Increases the maximum municipal small purchase limits from $10,000 to $25,000 for construction projects and from $5,000 to $10,000 for all other municipal purchases.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that formally congratulates J. L. "Lynn" Singleton on his retirement as President and CEO of the Providence Performing Arts Center. It recognizes his forty-three-year tenure, during which he transformed the venue from near bankruptcy into a major regional theater with increased attendance and expanded programming. The resolution highlights his leadership in restoring the building's historic splendor and launching numerous national tours, noting his continued role in professional facilities management after leaving PPAC. The text concludes by expressing gratitude for his contributions to the arts and directing the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to him.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates June 2026 as "Men's Mental Health Month" in Rhode Island to raise awareness about the mental health challenges faced by men. It encourages residents, organizations, and state agencies to promote open conversations, reduce stigma, and support access to care during this month. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies to relevant health departments and advocacy groups to help coordinate these efforts.
Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Family Caregivers Support Act of 2013, aims to protect employees who care for family members from discrimination in the workplace. It makes it illegal for employers to refuse to hire someone, fire them, or penalize them in any way because of their caregiving duties. The law also requires employers to consider requests for flexible schedules or remote work to handle medical appointments and therapy, unless doing so would cause significant difficulty or expense for the business. Small businesses with fewer than 25 employees have some flexibility if they can prove that meeting these requests would be too burdensome. If a caregiver believes their rights were violated, the Human Rights Commission is authorized to investigate and order remedies such as reinstatement, back pay, and compensation.
Maddy summaryHB 7702 modifies Rhode Island's personal income tax calculation by adding back certain federal tax exclusions to residents' adjusted gross income. It specifically requires adding nonqualified withdrawals from tuition savings programs (e.g., withdrawals not used for education costs) and federal PPP loan forgiveness exceeding $250,000. The bill also allows a deduction of up to $500 ($1,000 for joint filers) for contributions to Rhode Island's tuition savings program, subject to limits like excluding rollovers or non-participant contributions. This directly affects residents using tuition savings accounts or receiving federal stimulus funds, altering their taxable income for state tax purposes.
Maddy summaryHB 7055 changes how longevity payments (extra pay for years of service) are handled for certain state employees in Rhode Island. Starting July 1, 2026, non-classified state employees under grade 19 (excluding faculty) will be able to negotiate these payments through collective bargaining agreements, reversing a 2011 ban. The bill specifies payments cannot be counted toward base salary and clarifies rules for employees with existing agreements. It applies to employees of the Board of Governors for Higher Education, Board of Regents for Elementary/Secondary Education, and other state departments. This is a policy change to allow future negotiations, not a new benefit.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special legislative commission to study and offer recommendations on how to support primary care medicine in Rhode Island. The commission will consist of fourteen members, including legislators, state officials, medical society leaders, and healthcare professionals, who will meet for approximately two years without receiving compensation. Their main tasks include reviewing current primary care practices, exploring ways to improve revenue and reduce financial burdens for doctors, and examining successful strategies from other states. The group is required to submit their final findings and recommendations to the House by April 28, 2028.
Creates multiple chapters to provide and establish a comprehensive program for extended producer responsibility for packaging and paper, and for recycling of beverage containers.
Maddy summaryHB 7910 creates a program requiring companies that produce packaging and paper products (like food containers, boxes, and paper goods) to manage their recycling. It directly affects manufacturers and brands by shifting the financial and operational responsibility for recycling these materials from taxpayers and local governments to the producers themselves. Key provisions mandate that producers fund, organize, and oversee the recycling system for their packaging and paper waste, rather than relying on public recycling programs. This policy change aims to increase recycling rates and reduce landfill waste by making producers accountable for the end-of-life management of their products.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that officially designates May 2026 as 'Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month' in Rhode Island. It aims to raise public understanding of these chronic conditions by encouraging awareness and education activities throughout the state. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America to acknowledge the partnership.
