Rep. Bob Phillips

Provides that in local education agencies when over 45% of the children have a family income that is at or below 185% of federal poverty guidelines, then the student success factor will be 50% by the core instruction per-pupil amount.

Maddy summaryHB 8160 removes a specific funding requirement previously imposed on the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. This change directly affects how the department manages its budget and resource allocation. The bill's abstract does not specify the nature of the removed requirement or its connection to property tax relief, as referenced in the title. It is a procedural measure focused on altering existing administrative obligations.

Raises the minimum threshold contract price before public works contractors are required to pay prevailing wages to their employees, from $1,000 to $100,000.

Maddy summaryHB 7685 adds probation and parole officers to Rhode Island's list of state law enforcement professionals eligible for retirement benefits under the state retirement system. The bill amends Chapter 36-10 to include these officers in the specific retirement provisions (sections 45-21.2-5 through 45-21.2-13), effective January 1, 2027. This change directly affects Rhode Island probation and parole officers by granting them the same retirement benefits previously available to other law enforcement roles like deputy sheriffs and firefighters. Service credits earned before 2025 will be calculated under prior laws. The bill does not alter contribution rates or other retirement system mechanics.

Maddy summaryHB 7806 allows retired state employees to be reemployed by municipalities without losing retirement benefits, removing previous restrictions that required suspending payments during such work. The bill specifically permits up to 75 working days (or 150 half-days) per calendar year in municipal roles, with no reduction in pension benefits or additional service credits. It applies broadly to all retired state employees seeking municipal employment, not just specific professions. This change simplifies reemployment rules while maintaining the annual day limit and ensuring retirement benefits remain intact.

Amends the current law on teacher’s creditable service so that a teacher who takes an unpaid parental or medical leave during the year would be given credit for a year of service for that school year if they served a minimum of 135 school days.

Prohibits payers from requiring uncompensated referral coordination by primary care providers, require either elimination of referral prior authorizations, and prevent denial of lab coverage based solely on diagnostic coding differences.

Allows primary care practices to offer optional fees for non-covered services while requiring equal medical care for all patients and protecting access to medically necessary services regardless of ability to pay.

Exempts from the sales tax eligible school supplies, costing less than $50.00, purchased within one week prior to the commencement of the academic year.

Removes the requirement that 5% of the hotel tax generated from regional tourism districts be paid to the Greater Providence-Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau, and adds that 5% of the hotel tax to the existing tax paid to the RI commerce corporation.