Rep. Marie Hopkins

Maddy summaryHB 7150 prevents cities and towns from banning or restricting landscape equipment like leaf blowers, lawn mowers, or trimmers solely based on whether they use gasoline, electricity, batteries, or other power sources. It directly affects municipalities (which cannot enforce such bans) and property owners or businesses using this equipment. The bill allows local governments to still set general noise limits, operating hours for all equipment, or safety rules - but not rules targeting specific fuel types. Existing fuel-based bans in place before the law's effective date remain valid until amended.

Permits a member or members of a limited-liability company to avoid dissolution by buying the membership interest owned by the other member or members seeking dissolution.

Maddy summaryHB 7425 updates the official terminology in Rhode Island's Naturopathy Act by replacing "doctor of naturopathy" with "naturopathic doctor" throughout all relevant sections of the law. This change standardizes the title used for licensed practitioners and appears in definitions, scope-of-practice descriptions, and licensing requirements. It directly affects licensed naturopaths who must now use the updated title "naturopathic doctor" (or "ND" designation) in professional practice, while maintaining the same scope of permitted services like natural substance dispensing and health counseling. The bill does not alter the practice rules or restrictions outlined in the original 2017 Act.

Provides duties/obligations of medical personnel to born-alive infants resulting from an abortion punishable as a felony along with a civil action for compensatory/punitive damages/automatic one year license suspension.

Maddy summaryHB 7459 would change the retirement eligibility rule for public school teachers from a "Rule of 95" to a "Rule of 93." Under the current rule, teachers must reach an age plus years of service totaling 95 to retire early; this bill lowers that threshold to 93. The change would allow eligible teachers to retire sooner if their age plus years of service equals 93 instead of 95. This directly affects teachers covered under the state's existing retirement statutes for public education employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution expressing condolences for Raymond J. Turbitt, a Rhode Island educator and community member who taught mathematics for many years and was involved in marine archaeology. It formally mourns his passing and directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to his wife, Judith "Sharon" Turbitt. The resolution has no policy provisions or effects on laws or regulations. It is a purely ceremonial gesture honoring Turbitt's life and contributions.

Maddy summaryHB 7383, introduced on January 28, 2026, establishes a "Regulatory Sandbox" program to serve as a designated space for testing innovative regulatory approaches. The bill creates a formal process for submitting and reviewing new regulatory ideas within state government. It does not specify which agencies, industries, or individuals would directly use the sandbox or outline concrete policy changes. As a newly introduced procedural bill with no further details on implementation or affected parties, the summary cannot describe key mechanisms or concrete effects beyond its stated purpose. The bill's current status is limited to referral to the House State Government & Elections committee.

Establishes a compact agreement among at least two (2) states to prohibit the selective use of subsidies to an existing specific industry or company, entice relocation from one state to another state or to open a new facility.

Creates an affordable housing business tax credit as well as eliminate sales tax on any materials purchased for use in the renovation of affordable rental housing.

Maddy summaryHR 7386 proposes a constitutional amendment that would permit criminal defendants to formally argue jury nullification as a defense in court. This means defendants could explicitly state that they believe a law is unjust and request a jury to acquit them despite violating the law. The amendment would directly affect criminal defendants in trials where they seek to use this defense strategy. If approved by voters, it would change courtroom procedures to allow nullification arguments as a standard defense tactic, rather than a jury's informal choice.