Rep. Teresa Tanzi

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 5001) is a ceremonial gesture celebrating "National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day" on January 9, 2025, specifically within Rhode Island. It urges all citizens to show appreciation by wearing blue clothing, writing letters to officers, and participating in the annual Blue Blood Drive (January 1-14). The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the Rhode Island State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police. As a symbolic measure with no new laws or funding, it does not impose obligations but encourages public recognition of law enforcement service.

Requires the office of energy resources to initiate the process of developing programs and associated funding mechanisms, for electric energy storage resources connected to the electric distribution system.

Establishes the Rhode Island lake management program within the department of environmental management to aid with lake and pond management issues relating to the control of aquatic invasive plants.

Implements a grant program to fund public or private partnerships that provide opportunities for healthcare paraprofessionals to pursue higher education degrees and health professional licensure.

Allows the Halona Woodson to join the Honorable Brianna E. Henries and Jarod Radigan in marriage on August 8, 2024, within the Town of Jamestown, Rhode Island.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates state laws to create consistent rules for zoning accessory dwelling units, which are secondary living spaces like detached garages or basement apartments built on the same lot as a main home. By standardizing definitions and requirements across all towns and cities, the legislation ensures that local zoning ordinances apply these housing types uniformly. The changes directly affect local governments, property owners, and developers by establishing clear guidelines for what constitutes an ADU and how it must be integrated into existing neighborhoods.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Rhode Island Housing Resources Act to officially include mobile and manufactured homes as a form of affordable housing under specific conditions. To qualify, these homes must serve as a primary residence, be located on land owned by the resident or a community they own, have been built after June 15, 1976, and meet federal safety standards. The legislation also updates the state's definition of affordable housing to ensure it covers various types of year-round living arrangements, including those accepting rental vouchers. By making this change, the law expands the scope of housing inventory that local communities can count toward their affordable housing goals.

Requires landlords to list all mandatory fees when advertising any residential property for rent in the same section of the agreement as the rent disclosure.

Maddy summaryThis bill grants the Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation (RIHMFC) exclusive authority to manage federal funds for low-income housing projects across the state. It designates RIHMFC as the sole public agency permitted to administer these specific rental subsidy allocations, though it allows for agreements with other authorized entities or related organizations. The legislation also expands RIHMFC's legal powers to enter into contracts, form partnerships, and operate businesses necessary to carry out these housing assistance programs. By centralizing this responsibility, the law ensures that all such federal housing funds within Rhode Island are administered through a single designated body.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the state's minimum wage law to include workers employed in domestic service or within private homes, who were previously excluded from these protections. By amending the legal definition of "employee," the legislation ensures that individuals working in these settings are now covered by the same wage standards as other workers. Once signed into law, the change directly affects private employers and domestic workers by bringing them under the jurisdiction of existing minimum wage regulations.