Rep. Joseph McNamara

Maddy summaryHB 5845 requires major water suppliers in Rhode Island (those serving over 50 million gallons annually) to create and maintain flood resilience plans by 2026. These plans must assess risks like flooding and hurricanes, evaluate infrastructure and chemical safety, and outline response strategies. Suppliers must submit initial assessments by July 2026 to state officials and update plans every three years. The bill aims to strengthen drinking water system preparedness against natural disasters without specifying funding or enforcement details. The measure is pending further committee review after a March 2025 hearing.

Prohibits public utilities, serving greater 100,000 customers from recovering through rates any direct or indirect cost associated with, amongst other costs, advertising, marketing, communications.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 5834) respectfully requests Rhode Island's Public Utilities Commission (PUC), Office of Energy Resources (OER), and Department of Environmental Management (DEM) to study how current electricity pricing impacts the state's climate goals. The agencies must examine rate structures that support building and transportation electrification while protecting low- and moderate-income households, assess how the 2025 Climate Action Strategy should address rates, and evaluate alternatives to current rate designs. They are required to submit findings and recommendations to the House by September 1, 2025. The resolution does not change laws but directs state agencies to investigate rate reforms needed for decarbonization.

Allows citizens of a city or town who are at least sixteen (16) years of age to register to vote and to vote in school committee elections in municipalities where school committees are elected entities.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution (not a law) that officially recognizes March 18, 2025, as "Transit Employee Appreciation Day" in Rhode Island. It specifically honors public transportation workers, including those employed by the Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority (RIPTA), for their service to riders and communities. The resolution has no policy changes or funding impact - it simply declares a day of appreciation and directs the Secretary of State to share the resolution with RIPTA's leadership.

Maddy summaryThis Rhode Island House resolution (HR 6081) formally celebrates St. Patrick's Day and honors Ireland's historical contributions to the U.S. War of Independence. It recognizes Irish immigrants' roles in founding Rhode Island and their service in Revolutionary War battles like Bunker Hill, as well as Ireland's diplomatic ties with the U.S. since 1924. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies to Irish-American state legislators across 10 states, including members of the American Irish State Legislators Caucus. As a ceremonial resolution, it creates no new laws or funding but affirms cultural and historical connections. It was passed by the Rhode Island House on March 13, 2025.

Requires that one of the seven (7) directors of the Rhode Island airport corporation be appointed by the governor from a list of individuals submitted by the mayor of the city of Warwick.

Maddy summaryHB 5965 would authorize Cranston's city council to create a homestead exemption program, allowing residential property owners to reduce their local property tax bill by up to 20% of their home's assessed value. This exemption would apply only to properties used exclusively for single-family residential purposes (with fewer than three dwelling units) and requires the city council to establish specific eligibility rules. The bill does not automatically implement the exemption but grants Cranston the legal authority to adopt such a program through local ordinance. It would take effect on December 31, 2025, if passed. This bill directly affects Cranston homeowners who own qualifying single-family residences.

Maddy summaryThis resolution officially designates March 2025 as "Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month" in Rhode Island. It directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies to the American Cancer Society and the American College of Gastroenterology, but does not create new laws, allocate funding, or impose requirements on residents. The resolution serves as a symbolic recognition of colorectal cancer prevention efforts, referencing statistics about the disease's impact in Rhode Island.

Maddy summaryHB 5879 adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, including its "contemporary examples," for use by Rhode Island state agencies. It requires state agencies to apply this definition when evaluating whether discriminatory acts - such as those based on religion or country of origin - constitute antisemitic discrimination under existing fair employment laws. The bill also mandates that state personnel use this definition in anti-bias training and clarifies that it does not override First Amendment rights or conflict with federal or state discrimination laws. This definition will directly guide state agencies in reviewing and investigating discrimination claims involving antisemitism.