Maddy summaryHB 7505, known as the Rhode Island Cannabis Act, allows hybrid cannabis cultivators and retailers to advertise their products during a specific transitional period. This temporary measure applies to businesses that currently sell both medical and adult-use cannabis while the state finalizes its new regulatory rules. The bill requires these businesses to maintain strict separation between medical and adult-use inventory and sales, ensure continued service levels for medical patients, and follow detailed operational plans until a new commission takes over full regulatory authority. By signing this act, the Governor enabled these businesses to legally market their goods while the state prepares for a more permanent regulatory framework.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Rhode Island Housing Resources Act to officially include mobile and manufactured homes as a form of affordable housing under specific conditions. To qualify, these homes must serve as a primary residence, be located on land owned by the resident or a community they own, have been built after June 15, 1976, and meet federal safety standards. The legislation also updates the state's definition of affordable housing to ensure it covers various types of year-round living arrangements, including those accepting rental vouchers. By making this change, the law expands the scope of housing inventory that local communities can count toward their affordable housing goals.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows local municipalities to offer taxpayers the option to receive tax notices via email or other digital methods instead of traditional mail. It amends state law to let residents waive their right to physical mail notifications in exchange for electronic delivery of tax information. The legislation clarifies that failing to send or receive a notice, regardless of the format, does not excuse a taxpayer from paying their owed taxes. By repealing inconsistent older laws, the act gives towns the flexibility to modernize how they communicate tax details to residents.
Extends injured-on-duty (IOD) benefits to police officers and firefighters that suffer from diagnosed post-traumatic stress disorders, except under certain conditions.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates regulations for taxicabs by setting specific limits on how long and how far these vehicles can operate before they must be retired. Under the new rules, a taxicab cannot be used once it reaches 300,000 miles or ten model years, whichever happens first, and it cannot be placed into service if it is already more than eight model years old. The legislation allows for exceptions in rare cases where a vehicle is in extraordinary condition, provided the operator proves the car looks and functions like a newer model to the satisfaction of the public utilities administrator. These changes directly affect taxi companies and drivers by establishing clearer standards for vehicle age and mileage to ensure safety and reliability.
Extends the current provisions relative to certain rights of innkeepers and eliminates the sunsetting of such sections thereby preserving the law as it currently exists.
Authorizes Providence to issue not more than $400,000,000 general obligation bonds & notes to finance the construction, related demolition, renovation, improvement, alteration, repair, landscaping, furnishing and equipping of schools throughout the city.
Amends the provision of notice to be provided for the release of any hazardous gas or liquid as determined by the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
Prohibits the charging of any fees to a senior citizen who is 65 years of age or older for a hard-copy paper bill, invoice or statement. The violation of this provision would be a deceptive trade practice subject to a $500 fine.
Maddy summaryHB 7517 updates the procedures for handling unclaimed human remains in Rhode Island by establishing specific timelines for families to claim bodies after a death. The bill requires the Office of State Medical Examiners to release a deceased person's body to relatives or domestic partners within fourteen days of notice, with the state covering transport costs if an autopsy was performed. If the body is not claimed or removed from the morgue within thirty days, or if no family members are known, the remains are classified as unclaimed and buried according to existing state laws. Additionally, the legislation formally defines "domestic partner" for these purposes, requiring a relationship of at least one year and evidence of financial interdependence. The law also specifies that the state treasurer has priority in recovering burial expenses from the deceased person's estate.