to voter approval, to support the Roger Williams Park Zoo.

Amends current law on controlled substances to permit psilocybin to be cultivated within a person's residence for personal use and contingent on the US FDA's program, mandate that RI department of health establish rules regulations.