Rep. Brandon Voas

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the standard property tax exemption for veterans in Rhode Island from $1,000 to $5,000. It applies to individuals who served honorably in various U.S. military conflicts, as well as their unmarried widows or widowers, allowing them to reduce their municipal property taxes. While the state sets this new baseline, the legislation grants local town councils the authority to establish their own higher exemption limits or alternative tax credits for veterans within their specific jurisdictions. The change directly affects eligible veterans and their surviving spouses by lowering the amount of real and personal property value subject to local taxation.

Maddy summaryThis resolution celebrates the 75th anniversary of NBC 10 WJAR, a television station serving Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts since 1949. The bill honors the station's history of innovation, including early helicopter broadcasts and meteorology, as well as its legacy of award-winning journalism and community service. It formally recognizes the station's contributions to the region and authorizes the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the station's news director.

Expands the definition of door-to-door salespersons to include those who sell services and authorize the town of Cumberland to license and regulate door-to-door salespersons in the same manner as hawkers and peddlers.

Establishes the "Attendance for Success Act" that mandates requirements for attendance policies, and provides for multiple plans, reporting requirements and supports to address student absenteeism from school.

Incorporates the department of elementary and secondary education's SurveyWorks school climate indicators for evaluating the performance of LEAs and individual public schools.

Maddy summaryThis bill seeks to restore $20 million in funding for Rhode Island's Down Payment Assistance program, which helps first-time homebuyers with low to moderate incomes afford a home. The legislation would direct the state treasurer to release these funds to eligible buyers, providing up to $20,000 toward their down payment to remove financial barriers to homeownership. It specifically addresses the removal of this funding in the 2024-2025 proposed budget by authorizing the appropriation from the state treasury for that fiscal year.

Maddy summaryHB 7120 amends Rhode Island's personal income tax law to allow residents to deduct interest payments on outstanding student loans from their federal adjusted gross income. This change directly affects individuals who pay interest on student loans and file state tax returns, potentially lowering their taxable income. The bill modifies the state tax code by adding specific provisions to the section governing resident individual income calculations. It is currently under review by the House Finance Committee and has not yet been enacted.

Authorizes the town of Cumberland to require the registration of certain business entities not registered with the secretary of state that are situated in Cumberland.

Increases the fines for dog ordinance violations in the town of Cumberland.

Eliminates the requirement of paying reinstatement fees to restore a person's right to drive.