Rep. Tina Spears

Maddy summaryThis is a House resolution (not a law) requesting the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC) to conduct a waste audit of the State House, develop waste reduction recommendations, and report by January 5, 2026. It also directs the Joint Committee on Legislative Services and the Division of Capital Asset Management to investigate installing water filling stations and electric car chargers in the State House parking lots to reduce plastic bottle use and support climate goals. The resolution formally asks these agencies to report their findings back to the House by the same deadline. As a procedural request, it does not create new laws but seeks specific actions for state building operations.

Authorizes the collection of a small additional fee, in addition to the registration fee paid by motorboat owners, to be deposited in a restricted account, in order to fund the newly established freshwater lake management program.

Requires the producer of artificial turf and turf infill sold or distributed in Rhode Island to report its chain of custody, from installation to use, repurposing, recycling and disposal.

Maddy summaryHB 5424 establishes the Rhode Island Climate Superfund Act, requiring large fossil fuel companies that emitted over one billion tons of greenhouse gases between 1990 and 2024 to pay for climate adaptation work already done by the state and municipalities. The bill targets corporations that profited from fossil fuels, directing payments toward climate response efforts like coastal protection, infrastructure upgrades, and emergency planning. Funds collected will be deposited into a dedicated account and used exclusively for qualifying climate adaptation projects. The program mandates that companies pay their share based on emissions data within six months of a formal demand, with payment plans allowed only for very small amounts relative to their profits.

Establishes an agricultural restricted receipt account within the department of environmental management. An advisory committee would be established to determine suggested uses of the funds in said account.

Requires all state licensed healthcare facilities to convert the powering of their operations from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. DOH promulgates rules and regulations to implement the requirements.

Creates the position of dementia services coordinator within the department of health to coordinate the departments approach to Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

Prohibits the manufacture, sale, and distribution of foods containing certain artificial food dyes within school systems in the State of Rhode Island commencing January 1, 2027.

Provides that parents and guardians of children with disabilities in private school have the same rights and remedies as parents/guardians of children in public school.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a substantive bill) congratulating Dr. Aaron Ley and the University of Rhode Island (URI) on achieving NASPAA accreditation for URI's Master of Public Administration program. NASPAA is the global accrediting body for public service education programs, and this accreditation makes URI's program the first in Rhode Island to earn it. The resolution formally recognizes Dr. Ley's leadership as program director and the program's adherence to NASPAA's standards for public service ethics and education. No policy changes or new laws are created by this resolution.