Rep. Marie Hopkins

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution commemorates the 61st annual Gaspee Days celebration and the 254th anniversary of the 1772 burning of the British ship HMS Gaspee. The bill formally acknowledges the historical significance of this event as a pivotal moment in the American Revolution and recognizes the ongoing annual festivities held in Pawtuxet Village, Rhode Island. It directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the chair of the Gaspee Days Committee to officially mark the occasion.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution formally recognizes June 19 as Juneteenth National Freedom Day in Rhode Island for the year 2026. The bill commemorates the date in 1865 when news of the abolition of slavery finally reached enslaved people in Texas, marking the end of more than two centuries of bondage. It urges citizens to observe the day to honor the historical significance of emancipation and to learn about the experiences of African Americans. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the Governor, serving as an official state acknowledgment rather than a new law.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution of thanks from the Rhode Island House of Representatives to Representative Robert "Bob" Quattrocchi for his service. It formally recognizes his tenure as a state representative for District 41, noting his roles in leadership positions and various committees. The resolution expresses gratitude for his contributions to public service and directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to him.

Maddy summaryHB 7777 expands the Warwick municipal court's authority to handle cases involving zoning violations, housing maintenance codes, building regulations, and related local ordinances. The bill removes the court's power to impose jail sentences, restricting penalties to fines of up to $500 per violation. It also grants the court the ability to order repairs or corrective actions for housing code violations, such as fixing unsafe dwellings. This change directly affects residents and property owners in Warwick who face enforcement under these housing, building, and zoning codes.

Prohibits health insurance companies or other payors from including in physician participation agreements any provisions that restrict or prevent a physician from charging patients reasonable administrative or operational fees to support overhead.

Maddy summaryHB 7815 requires hospitals and blood banks to accommodate autologous (donating one's own blood for personal future medical procedures) and direct (donating blood specifically for another person's future procedure) blood donations when ordered by a healthcare provider. Hospitals must allow these donations if they perform blood donations, and blood banks must comply with provider orders unless health risks prevent donation. Blood banks may charge their standard fees for facilitating the donation and storing the blood until it's used. This bill directly affects patients needing future procedures, healthcare facilities, and blood banks, implementing clear rules for these donation types under the Department of Health's oversight.

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 summaryHB 7703 suspends the 4% gross earnings tax on electric and gas utility companies until January 1, 2036. This directly affects corporations primarily engaged in electricity generation/sale or gas distribution, reducing their tax burden during this period. The bill amends tax law to temporarily halt this specific 4% tax rate (previously applied to electricity/gas companies) starting January 1, 2027. The suspension covers all gross earnings from these core utility services, excluding related deductions for wholesale sales. The policy change provides a fixed tax relief period without altering other tax rates for telecommunications or other sectors.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that formally thanks and honors the groundskeepers, maintenance staff, and cemetery specialists at the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter. It recognizes these employees for their dedicated work in maintaining the 280-acre site, which serves as the final resting place for over 30,000 veterans and their families. The resolution specifically acknowledges the professionalism and respect shown by the staff, noting that some are veterans themselves and that they are state employees under the Office of Veterans Services. Finally, it directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies of the resolution to the Office of Veterans Services and the cemetery staff as a gesture of appreciation.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution designates May 10, 2026, as "Lupus Day" in Rhode Island to raise public awareness about lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that affects millions of people worldwide. The bill highlights the need for better understanding of the disease's symptoms and the importance of specialized medical care for patients, particularly women between the ages of 15 and 45. Additionally, the resolution encourages charitable donations to the Lupus Foundation of America and related organizations to support research and patient services. The House of Representatives has passed this measure to formally recognize the day and transmit the proclamation to the foundation.