Rep. Raymond Hull

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 6350 amends the current laws regarding hotel taxes. It allows individual cities and towns to levy an additional local hotel tax of up to two percent (2%). This new local tax would be added to the existing one percent (1%) local hotel tax and the five percent (5%) state hotel tax. The state's division of taxation would administer and collect these local taxes, distributing the funds to the city or town where the hotel is located.

Maddy summaryHB 5759 proposes to amend Rhode Island's personal income tax law. This bill would allow resident individuals to deduct interest payments made on outstanding student loans from their federal adjusted gross income when calculating their state income tax. If enacted, this change would reduce the taxable income for Rhode Island residents who are paying interest on student loans. The provisions of this bill are set to become effective on January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 6307 proposes the creation of a special motor vehicle registration plate for the nonprofit organization Real Access Motivates Progress. Vehicle owners who choose this plate will pay an additional $40 issuance surcharge, with half of that amount going to the state's general fund and the other half directed to the charity for accessibility programs. A $10 surcharge will also apply to subsequent annual renewals, which will be fully allocated to Real Access Motivates Progress. The bill requires the charity to use these Rhode Island-sourced funds for Rhode Island-based charitable organizations and submit annual accounting reports.

Maddy summaryHB 5398 revises the state's education-aid formula, specifically impacting how funding is allocated to public school districts for high-need students. The bill modifies the "student success factor" by adding an additional multiplier to the calculation. It changes how students from low-income families (below 185% of federal poverty guidelines) are identified for funding, shifting to a measure based on SNAP participation starting in FY 2024. Additionally, it adjusts the funding factor for multilingual learners (MLLs) and requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop recommendations for MLL student support.

Adds department of corrections' correctional officers to the list of public safety employees that are entitled to their full salary if they are injured and become disabled as a result of performance of their job duties.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 6331 is a commemorative resolution from the Rhode Island House of Representatives. It extends warm wishes and celebrates the election of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, the new leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics. The resolution also directs the Secretary of State to transmit copies to Pope Leo XIV and the Diocese of Providence.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 6330 commemorates May 11 through May 17, 2025, as "National Police Week" in the State of Rhode Island. This resolution honors all police and law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCR 6327) rejects eleven proposed salary increases for eligible directors of state executive departments. State law requires the Department of Administration to refer such proposed salary adjustments to the General Assembly, which can then formally reject them. By passing this resolution, the House and Senate are acting concurrently to prevent these specific salary increases from taking effect.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 5080 amends state sales and use tax laws. This bill exempts scalp hair prostheses or wigs from sales tax. The exemption applies specifically when these items are necessary due to hair loss resulting from a medical condition. This change aims to reduce the financial burden on individuals who require these items for medical reasons.

Maddy summaryHB 6256 proposes to repeal the current property tax exemption for boats. It also eliminates the sales and use tax exemption that applies to boats. If enacted, this bill would make boats subject to both property taxes and sales and use taxes, affecting individuals and businesses that own or purchase them.