Authorizes early voting for the ten (10) calendar days except the second weekend prior immediately preceding election day, while requiring, as is practicable, that all the election day protections and procedures be afforded to early voters.
Requires verification of an applicant's date of birth and either a Rhode Island driver's license number or state identification number on all applications seeking mail ballots and emergency mail ballots.
Maddy summaryHB 5137 requires the state board of elections to verify the U.S. citizenship status of every person on the voter registration list. It mandates comparing registrations against state DMV records and federal Social Security databases to ensure only citizens are registered. Before adding any new registration, the board must confirm citizenship using these databases. Unverified registrations will be removed after notifying the voter and providing an opportunity to submit proof of citizenship. The bill applies to all voter registrations statewide and takes effect upon passage.
Allows a landlord that did not obtain a lead certificate pursuant to the lead mitigation laws of chapter 128.1 of title 42 due to the fact that the state lacks the adequate resources to conduct inspections.
Provides specific language for signs to be posted at certain establishments notifying people of contact information to the national human trafficking resource center.
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.
Requires a seventy-five percent (75%) supermajority vote by the board of directors to establish a quorum and to approve any action taken by the commerce corporation.
Maddy summaryHB 5717, the Universal Regulatory Sandbox Act, creates a program allowing businesses to temporarily test innovative products, services, or business models (particularly in financial services and insurance) under temporary exemptions from certain state laws or regulations. It establishes a "regulatory relief office" within the commerce corporation to administer the program, review applicable rules for potential waivers, and act as a liaison between businesses and regulators. Businesses applying to the sandbox must demonstrate their offering meets defined criteria for innovation, while the program includes an advisory committee to provide industry and agency input. This directly affects fintech and insurance companies seeking to pilot new offerings without full regulatory compliance during testing. The bill focuses on creating a structured testing environment for regulatory innovation, not on specific outcomes or policy advocacy.
Repeals the Promotion of Biofuels Act of 2011, which established a study commission to investigate the use and promotion of such fuels within the state, in its entirety.
Allows the operation of a home-based business, which meets criteria for home office IRS income tax deduction, without securing approval from the municipality with no storage of chemicals/park heavy equipment/not more than 10% of premises used for parking.
