Rep. Nathan Biah

Prohibits a landlord from inquiring about the immigration status of a tenant subject to any federal laws or regulations, but may request financial information or proof of identity.

Maddy summaryHB 6394 modifies property tax levy limits for cities and towns in Rhode Island, with specific provisions for Providence. It gradually reduces the maximum annual tax increase cap from 5.5% (through 2007) down to 4% (starting 2013), requiring local governments to stay within these limits unless exceptions apply. The bill includes a special provision allowing Providence to exceed its cap in fiscal year 2026 for revenue from Class 2B property tax rates above $28.80 per $1,000 valuation. Exceptions permitting higher taxes include certified revenue shortfalls, emergencies (like health insurance spikes), debt service increases, or major new construction requiring infrastructure spending.

Requires employer, at the start of employment, furnish to their employees a written notice containing employment information relative to wages, rates of pay, allowances, benefits, deductions from pay, and identifying information relative to the employer.

Requires the board of regents to adopt support and intervention strategies consistent with Comprehensive Education Strategy and SALT in one district at a time.

Increases the imprisonment penalty for animal fighting from 2 to 5 yrs for a subsequent conviction under § 4-1-9 and would also require mandatory community service

Maddy summaryHB 6242 updates Rhode Island's firearm exemption law to replace "Rhode Island state marshals capitol police" with "capitol police" in two sections of the General Laws. This change directly affects Capitol Police officers, ensuring they are explicitly listed as exempt from certain firearm restrictions while on duty. The bill makes a technical correction to the legal language defining which law enforcement personnel can carry concealed weapons without restriction. It does not alter the actual firearm rules or expand exemptions - it only updates the agency name in the statute. The bill became effective June 26, 2025, without requiring governor approval.

Authorizes the city of Central Falls, via home rule charter or city ordinance, to create a school board with all powers and duties thereto, to govern the Central Falls school district.

Maddy summaryHB 6233 exempts the real and tangible personal property of the Center for Southeast Asians from local property taxes. This bill amends Rhode Island's property tax law to add the Center as a new category of exempt property, directly affecting the organization's buildings, land, and equipment. The exemption applies to all property owned or operated by the Center for its core mission, aligning with existing exemptions for similar nonprofit entities. This is a specific policy change creating a new tax exemption, not a broad legislative shift.

Maddy summaryHB 5421 requires all school buses in the state to be equipped with live digital video monitoring systems that record license plates, location, time, and date of traffic violations. School districts must install these systems on new buses starting July 1, 2027, and on all buses by July 1, 2032. The systems enable remote monitoring of drivers passing stopped school buses, with violations documented through video evidence and processed via traffic tribunals. This directly affects school bus operators, drivers who violate stop-arm laws, and local governments handling enforcement and fines.

Maddy summaryHB 5306 repeals the law establishing the Capital Center Commission, a special development district commission for downtown Providence. This bill removes the legal framework that allowed the commission to manage development projects, collect special assessments from property owners, and oversee improvements like parking, landscaping, and public services within the downtown district. The repeal eliminates the commission's authority without creating new policies or affecting current development activities. As a procedural bill, it directly affects the governance structure for downtown Providence's development efforts.