Rep. Jon Brien

Requires agencies preparing economic impact statements for small businesses contain findings that the anticipated compliance costs of a proposed rule scale proportionally with the business size, and do not impose fixed costs that favor larger businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that celebrates the 50th anniversary of Sojourner House of Rhode Island, a nonprofit organization founded in 1976 to help survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. The resolution formally recognizes the organization's five decades of service, which has included providing emergency shelter, housing solutions, and trauma-informed support to over 60,000 Rhode Islanders. It authorizes the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the organization's CEO, Vanessa Volz. The bill does not create new laws or funding but serves to honor the organization's legacy and ongoing work in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that congratulates the Rhode Island Hip Hop Hall of Fame on its inaugural ceremony held on March 8, 2026, and honors the individuals inducted for their contributions to hip hop culture. The resolution recognizes the event's significance in formally acknowledging pioneers across DJing, emceeing, breakdancing, and graffiti art, as well as supporters who helped sustain the culture. It specifically names four inductees - Vincent "Bad Lad" Lopes, Mason "DJ Finesse" Santos, Paris Fisher, and Donald "DJ Donnie Battle/BBoy Keebla" Senna - for their outstanding achievements and community impact. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies to the Hall of Fame and its founders, serving as an official state acknowledgment of this cultural milestone.

Maddy summaryHB 7550 criminalizes intentionally obstructing traffic on federal or state highways through loitering (e.g., standing, sitting, or kneeling) in ways that could delay vehicles. It creates a new felony offense with mandatory minimum sentences: 1-3 years for a first offense (with 60 days non-suspendable), 3-5 years for a second, and 5-10 years for a third. If death occurs due to obstruction delaying an emergency vehicle, penalties increase to 5-30 years (with 5 years non-suspendable). This law directly affects individuals who block highways, such as protesters or others loitering in traffic lanes.

Prohibits any city, town, quasi-municipal corporation or public corporation from assessing any existing agricultural operation or agricultural land for the extension of any water utilities past the property and from imposing any connection fee.

Makes it a felony for any person required to register as a sex offender to live within three hundred feet (300’) of a school as defined in § 11-37.1-2.

Maddy summaryHB 8011 removes a rule that previously blocked new retail liquor licenses (Class B, C, N, or I) within 200 feet of schools or religious institutions. This affects businesses applying for new licenses statewide, eliminating a barrier for locations near schools or places of worship. Existing license holders and specific exempt areas in Providence, Newport, Warren, and Bristol (as described in the bill) remain unaffected. The bill changes no current licenses but allows new applications in areas previously restricted by the 200-foot rule.

Creates a 9-member Joint Commission to review and provide recommendations to strengthen coordination between state and local government and who would report back to the General Assembly by December 31, 2026, and would expire on January 31, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 7611 amends Rhode Island's renewable energy standard, requiring electric utilities (obligated entities) selling electricity to retail customers to gradually increase their renewable energy supply. Starting at 3% in 2007, the required renewable percentage escalates annually, reaching 9.5% by 2044 with a target of 100% renewable electricity for all Rhode Island demand by that year. The bill includes a 2% cap on using existing renewable resources toward the goal and allows compliance through NE-GIS certificates or alternative payments to a development fund. It also exempts pre-2022 power contracts from later-year requirements until their contract end dates.

Creates the certified community behavioral health clinic accountability and oversight act to ensure transparency, fiscal responsibility, and service quality by certified community behavioral health clinics.