Rep. Nathan Biah

Maddy summaryHB 7866 raises the threshold for declaring a vehicle a total loss from 80% to 85% of its value, directly affecting insurance companies and vehicle owners during claims processing. The bill amends the Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act to update this percentage standard, requiring insurers to consider a vehicle a total loss only when repair costs exceed 85% of its value. This change aims to provide clearer criteria for total loss determinations without altering other claim settlement practices. The bill was introduced to the House Corporations committee on February 27, 2026, and remains pending.

Exempts certain vehicles that are not manufactured with the proper front plate registration bracket from the requirement that motor vehicles display a front facing registration plate.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific bridge in Providence, Rhode Island, as the "George Nee Bridge." It directly affects the state's transportation infrastructure by officially naming the structure where U.S. Route 44 crosses over Interstate 95. The key provision requires that signs displaying the new name be installed using private funds, with their design and placement approved by the state Department of Transportation. Once passed, the act will take effect immediately to formalize this permanent name change.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HR 7579) formally rescinds Rhode Island's 1861 ratification of the Corwin Amendment, a proposed constitutional amendment from the Civil War era. The Corwin Amendment aimed to protect slavery by prohibiting future constitutional amendments that could interfere with "domestic institutions" like slavery in states. Rhode Island's ratification is being repealed because the amendment was never adopted by enough states, became obsolete after the 13th Amendment abolished slavery, and has no current legal effect. The resolution is purely procedural, correcting a historical record without changing any existing law or constitutional provisions.

Authorizes municipalities to make an emergency declaration under limited circumstances to allow for the construction and use of SAFE Units on a temporary basis which have specialized requirements and exemptions from the state fire and building codes.

Clarifies when mobile equipment can travel on a public highway as an incidentally permitted practice limited to the active participation in an active work zone.

Maddy summaryHB 7683 increases the minimum monthly death benefits for spouses, domestic partners, and former spouses of deceased teachers. The bill raises the lowest benefit tier from $825 to $1,025 per month for those with a deceased member's salary of $17,000 or less, with proportional increases across all salary brackets. It applies to individuals who were living with the deceased teacher at death or receiving support, and who meet age and remarriage requirements. Benefits will adjust annually based on Social Security cost-of-living changes. The bill takes effect upon passage.

Permits those individuals convicted of multiple felonies and misdemeanors to have their records expunged and provides criteria for the court to consider in determining whether the person is of good character.

Amends the current law on low-income housing to include moderate-income housing and eliminates the income percentages used to determine qualifications for low or moderate income housing.

Hospital Conversions act amended to authorize AG and DOH to permit expedited review application for hospital insolvency proceedings. Sunsets in one year.