Rep. Brian Newberry

Maddy summaryHB 7421 requires the Department of Revenue to annually report to the budget office the costs cities, towns, and school districts incurred for state mandates established after 1979. It mandates a public report, published on the state transparency portal, identifying school district costs that are partially funded or unfunded by the state. This report must be provided to the governor, legislature, and the public to inform budget decisions. The bill directly affects school districts bearing uncovered costs and local governments seeking reimbursement for state-mandated expenses.

Maddy summaryHB 7420 updates how state education funding is calculated to address inequities, primarily affecting school districts with high numbers of students in poverty. It introduces a new formula that factors in a district's revenue capacity and poverty levels to determine state aid, with a poverty loss stabilization fund for districts seeing aid drops over 2%. The bill also creates specific state-funded programs for special education costs, career and technical education, pre-K access, and stabilization for districts like Central Falls, Davies, and the Met Center. It requires the state to publish a report identifying unfunded district costs and share this with lawmakers and the public. These changes aim to adjust funding based on need while adding targeted support for specific educational programs and struggling districts.

Maddy summaryThis bill formally recognizes May 5, 2026, as Zambarano Day to honor the Eleanor Slater Hospital-Zambarano campus in Rhode Island. The resolution acknowledges the hospital's long history of providing critical care for patients with severe injuries, infectious diseases, and other acute conditions. It expresses appreciation for the staff's efforts and declares continued support for the facility's role in serving long-term acute care patients. The House of Representatives also directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of this resolution to the hospital staff.

Repeals authorizing Rhode Island to join an interstate compact, which would allow Presidents and Vice Presidents to be elected by a national popular vote rather than the electoral college.

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.

Changes the manner by which presidential electoral college electors are elected and create a system of grouping of municipalities of equal populations, one of each of Rhode Island's electoral votes.

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.

Establishes the office of inspector general as an independent administrative agency charged with the responsibility to investigate, detect, and prevent fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the expenditure of public funds.