Rep. Mike Chippendale

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution reaffirms the friendship between Rhode Island and Taiwan while encouraging stronger bilateral relations. The bill urges the state government to promote trade by establishing a Taiwan Caucus in the legislature, potentially opening a trade office in Taiwan, and signing an economic cooperation agreement. It also supports Taiwan's participation in international organizations such as the World Health Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Maddy summaryHR 8542 is a House resolution that formally extends congratulations to a wide range of individuals and organizations in Rhode Island for their achievements and milestones. The bill directly affects recipients such as centenarians, student athletes, business leaders, and community groups by officially recognizing their specific accomplishments, including state championships, academic honors, and retirement from public service. Key provisions include listing each honoree alongside the specific event or award being celebrated, such as the 100th birthdays of Lawrence John Glynn and Viola Lanza or the state wrestling titles won by middle school wrestlers. This procedural measure serves as a public record of commendation rather than establishing new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the second week of May 2026 as "Lung Cancer Action Week" throughout Rhode Island to raise awareness about lung cancer prevention, screening, and treatment. It directly affects Rhode Island residents by encouraging educational activities focused on early detection methods, such as low-dose CT scans, and highlighting risks for specific groups like veterans and non-smokers. The resolution does not change laws or allocate funding but serves as a symbolic declaration to promote public understanding of the disease. Additionally, the bill authorizes the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the American Lung Association.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that celebrates the 160th anniversary of Child & Family, a Rhode Island organization founded in 1866 to support children and families. It formally recognizes the group's long history of providing services such as early childhood education, foster care, and housing assistance, while also honoring its staff and volunteers. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the document to the organization's leadership as a mark of appreciation.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the week of May 6th through May 12th, 2026, as National Nurses Week in the State of Rhode Island to honor the profession. It recognizes the critical role nurses play in healthcare, particularly in light of an aging population and the need for more qualified staff. The resolution also urges all residents to celebrate nurses' contributions throughout the year, not just during this specific week. Finally, it directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the Rhode Island State Nurses Association.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that congratulates Thawn Sherenté Harris on finishing the 2026 Boston Marathon and honors the legacy of his great-uncle, Ellison "Tarzan" Brown. The document recognizes Harris's achievement as a ceremonial act to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Brown's first marathon victory and highlights his specific performance details, such as running barefoot to mimic Brown's historic run. By transmitting a certified copy of this resolution to Harris, the bill formally acknowledges his perseverance and cultural significance without altering any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryHB 7392 caps the maximum application fee for healthcare facilities seeking approval to build new or expand tertiary or specialty care services under Rhode Island's certificate of need program at $25,000. The fee is calculated as $10,000 plus 0.25% of the project's total capital costs, but the total cannot exceed $25,000 regardless of project size. This change affects facilities planning high-level care expansions, ensuring predictable costs without exceeding the cap. The bill does not alter fee structures for other healthcare facility applications, such as those for general services.

Permits the city of Cranston a one-year levy cap exemption for fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, not to exceed seven and forty-five hundredths percent (7.45%).

Maddy summaryHB 8149 specifies how fines collected from overweight vehicle violations are distributed to state and local governments. It does not change weight limits or enforcement rules but establishes a mechanism for allocating penalty payments. The key provision directs that these funds be distributed to state and local governments, affecting their budgets. This bill, introduced in February 2026, focuses solely on the financial handling of existing penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 7312 would increase Rhode Island's estate tax exemption to $15 million for estates of people who die on or after January 1, 2027. This means estates valued below $15 million would not owe state estate tax, directly affecting high-value estates (over $15 million) of decedents after 2026. The bill sets the new exemption threshold and requires annual inflation adjustments starting January 1, 2028, using the Consumer Price Index. It does not change tax rates but raises the point at which state estate tax applies.