Rep. Brian Kennedy

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Resolution that officially celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Enrico Caruso Society in Manville, Rhode Island, on April 18, 2026. The resolution recognizes the organization's century-long history of providing support to Italian immigrants and fostering community through events and services. It directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the society's president, Jack Correira, as a formal acknowledgment of their contributions.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution designates April 9, 2026, as Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day in Rhode Island to honor the 1.5 million Armenians killed between 1915 and 1923. The bill also requests that the U.S. President and Congress urge the Turkish government to acknowledge the historical events as genocide and provide restitution for the victims. Additionally, the resolution expresses sympathy to the Armenian-American community in Rhode Island and directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to relevant state and national officials.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution congratulates students and instructors from the Warwick Area and Chariho Career and Technical Centers for winning the 2026 Rhode Island ProStart High School Competition. The bill formally recognizes their achievements in culinary arts, foodservice management, and hospitality tourism categories and authorizes the Secretary of State to send certified copies of the resolution to the winning schools. It does not change any laws or policies but serves as an official acknowledgment of the teams' success in the state competition.

Removes the requirement that 5% of the hotel tax generated from regional tourism districts be paid to the Greater Providence-Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau, and adds that 5% of the hotel tax to the existing tax paid to the RI commerce corporation.

Provides that any person eighteen (18) years of age who is issued a license or permit may carry a stun gun. It would impose criminal penalties for a person to sell or transfer a stun gun to a person under the age of eighteen (18).

Maddy summaryHB 7099 gives Rhode Island residents priority access to state campsite and recreational facility reservations over nonresidents by creating a two-hour online reservation window exclusively for residents. It also provides a 50% fee reduction for 100% disabled veterans on certain state recreational fees, including licensing, camping, and picnic table fees. The bill amends existing law to prioritize local residents for facility access while expanding fee exemptions for veterans with full disability ratings. This policy directly affects Rhode Island residents, nonresidents seeking reservations, and eligible veterans using state recreational facilities. The law would take effect upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the $20 service charge and $5 transfer fee for Rhode Island National Guard vehicle registration plates. It directly affects active and retired members of the Rhode Island Army and Air National Guard who use these special plates. The policy change removes these fees while maintaining the existing plate design, eligibility rules, and emergency travel provisions for National Guard members. The bill takes effect upon passage.

Maddy summaryHB 7097 removes a $5 transfer fee for special "Distinguished Service Cross" vehicle registration plates. It directly affects veterans who received the U.S. Army Distinguished Service Cross medal and their surviving spouses (who inherit the plate after the veteran's death). The bill eliminates the requirement for applicants to pay a registration fee or transfer charge for these plates, though the plate design and eligibility rules remain unchanged. This change takes effect January 1, 2027.

Raises the amount of life insurance the state provides at no charge to Rhode Island National Guard members called up for federal duty to five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000).

Allows for trucks with a gross vehicle weight of eight thousand five hundred pounds (8,500 lbs.) or less to have passenger registration license plates.