Rep. Mike Chippendale

Maddy summaryRhode Island's House of Representatives passed HR 6225 to express official condolences to families who lost loved ones in the April 8, 2025, Jet Set Club collapse in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, which killed 184 people. The resolution formally extends "deepest condolences" to affected families and directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the Dominican Independence and Heritage Award Committee of Rhode Island (DIHACRI). As a commemorative resolution, it has no binding effect or policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution symbolically designates April 2025 as "Month of the Military Child" in Rhode Island, recognizing military-connected children's sacrifices. It directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies to Middletown School Committee and Superintendent, acknowledging Middletown's large military-connected student population (15% of enrollment). The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it is purely ceremonial recognition, following similar national observances. It does not create new programs or obligations for schools or the state.

Maddy summaryThis resolution recognizes the Cambodian New Year (Choul Chnam Thmey) and "The Year of the Snake" celebration in Rhode Island, specifically from April 14-16, 2025. It honors the traditions of this three-day holiday, including its cultural significance marking the end of the harvest season and the Zodiac-based year designation. The resolution expresses the House’s respect for Rhode Island’s Cambodian community and directs the Secretary of State to share the resolution with the Cambodian Society of Rhode Island, Inc.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a policy bill. It expresses the Rhode Island House of Representatives' condolences to the families of 35 deceased state representatives, officials, and community members listed in the resolution. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to transmit a memorial to the bereaved families. As a procedural measure, it has no policy impact or legislative effect beyond this symbolic gesture of respect.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Cambodian Genocide on April 17, 2025. It formally recognizes the 1975 Khmer Rouge takeover that led to the deaths of approximately 2 million Cambodians and honors survivors and the Cambodian-American community in Rhode Island. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies to specific Rhode Island Cambodian community organizations that organize annual remembrance events. As a symbolic measure, it does not create new laws or directly affect any individuals or policies.

Exempts the trade-in value of pickup trucks under eight thousand eight hundred pounds (8,800 lbs.) gross weight, used exclusively for personal use, from sales tax.

Exempts from the sales tax firearm safety equipment, storage devices, gun safes, gun cabinets, gun vaults, gun cases, strong boxes, cable locks, trigger locks and biometric locks.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 6197) declares April as "Holocaust & Genocide Awareness Month" in Rhode Island. It encourages history and social science educators in public schools to incorporate lessons about past and current genocides into their curriculum, aligning with the state's existing 2016 education requirements and the work of the Rhode Island Holocaust and Genocide Education Commission. The resolution does not create new laws but formally recognizes the importance of educating students to prevent future atrocities, urging a commitment to combat bigotry and injustice.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally designates April 2025 as "Alcohol Awareness Month" in Rhode Island. It serves as a symbolic proclamation highlighting alcohol abuse as a public health concern, citing state-specific statistics like 599 annual alcohol-related deaths and high binge-drinking rates. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or mandates - it simply urges community participation in existing awareness efforts. It directs the Secretary of State to notify the Governor and health officials of the designation. (This is a procedural resolution, not a policy bill.)

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 6196) is a symbolic proclamation designating April 6-12, 2025, as "National Library Week" in Rhode Island. It formally recognizes libraries as community hubs that provide free access to resources, promote digital equity, and support diverse populations. The resolution encourages all residents to visit libraries during this week and directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies to Rhode Island libraries and the Office of Library and Information Services. As a procedural resolution, it has no legal effect but serves to honor library services.