Rep. Mike Chippendale

Maddy summaryHB 5934 would allow any person aged 18 or older who holds a valid license or permit to carry a stun gun. The bill amends licensing requirements in the weapons chapter to explicitly include stun guns under the same provisions as other weapons. This change directly affects licensed individuals aged 18 and older who wish to carry stun guns in vehicles or on their person, removing prior restrictions. The bill does not alter age limits for other weapons or change general stun gun regulations. The measure is currently pending in committee review.

Maddy summaryThis resolution commemorates "Medal of Honor Day" on March 25, 2025, in Rhode Island, honoring the state's 35 Medal of Honor recipients. It directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies of the resolution to the governor, the state Veterans Affairs director, and the Adjutant General. The resolution has no binding legal effect and does not create new laws or impact any individuals or programs. It is a symbolic gesture recognizing military heroes from Rhode Island's history.

Maddy summaryThis resolution commemorates March 25, 2025, as the 204th anniversary of Greek Independence Day, celebrating Greece's historical ties to democracy and its longstanding partnership with the United States. It includes ceremonial elements like urging Turkey to respect religious freedoms of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and commending Rhode Island's Greek-American community for cultural contributions. The resolution has no binding policy changes or funding provisions; it is purely symbolic, reaffirming shared democratic values through recognition. It directs the Secretary of State to distribute certified copies to Greek Orthodox churches, state officials, and Greek diplomatic representatives in Rhode Island. As a commemorative resolution, it does not directly affect legislation or alter legal obligations.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 6131, passed by the Rhode Island House of Representatives on March 25, 2025, is a ceremonial resolution congratulating Carol Gibson on her retirement after 38 years of service with the Rhode Island state government. It specifically recognizes her 34 years of dedicated work at the Department of Labor and Training, including her final role as Administrator of the Board of Review, and highlights her career progression from Claims Interviewer to leadership positions. The resolution formally honors her contributions, leadership, and mentorship to colleagues, without creating any new laws or policy changes.

Proposes an amendment to the State Constitution, Article IV, Section 1, that would allow four (4) year terms for general assembly members, commencing with the 2028 election.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment granting the governor a line-item veto specifically on state budget and appropriation bills. If passed, the governor could reject individual budget items (like specific funding amounts or program conditions) while approving the rest of the bill, rather than vetoing the entire budget. The legislature would then need to separately reconsider each rejected item with a three-fifths vote to override. This change would shift budget approval power between the governor and legislature, directly affecting how state spending bills are processed. The amendment requires voter approval at the next statewide election before taking effect.

Repeals authorizing Rhode Island to join an interstate compact, which would allow Presidents and Vice Presidents to be elected by a national popular vote rather than the electoral college.

Maddy summaryHB 5673 creates a certification program at municipal police academies to recognize candidates who have worked full-time as sworn law enforcement officers for at least one year. To qualify, candidates must have training comparable to state standards and no more than an eight-year gap since their last sworn law enforcement position. The program allows municipal academies to certify these candidates without requiring full retraining. This directly affects municipal police departments and officers seeking certification through their local academy. The bill establishes clear criteria for eligibility but does not change existing hiring or training requirements.

Provides that enhanced penalties for possession of fentanyl shall only be applicable if the substance contains \ at least ten percent (10%) of fentanyl or its analogs.

Maddy summaryHB 5332 establishes the Rhode Island Special Deposits Act, creating a legal framework for "special deposits" held in bank accounts for specific purposes. It defines key terms like "account agreement" (a written contract between a bank and depositor/beneficiary), "beneficiary" (the person entitled to funds), and "contingency" (an event triggering payment). The act sets rules for when banks must pay beneficiaries (only after a stated contingency occurs and the bank knows about it) and outlines how agreements can be amended without beneficiary consent under certain conditions. This directly affects banks, individuals or entities setting up these deposits (e.g., for escrow, security deposits, or benefit payments), and the beneficiaries named in the agreements.