Rep. Bob Phillips

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 30, 2026, as "National Therapy Animal Day" within the State of Rhode Island to honor the role animals play in providing comfort and healing. It recognizes the therapeutic benefits of various animals, such as dogs, cats, fish, and horses, which help improve mental health and quality of life for individuals. The resolution urges state health officials and citizens to promote awareness of the human-animal bond and directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the bill to relevant health and animal welfare organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that formally honors and congratulates R.J. Heim on his retirement from WJAR-TV NBC 10 in Providence. It recognizes his decades of service as a meteorologist and reporter, highlighting his Emmy awards and coverage of significant local events. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the document to Mr. Heim as an official acknowledgment of his contributions to Rhode Island journalism.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution honors the life and legacy of Napoleon "Nap" Lajoie, a Major League Baseball Hall of Famer and native of Woonsocket, Rhode Island. The document formally recognizes his outstanding career achievements, including his record-setting batting average and Triple Crown performance in 1901, as well as his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. It directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to Dr. Gregory Rubano, who leads a campaign to unearth Lajoie's remains and reinter them in Woonsocket.

Converts the Rhode Island Hope Scholarship Pilot Program Act into a continuing scholarship program at Rhode Island College, similar to the Rhode Island Promise Scholarship at the Community College of Rhode Island.

Maddy summaryHR 7811 is a joint resolution appropriating $500,000 from the state treasury for the fiscal year 2026-2027 to fund Rhode Island's GEAR UP program through Onward We Learn. This funding supports college access and success services for Rhode Island students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, including academic enrichment, career preparation, and scholarships of up to $4,500 annually for four years. The appropriation fulfills Rhode Island’s required dollar-for-dollar match for a federal GEAR UP grant administered by the state’s Office of Postsecondary Commissioner. The funds directly benefit students participating in Onward We Learn’s programs, which have historically provided over $55 million in scholarships to approximately 13,500 students.

Makes students in workforce-ready certificate programs at the community college of Rhode Island eligible to receive the Rhode Island Promise Scholarship.

Permits dealers without a distributor's license to resell cigars, and ultra premium pipe tobacco, excluding pipe tobacco intended for cigarettes, to other dealers.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that designates April 28, 2026, as 'Pay It Forward With Love From Tori Day' in Rhode Island. It honors the memory of Tori Lynn Andreozzi and encourages residents to perform acts of kindness on that date. The measure directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Cathy Andreozzi.

Adopts several concepts from other jurisdictions with the goal of promoting a stronger climate for business growth in Rhode Island, including a "Franchise Fee" in lieu of the corporation tax.

Maddy summaryHB 7581 creates new state funding streams for specific education needs in Rhode Island school districts. It provides direct funding for special education costs exceeding 4x the core foundation amount, career and technical education program setup/maintenance, voluntary pre-K access, and transportation costs for students in regional districts or out-of-district non-public schools. The bill also establishes stabilization funds for Central Falls, Davies, and the Met Center schools, and offers regional school districts a two-year bonus (2% then 1% of state aid) for regionalization. School districts seeking reimbursement must share costs if total requests exceed available funds, with the Department of Education prorating allocations annually. This bill primarily affects public school districts, special education programs, and regional education entities across Rhode Island.