Rep. Nathan Biah

Maddy summaryHB 6162 grants the City of Providence a one-year exemption from standard property tax levy limits for fiscal year 2026, allowing a maximum 8% tax increase instead of the usual 4% cap. This exemption applies specifically to Providence's property tax levies during FY2026, directly affecting residents and property owners in the city through their local tax bills. The bill modifies existing tax levy rules (which generally cap annual increases at 4% for most cities) to provide this temporary, targeted exception. No other cities or towns are affected by this provision, and the exemption applies only to the 2026 fiscal year.

Requires the department of administration to provide a list of certified minority and women-owned business enterprises to each prospective contractor of a construction project.

Maddy summaryHB 5108 allows foreign-trained physicians to obtain a temporary license to practice medicine in Rhode Island under specific conditions. It directly affects physicians who graduated from medical schools outside the U.S., require ECFMG certification, completed residency training abroad (accredited by ACGME-I or recognized international bodies), and have held an unrestricted license in another country for at least three years. The law requires these physicians to work under a participating healthcare facility that provides structured training and assessment to address clinical gaps, while maintaining oversight through the Board of Medical Licensure. This creates a formal pathway for qualified international physicians to contribute to Rhode Island's healthcare workforce under defined safeguards.

Amends notice requirements for self-storage facility before perfecting lien, to wit; 7 consecutive days of publication on a publicly accessible website or subsequent written notice to lessee, or publication once time in newspaper of general circulation.

Forbids a motor vehicle liability insurance carrier from considering the zip code of where an insured lives for purposes of calculating their policy premium.

Maddy summaryHB 5220 amends Rhode Island's 2015 Comprehensive Community-Police Relationship Act to require police departments statewide to collect detailed data during routine traffic stops and searches. This includes recording the officer's perception of the driver's race/ethnicity, stop reasons, search details, and outcomes (like citations or arrests), starting no later than January 2026. An independent agency chosen by the Department of Transportation must conduct an annual study analyzing this data for racial disparities and publish public reports quarterly and annually. The law aims to provide transparency on traffic stop practices and support efforts to address potential inequities in policing.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution recognizing "Juneteenth National Freedom Day" on June 19, 2025, specifically for Rhode Island. It urges state citizens to observe the day and learn about its historical significance as a celebration of the end of slavery in the U.S. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it simply encourages public recognition and education about Juneteenth's history, aligning with Rhode Island's existing state holiday status for the day (established in 2023).

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.

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 5250 adds Juneteenth National Freedom Day to the list of holidays requiring retail businesses to close in this state. The bill amends the definition of "holiday" in retail business law to include Juneteenth, meaning retail establishments (but not food service businesses) must close on this day starting January 1, 2026. This change directly affects businesses operating under the state's retail holiday regulations. The law takes effect on January 1, 2026, aligning Juneteenth with other established legal holidays like New Year's Day and Independence Day.