Rep. Mike Chippendale

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 6168) formally congratulates Bishop Hendricken High School's Mock Trial Team for winning Rhode Island's state Mock Trial Tournament for the first time in the school's history. It specifically recognizes the team members and coaches who competed in the tournament, which involved preparing legal arguments and simulating court proceedings. The resolution also extends well-wishes for their upcoming participation in the National Mock Trial Championships in Phoenix, Arizona, from May 7-11, 2025. As a procedural resolution, it has no policy impact and solely serves to acknowledge the team's achievement.

Maddy summaryHR 6169 is a ceremonial resolution expressing condolences for Ronald D. Newman, a former Richmond Town Council member and Rhode Island Department of Agriculture employee. The resolution formally honors his 29-year career in state agriculture, his community service, and his dedication to local causes like Rhody Fresh and farmers markets. It directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to his wife, Cathleen Newman, and family. This is a standard procedural resolution with no policy changes or direct impact on legislation or constituents.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HR 6171) passed by the Rhode Island House of Representatives to formally congratulate the Ponaganset High School girls basketball team for winning the 2024-25 Rhode Island Interscholastic League state championship. The resolution highlights the team's perseverance through injuries, their 18-2 regular season record, and their championship game comeback against Moses Brown. It specifically recognizes the team's players, senior captains, and head coach Gary Martinelli. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the coach, with no legal effect or policy changes beyond this symbolic recognition.

Maddy summaryThis resolution symbolically designates April 2025 as "Parkinson’s Awareness Month" in Rhode Island. It does not create new programs, funding, or policy changes - it solely serves as a formal recognition of Parkinson’s Disease impact. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the Rhode Island chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association. It directly affects Rhode Island residents by highlighting community awareness efforts for a condition impacting 1,000-2,000 locals.

Reinstates general revenue sharing of state aid among the 39 cities and towns in Rhode Island. The initial amount is based upon population, and increased annually thereafter based on the increase in the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers.

Makes it a felony for any person required to register as a sex offender to live within three hundred feet (300’) of a school as defined in § 11-37.1-2.

Maddy summaryHB 5885 allows caterers with Class P licenses in Rhode Island to purchase alcoholic beverages from either retail or wholesale establishments within the state, expanding their purchasing options. The bill requires caterers to follow specific service rules, including serving no more than two drinks at a time, verifying IDs for those under 30, limiting service to five hours per event, and using only certified bartenders. Caterers with a separate Class B license may still purchase wholesale directly, though wholesalers can refuse orders or set minimum purchase requirements. Violations, such as improper purchasing, carry a $500 fine and risk license revocation. This change directly affects licensed caterers operating events across Rhode Island.

Expands the duties of the small business ombudsman, by also having the ombudsman serve as the Rhode Island commerce corporation's small business advocate.

Defines multi-family housing project as over 60 units in municipality with less than 35k residents, also provides for pre-approval conference with local board for review of plan.

Specifies that low and moderate income housing exists when a city or town has adopted an inclusionary zoning ordinance requiring that all housing developments include at least fifty percent (50%) low or moderate income housing units.