Rep. David Place

Maddy summaryHB 7572 extends a 50-foot buffer zone around polling places that restricts political campaigning to include early voting locations, not just election day voting. This affects voters, candidates, and election officials by limiting political materials and displays near all voting sites. The key provision amends existing law to explicitly add "early voting" to the prohibition against distributing political materials or wearing campaign buttons within 50 feet of voting entrances. The change applies immediately upon passage and makes no other policy shifts.

Proposes an amendment to the State Constitution, Article IV, Section 1, that would combine the offices of lieutenant governor and secretary of state, commencing with the 2028 election.

Maddy summaryHB 7785 changes how the state's attorney general is elected, requiring non-partisan elections starting with the 2030 general election. The bill removes party labels and nominations for the attorney general position, meaning candidates will run without political party affiliation, following the same process as independent candidates for other offices. This directly affects future attorney general candidates, who must file as independents rather than party nominees, and voters who will see the attorney general listed without a party designation on ballots. The law amends multiple sections of election statutes to implement this change and takes effect January 1, 2030.

Proposes an amendment to the State Constitution, Article IV, Section 1, that would allow a non-partisan election of the secretary of state, commencing with the 2030 election.

Allows the personal representative of a decedent’s estate to discharge the estate tax lien by recording with decedent’s municipality, a statement stating decedent’s gross estate does not require a state or federal estate tax filing pursuant to §44-22-1.1.

Requires the general assembly to cap expenditures based on a five (5) year increase in personal income or the annual rate of inflation based on the consumer price index.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 23, 2026, as World Table Tennis Day in the state of Rhode Island. It encourages residents to participate in the sport to enjoy its health benefits and community spirit. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to the Rhode Island Table Tennis Association.

Maddy summaryHB 8114 requires the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) director to share a child’s school enrollment information with the child’s school nurse when that child is placed in foster care. This directly affects school nurses, DCYF staff, and children in foster care who attend public schools. The key provision mandates DCYF to proactively provide this enrollment detail to school nurses to ensure continuity of care. The bill aims to improve communication between child welfare and school staff for foster youth.

Changes primary election to Wednesday if after Labor Day and does not mandate local boards of election to have voter registration drive at high school.

Maddy summaryThis legislative bill is a House Resolution that expresses condolences for the passing of Bernard W. George, a respected citizen of Coventry. The resolution honors his life achievements, including his long service with the Boy Scouts, his career in the U.S. Navy, and his work as a microbiologist for the State of Rhode Island. It directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to his widow, Dawn George, and her family.