Rep. Jose Batista

Prohibits a landlord from inquiring about the immigration status of a tenant subject to any federal laws or regulations, but may request financial information.

Maddy summaryHB 5676 limits annual rent increases for residential rental properties to 10% plus the annual change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This applies to all landlords and tenants in standard residential leases, capping how much rent can rise each year. The CPI used is based on the U.S. Department of Labor's September 30 prior-year data. The bill adds this restriction to the state's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, effective upon passage.

Maddy summaryHB 5503 would require landlords to have "good cause" to evict tenants in most residential rental properties, directly affecting renters and landlords covered by the law. The bill specifies that landlords can only remove tenants for defined reasons like nonpayment of rent (with limits on unreasonable rent increases) or serious lease violations, and must go through court to enforce evictions. It excludes certain properties, such as owner-occupied buildings with fewer than five units or housing tied to employment. The bill is currently under review by a committee and has not yet become law.

Limits rent increases to no more than 4% annually unless the landlord is granted an exemption by the secretary of housing and provides tenants with a civil action to recover damages, including an award of attorneys' fees/punitive damages, for violations.

Maddy summaryHB 5817 establishes the "2025 Rhode Island Broadband Transparency and Consumer Protection Act" by repealing state regulations on VoIP and internet protocol services while creating a statewide broadband mapping requirement. The bill requires Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to submit data on service speeds, technology types, and coverage to the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, which must maintain an updated public map showing broadband availability across all areas. This map will identify underserved regions and guide infrastructure planning, with state agencies obligated to provide supporting data. The law directly affects ISPs (through data reporting), state agencies (through data sharing), and Rhode Island residents (by targeting broadband expansion to unconnected communities).

Allows private employees at nursing homes, developmental disability and home care providers whose salaries are 90% funded with federal or state monies to be eligible to opt into the state healthcare plan.

Authorizes an increase in resource eligibility limits for persons with long-term-care needs who reside at home and requires semi-annual reports from Medicaid certified assisted living facilities and adult day service providers to the EOHHS.

Maddy summaryHB 5166 prohibits Rhode Island from licensing any new high-heat waste facilities, including incinerators, gasifiers, and advanced recycling plants that process waste at temperatures above 400°F. The bill defines such facilities broadly to cover processes like pyrolysis, depolymerization, and gasification used for converting waste, plastics, or recovered materials into fuels or chemicals. It directly affects developers and companies seeking to build new facilities of this type in the state. The prohibition would take effect immediately upon the bill's passage, applying to all new construction and operation permits.

Maddy summaryHB 5931 repeals a law that allowed motor vehicle license suspension for failure to pay traffic fines. This bill directly affects drivers who cannot pay court-imposed fines for traffic violations. The key provision removes the requirement that license suspensions remain in effect until all fines are paid or payment arrangements are made with the court. The repeal eliminates this enforcement mechanism for unpaid traffic fines.

Exempts recovery claims for damages due to a town's neglect in maintaining highways or bridges from the provisions of chapter 31 of title 9 on governmental tort liability.