Clarifies roles and regulatory authority for the administration of the program involving the repurposing of vacant schools for housing, extends the deadline for conducting feasibility studies and expands access to all municipalities.
Updates public records administration act, modifies records control schedule, designates records officer, establishes procedures for retention of records. Provides administrator submit yearly reports, establishes public reporting compliance.
Provides that the “meetings” requirements from § 34-36.1-3.08 be applicable to condominiums created before July 1, 1982, and would permit remote participation in condominium meetings.
Maddy summaryHB 5460 updates legal definitions in Rhode Island's aeronautics law to include the U.S. Space Force as a military branch. It amends Section 1-4-2 of the Uniform Aeronautical Regulatory Act to add "space force" to the definition of "military aircraft" (Section 14), ensuring the term appears consistently throughout the law. The bill makes no substantive changes to aviation regulations or operations - it solely adjusts terminology to reflect the Space Force's status as a separate military service. This is a procedural update affecting how military aircraft are legally categorized in state statutes.
Maddy summaryHB 5946 requires construction sites to keep at least one access point open during work hours, allowing workers to freely enter and exit without obstruction. It applies to all construction site owners, operators, or managers on public or private property. Violating this rule results in written warnings for first offenses, followed by $1,000 daily fines and immediate work stoppages for repeat violations. The bill prohibits locking gates, fences, or other barriers that restrict access while construction is ongoing.
Permits the division of unclaimed property within the office of the general treasurer to accept miscellaneous intangible property belonging to Rhode Island residents.
Authorizes the town of West Warwick to issue not more than $71,000,000 bonds and notes to finance the acquisition, construction, improvement, renovation, furnishing and equipping of schools and school facilities.
Maddy summaryHB 5575 amends Rhode Island's energy procurement rules to allow public utilities to include nuclear power in regional competitive solicitations alongside renewable sources like offshore wind. It directly affects electric and gas utilities, which can now bid on projects transmitting nuclear power or renewable energy to New England, with costs shared among ratepayers. Key provisions require the state energy office and utilities to jointly evaluate projects for reliability, security, and cost impacts before seeking public utility commission approval. The bill does not mandate nuclear use but establishes a framework for considering it as part of Rhode Island's energy planning.
Maddy summaryHB 5598 requires all public schools in the state to create and implement a written policy restricting student use of personal electronic devices (like smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches) during school hours and school activities. The policy must aim to reduce distractions, support learning, and protect student privacy and safety, while explicitly allowing exceptions for students needing assistive technology under IEPs/504 plans, medical devices (e.g., glucose monitors), or language support programs. Schools must develop these policies in consultation with staff representatives, notify parents, and file them with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, which will provide annual guidance. The law takes effect on August 1, 2026.
Creates a process for licensure and oversight by DBR over the practices and procedures of virtual currency kiosk operators to prevent fraud related to the use of virtual currency kiosks, by establishing daily transaction limits and the regulating of fees.
