Rep. Brian Newberry

Maddy summaryHR 5011 is a procedural House resolution that would prohibit all members of the U.S. House of Representatives from displaying flags or banners of any size on their desks within the House chamber. The rule applies to every member's desk space but includes an exception for flags or banners placed on or behind the Speaker's rostrum. This change would directly affect all House members by altering the physical decor allowed in their designated workspace during chamber sessions. The resolution does not impact other areas of the Capitol or change substantive legislative processes.

Requires that the bill sponsor or another member of the House be present in order to formally present a bill to a committee before any testimony is taken on the bill.

Requires that all legislative grants allocated to the senate be distributed in accordance with the rules of the Senate and that all legislative grants allocated to the House of Representatives be divided equally among the 75 legislative districts.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a substantive bill. The Rhode Island House of Representatives passed HR 5003 on January 9, 2025, to express condolences to the Phillips family following the death of Timothy R. Phillips. The resolution honors Timothy, who was the son of Representative Robert Phillips and a devoted father, employee, and community member, but does not create any new laws or policies. It serves solely as a formal expression of sympathy to his family.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 5002) expresses condolences to the Edwards family following the passing of Mary Ann Edwards, a former Portsmouth Town Council member and longtime resident of Aquidneck Island. It formally recognizes her 56-year marriage, public service on the Portsmouth Town Council, and contributions to her community. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies to two family members: John "Jay" Edwards IV and James Edwards. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or affect any policies.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HR 5005) expressing the Rhode Island House of Representatives' condolences to the family of Thomas R. DiLuglio, a former Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor (1977-1984) and public servant. It commemorates his life, career as an attorney, businessman, and his service including founding the state Alzheimer's Association chapter and creating a nuclear evacuation plan. The resolution has no policy impact or affected constituents beyond formally honoring his legacy to his family. It was passed by the House on January 9, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 7020 establishes the Transparency in Arts Education Access and Proficiency Act to increase reporting on arts education at Rhode Island's public middle and high schools. Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, schools must include data on student enrollment percentages and the number of available courses in dance, music, theater, and visual arts on their annual report cards. The bill also allows the state education department to hire arts curriculum coordinators to assist schools with these requirements and mandates that high schools start submitting student portfolios demonstrating arts proficiency by the 2026-27 school year.

Establishes the Rhode Island lake management program within the department of environmental management to aid with lake and pond management issues relating to the control of aquatic invasive plants.

Provides that effective July 1, 2025, any attorney who self-certifies that they have successfully completed a specialized domestic violence prosecution training course shall have the authority to prosecute any violation of a protective order.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts commercial egg-laying hens from confinement laws that currently restrict how animals are kept in cages until January 1, 2030. The legislation amends existing statutes to allow these hens to be housed in ways that would otherwise be considered unlawful confinement under the current rules. This change directly affects the egg industry by providing a temporary legal exception for standard commercial egg production practices. The exemption is set to expire on the specified date, at which point the hens would again be subject to the original confinement regulations.