Directs RIHousing to work with stakeholders to investigate and determine ways to assist an incorporated homeowners' association to exercise rights to purchase leased land.
Maddy summaryHB 5686 requires Rhode Island municipalities to maintain and update a current list of rights-of-way to tidal areas designated by the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC). This affects all cities and towns within Rhode Island that have coastal areas or tidal waterways. The bill mandates that municipalities regularly review and revise these lists to ensure accurate records of public access and infrastructure near tidal zones. This update supports the CRMC’s broader coastal management efforts by providing clear, up-to-date information for planning and resource protection.
Maddy summaryHB 5293 creates a public education program to teach Rhode Island residents and businesses how to properly recycle textiles like clothing and linens. It requires private recyclers to submit annual reports on collected textiles starting in 2028, and the environmental department will use this data to set future recycling targets by 2029. The bill also mandates an online directory to help households and businesses find textile recycling options. This law directly affects residents, businesses, and textile recyclers by changing how recycling education is delivered and how collection data is tracked. It takes effect immediately upon the governor’s signature.
Increases the maximum fill for non-opioid, non-narcotic controlled substances found in schedule II, so that a sixty-day (60) supply may be dispensed at any one time.
Allows food service businesses to provide temporary outdoor dining whenever building/other structure used for food service rendered uninhabitable by casualty fire/flood for 18 months or the building fit for occupancy sunsetting on 6/30/27.
Amends the certain provisions relative to school waste recycling and refuse disposal and requires reports of waste audits by educational entities and reports of program participation by vendors.
Maddy summaryHB 5493 establishes a mandatory energy benchmarking program for large buildings in Rhode Island. It requires owners of commercial and residential buildings over 25,000 square feet (with larger buildings starting in 2027 and smaller ones in 2029) to annually report energy use, water consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions through the EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool. The collected data will be publicly posted to increase transparency about building energy performance. Exemptions apply for unoccupied properties, those undergoing demolition, or properties without energy services during the reporting year. The law focuses solely on data collection and reporting, not on requiring energy upgrades.
Makes all causes of action based on sexual abuse or exploitation of a child not subject to any statute of limitations whether the claim has lapsed or was previously time-barred.
Maddy summaryHB 5432 prohibits health insurance providers from requiring preauthorization for in-network mental health or substance use disorder services. This directly affects patients seeking these treatments and insurers who must comply with the new rule. The key provision removes a common administrative barrier, allowing patients to access covered in-network care without prior insurer approval. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, and aligns with existing parity requirements for mental health coverage.
Exempts certain urban and small farmers from sales taxes, real, tangible and personal property taxes and income taxes. This act would also define urban and small farmers and urban farmland.
