Rep. Mary Ann Shallcross-Smith

Maddy summaryHB 7047 authorizes the town council of Little Compton to establish a homestead exemption for residential properties, reducing local property tax burdens for qualifying residents. It directly affects homeowners in Little Compton who live in their homes year-round, automatically qualifying registered voters without applications, while non-voter residents must apply with proof of residency (e.g., driver’s license, utility bill). The exemption starts at 10% of the town’s mean property value and can be adjusted annually between 5% and 15% by the town council. The bill also allows exemptions for second homes and rental properties meeting specific occupancy and lease terms. This is a local tax policy change specific to Little Compton, not a statewide law.

Maddy summaryThis bill honors Thrive Behavioral Health, Inc. on its 50th anniversary and recognizes its contributions to mental health care in Rhode Island. The resolution acknowledges the organization's history, its merger in 2018, and its role in providing comprehensive behavioral health services. It directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the organization's president and CEO.

Requires healthcare insurers, without prior authorization, to provide post-acute care services to patients discharged from a hospital for a minimum of seven (7) days commencing on or after January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 7721 establishes Rhode Island's first statewide ban on the corporate practice of medicine, prohibiting non-licensed entities (like corporations or management services organizations) from owning medical practices or interfering with physicians' clinical decisions. It requires that medical practices be majority-owned and controlled by licensed physicians, with physicians holding the majority of voting shares, board seats, and key leadership roles. The law also bans restrictive contracts, noncompete agreements, and advertising by non-physician entities that could undermine physician autonomy over patient care. This directly affects medical practices partnering with corporate management entities, ensuring doctors maintain control over clinical operations, staffing, and patient care standards.

Requires a healthcare entity to submit written notice to the attorney general and the department of health of any material change transaction at least 180 days prior to that transaction.

Prohibits the closure or significant reduction of services of a birthing center without notice, application, financial disclosure, public hearing, and approval by the department of health.

Removes the requirement that 5% of the hotel tax generated from regional tourism districts be paid to the Greater Providence-Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau, and adds that 5% of the hotel tax to the existing tax paid to the RI commerce corporation.

Maddy summaryHB 7502 would require the state, not local towns or cities, to handle all maintenance of sidewalks alongside state highways - such as repairs, cleaning, and replacement - except for snow and ice removal. This directly affects municipalities that previously managed sidewalk upkeep along state roads, shifting that responsibility to the state transportation department. The bill amends existing laws to clarify the state’s authority for sidewalk construction and maintenance, while explicitly excluding snow and ice removal from the state’s duties. It does not create new sidewalks but changes who maintains existing ones along state highways. The bill is currently pending in the House Finance Committee after introduction on February 4, 2026.

Caps delinquent tax interest rate at 12%. Prohibits audits beyond 3 years from date of tax filing, 7 years for fraudulent filings, and in no event beyond 10 years from date of filing or required filing date, whichever is later.

Maddy summaryHB 8195 creates a tax credit for Rhode Island taxpayers who invest in certain local businesses. It directly affects individual and business taxpayers who make qualifying investments in designated Rhode Island companies. The bill provides a credit equal to a percentage of the investment amount, reducing the taxpayer's state tax liability. The credit applies only to investments meeting specific criteria set by the law, such as supporting businesses in targeted economic zones. The bill is currently pending in the House Finance Committee after its introduction on February 27, 2026.