Rep. Jose Batista

Primary HB 7998

died · Rhode Island House · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- 2021 ACT ON CLIMATE

Requires the governor, when presenting his proposed budget articles for each fiscal year to set forth the climate considerations that were undertaken to move the state towards the mandated goals set forth in the 2021 Act on Climate.

EnergySupports EnergyMandates climate considerations in budgeting to meet state climate goals, advancing renewable energy infrastructure and clean energy policy alignment.95% confidence EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires climate considerations in budget to advance state climate goals, directly supporting environmental protection and climate action per the 2021 Act on Climate.95% confidence

died Apr 7, 2026 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 7987

died · Rhode Island House · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Creates an emergency action plan related to the operation of warming and cooling centers during periods of extreme weather and establishes a statewide notification system with the National Weather Service initiating warming/cooling center alerts.

died Apr 7, 2026 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 8127

died · Rhode Island House · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC TRANSIT AUTHORITY

Amends the Rhode Island Transit Authority (RIPTA) board composition by adding the Rhode Island Climate Community to the groups given due consideration for appointment to the board.

EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAdds Rhode Island Climate Community to RIPTA board, ensuring climate considerations in transit planning and aligning with environmental protection goals.85% confidence

died Apr 7, 2026 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 8264

died · Rhode Island House · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- UNFAIR SALES PRACTICES

Maddy summaryThis bill requires retailers to keep money from gift certificate sales in a separate account until customers use or redeem the certificates. The rule applies to businesses selling gift certificates for their own products but exempts certificates given out for free through loyalty or promotional programs. Once a certificate is fully redeemed, the retailer can move the corresponding funds back to their regular business account. The measure aims to protect consumer funds by ensuring they are set aside before being spent.

died Apr 2, 2026 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 8275

died · Rhode Island House · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RESTRICTIVE CONFINEMENT OVERSIGHT ACT

Establishes the restrictive housing oversight committee ("committee") for the purpose of monitoring the use of restrictive housing ("solitary confinement"), as well as disciplinary and administrative confinement at the department of corrections.

Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes oversight committee for restrictive housing, enhancing accountability and protecting civil rights in corrections.85% confidence

died Apr 2, 2026 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HR 8266

died · Rhode Island House · Lead sponsor

HOUSE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY EXPANDING PATHWAYS INTO THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Creates a special legislative commission of 17 members whose purpose would be to study evaluate and make recommendations regarding educator preparation, licensure, certification and early-career support systems in the state.

EducationSupports EducationBill creates commission to study and improve educator preparation, licensure, and early-career support systems, indicating intent to strengthen teaching profession.75% confidence

died Apr 2, 2026 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 7555

died · Rhode Island House · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURES -- IDENTIFICATION AND APPREHENSION OF CRIMINALS

Provides that individual counts of a district court criminal complaint dismissed pursuant to Rule 48(a) would be sealed administratively by the court clerk upon the defendant’s request.

Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSeals dismissed criminal charges to protect defendants' rights and reduce collateral consequences, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

died Apr 2, 2026 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 7652

died · Rhode Island House · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- SENTENCE AND EXECUTION

Requires sentencing court to consider whether defendant is parent of child, or caregiver of elderly, disabled or terminally ill person whose well-being would be adversely affected by the person's incarceration and if so, shall impose a non-jail sentence.

Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires non-jail sentences when defendant is primary caregiver, reducing incarceration for family-dependent cases - aligns with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

died Apr 2, 2026 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 8084

died · Rhode Island House · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

Makes persons convicted of simple possession of controlled substances, eligible to have their records expunged three (3) years after imposition of their sentence.

Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpungement of records for non-violent drug offenses reduces barriers to reintegration, aligning with reform goals to lower recidivism and improve rehabilitation opportunities.95% confidence

died Apr 2, 2026 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 8083

died · Rhode Island House · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

Maddy summaryHB 8083 allows individuals convicted of non-violent felonies to have their criminal records cleared (expunged) after 10 years from their conviction date. This applies to people with multiple non-violent felony convictions, not violent offenses. The key provision sets a 10-year waiting period from the date of conviction before expungement becomes possible. The bill directly affects eligible individuals seeking to remove past non-violent felony convictions from their legal records.

Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables expungement of non-violent felony records after 10 years, directly advancing criminal justice reform by reducing barriers to rehabilitation and recidivism prevention.95% confidence

died Apr 2, 2026 0 co-sponsors Track