Rep. Kathleen Fogarty

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 6358) formally congratulates the Wheeler School Academic Decathlon team and their coach, Dayna Cueva Alegria, for winning first place at the 2025 Rhode Island Academic Decathlon. It recognizes the team's achievement of scoring over 34,000 points - their first championship since 2008 - and specifically highlights individual medal winners. As a ceremonial resolution (not substantive legislation), it has no policy impact and simply directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the coach. The resolution directly affects the Wheeler School students, their coach, and the Rhode Island Academic Decathlon program.

Requires any remaining funds in the enacted budget from the Rhode Island Promise Scholarship program or the Rhode Island Hope Scholarship program to be reimbursed to the onward we learn for any scholarships paid on behalf of Rhode Island College students.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $118,422 in state general revenue to fund the Rhode Island Parent Information Network (RIPIN) for its Dual Ombudsman program. The program directly assists approximately 24,500 dual-eligible Rhode Islanders (those enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid), helping them navigate complex healthcare enrollment, coverage transitions, and benefit claims. The funding ensures the program can continue operating at full capacity through fiscal year 2026, matching federal Medicaid funds and preventing a service gap as Rhode Island transitions away from its current Medicare-Medicaid managed care model. This maintains a critical resource that saved clients $343,189 in healthcare costs during FY2024 while supporting 4,456 annual client interactions.

Maddy summaryHR 5536 appropriates $200,000 to fund the Farm Fresh Bonus Bucks Program in Rhode Island. This program directly benefits low-income SNAP recipients who shop at participating farmers markets by doubling the value of their SNAP benefits when spent on locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The funding supports Farm Fresh RI’s existing network of 27 sites across the state, helping families afford fresh produce while supporting local farms. The bill authorizes the state controller to pay the funds to Farm Fresh RI upon receipt of proper vouchers.

Maddy summaryHB 5738 proposes a tax credit for individual taxpayers in Rhode Island who convert their gas-powered vehicles to run on alternative fuels. This credit covers equipment and labor costs incurred for the conversion. Taxpayers can receive up to 50% of these costs, with a maximum credit of $2,000 for lighter vehicles and $3,000 for heavier vehicles. Eligible alternative fuels include natural gas, electricity, hydrogen, and certain other fuel types. The credit cannot exceed the taxpayer's income tax liability and takes effect for the 2026 tax year.

Maddy summaryHR 6020 is a joint resolution that proposes to appropriate $32,594,799 to the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) for the fiscal year 2025-2026. This funding is intended to address an anticipated operating deficit and allow RIPTA to continue its current service levels throughout the state. The appropriation also aims to support the hiring and training of more bus operators through increased wages and benefits, and help implement the State's Act on Climate goals. This bill directly affects RIPTA's operational capacity and the Rhode Islanders who depend on public transportation services.

Submits the state's 2025 capital development program requesting the issuance of general obligation bonds totaling twenty five million dollars ($25,000,000) for approval of the electorate at the general election to be held on November 3, 2026.

Appropriates the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) to fund the Thundermist family medicine residency program during fiscal year 2026 and every fiscal year thereafter.

Maddy summaryHB 5984 establishes "The Medical Primary Care Scholarship Program" to increase the number of primary care healthcare providers in Rhode Island. The program, administered by the Director of the Department of Health, offers scholarships to students pursuing careers as medical doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Eligible recipients can receive up to $70,000 annually for medical school or $47,000 annually for nurse practitioner or physician assistant programs. In exchange for the scholarship, recipients must agree to work in Rhode Island providing primary care healthcare services upon completing their education and licensing.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 6342 proclaims the month of May to be "Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month" in the State of Rhode Island. It encourages the people of Rhode Island to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies and activities to raise awareness.