Rep. Arthur Handy

Maddy summaryThis non-binding resolution urges Rhode Island's federal lawmakers (Senators Reed and Whitehouse, and Representatives Magaziner and Amo) to demand that the President reverse policies harming health programs. It specifically calls for reinstating U.S. support for global health initiatives like WHO and PEPFAR, restoring CDC and NIH funding and reporting (including the MMWR), ending restrictions on reproductive health services, and unfreezing Medicaid grants. The resolution targets actions taken under the Trump administration that disrupted HIV treatment, halted disease research, and reduced public health transparency. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new law but formally requests action from the state's congressional delegation.

Requires state use actual residences of persons in government custody for redistricting purposes. Information would be collected by the department of corrections and forwarded to the division of statewide planning, to be utilized for redistricting.

Takes several measures to lead by example by banning state purchases of plastic bottles, and requires state funds to be used to lease or purchase electric vehicles and renewable energy efficient technologies for use on state property.

Maddy summaryThis is a House resolution (not a law) requesting the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC) to conduct a waste audit of the State House, develop waste reduction recommendations, and report by January 5, 2026. It also directs the Joint Committee on Legislative Services and the Division of Capital Asset Management to investigate installing water filling stations and electric car chargers in the State House parking lots to reduce plastic bottle use and support climate goals. The resolution formally asks these agencies to report their findings back to the House by the same deadline. As a procedural request, it does not create new laws but seeks specific actions for state building operations.

Authorizes the collection of a small additional fee, in addition to the registration fee paid by motorboat owners, to be deposited in a restricted account, in order to fund the newly established freshwater lake management program.

Requires the producer of artificial turf and turf infill sold or distributed in Rhode Island to report its chain of custody, from installation to use, repurposing, recycling and disposal.

Maddy summaryHB 5424 establishes the Rhode Island Climate Superfund Act, requiring large fossil fuel companies that emitted over one billion tons of greenhouse gases between 1990 and 2024 to pay for climate adaptation work already done by the state and municipalities. The bill targets corporations that profited from fossil fuels, directing payments toward climate response efforts like coastal protection, infrastructure upgrades, and emergency planning. Funds collected will be deposited into a dedicated account and used exclusively for qualifying climate adaptation projects. The program mandates that companies pay their share based on emissions data within six months of a formal demand, with payment plans allowed only for very small amounts relative to their profits.

Establishes an agricultural restricted receipt account within the department of environmental management. An advisory committee would be established to determine suggested uses of the funds in said account.

Establishes a single-payer health care insurance system, consolidating public and private payments into a more efficient Medicare-for-all style program, funded by progressive taxes, to reduce health care costs.

Requires all state licensed healthcare facilities to convert the powering of their operations from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. DOH promulgates rules and regulations to implement the requirements.