Rep. Brandon Potter

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 5531 seeks to discontinue the tax rate reductions and new credit authorizations provided by the Rhode Island Jobs Development Act. The bill specifies that all remaining tax rate reductions under this act will cease by July 1, 2025, including those for companies that qualified before July 1, 2015. Additionally, no new tax credits will be authorized under the Jobs Development Act after June 30, 2025. This legislation directly affects businesses that have previously received or could potentially receive these specific state tax incentives.

Maddy summaryHB 5753 proposes a change to the state's business corporation tax laws. It directly affects small business corporations that have elected "subchapter S" status. The bill would exempt these subchapter S corporations from paying the minimum annual corporate tax during their first year of existence. Currently, the minimum tax for these corporations is $400. This measure aims to provide a tax exemption for newly formed subchapter S corporations in their initial year of operation.

Maddy summaryHB 5473 proposes a change to the state's personal income tax structure. It introduces an additional 3% tax rate on taxable income that exceeds $625,000, as indexed to 2025 dollars. This new tax provision would apply to tax years beginning in 2026 and thereafter, and it would not be applied retroactively to previous tax years.

Maddy summaryHB 6256 proposes to repeal the current property tax exemption for boats. It also eliminates the sales and use tax exemption that applies to boats. If enacted, this bill would make boats subject to both property taxes and sales and use taxes, affecting individuals and businesses that own or purchase them.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 6301 recognizes May 2025 as "Mental Health Awareness Month" in the State of Rhode Island. It calls upon citizens, organizations, healthcare providers, and schools to raise mental health awareness and provide education.

Maddy summaryHB 6107 establishes a pilot program for a virtual reality learning platform aimed at improving math and science skills for students in grades 6 through 12. Beginning in fiscal year 2026, the bill appropriates $2 million to fund this program. The Department of Education will select a platform through a request for proposal process, which must offer tactile, multimodal learning experiences and demonstrated improvement in Algebra 1. The funds will also be used to train middle and high school mathematics teachers in selected districts to use virtual reality technology in their classrooms.

Maddy summaryHR 6125 is a House Resolution from the Rhode Island State House of Representatives that expresses solidarity with and support for the LGBTQIA+ community in Rhode Island. It acknowledges the challenges faced by this community and reaffirms the state's commitment to protecting their civil rights and ensuring dignity and full access to public life.

Maddy summaryHB 6248 allows city and town councils to adopt a property tax deferral program for eligible senior citizens, disabled citizens, and disabled veterans who own and occupy a single-family home. Under the program, property taxes can be postponed until the property is sold or all qualified owners die. The deferred taxes, along with 6% annual interest, will constitute a lien against the real estate. Homes with reverse mortgages or less than twenty percent equity are not eligible for this deferral.

Requires grocery stores to specifically limit the number of self-service checkout units to six (6) units per location. The consumer protection unit of the department of attorney general would have authority to enforce these restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 5736 amends existing law concerning public health dental hygienists, primarily to expand the sources from which they can receive reimbursement for their services. Currently, these hygienists are largely limited to reimbursement from Medicaid or state healthcare insurance programs. The bill would permit public health dental hygienists, or the agencies they work for, to seek reimbursement from "other insurance" or third-party payors, including Medicare. This applies to services provided in public health settings such as schools, nursing homes, and community health centers, often performed without immediate dentist supervision under a collaborative agreement. The bill also maintains requirements for patient consent and referrals for further dental examinations.