Rep. Stephen Casey

Maddy summaryHR 8042 creates a special legislative commission to study Rhode Island's Condominium Act. The commission will examine the current law governing condominium ownership and management. This resolution directly affects condo owners and developers in Rhode Island by initiating a review that could inform future legislative changes, though it does not alter the existing law itself. The bill was introduced on February 27, 2026, and referred to the House Corporations committee.

Creates the position of dementia services coordinator within the department of health to coordinate the departments' approach to Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Rhode Island's Energy Facility Siting Act to expand oversight of regional transmission projects. It requires applicants for major energy facilities (like transmission lines over 69kV or power plants over 40MW) to analyze climate impacts - including greenhouse gas emissions and health effects - and consider grid-enhancing technologies (such as dynamic line rating or advanced power flow control) as alternatives to new infrastructure. The siting board must now evaluate projects based on these new criteria when reviewing applications. The changes directly affect energy developers, utilities, and the board during the permitting process.

Amends the constitution to guarantee Rhode Island residents with equal opportunity to receive an education that is adequate, equitable and meaningful and provides judicial enforcement of this provision.

Requires landlords to register certain information for residential properties constructed prior to 1978 with the department of health on a statewide registry and defines which information may be viewed on a public database.

Substitutes "housing resources commission" with "department of health" for lead hazard mitigation purposes. It also makes it easier for a property owner to release funds put into an escrow account, if needed to make required repairs or improvements.

Adds a provision that allows a tenant to pay the last month's rent or any other prepaid rent. It also increases the amount that a security deposit can be requested from one to two (2) months of rent.

Defines squatter as a person occupying a dwelling unit who is not authorized by the property owner, landlord or tenant to occupy the unit and provides remedies for property owner including police assistance to remove a squatter.