Rep. Megan Cotter

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the inspection schedule for licensed funeral homes, funeral service establishments, and crematories in the state. Currently, these facilities must undergo inspections twice a year, but the legislation would reduce this requirement to once annually. The change applies to all regulated businesses that handle funeral services and cremations, allowing them fewer official visits from health inspectors while maintaining the same standards for sanitation and compliance. The bill does not alter the scope of what inspectors check, such as sanitary conditions or complaint investigations, only the frequency of these checks.

Excludes portable solar generation devices intended primarily to offset part of a customer's electricity consumption from the definition of eligible net-metering system.

Provides for the operation and duties of natural organic reduction for the contained, accelerated conversion of human remains to soil. Disposition facilities would be used for either cremation or natural organic reduction.

Creates a special legislative commission to study/provide recommendations for water supply planning for new housing developments in rural communities, whose findings/recommendations to the House of Representatives on or before 6/15/27 and expires 7/1/27.

Maddy summaryHB 7676 allows advisory bodies (like commissions or committees without decision-making power) to participate in public meetings via videoconferencing under specific conditions. It permits remote participation for members on active military duty, those with disabilities requiring reasonable accommodation (after a public waiver process), and University of Rhode Island board members, provided audio/video clarity is maintained. The bill requires that remote attendees be clearly audible/visible to in-person members and that all participation decisions be documented publicly. This update modernizes open meeting rules while maintaining transparency requirements for advisory group meetings.

Prohibits any city, town, quasi-municipal corporation or public corporation from assessing any existing agricultural operation or agricultural land for the extension of any water utilities past the property and from imposing any connection fee.

Creates a fourteen (14) member special legislative study commission to study the use and impact of digital and electronic technology in public education and on mental health.

Eliminates mandated housing densities/density bonuses for public drinking water supply watersheds/groundwater. Requires densities not exceed water availability, introduce pollution, stay within public water or sewer system capacity limits.

Promotes fiscal integrity, transparency, and accountability in the state’s healthcare system by mandating that certain reporting covered health entities submit quarterly financial reports to the secretary.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that honors the Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England for their work in empowering girls through leadership and service. It recognizes the organization's efforts, including transforming Camp Rocky Farm into a maritime facility and supporting STEM and environmental programs for thousands of youth in Rhode Island. The resolution formally expresses gratitude to the group and directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the organization's CEO.