Rep. Chris Paplauskas

Maddy summaryHB 5516 requires the state board of elections to publish all write-in votes online, regardless of whether the candidate was eligible to appear on the ballot or if the votes could affect election results. It mandates local election boards to review individual write-in votes for any race where the total could change the outcome, including races with fewer than five write-in votes. The bill specifies that even write-in votes for unqualified candidates must be reported as a combined total for each office, not just individual votes. This ensures full transparency of all write-in ballots cast in elections.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill), expressing the Rhode Island House of Representatives' gratitude to the state's 25 community newspapers for their role in local journalism. It formally thanks these publications - such as the Warren Times-Gazette (est. 1826) and Newport Daily News (est. 1846) - for serving as "local watchdogs" covering government and community issues. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to each newspaper publisher. No new laws, funding, or policy changes are enacted.

Maddy summaryThis resolution commemorates the 60th annual Gaspee Days celebration and the 253rd anniversary of the 1772 burning of the British schooner HMS Gaspee by Rhode Island colonists. It honors this event as a pivotal moment in American independence history and urges Rhode Island residents to participate in the annual festivities. The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely symbolic, directing the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the Gaspee Days Committee. It does not create new laws, affect any group, or change existing regulations.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors Karen McGrath, a Cranston Public Library branch librarian retiring after 39 years of service, including founding the 29-year-old Books @ Home program that delivers library materials to homebound residents. The Rhode Island House formally thanks her for her contributions to Cranston libraries and the state, wishing her a happy retirement. It is a ceremonial resolution with no policy changes or direct impact on legislation.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HR 6401) passed by the Rhode Island House of Representatives. It formally congratulates Robert Billington on retiring as Director of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council after 40 years of service, recognizing his founding role in 1985 and contributions to tourism, sustainability initiatives, and local events like the Polar Express train ride. The resolution has no policy impact - it simply expresses legislative appreciation and directs the Secretary of State to send Billington a certified copy. It does not create new laws, allocate funds, or affect any stakeholders beyond this symbolic acknowledgment.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill) passed by the Rhode Island House of Representatives. It formally celebrates the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary (marking its founding on June 14, 1775) and honors current and past service members. The resolution directs the Rhode Island Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the U.S. Army Secretary, Daniel P. Driscoll. It has no policy impact or funding changes - it is purely symbolic recognition.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a substantive bill) passed by the Rhode Island House on June 3, 2025. It formally expresses gratitude to retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Jack Hammond for founding and leading Home Base National Center of Excellence for Mental Health and Brain Injuries. The resolution highlights his military service, leadership in combat operations, and his role in establishing the free, private-sector partnership between the Boston Red Sox, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School that provides mental health and brain injury care to veterans and their families at no cost. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes; it solely serves to honor General Hammond's contributions.

Maddy summaryHB 6204 repeals a specific energy efficiency charge that utilities previously included in customer rates. This directly affects electric and gas distribution companies in Rhode Island, which must stop adding this charge to base rates. The bill does not alter existing requirements for funding demand-side management programs (through a separate 0.3 mills/kWh charge) or renewable energy programs (funded until 2028). It removes only the energy efficiency charge, leaving other utility funding mechanisms and program structures unchanged.

Maddy summaryHB 6201 would amend Rhode Island's renewable energy law to explicitly include nuclear energy sources as a qualifying renewable resource. This change would allow utilities to count electricity generated from nuclear power toward the state's renewable energy requirements. The bill adds "nuclear energy sources" as a new category in the definition of eligible renewable resources under Section 39-26-5 of the General Laws. It does not create new mandates but adjusts the legal definition for compliance purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 6203 repeals Rhode Island's Renewable Energy Growth Program, which was a tariff-based financing system for distributed renewable energy projects. The program established rules for financing solar and other renewable projects under 5-year targets, with specific requirements for site selection (avoiding core forests) and project size limits. This bill removes all existing provisions of the program from state law, ending its operation without creating new mechanisms or requirements. The repeal directly affects electric distribution companies, renewable energy developers, and customers participating in the program.