Permits the implementation of a system of electronic registration and titling of motor vehicles, by the DMV and would require that rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this chapter, would be promulgated by the administrator of the DMV.
Maddy summaryHB 7748 reassigns North Kingstown from the third division to the fourth division of Rhode Island's district court. This changes which court handles cases from North Kingstown, moving it from the current division (which includes Warwick and Cranston) to the division that includes Charlestown and Narragansett. The bill aims to balance case workloads more evenly across all court divisions. The reassignment takes effect two months after the bill passes.
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.
Requires any licensed lab performing blood lead analyses of a child under 6 to be certified by the director and said laboratory must perform this test regardless of the child or child’s parent’s ability to pay and at no cost.
Maddy summaryHB 7152 increases the property tax exemption for veterans from $1,000 to $6,000 specifically for municipal taxes. This directly affects veterans who own property in municipalities covered by this bill. The key provision raises the exemption amount, reducing the taxable value of their primary residence. The bill is currently pending in the House Municipal Government & Housing committee after being referred on January 16, 2026.
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 summaryHB 7751 requires litigation financing agreements (where third parties advance money to litigants in exchange for repayment from case proceeds) to comply with the state’s interest rate limits. It directly affects individuals and businesses using these agreements to fund legal cases, as all repayment terms - regardless of contract wording like "investment" or "use fees" - are treated as interest under usury laws. The bill makes it illegal for lenders to charge rates exceeding state limits, even if repayment depends on case outcomes. This ensures such agreements cannot bypass standard loan regulations.
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 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.
Amends the definition of public record to exempt from public disclosure the city or town of residence of the justices, judges, and magistrates of the unified judicial system.
