Rep. Katie Kazarian

Maddy summaryHB 7572 extends a 50-foot buffer zone around polling places that restricts political campaigning to include early voting locations, not just election day voting. This affects voters, candidates, and election officials by limiting political materials and displays near all voting sites. The key provision amends existing law to explicitly add "early voting" to the prohibition against distributing political materials or wearing campaign buttons within 50 feet of voting entrances. The change applies immediately upon passage and makes no other policy shifts.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 2026 as Financial Literacy Month in Rhode Island to encourage residents to improve their personal finance skills. The resolution urges citizens to participate in financial education programs during the month and throughout the year. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the RI JumpStart Coalition to support these efforts.

Maddy summaryThis Rhode Island House Resolution celebrates the 175th anniversary of the YMCA in the United States and recognizes the impact of the Rhode Island Alliance of YMCAs. It directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the YMCA's national and state leadership.

Maddy summaryHB 7503 establishes a scholarship program to address Rhode Island's primary care provider shortage by offering financial support to medical students, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. The program provides up to $70,000 annually for medical students (over four years) and $47,000 annually for nurse practitioners/physician assistants (over two years), contingent on recipients signing contracts to work in Rhode Island primary care after graduation. Scholarships are administered by the commissioner of postsecondary education in coordination with the Department of Health, targeting applicants with strong academic records and a commitment to serve Rhode Island's population. Recipients must maintain academic standing and fulfill their service obligation in the state to receive funding.

Maddy summaryHB 7588 appropriates $500,000 annually starting in fiscal year 2027 to fund the Thundermist Family Medicine Residency Program in Rhode Island. The bill directly supports training primary care physicians to address healthcare shortages in underserved and rural communities. Key provisions include funding for resident/faculty recruitment, developing community-focused curricula, expanding clinical training sites in rural areas, and purchasing necessary equipment. The program must submit annual reports to the legislature detailing fund usage, resident outcomes, and impact on healthcare access. This funding aims to strengthen Rhode Island's primary care workforce through sustained state investment.

Requires all peace officers to carry epinephrine autoinjectors in their vehicles or on their person police departments to budget sufficient funds to purchase the epinephrine and autoinjectors and for training of every peace officer.

Provides that services provided by graduate student interns who work under a supervisory protocol would be eligible to be paid from Medicaid reimbursement.

Maddy summaryHB 8167 requires the Department of Education to create and implement regulations for "energy capable" school buildings. This bill directly affects public school districts and state-funded schools by mandating new building standards. The key provision is the development of specific regulations governing energy efficiency or capabilities in school construction and renovations. The bill focuses on establishing these regulatory requirements, without specifying exact energy targets or timelines. (3 sentences)

Increases historic tax credit to 30%, and up to 35%, depending on the amount of rental area available for multi-family housing, affordable rental units and units sold as affordable housing.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a permanent annual funding allocation of $30,000 to the Rhode Island Holocaust and Genocide Education Commission. The money would come from the state treasury and is intended to support the commission's educational initiatives related to Holocaust and genocide awareness. The legislation applies to the state's budget process and requires the General Assembly to include this appropriation in each fiscal year's budget. The funding is designed to help the commission carry out its educational mission without specifying particular programs or activities.