Amends the act which incorporated the North Tiverton fire district and reduces the number of tax assessors, subsequent to any voluntary resignations, from six (6) to four (4) after the annual 2026 meeting.
Authorizes the Chariho Regional School District to finance the construction, furnishing and equipping of an elementary school and to issue not more than $116,000,000 bonds and/or notes.
Maddy summaryHB 8435 amends state laws to allow the issuance of a Class B alcohol retail license for a specific property at 102 Granite Street in Westerly. The bill modifies existing rules that typically prohibit new liquor licenses near schools, churches, or when neighboring landowners object, creating a specific exception for this location. By updating the General Laws, the legislation enables the local licensing authority to approve the sale of alcoholic beverages at this particular site despite potential proximity restrictions.
Maddy summaryHB 8046 establishes a uniform $70 fee for all court service requests, including writs, citations, and subpoenas. This bill directly affects individuals and organizations interacting with courts who must pay these service fees. The key provision sets a single fixed rate for all such court document services, replacing potentially varying fees. It does not change substantive law but standardizes a procedural cost. (1 sentence, as it's a procedural fee bill)
Maddy summaryThis bill updates the definitions used in Rhode Island's workers' compensation system, specifically clarifying who counts as an "employee" and "employer" for legal purposes. It expands the workers' compensation court's authority to manage cases for state employees and airport workers starting in July 2025, allowing the court to decide on issues like disability status and suitable job offers. The legislation also refines how "earnings capacity" is calculated, establishing rules for when an injured worker is presumed to have regained their ability to earn money, such as after successfully working light duty for at least 13 weeks. Additionally, it clarifies that corporate officers who were previously employees generally remain covered under the act unless specific waiver procedures are followed.
Requires the board of elections to establish a secure area for the public observation of mail ballot processing and require the mail ballot voter’s signature be compared to the signature on file within the state central voter registration system.
Maddy summaryHB 7865 creates the "Strengthen Rhody Homes" program to help Rhode Island homeowners retrofit or build primary residences to better withstand hurricanes and catastrophic weather using federal or other grant funds (not state funds). The program targets owner-occupied single-family homes (excluding condos or mobile homes) that meet specific criteria, including having wind insurance, being in good repair, and following Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) standards for storm resilience. Homeowners must secure pre-qualification from an IBHS-certified evaluator, hire three approved contractors, and complete work to IBHS standards before grants are paid directly to contractors. Administered by the state’s insurance division, the program does not obligate the state to fund projects and requires random inspections to prevent fraud.
Maddy summaryHB 7088 creates special vehicle registration plates for the Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub, a nonprofit organization that honors veterans by providing free trips to Washington, D.C. for WWII and Korean War veterans. Owners of vehicles registered with these special plates pay a $40 initial fee (with $20 going to the state general fund and $20 to the nonprofit) plus a $10 annual renewal fee that fully supports the nonprofit’s mission. The plates replace standard registration, must display the organization’s name, and require the nonprofit to use funds for Rhode Island charities while submitting annual financial reports. This procedural bill does not affect general vehicle registration but provides a dedicated funding mechanism for the nonprofit’s veterans' program.
Maddy summaryHB 8384 introduces "Casey's Law," which allows judges to impose stricter penalties on drivers convicted of misdemeanors or felonies if they are found to have acted out of "road rage." The bill defines road rage as intentionally aggressive, harassing, or dangerous behavior directed at other drivers or passengers on public roads. If a court determines beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime resulted from such behavior, the driver faces additional consequences, including mandatory fines, potential license suspension, and longer prison terms for felony offenses. All fines collected under this new provision must be placed into a dedicated fund to support public awareness campaigns about safe driving. This law does not create a new crime but rather adds enhanced sentencing options for existing offenses motivated by road rage.
Maddy summaryHB 7859 updates certain sections of the state's insurance law to remove outdated provisions affecting domestic insurance companies. The bill focuses on modernizing the legal language of insurance regulations without creating new requirements or directly impacting specific policyholders. It was introduced to the House Corporations committee on February 27, 2026, and currently remains in the referral stage. This is a procedural update to administrative code, not a substantive policy change.
