Reduces the number of times the director of the lottery has to confer with the permanent joint committee on state lottery from nine (9) times per year to four (4) times per year or at the call of the chair and vice chair of the committee.
Maddy summaryHB 5516 requires the state board of elections to publish all write-in votes online, regardless of whether the candidate was eligible to appear on the ballot or if the votes could affect election results. It mandates local election boards to review individual write-in votes for any race where the total could change the outcome, including races with fewer than five write-in votes. The bill specifies that even write-in votes for unqualified candidates must be reported as a combined total for each office, not just individual votes. This ensures full transparency of all write-in ballots cast in elections.
Maddy summaryThis resolution honors Karen McGrath, a Cranston Public Library branch librarian retiring after 39 years of service, including founding the 29-year-old Books @ Home program that delivers library materials to homebound residents. The Rhode Island House formally thanks her for her contributions to Cranston libraries and the state, wishing her a happy retirement. It is a ceremonial resolution with no policy changes or direct impact on legislation.
Maddy summaryHB 5537 extends legal immunity protections currently available to physicians and surgeons in mental health proceedings to advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) licensed in the state. The bill amends the Mental Health Law to explicitly include APRNs who meet licensing requirements, ensuring they cannot be sued for actions taken during mental health care under this law - except in cases of actual fraud or gross negligence. This change directly affects APRNs working in behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities, and hospital mental health settings by aligning their liability protections with those of physicians. The policy change clarifies that APRNs cannot be held liable for patient rights issues (like discharge) unless the care involved serious misconduct or violated written medical orders.
Allows the collection of solid waste and recycling between the hours of seven o’clock (7:00) am and three o’clock (3:00) am seven days a week. It would also ban the use of mobile waste compaction technology for recycling.
Prohibits a person to sell, offer for sale, display for sale or otherwise distribute a farmed animal fur product within the state and provides graduated civil penalties for violations.
Creates an 11-member commission to study and provide recommendations and potential solutions to address the flooding of the Pawtuxet River, and who would report back by March 2, 2026, and would expire on June 2, 2026.
Provides that shared living for older adults and adults with disabilities allow individuals to receive care from family caregivers, related or unrelated regardless of whether they are performing other activities, such as power of attorney for individual.
Maddy summaryHB 5286 proposes to exempt the sale of beer and malt beverages from sales and use tax. This bill would amend Section 44-18-7.1 of the General Laws, which pertains to sales and use taxes, to implement this change. If enacted, consumers would no longer pay sales tax on beer and malt beverages purchased at retail. This directly affects both individuals who buy these products and retailers responsible for collecting sales taxes.
Removes the requirement that the public utilities commission allocate five million dollars ($5,000,000) annually to the Rhode Island infrastructure bank for use with energy efficient programs.
