Rep. Pat Serpa

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial House resolution (HR 5091) expressing condolences for Hilding T. Munson, a Rhode Island State Sheriff, firefighter, and community volunteer who died. The resolution formally recognizes his 48-year marriage, military service, 35-year career as a State Sheriff, 63-year service with the Snug Harbor Volunteer Fire Department, and decades of work with the Special Olympics. It directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to his widow, Judith A. Munson, and family. As a procedural resolution, it has no policy impact or effect on laws.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial House Resolution (HR 5064), not a substantive bill. It formally expresses the Rhode Island House of Representatives' condolences to the family of Joseph Michael Downey following his passing. The resolution recognizes his career as a state plumber, labor leader (serving as AFSCME Council 94 President), and community volunteer. The House directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to Mrs. Claudette Downey, his wife.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution expressing condolences, not a policy bill. It honors Rufina Delizo Rice, the late wife of former Rhode Island Representative Michael Rice, following her passing. The resolution formally records the House's deepest sympathies for her husband and family, acknowledging her life as a Peace Corps language instructor, university technician, and longtime daycare provider in Rhode Island. No policy changes or affected constituents are involved - this is purely a respectful tribute.

This resolution would extend the reporting and expiration dates of the Legislative Commission to Study remedies for the Erosion of Rhode Island’s beaches from January 5, 2025 to April 23, 2025, and said commission would expire on April 30, 2025.

Increases the maximum post retirement employment earnings from eighteen thousand dollars ($18,000) to twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) a year for certain retired educators.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Rhode Island Secure Choice Retirement Savings Program, a voluntary retirement savings initiative administered by the state's general treasurer for private sector employees. The program allows eligible workers, who have been employed for at least 120 days, to contribute to their retirement through automatic payroll deductions, with employers having the option to participate. Funds are held in individual accounts that offer a limited selection of investment options, including portfolios tailored to different risk levels and those prioritizing companies with strong environmental and social practices. The legislation also mandates that the program provide participants with education and counseling services to help them make informed financial decisions.

Eliminates waiting periods for acceptance response for successful candidates, requires that all qualified candidates names be sent to the hiring agency, mandates given DHS social worker tests quarterly and extends DCYF pilot hiring program for 3/15/26.

Enables cities and towns to enact enabling legislation authorizing a partner program to assist students with an IEP for specially designed physical education classes.

Maddy summaryHB 7350 establishes the Social Work Licensure Compact, a new agreement that allows licensed social workers to practice across multiple states with a single license. This legislation directly affects social work professionals who wish to move between states or provide telehealth services to clients in different jurisdictions, as well as the state agencies that regulate these professions. The bill creates a commission to manage the compact and maintain a shared database of licensure and disciplinary records, while ensuring that each state retains the authority to protect public health and safety. By eliminating the need for separate licenses in every state, the measure aims to reduce administrative burdens, improve access to social work services, and better support military families.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows voters who are not affiliated with any political party to vote in party primaries without automatically becoming members of that party. It achieves this by clarifying that simply casting a ballot in a primary, whether by mail, early in-person, or on election day, does not change a voter's unaffiliated status. The legislation also ensures that election officials inform voters at polling places that no additional forms are needed to maintain their unaffiliated status after voting in a primary. By amending existing election laws, the bill removes barriers for independent voters to participate in primary elections while preserving their ability to vote in future primaries of different parties.