Rep. Tom Noret

Maddy summaryHB 5070 increases the maximum fee sheriffs, sergeants, and constables can charge for serving most writs, citations, or subpoenas from $45.00 to $70.00. This directly affects these court officers who deliver legal documents, raising their allowable compensation for this specific service. The bill amends the existing fee schedule to reflect this higher maximum, while requiring all fees to be deposited as general revenue. The change applies immediately upon passage, with no broader policy shifts beyond the adjusted fee amount.

Maddy summaryHB 5802 allows Rhode Island state agencies to develop housing on state-owned vacant, abandoned, or underutilized land without needing local zoning approval. It requires state agencies to hold a public hearing and demonstrate that housing projects align with state planning goals, address housing needs (including low- and moderate-income options), and minimize negative impacts on traffic, environment, or historic sites. The bill streamlines this process by exempting such state-led housing projects from standard municipal planning requirements, provided they follow the new hearing and justification rules. This directly affects state agencies planning housing developments on state-owned properties, aiming to accelerate housing construction where land is available.

Allows the board of elections to tabulate mail ballots in local special elections in the same manner as in tabulate mail ballots in statewide elections.

Creates the PURPLE alert state system to aid in the search for a missing adult with a serious physical, behavioral health, neurological disabilities or medical condition.

Reduces the number of times the director of the lottery has to confer with the permanent joint committee on state lottery from nine (9) times per year to four (4) times per year or at the call of the chair and vice chair of the committee.

Requires the installation of universal changing stations in all newly constructed, reconstructed, or remodeled public buildings and places of public accommodation.

Provide to provide greater clarity in insurance claim settlements, the appraisal process and procedural safeguards to enhance consumer protections against bad faith practices by insurers.

Allows animal control officers in the cities and towns to lawfully take charge of and provide adequate care to any animal found abandoned or neglected or hazardously accumulated and would increase penalties for malicious injury to or killing of animals.

Mandates the use of a soft-shell helmet cover that adds a padded, soft-shell layer to the outside of a traditional football helmet, for students participating in Rhode Island interscholastic league football.

Maddy summaryHB 6159 increases the maximum per-page fee for court transcript services. It raises the fee for original transcripts from $3.50 to $3.50 (clarifying the current maximum) and for copies from $1.50 to $2.00 per page. This change directly affects court reporters who provide transcripts and the parties (plaintiffs, defendants, or their attorneys) who request them. The bill also maintains a $10.00 fee for reproducing electronic court recordings on cassette. The law took effect upon the governor's signature on June 10, 2025.