Allows eligible individuals serving sentences of imprisonment to seek sentence reductions from the superior court, individuals serving life without parole or minimum mandatory sentences pursuant to law, would not be eligible for such relief.
Maddy summaryHB 7281 reduces the waiting period for expunging criminal records. It shortens the time to 3 years after completing a sentence for a single misdemeanor, and 5 years for felonies or multiple misdemeanors (down from 5 and 10 years, respectively). The bill applies to people with eligible non-violent convictions who have paid all court fees and fines. Violent crime convictions and certain offenses under specific statutes remain ineligible for expungement. The changes take effect upon passage.
Amends various sections of law relating to campaign contributions and expenditures, including prohibitions on self-dealing with committee funds and prohibits donations made in fictitious names.
Maddy summaryHB 7007 allows eligible disabled voters and military/veteran voters (covered by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act) to receive and return mail ballots electronically. The bill amends election laws to permit secure electronic transmission of ballots through systems meeting NIST cybersecurity standards, with independent security reviews required. It specifically extends the existing electronic ballot process - previously for military voters - to include disabled voters who meet accessibility criteria (e.g., blindness, mobility impairment). Voters submitting ballots electronically will not need to witness or notarize signatures, aligning with federal accessibility standards under the Rehabilitation Act. The bill expires December 31, 2025.
Maddy summaryHB 7742 amends Rhode Island law to explicitly permit the home production and sale of pickles and relish as farm home food products. It directly affects Rhode Island farmers who sell homemade foods at farmers' markets or farmstands, expanding the list of non-refrigerated foods they can legally make under existing regulations. The key provision adds pickles and relish to the current list of permitted foods (like jams, pies, and dried herbs) that don't require refrigeration. Farmers must still follow all existing kitchen standards, labeling requirements, and registration rules for farm home food operations. This change clarifies that these products are now included in the category of nonpotentially hazardous foods eligible for home manufacturing.
Establishes an opportunity for employee ownership where the owner notifies all current full-time and part-time employees and provides them with a 30-day window in which to initiate a process to potentially purchase the business as a workers' cooperative.
Maddy summaryThis resolution designates March 26, 2026, as "URI Day" at the Rhode Island State House to honor the University of Rhode Island. It formally recognizes the university's contributions to education, research, and economic development in the state. The House of Representatives will celebrate this day and send a certified copy of the resolution to the university president. The measure does not require funding or create new laws, serving as a ceremonial acknowledgment of the institution's achievements.
Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution congratulates the University of Rhode Island Women's Basketball Team for winning the 2026 Atlantic 10 Conference Championship and earning a berth in the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament. The document recognizes the team's historic 28-4 season, highlighting key players like Brooklyn Gray, Albina Syla, and Sophia Vital, as well as Head Coach Tammi Reiss for their contributions to the team's success. The resolution authorizes the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to Coach Reiss as a formal acknowledgment of the achievement.
Requires that insurance policies for property damage, personal injuries, and indemnification other than payment of compensation for workers compensation, state policy limits and no amount of the policy may be used to pay costs to defend a claim.
Maddy summaryHB 7267 establishes insurance requirements for peer-to-peer car sharing programs, where individuals rent their personal vehicles through apps. It mandates that during the entire sharing period (from pickup to return), vehicles must have insurance meeting state minimums, and the car sharing platform must cover third-party injuries or property damage unless fraud or failure to return the vehicle occurred. If the owner or driver’s insurance lapses, the platform must provide coverage starting from the first dollar of a claim. This directly affects car sharing platforms, vehicle owners, and drivers using these services.
