Rep. Carol McEntee

Maddy summaryThis bill makes technical updates to how Rhode Island towns and cities manage local planning boards and commissions. It requires board members to complete floodplain and sea-level rise training every two years, limits annual amendments to comprehensive plans to four, and clarifies procedures for reviewing land development projects and filing public access requests. These changes directly affect municipal planning boards across the state by defining their duties for preparing community plans, handling zoning matters, and coordinating with other agencies. The bill streamlines processes for plan adoption, public input, and board operations without altering land use regulations or development standards.

Maddy summaryHB 6347 increases the landing fee for adult passengers (12+) arriving by boat at Narragansett's Port of Galilee from $0.50 to $1.00 per person. The fee applies to public and private boats (excluding commercial fishing vessels) and must be collected by ferry operators or marinas, with 15% of the fee paid to them for collection. Funds collected will support town services like emergency medical care, property acquisition for ferry passengers, and resolving vessel-landing issues. The bill also continues existing rate relief for Interstate Navigation Company until 2002, with specific rules for fund usage.

Provide protection for the rights of professional, administrative and secretarial employees of the department of education to collectively bargain over all terms and conditions of employment.

Eliminates the "until June 30, 2025" sunset on the increase in the total amount of earnings a partial-unemployment insurance claimant can receive before being entirely disqualified for unemployment insurance benefits.

Provides an exemption for certain incarcerated persons from the payment of fees for a first request for vital statistics from the department of health.

Requires any state agency that prints more than fifty (50) copies of a contract, publication, brochure, notice, or promotional material to use state-owned or operated print shop capable of processing the material.

Creates process for condominium associations to give notice to and obtain approval from unit mortgage holders for certain association actions by mailing a written request for approval to the unit mortgagees via regular and certified mail.

Requires associations to provide unit owners within thirty (30) days notice of any increase in the deductible application to the association’s policy.

Maddy summaryHB 5563 requires all hotel employees and short-term rental property operators (like Airbnb hosts) to complete annual human trafficking awareness training. The training covers identifying trafficking signs, distinguishing labor vs. sex trafficking in hospitality settings, and reporting procedures to the national hotline or local law enforcement. Operators must also create written policies for reporting suspected trafficking and keep training records for one year after employment ends. This law takes effect January 1, 2026, directly impacting hospitality businesses statewide.

Directs RIHousing to work with stakeholders to investigate and determine ways to assist an incorporated homeowners' association to exercise rights to purchase leased land.