Provides an option for members to receive retirement allowances, without reduction, after twenty (20) years of service upon reaching age fifty-seven (57).
Maddy summaryHB 5712 establishes fusion voting in Rhode Island, allowing candidates to run under multiple political parties for the same office. It directly affects candidates, political parties, and voters by enabling a single candidate to appear on the ballot under multiple party lines. Key provisions require candidates to formally accept all nominations in writing within 10 days, mandate ballots to display the candidate under each nominating party, and combine all votes for that candidate across party lines into a single total while preventing duplicate voting. The bill also requires ballot design and voting equipment to clearly support this process, including voter instructions and accessibility compliance.
Maddy summaryHB 5275 would implement ranked choice voting (RCV) in primary elections for state representative and state senator when three or more candidates run. Voters would rank candidates in order of preference (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.) instead of choosing just one candidate. If no candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated in rounds, with their votes transferred to the next-ranked candidate on each ballot until one candidate achieves a majority. This change applies only to general assembly primary elections, not general elections, and takes effect January 1, 2026.
Establishes the Ranked Choice Voting for Rhode Island Presidential Primaries and provides for new sections on ranked choice voting tabulation and results reporting.
Prohibits members of elected city/town political party committees as well as representative/senate district committees from serving on local canvassing authorities.
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.
Maddy summaryHB 5616 prohibits public health advertisements and regulations from stating or implying that there is a safe way to use illegal drugs. The bill directly affects state health departments and public health campaigns by requiring all official health communications to avoid this specific claim. It adds a new policy section to the Department of Health chapter, making it state policy that such statements cannot appear in any public health materials. The bill was introduced in February 2025 and is currently pending further study after committee review.
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 5870 defines public-private partnerships (PPPs) as long-term contracts where private companies develop, finance, or maintain state-owned assets while bearing significant risk. It requires state agencies to use competitive procurement for PPPs and mandates specific requirements in requests for proposals, including value-for-money analyses, oversight plans, and financial documentation. The bill directs the chief purchasing officer to create rules by July 2026 to encourage PPP use, while ensuring state agencies remain responsible for oversight. It directly affects state agencies making infrastructure or property purchases and private contractors seeking to partner with the government. The law does not change existing procurement rules but provides a formal framework for evaluating and implementing PPPs.
Allows private employees at nursing homes, developmental disability and home care providers whose salaries are 90% funded with federal or state monies to be eligible to opt into the state healthcare plan.
