Rep. Brandon Potter

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 7168) formally honors Nayasia A. Gonzalez, a 19-year-old Providence resident and nurse student who died tragically in 2025, by recording her name in Rhode Island's legislative archives. It expresses condolences to her family and affirms her legacy will be preserved in state historical records, with certified copies sent to her parents, Raisa Gonzalez and Iryan J. "Jerome" Aubert. The resolution does not create new laws or affect policy; it is a commemorative gesture recognizing her life and community contributions.

Maddy summaryHB 7087 would create a special Rhode Island motor vehicle license plate honoring Governor Roger Williams, the first governor of what became Rhode Island. Vehicle owners who apply would pay an additional $25 service fee and $5 transfer fee on top of regular registration costs, with $15 of the service fee covering plate manufacturing and distribution. The plate would replace standard registration plates and display "Governor Roger Williams" along with the state seal, available to any registered vehicle owner who chooses to purchase it. This is a commemorative plate with no substantive policy changes beyond the fee structure.

Authorizes the DEM, in conjunction with state and local law enforcement, to enforce the prohibition on the intentional simultaneous release of ten or more balloons.

Requests that the Cannabis Control Commission conduct a study on statutory reform and rules and regulations to regulate the sale of hemp THC-infused beverages.

Includes the COVID-19 immunization under the consent and reporting provisions required for pharmacy administered immunizations to individuals between nine (9) and eighteen (18) years of age.

Provides that any disaster response worker shall, in the course of their duties, be considered a state employee and be entitled to all rights in like manner as state employees.

Maddy summaryHB 5120, the "Rhode Island Prior Authorization Reform Act of 2025," prohibits insurers from requiring prior authorization for services ordered by in-network primary care providers. This directly affects patients receiving care from in-network primary care physicians and the providers themselves, as insurers can no longer block these services through extra approval steps. The key provision mandates that insurers must approve such services without imposing prior authorization requirements, streamlining access to care. The bill aims to reduce administrative delays for routine treatments recommended by primary care providers within an insurer's network.

Provides that architects and other authorized disaster response workers, in the course of performing their duties, be entitled to all rights in like manner as state employees.

Protects the rights of employees in the workplace relating to free speech, assembly and religion, as well as attendance at employer-sponsored meetings regarding political or religious matters.

This pilot program would create a $3,000 trust for each Rhode Island child ages zero to one year born to a family enrolled in the Rhode Island Works Program (“RI Works”) during the preceding calendar year.