Rep. Paul Santucci

Maddy summaryHB 5401 removes pet care services (such as grooming, boarding, and daycare) from the list of taxable services under Rhode Island's sales tax law. This change means pet care businesses will no longer have to collect sales tax on their services, directly affecting these providers and their customers. The bill repeals the specific reference to "pet care services (812910)" in the tax code that previously included them under taxable services. Veterinary and testing laboratory services remain taxable, as they were excluded from this repeal. The policy change would take effect upon the bill's passage.

Establishes the office of inspector general as an independent administrative agency charged with the responsibility to investigate, detect, and prevent fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the expenditure of public funds.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 6200) formally designates April 2025 as "National Child Abuse Prevention Month" in Rhode Island. It does not create new laws or allocate funding but serves as a symbolic proclamation urging Rhode Island residents, organizations, and government entities to recognize the month and support child abuse prevention efforts. The resolution emphasizes community collaboration, economic supports for families, and primary prevention strategies to address childhood trauma. It directly affects Rhode Island citizens and local child welfare stakeholders by encouraging awareness and partnership-building during April 2025.

Maddy summaryHR 6199 is a symbolic resolution designating April 2025 as "Child Sexual Assault Awareness Month" in Rhode Island. It urges all residents to support prevention through education and advocacy, but does not create new laws, funding, or requirements. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to share certified copies with the Department of Children, Youth & Families and the Children's Advocacy Center. This is a commemorative measure focused on raising awareness, not implementing policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 5589 prohibits individuals under age 16 from using rideshare services (like Uber or Lyft) alone. The bill requires law enforcement to remove underage riders from vehicles and hold them until a parent or guardian can take custody, with no fines or records kept for violations. It applies to all online ride-hailing platforms and takes effect upon passage. This policy directly affects minors under 16 traveling without an adult in rideshare vehicles.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HR 6171) passed by the Rhode Island House of Representatives to formally congratulate the Ponaganset High School girls basketball team for winning the 2024-25 Rhode Island Interscholastic League state championship. The resolution highlights the team's perseverance through injuries, their 18-2 regular season record, and their championship game comeback against Moses Brown. It specifically recognizes the team's players, senior captains, and head coach Gary Martinelli. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the coach, with no legal effect or policy changes beyond this symbolic recognition.

Maddy summaryHB 5391 gives Rhode Island residents priority over nonresidents for reserving campsites and recreational facilities by allowing residents a two-hour head start on the online reservation system. It also provides a 50% fee reduction for 100% disabled veterans on specific state recreational fees, including licensing, camping, and picnic table fees. The bill does not cover all fees (like parking or golf admission) but requires proper disability verification for veterans' benefits. This policy directly affects state park users and veterans with qualifying disabilities.

Expands the duties of the small business ombudsman, by also having the ombudsman serve as the Rhode Island commerce corporation's small business advocate.

Defines multi-family housing project as over 60 units in municipality with less than 35k residents, also provides for pre-approval conference with local board for review of plan.

Specifies that low and moderate income housing exists when a city or town has adopted an inclusionary zoning ordinance requiring that all housing developments include at least fifty percent (50%) low or moderate income housing units.