Expands firearm rights to recognize out of state carry permits, authorizes weapons carried during emergency evacuation and establishes an appeal process for permit denied.
Maddy summaryHB 5708 automatically registers Rhode Islanders to vote when they apply for or renew a hunting or fishing license, offering the option to register or update their voting address at the same time. The Department of Environmental Management must provide voter registration forms alongside license applications, with applicants able to decline registration (which remains confidential). Completed forms are transmitted electronically to the state voter system within one business day, and the bill includes privacy protections for those who opt out. This expands automatic voter registration to license applications, mirroring existing procedures for driver's license renewals.
Maddy summaryThis resolution commemorates March 25, 2025, as the 204th anniversary of Greek Independence Day, celebrating Greece's historical ties to democracy and its longstanding partnership with the United States. It includes ceremonial elements like urging Turkey to respect religious freedoms of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and commending Rhode Island's Greek-American community for cultural contributions. The resolution has no binding policy changes or funding provisions; it is purely symbolic, reaffirming shared democratic values through recognition. It directs the Secretary of State to distribute certified copies to Greek Orthodox churches, state officials, and Greek diplomatic representatives in Rhode Island. As a commemorative resolution, it does not directly affect legislation or alter legal obligations.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment granting the governor a line-item veto specifically on state budget and appropriation bills. If passed, the governor could reject individual budget items (like specific funding amounts or program conditions) while approving the rest of the bill, rather than vetoing the entire budget. The legislature would then need to separately reconsider each rejected item with a three-fifths vote to override. This change would shift budget approval power between the governor and legislature, directly affecting how state spending bills are processed. The amendment requires voter approval at the next statewide election before taking effect.
Repeals authorizing Rhode Island to join an interstate compact, which would allow Presidents and Vice Presidents to be elected by a national popular vote rather than the electoral college.
Maddy summaryHB 5673 creates a certification program at municipal police academies to recognize candidates who have worked full-time as sworn law enforcement officers for at least one year. To qualify, candidates must have training comparable to state standards and no more than an eight-year gap since their last sworn law enforcement position. The program allows municipal academies to certify these candidates without requiring full retraining. This directly affects municipal police departments and officers seeking certification through their local academy. The bill establishes clear criteria for eligibility but does not change existing hiring or training requirements.
Maddy summaryHB 5845 requires major water suppliers in Rhode Island (those serving over 50 million gallons annually) to create and maintain flood resilience plans by 2026. These plans must assess risks like flooding and hurricanes, evaluate infrastructure and chemical safety, and outline response strategies. Suppliers must submit initial assessments by July 2026 to state officials and update plans every three years. The bill aims to strengthen drinking water system preparedness against natural disasters without specifying funding or enforcement details. The measure is pending further committee review after a March 2025 hearing.
Maddy summaryHB 5941 establishes a voluntary portable benefit plan for independent contractors, allowing them to access benefits like health insurance or retirement savings through a plan not tied to any single employer. The bill defines a "portable benefit plan" as an insurance product assigned to an individual, administered by either government or private entities, with contributions remaining voluntary and not affecting employment classification. Crucially, it prohibits using contributions to determine if a worker is an employee or to create employer liability for benefits like workers’ compensation. The plan aims to provide independent contractors - common in gig economy roles - with consistent access to benefits across different jobs, without altering their legal status.
Maddy summaryHB 5681 allows Rhode Island's personnel administrator to waive competitive testing for temporary or emergency state jobs, directly affecting hiring for these roles. It requires the state to provide exam study materials to all test takers and make competitive exams available in Spanish and Portuguese. The bill also mandates streamlining the processing of personnel action requests to reduce delays. These changes apply to state government hiring under the merit system and take effect upon passage.
Authorizes early voting for the ten (10) calendar days except the second weekend prior immediately preceding election day, while requiring, as is practicable, that all the election day protections and procedures be afforded to early voters.
