Rep. David Place

Maddy summaryHB 5933 allows any person aged 18 or older who holds a valid license or permit to carry a stun gun. This bill specifically amends existing weapons laws to include stun guns under the same permit requirements as other weapons, meaning licensed individuals 18+ can now legally carry them in public. The change directly affects permit holders aged 18 and older, expanding their legal ability to carry stun guns without additional restrictions. The bill does not change age limits for other weapons or create new licensing requirements, only clarifying that stun guns fall under existing permit rules.

Expands firearm rights to recognize out of state carry permits, authorizes weapons carried during emergency evacuation and establishes an appeal process for permit denied.

Maddy summaryHB 5934 would allow any person aged 18 or older who holds a valid license or permit to carry a stun gun. The bill amends licensing requirements in the weapons chapter to explicitly include stun guns under the same provisions as other weapons. This change directly affects licensed individuals aged 18 and older who wish to carry stun guns in vehicles or on their person, removing prior restrictions. The bill does not alter age limits for other weapons or change general stun gun regulations. The measure is currently pending in committee review.

Establishes a prekindergarten seat finder to support families in accessing high quality early childhood education programs for three (3) and four (4) year old children.

Maddy summaryHB 5708 automatically registers Rhode Islanders to vote when they apply for or renew a hunting or fishing license, offering the option to register or update their voting address at the same time. The Department of Environmental Management must provide voter registration forms alongside license applications, with applicants able to decline registration (which remains confidential). Completed forms are transmitted electronically to the state voter system within one business day, and the bill includes privacy protections for those who opt out. This expands automatic voter registration to license applications, mirroring existing procedures for driver's license renewals.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment granting the governor a line-item veto specifically on state budget and appropriation bills. If passed, the governor could reject individual budget items (like specific funding amounts or program conditions) while approving the rest of the bill, rather than vetoing the entire budget. The legislature would then need to separately reconsider each rejected item with a three-fifths vote to override. This change would shift budget approval power between the governor and legislature, directly affecting how state spending bills are processed. The amendment requires voter approval at the next statewide election before taking effect.

Maddy summaryHB 5673 creates a certification program at municipal police academies to recognize candidates who have worked full-time as sworn law enforcement officers for at least one year. To qualify, candidates must have training comparable to state standards and no more than an eight-year gap since their last sworn law enforcement position. The program allows municipal academies to certify these candidates without requiring full retraining. This directly affects municipal police departments and officers seeking certification through their local academy. The bill establishes clear criteria for eligibility but does not change existing hiring or training requirements.

Provides that enhanced penalties for possession of fentanyl shall only be applicable if the substance contains \ at least ten percent (10%) of fentanyl or its analogs.

Maddy summaryHB 5269 allows cities or towns to waive interest on overdue property tax payments for commercial properties, directly affecting commercial property owners who meet specific criteria. To qualify, owners must have owned the property for five years, paid taxes on time for five years, submit a written request, and have the overdue bill issued within two years. The waiver is capped at $500 per request, and local tax collectors must issue written decisions, with taxpayers able to appeal to the city council if denied. This bill does not change tax amounts but provides limited relief for overdue payments on commercial properties.

Maddy summaryHB 5941 establishes a voluntary portable benefit plan for independent contractors, allowing them to access benefits like health insurance or retirement savings through a plan not tied to any single employer. The bill defines a "portable benefit plan" as an insurance product assigned to an individual, administered by either government or private entities, with contributions remaining voluntary and not affecting employment classification. Crucially, it prohibits using contributions to determine if a worker is an employee or to create employer liability for benefits like workers’ compensation. The plan aims to provide independent contractors - common in gig economy roles - with consistent access to benefits across different jobs, without altering their legal status.