Authorizes retired police officers and firefighters to earn income in addition to their earnable compensation; provided that, the amount would not exceed 5 times the rate of earnable compensation currently in force.
Makes it easier to vote for people eligible to vote who are incarcerated at the Rhode Island adult correctional institute and creates the position of "voting coordinator," within the department of corrections.
Establishes the Ranked Choice Voting for Rhode Island Presidential Primaries and provides for new sections on ranked choice voting tabulation and results reporting.
Makes it unnecessary to prove that a person’s transmission of electronic communications be for the sole purpose of harassment before being found guilty of cyberstalking or cyberharrassment.
Extends certain protocols applicable to vehicle manufacturers to their distributors and factory branches, updates definitions relative to common entities and sales.
Extends the time for which a student may enroll in the community college of Rhode Island Promise Scholarship program to one year after the student's high school graduation.
Maddy summaryHB 5269 allows cities or towns to waive interest on overdue property tax payments for commercial properties, directly affecting commercial property owners who meet specific criteria. To qualify, owners must have owned the property for five years, paid taxes on time for five years, submit a written request, and have the overdue bill issued within two years. The waiver is capped at $500 per request, and local tax collectors must issue written decisions, with taxpayers able to appeal to the city council if denied. This bill does not change tax amounts but provides limited relief for overdue payments on commercial properties.
Maddy summaryThis resolution declares March 2025 as "Brain Injury Awareness Month" in Rhode Island. It does not create new laws or funding but formally recognizes the impact of brain injuries on residents, citing statistics like over 12,000 expected traumatic brain injuries in the state this year. The resolution encourages public participation in awareness activities and directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the Brain Injury Association of Rhode Island. It directly affects Rhode Islanders by highlighting brain injury issues, though it has no binding policy changes. The measure is purely symbolic, aiming to raise public attention on a public health concern.
Maddy summaryHB 5814 requires Rhode Island's Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and Division of Public Utilities and Carriers (DPUC) to complete a comprehensive study by April 30, 2026, aimed at identifying ways to lower energy rates for consumers. The study must review all state energy programs to find those increasing costs, compare Rhode Island's rates with other states, and recommend eliminating policies that raise bills. It allocates $100,000 for consultants to conduct this research and mandates that future energy-related legislation include "energy notes" showing cost impacts, similar to fiscal notes. This bill directly affects Rhode Island ratepayers and state energy policy through its focus on transparent cost analysis and program evaluation.
Creates 12-member commission to study and provide recommendations for the creation of a statewide whole-home repairs program, and who would report back to the General Assembly by January 5, 2026, and would expire on March 5, 2026.
