Rep. Edward Cardillo

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a two-day sales tax holiday on August 10 and 11, 2024, allowing consumers to purchase certain items without paying sales tax. The tax break applies only to nonbusiness retail sales of tangible personal property, excluding specific goods like tobacco, fuel, electricity, vehicles, meals, and any single item priced over $2,500. While vendors do not need to collect sales tax on these qualifying purchases during the holiday, they must still file regular tax returns and report the sales. The bill also requires the state revenue director to report the amount of tax revenue forgone and file a detailed report with the legislature by the end of 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 7120 amends Rhode Island's personal income tax law to allow residents to deduct interest payments on outstanding student loans from their federal adjusted gross income. This change directly affects individuals who pay interest on student loans and file state tax returns, potentially lowering their taxable income. The bill modifies the state tax code by adding specific provisions to the section governing resident individual income calculations. It is currently under review by the House Finance Committee and has not yet been enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 7926 proposes to remove state-owned property from the list of assets exempt from local property taxes in Rhode Island. This change would directly affect municipalities that currently do not pay property taxes on land and buildings owned by the state. The bill achieves this by amending the state's General Laws to eliminate the specific exemption for state property while leaving other existing exemptions, such as those for religious, educational, and charitable organizations, unchanged. If passed, local governments would be responsible for assessing and collecting property taxes on state assets, potentially increasing local revenue.

Dictates the length a search warrant involving a tracking device would be valid and provide a process to extend the time frame of the tracking device for good cause.

Maddy summaryHB 7111 authorizes the town of Johnston to offer a tax credit to residents aged 65 or older. This provision allows the town council to create an ordinance that reduces property taxes for eligible homeowners, with the specific credit amount and rules to be set locally. The bill applies only to real estate owned and occupied by qualifying residents and is designed to be applied uniformly without considering individual ability to pay. By amending state law, the measure gives Johnston the same flexibility as other municipalities like Bristol and Cranston to provide targeted financial relief to senior citizens.

Creates the Rhode Island drug cost review commission.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase the standard funeral and burial allowance provided by the state Department of Human Services from $900 to $1,500. It directly affects deceased residents of the state whose families or legally liable relatives are eligible for public assistance benefits. The legislation amends existing laws to raise the maximum amount the department can pay for reasonable funeral and burial expenses while maintaining current rules regarding income exclusions and contributions from friends or relatives. Additionally, the bill clarifies procedures for handling unclaimed bodies and authorizes the director to arrange burials even if the deceased's assets technically disqualify them from the standard payment.

Allows a modification for all taxable pension and/or annuity income includible in federal adjusted gross income for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.

Provides any person charged with an offense for which bail may be denied that there is a presumption of dangerousness to the community and a risk of flight unless that presumption is rebutted by the defendant.

Allows a criminal defendant before the superior court to waive their right to a jury trial with the consent of the attorney general.