Provides that any rate increase with respect to electric distribution companies would be no greater than the increase in the Consumer Price Index or 5.5%, whichever is greater, unless there is approval of a higher rate by the general assembly.
Maddy summaryHB 5681 allows Rhode Island's personnel administrator to waive competitive testing for temporary or emergency state jobs, directly affecting hiring for these roles. It requires the state to provide exam study materials to all test takers and make competitive exams available in Spanish and Portuguese. The bill also mandates streamlining the processing of personnel action requests to reduce delays. These changes apply to state government hiring under the merit system and take effect upon passage.
Maddy summaryHR 5515 proposes a constitutional amendment to change voting eligibility in Rhode Island. It would remove the 30-day state and local residency requirement for voters, allowing individuals to register or vote on election day. The amendment maintains a 30-day residency requirement for candidates seeking office. If approved by voters, this change would take effect January 1, 2026, and would replace the current voting eligibility rules in the state constitution. The amendment must be submitted to voters at the next statewide general election.
Maddy summaryHB 5103 prohibits landlords and housing agents in Rhode Island from asking applicants about prior incarceration history or discriminating against them based on that history. The bill amends the Fair Housing Practices Act to explicitly include "prior incarceration" as a protected characteristic, alongside existing categories like race and gender. This means landlords cannot deny housing, refuse to rent, or ask about past jail time during the application process. The law directly affects renters with criminal records and aims to reduce barriers to housing for people who have been released from prison.
Maddy summaryHB 5127 allows tenants to pay increased security deposits in monthly installments over 12 months if their landlord raises rent and the security deposit amount simultaneously. This directly affects tenants in rental properties where landlords increase both rent and security deposits. The bill amends the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to permit this payment schedule, while maintaining the existing limit of one month's rent for security deposits. It does not change the maximum deposit amount or other existing tenant protections.
Adds new sections that set forth conditions for pharmacists to prescribe tobacco cessation drug therapies, including education approved by state board of pharmacy. The cessation therapies to be covered by all health insurance carriers on or after 1/1/26.
Requires every individual or group health insurance plan on or after January 1, 2026, that provides benefits to reimburse child service providers for therapy services offered through EOHHS certified Kids Connect/Therapeutic Services.
Modifies the summons for eviction for reasons other than nonpayment of rent with the district court, to add a certificate of service section, and provides the option to post the summons/complaint conspicuously on door of the defendant/tenant's dwelling.
Maddy summaryHB 5865 bans the sale of cosmetics in Rhode Island that were developed or manufactured using animal testing conducted on or after January 1, 2026. It directly affects cosmetic manufacturers and sellers within the state, imposing a $1,000 fine per violation for noncompliance. The law includes limited exemptions, such as when animal testing is required by federal or state regulators with no non-animal alternatives, or for ingredients in widespread use with no suitable substitutes. The bill amends existing cruelty-to-animals statutes to add this specific prohibition, focusing on the sale of cosmetics rather than testing itself.
Maddy summaryHB 5552, the "Price Tags Act," requires grocery suppliers to offer identical pricing and terms to all retailers purchasing the same products in similar quantities. It directly affects large food suppliers (with over $6 billion in annual sales to RI retailers) and dominant grocery chains (with over $18 billion in annual sales across 20+ states). Key provisions mandate suppliers to share anonymized pricing data with smaller retailers upon request and prohibit refusing sales to non-dominant retailers without valid reasons. The law aims to prevent large chains from leveraging their size to secure better deals, ensuring smaller grocery stores in Rhode Island receive fair treatment in pricing negotiations.
