Rep. David Place

Requires law enforcement agencies to obtain search warrants for electronic information, data, location information and other identifying information of subscribers and customers, except in specified circumstances.

Maddy summaryHB 6146 establishes a rebuttable presumption of self-defense for property owners, tenants, or occupiers who cause injury or death to an individual committing certain criminal offenses. If a person is injured or dies while engaged in specific crimes, such as burglary or violent offenses against a person, the owner is presumed to have acted by reasonable means and in the belief that great bodily harm or death was imminent. This presumption applies in both civil and criminal proceedings. The bill also specifies that there is no duty for the owner or occupier to retreat from such an individual.

Increases the membership of the state crime laboratory commission from five (5) to nine (9). The overseer and co-executive secretaries of the commission have been changed to the deans of URI's colleges of pharmacy and engineering.

Maddy summaryHB 6243 establishes the Rhode Island Biotechnology Regulatory Sandbox Act within the Department of Business Regulation. This program allows eligible biotechnology companies and research institutions to test innovative biotechnology products or services. Approved participants can operate with limited exemptions from certain state licensing and regulatory requirements for a defined testing period. The Department of Business Regulation will oversee applications, consult with applicable state agencies, and coordinate with federal regulatory bodies to ensure proper oversight and consumer protection.

Redefines "political party" and defines and distinguishes between "major parties" and "minor parties" based on the total number of votes a party's candidate received in the previous election.

Requires the DOH and the EOHHS to collaborate with community health centers to establish new programs designed to attract federal funds, with a focus on the utilization of Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education programs.

Amends the administrative procedures act and provides that on the review of an agency decision by a court upon appeal, the court shall decide questions of law without deference to any previous determination or interpretation of the law by the agency.

Provides that fees for costs charged for search, retrieval or copying of public records shall be waived for members of the general assembly who certify that they are acting in their official capacity.

Maddy summaryHB 5663 requires state law enforcement agencies (including sheriffs' offices and the department of corrections) to honor all detainer requests from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The bill mandates that these agencies hold individuals in custody until federal immigration authorities take custody, without exception for the detainer requests. It directly affects people detained by state law enforcement who receive an ICE detainer, as it would prevent their release until ICE arrives. This bill does not change immigration law but alters how state agencies handle federal immigration detainers.

Exempts the trade-in value of pickup trucks under eight thousand eight hundred pounds (8,800 lbs.) gross weight, used exclusively for personal use, from sales tax.