Rep. Brandon Potter

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a $25 million bond referendum to the Rhode Island voters for approval at the November 2026 election to fund a statewide bicycle infrastructure network. If approved, the state would issue bonds to finance planning, design, and construction of priority projects outlined in the Rhode Island Statewide Bicycle Mobility Plan. The funding would support building safe, connected bicycle facilities across the state to improve transportation options, reduce emissions, and promote public health. The bill requires voter approval before any bonds can be issued, ensuring public consent for the capital investment.

Sets the allocation to RIPTA at the greater of $0.1175 per gallon or 29.375% of total proceeds, with $0.005 per gallon derived from the $0.01 per gallon environmental protection fee.

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.

Allows advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, and physicians who are and are not licensed in Rhode Island to provide telemedicine services to patients who are in the state when those services are rendered.

Maddy summaryHB 7823 proposes a universal healthcare system called "RICare" that would guarantee all Rhode Island residents access to primary and preventive care through a single public insurance program, replacing the current multi-payer system. The bill creates a unified payment system to consolidate administrative costs, establishes a RICare board and fund for oversight, and requires state agencies to coordinate implementation, including workforce planning for transitions. It directly affects every state resident by ensuring comprehensive coverage regardless of income or pre-existing conditions, while focusing on reducing costs through streamlined administration rather than employer-sponsored insurance.

Authorizes pharmacists to order, perform and interpret CLIA-waived tests authorized by statewide protocol and prescribe medications, and permits coverage by all health insurance carriers.

Expands the definition of "educational program" for purposes of the abused and neglected children general law to include charter schools, parochial schools, after school programs, camps and various other programs involving children.

Establishes a universal, comprehensive, affordable single-payer health care insurance program and help control health care costs, which would be referred to as, "the Rhode Island Comprehensive Health Insurance Program" (RICHIP).

Maddy summaryHB 8181 exempts waste management collection vehicles operating at Rhode Island's central landfill from tolls charged by the R.I. Turnpike and Bridge Authority. This directly affects waste management companies that transport trash to the central landfill, removing a toll cost for their vehicles. The bill creates a specific exemption for these vehicles on turnpike and bridge tolls, streamlining their operations. It does not change general toll policies for other vehicles or alter the authority's toll collection system. The bill is currently in the House Finance Committee following its introduction on February 27, 2026.

Proposes a bond measure authorizing the State of Rhode Island to issue up to $100,000,000 in general obligation bonds, subject to voter approval, to fund coastal preparedness and resilience projects.