Rep. Brandon Potter

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that congratulates the Rhode Island Hip Hop Hall of Fame on its inaugural ceremony held on March 8, 2026, and honors the individuals inducted for their contributions to hip hop culture. The resolution recognizes the event's significance in formally acknowledging pioneers across DJing, emceeing, breakdancing, and graffiti art, as well as supporters who helped sustain the culture. It specifically names four inductees - Vincent "Bad Lad" Lopes, Mason "DJ Finesse" Santos, Paris Fisher, and Donald "DJ Donnie Battle/BBoy Keebla" Senna - for their outstanding achievements and community impact. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies to the Hall of Fame and its founders, serving as an official state acknowledgment of this cultural milestone.

Limits the use by insurers of step therapy, a protocol that establishes a specific sequence in which prescription drugs for a specified medical condition are covered by an insurer, by allowing medical providers to request step therapy exceptions.

Requires correctional staff to wear and activate body cameras, set rules for recording and access, create an independent oversight board, mandate training and reporting, and establish a grant funded pilot program.

Maddy summaryHB 8119 prohibits state law enforcement agencies and other entities from purchasing personal data without a warrant for any criminal, civil, or investigatory activity. It directly affects government agencies that might otherwise buy location records, browsing history, or other sensitive personal information from third-party data brokers. The bill’s key provision requires a court-issued warrant before any agency can obtain such data, aligning with Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches. This applies to all enforcement actions, including investigations into crimes or civil matters, without exception.

Maddy summaryHB 7950 regulates prescription drug price increases in Rhode Island by imposing a penalty on manufacturers who raise prices without new clinical evidence. It targets "identified drugs" with "unsupported price increases" as determined by the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER). Manufacturers face an 80% penalty on the revenue difference between actual sales and what they would have earned at the prior year's wholesale cost (adjusted for inflation), but only if their annual sales exceed $250,000 in the state. The penalty applies for two years after a drug appears on ICER's annual report of unsupported increases. This directly affects drug manufacturers selling in Rhode Island who implement such price hikes.

Requires the corrections director to adopt body camera policies by January 1, 2027, after stakeholder consultation, setting standards for activation, recording, access, retention, notice, and training,

Requires the state and private health insurers to reimburse claims for healthcare services provided by nurse practitioners and physician assistants at the same amount as the reimbursement paid to a physician performing the service in the area served.

Maddy summaryHB 8143 allows cities and towns to rehire public safety retirees (such as police officers and firefighters) under specific conditions. The bill establishes a framework for municipal employers to bring back qualified retired employees, subject to defined criteria like position availability and approval processes. This directly affects retired public safety workers seeking to return to service and local governments managing staffing needs. The law focuses on creating a clear, conditional process for reemployment without altering retirement benefits or eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates March 19, 2026, as "Rhode Island College Day" in the State of Rhode Island to honor the institution's contributions to the community. The resolution recognizes Rhode Island College as the state's oldest public college and highlights its academic programs, athletic teams, and recent investments in modernizing science and cybersecurity facilities. It directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the college's president as a formal acknowledgment of the institution's achievements.

Establishes federal back stop language for any provisions of federal law relating to any of the energy or water conservation standards issued or approved for publication by the office of the United States Secretary of Energy as of January 19, 2025