Rep. Jon Brien

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Resolution expressing condolences on the passing of Honorable Joseph A. Abbate, a former Rhode Island judge and public servant. The resolution acknowledges his distinguished career in law and public service, including his roles as a municipal judge and Director of the Law Revision Office. It directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies of the resolution to Abbate's family as a formal gesture of sympathy.

Maddy summaryHB 7603 requires veterinarians to provide a consultation to pet owners whenever they prescribe, dispense, or furnish a drug to an animal patient in an outpatient setting. The consultation must cover the drug's name, administration details, storage instructions, missed dose procedures, and manufacturer warnings about severe side effects. This applies to all veterinarians in the state and mandates documentation of whether the consultation was offered or declined. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, and allows veterinarians to delegate this task to registered veterinary technicians.

Provides the review and appeal process for individuals applying for a permit or license to carry a handgun with the licensing authority or attorney general.

Makes it permissible for any student, professor, or other employee of any public or private college or university, to carry, possess and have in their custody, possession and/or under their control, a stun-gun or pepper spray for purposes of self-defense.

Allows a person over 18 to purchase a stun gun or electronic dart gun and prohibits the sale of a stun gun or electronic dart gun to a person under 18 and criminalizes using a stun gun or electronic dart gun in a crime or against a police officer.

Prohibits state agencies from entering into software contracts that limit the agency's ability to install or run the software of the agency's choosing on their hardware.

Maddy summaryHR 7257 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit annual state budget growth in Rhode Island. The bill would require that total state spending increases each year not exceed the higher of either the previous year's inflation rate (using the Consumer Price Index) or the growth rate of Rhode Island personal income. Exceptions include debt payments, federally mandated spending, and emergencies approved by a two-thirds vote of the legislature. If approved by voters, this amendment would directly affect how the state government sets annual budgets.

Maddy summaryHB 7251 limits annual state spending growth to the higher of Rhode Island's inflation rate or personal income growth rate, whichever is greater. This directly affects the state budget process by capping how much total state spending can increase each year from the previous year's level. Exceptions include debt payments, federally mandated spending, and emergency expenditures approved by a two-thirds vote. The bill requires annual reporting on spending growth versus the limit and mandates the governor to create a reduction plan if the legislature exceeds the cap. It takes effect upon passage.

Removes the exemption for tinting of the windshield and imposes fines of $250 for a first and second offense and subsequent offenses are punishable by a $250 fine and up to a one year suspension of the vehicle registration.

Maddy summaryHR 7524 is a Rhode Island House resolution urging Governor Daniel McKee to support regional efforts to expand natural gas pipeline capacity into New England. It addresses Rhode Island's heavy reliance on natural gas for electricity (87% of in-state generation) and high energy costs, noting current pipeline capacity limits force reliance on costlier, higher-emission fuels during winter peaks, contributing to residential electricity rates double the national average (32.3¢/kWh vs. 16.4¢/kWh). The resolution does not create new law but formally requests the governor join Northeast governors in advocating for pipeline infrastructure to stabilize energy prices and reduce supply risks. This directly affects Rhode Island residents and ratepayers facing elevated energy costs due to current infrastructure constraints.