Rep. Jackie Baginski

Authorizes the city of Cranston to issue not more than Eight Million Dollars ($8,000,000) general obligation bonds and temporary notes for the acquisition, improvement, renovation and repair of fire and public safety equipment in the city.

Authorizes the city of Cranston to issue not more than $8,000,000 general obligation bonds and temporary notes for the design, construction, repair, rehabilitation and improvement of streets, sidewalks and bridges in the city.

Authorizes Cranston to issue no more $25,000,000 obligation bonds, notes, evidences of indebtedness to finance the purchase and/or acquisition of land/buildings, construction, renovation, improvement, alteration, repair, landscaping, furnishing, equipping

Authorizes Cranston to issue not more than $2,000,000 general obligation bonds and temporary notes for the acquisition, demolition, construction, improvement, renovation, repair, alteration, furnishing and equipping of public buildings in the city.

Authorizes the city of Cranston to issue not more than $4,000,000 general obligation bonds/temporary notes for the acquisition, construction, improvement, renovation, repair and alteration of playgrounds, athletic fields and related equipment in the city.

Authorizes Cranston to issue not more than $4,000,000 general obligation bonds and temporary notes for the repair, construction and rehabilitation of storm drains and drainage improvements, and remediation and mitigation of drainage and flooding problems.

Maddy summaryHB 7866 raises the threshold for declaring a vehicle a total loss from 80% to 85% of its value, directly affecting insurance companies and vehicle owners during claims processing. The bill amends the Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act to update this percentage standard, requiring insurers to consider a vehicle a total loss only when repair costs exceed 85% of its value. This change aims to provide clearer criteria for total loss determinations without altering other claim settlement practices. The bill was introduced to the House Corporations committee on February 27, 2026, and remains pending.

Exempts certain vehicles that are not manufactured with the proper front plate registration bracket from the requirement that motor vehicles display a front facing registration plate.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the state's abandoned property laws to allow for the sale of buildings and properties that have been declared public nuisances, with specific provisions for installing energy storage systems. When a court orders the sale of such properties, it can require the buyer to install an energy storage system as a condition of the sale, and these systems would be automatically permitted under local zoning rules without additional environmental reviews. The legislation also establishes a priority system for distributing sale proceeds, giving preference to buyers who commit to affordable housing, owner-occupancy restrictions, or energy storage installation. These changes apply to properties under receivership where public nuisance abatement has been completed or approved, affecting municipalities, receivers, and potential property buyers.

Amends the compositions of the Rhode Island life science hub board of directors and amends the I-195 redevelopment district commission and provides additional amendments to the powers and duties of the commission.