Requires commercial property owners to install vehicle barriers at their retail establishment locations when new construction are being done and permits insurers to consider the installation to provide a discount on the owner's insurance policy.
Sponsored bills
Permits a member or members of a limited-liability company to avoid dissolution by buying the membership interest owned by the other member or members seeking dissolution.
Maddy summaryHB 5444 clarifies that drivers must reduce their speed to 20 mph below the posted limit when approaching emergency vehicles, highway maintenance equipment, tow trucks, or roadside assistance vehicles displaying lights. This directly affects drivers traveling on roadways where these vehicles are operating, particularly in situations where lane changes aren't possible. The bill specifies that "slowing" means maintaining a speed 20 mph under the posted limit, rather than leaving the definition vague. It amends existing traffic law to provide a clear, measurable standard for driver behavior near roadside operations. The change aims to enhance safety for both workers and motorists.
Maddy summaryHB 6013 suspends the 4% gross earnings tax on electric and gas utility corporations from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2034 (a 10-year period). This directly affects companies primarily engaged in manufacturing, selling, or distributing electricity and gas to the public. The bill amends tax code section 44-13-4 to temporarily halt this specific tax rate, which would otherwise apply to these utilities. The suspension is set to end on January 1, 2035, when the tax would resume.
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill) expressing formal gratitude. It thanks Victor M. Mendoza for over 40 years of service to Rhode Island's Hispanic community through founding or co-founding key organizations like the Coalition of Hispanic Organizations and the Hispanic Cultural Arts Committee. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it simply directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to Mr. Mendoza. It does not impact any laws, funding, or regulations.
Maddy summaryThis resolution honors Dr. Juana Parillon for her nearly 40 years of service as a Marine Corps veteran and Equal Opportunity Advisor. It recognizes her work founding the Mentors in Action program and her leadership in diversity initiatives across military and civilian sectors. The resolution directs Rhode Island's Secretary of State to send Dr. Parillon a certified copy of the honor. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no policy impact or direct effect on constituents or legislation.
This joint resolution would propose to the voters a constitutional amendment which would allow a criminal defendant to argue jury nullification as a defense.
Maddy summaryHB 5754 increases Rhode Island's estate tax exemption to $4 million for deaths occurring on or after January 1, 2026. This means estates valued below $4 million will not owe state estate tax under this provision. The exemption amount will adjust annually for inflation using the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), rounded up to the nearest $5 increment. The bill directly affects residents and nonresidents whose estates exceed this threshold after 2025, delaying the tax liability for larger estates. This change aligns with the state's existing practice of adjusting estate tax thresholds based on inflation.
Allows charter schools to engage in nontraditional approaches to learning, permits local communities to adopt all-charter school public school model for public education.
Amends the definition of "small employer" for purposes of the small employer health insurance availability act to mean a business employing less than one hundred (100) employees rather than fifty (50) employees.