Rep. Dick Fascia

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Resolution congratulating Joseph Hicks of Johnston, Rhode Island, on winning the American Trucking Association's 2024 National Truck Driving Championship (4-Axle Tractor Trailer Class). It recognizes him as the first Rhode Islander to win this championship, highlighting his six-time Rhode Island Truck Driving Championship titles and one million accident-free driving miles. The resolution formally expresses the House's admiration for his achievements and family support, directing the Secretary of State to send him a certified copy. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new law or affect policy, but solely offers formal recognition.

Maddy summaryHB 6204 repeals a specific energy efficiency charge that utilities previously included in customer rates. This directly affects electric and gas distribution companies in Rhode Island, which must stop adding this charge to base rates. The bill does not alter existing requirements for funding demand-side management programs (through a separate 0.3 mills/kWh charge) or renewable energy programs (funded until 2028). It removes only the energy efficiency charge, leaving other utility funding mechanisms and program structures unchanged.

Maddy summaryHB 6201 would amend Rhode Island's renewable energy law to explicitly include nuclear energy sources as a qualifying renewable resource. This change would allow utilities to count electricity generated from nuclear power toward the state's renewable energy requirements. The bill adds "nuclear energy sources" as a new category in the definition of eligible renewable resources under Section 39-26-5 of the General Laws. It does not create new mandates but adjusts the legal definition for compliance purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 6203 repeals Rhode Island's Renewable Energy Growth Program, which was a tariff-based financing system for distributed renewable energy projects. The program established rules for financing solar and other renewable projects under 5-year targets, with specific requirements for site selection (avoiding core forests) and project size limits. This bill removes all existing provisions of the program from state law, ending its operation without creating new mechanisms or requirements. The repeal directly affects electric distribution companies, renewable energy developers, and customers participating in the program.

Maddy summaryHB 6202 imposes a moratorium on three specific energy-related policies starting January 1, 2026. It prohibits new or renewed net metering contracts (allowing customers to offset electricity use with self-generated power), bans the state from entering long-term solar/wind energy purchase agreements (exceeding five years), and stops state funding for heat pump subsidies. This directly affects residential and commercial customers using solar/wind systems, utilities managing net metering, and energy providers seeking long-term contracts. The bill halts these programs under current state law without creating new exemptions or alternatives.

Maddy summaryHB 5777 proposes to repeal the legal authority for the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority to implement tolls on state roads and bridges. This bill would remove the power of the authority to charge and collect tolls for transit over the turnpike and facilities such as the Newport Bridge, Mount Hope Bridge, Sakonnet River Bridge, and Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge. If enacted, it would directly affect the funding mechanisms of the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority and users of these roadways.

Maddy summaryHB 5393 shifts the responsibility for maintaining sidewalks along state highways from local entities to the state government. Under this bill, the state would be accountable for all upkeep of these sidewalks, such as repairs and general maintenance. However, the state would not be responsible for snow and ice removal on these sidewalks, which would remain with other parties. This change clarifies maintenance duties for sidewalks used by pedestrians and directly affects state and local government entities.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 6307 proposes the creation of a special motor vehicle registration plate for the nonprofit organization Real Access Motivates Progress. Vehicle owners who choose this plate will pay an additional $40 issuance surcharge, with half of that amount going to the state's general fund and the other half directed to the charity for accessibility programs. A $10 surcharge will also apply to subsequent annual renewals, which will be fully allocated to Real Access Motivates Progress. The bill requires the charity to use these Rhode Island-sourced funds for Rhode Island-based charitable organizations and submit annual accounting reports.

Requires the department of environmental management to develop, identify, maintain and update a list of projects that qualify for forest and open space land conservation funding pursuant to federal laws.

Establishes the first time home buyer savings program act. Allows modifications to federal adjusted gross income for $50,000 in contributions and $150,000 of interest and dividends included in federal adjusted gross income.