Rep. Stephen Casey

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Rhode Island state law to exempt the Rhode Island Disaster Medical Assistance Team, Inc. from paying registration fees for its motor vehicles and trailers. By adding this organization to a list of existing exempt entities, the legislation ensures that nonprofit groups providing emergency medical and rescue services do not incur these costs. The change applies only to the specific vehicles owned by the team and does not alter the fee structure for other vehicle owners. The act is set to become effective one year after it is signed into law.

Requires that developers of ground-mounted solar systems submit a plan for decommissioning to be held on file by the municipality and requires DEM, with the office of energy resources, make publicly available model decommissioning plans.

Requires all health care facilities to provide functional automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and least one person who is properly trained in the operation and use of an AED.

Amends the conditions upon which a nurse would be exempt from certain licensing requirements to include eligibility to practice, before taking and receiving results of the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).

Allows law enforcement to utilize mufflers, silencers, or other devices for deadening or muffling the sound of a firearm while acting within the scope of their official duties under the supervision of the police chief or colonel of the state police.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Rhode Island's inclusionary zoning law to require that developments with ten or more units include at least 15% affordable housing for a minimum of 30 years. It allows municipalities to offer density bonuses, such as adding two market-rate units for every affordable unit, or to accept alternative contributions like off-site construction, land donations, or fee-in-lieu payments instead of on-site affordable units. However, projects using these alternative methods are not eligible for the density bonus, and any fees collected must be deposited into restricted accounts to fund new affordable housing within the municipality. The legislation also establishes annual reporting requirements for municipalities and the state to track fee collections and the creation of affordable housing units.

Maddy summaryHB 7894 removes the requirement for the attorney general to review and approve interlocal agreements between public agencies in the state. This change allows local governments to enter into contracts for joint projects or shared services without prior state legal oversight, provided the agreements are properly drafted and approved by the participating agencies' governing bodies. The bill retains existing rules requiring these agreements to clearly define their purpose, duration, funding, and management structure, as well as provisions for ending the partnership. By eliminating the attorney general's approval step, the legislation aims to streamline the process for municipalities and other public entities to collaborate more efficiently.

Includes among the responsibilities of the office of state medical examiners, to provide a multidisciplinary team review of suicide deaths with a goal of reducing its prevalence by examining trends in demographic, geographic and community risk factors.

Directs the governor to select a day and annually order the lowering of flags to half-mast on any state buildings to honor the passing of first responders.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially designates the section of the Blackstone River Bike Path located in Woonsocket as the "Albert P. Valliere Bike Path." The legislation amends state laws to permanently assign this specific name to the trail, honoring Albert P. Valliere. Once enacted, the change takes effect immediately and applies to all future references to that portion of the path.