Rep. Teresa Tanzi

Maddy summaryHR 7063 is a commemorative resolution passed by the Rhode Island House of Representatives to express condolences for the passing of Dr. William R. Holland, a former educator, Army officer, and commissioner of higher education. The resolution details his 44-year career in education across Rhode Island and Massachusetts, including his leadership as commissioner overseeing campus improvements at state colleges. It directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to Dr. Holland's family, as approved on January 13, 2026. This is a procedural resolution with no policy changes, solely honoring his legacy.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial House resolution (HR 7062) passed by the Rhode Island House of Representatives on January 13, 2026, to express condolences for the passing of Josephine B. Finnegan. It formally extends "deepest sympathy and condolences" to her family - specifically her children Rosemary Finnegan and Kevin Finnegan - and directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies of the resolution to them. The resolution contains no policy changes or funding; it solely serves as a symbolic tribute to her life and legacy.

Maddy summaryHB 5871 prevents the amendment of historical vital records (births, marriages, and deaths) once they are transferred to the Rhode Island State Archives. Records become "historical" after 100 years for births/marriages or 50 years for deaths, at which point they are permanently moved to the state archives under the secretary of state's control. The bill ensures these archived records cannot be changed, preserving their historical integrity, while requiring electronic copies to be kept with local registrars for issuing certified copies to the public. This affects only records transferred to the archives, not current vital records managed by local registrars.

Maddy summaryHB 5358 creates immunity from arrest or prosecution for individuals involved in commercial sexual activity (like prostitution) who report crimes they witnessed or were victims of, provided they report in good faith and cooperate with investigations. It directly affects people engaged in commercial sex who report related crimes, such as assault or trafficking, by shielding them from charges under sections prohibiting prostitution (§ 11-34.1-2) and procurement (§ 11-34.1-4). The law requires victims/witnesses to promptly report to law enforcement and assist in investigations to qualify for immunity. This changes enforcement by prioritizing crime reporting over prosecuting the underlying commercial activity when linked to a separate crime.

This pilot program would create a $3,000 trust for each Rhode Island child ages zero to one year born to a family enrolled in the Rhode Island Works Program (“RI Works”) during the preceding calendar year.

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 5130 requires law enforcement agencies to submit crime guns (firearms used in or suspected of being used in a crime) and test-fired cartridge cases to the state crime laboratory or a certified agency for entry into the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN). This policy change directly affects police departments and crime labs by mandating a standardized procedure for processing ballistic evidence from gun crimes. The bill defines key terms like "crime gun" and "ghost gun" but focuses the new requirement on evidence submission to NIBIN, a database that helps solve gun violence by matching firearm evidence across jurisdictions. This is a procedural change for law enforcement, not a new restriction on firearm ownership or use.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 5796 amends Rhode Island's zoning law to require municipalities to include new residential options in their zoning ordinances. Specifically, it adds a requirement that zoning rules must permit "residential use options that are not limited to single-family detached structures" in areas with existing public water and sewer capacity within urban service boundaries. This change directly affects towns and cities as they update their zoning codes, enabling more housing types like duplexes or townhomes without requiring new infrastructure. The key mechanism is mandating this flexibility in zoning districts where water and sewer systems already exist, aiming to increase housing diversity. The bill does not override existing single-family zoning but expands permissible options in eligible areas.

Maddy summaryHB 5801 updates definitions and procedures for low- and moderate-income housing in Rhode Island municipalities. It clarifies how housing units count toward municipal requirements, specifying that federal rental assistance vouchers now count as whole units (not half-units) for compliance, and mobile homes meeting certain criteria count as half-units if monitored. The bill also refines terms like "affordable housing plan" and "consistent with local needs" to align with housing planning standards. These changes directly affect cities and towns developing housing plans and developers seeking approval for subsidized housing projects.