Rep. Jenni Furtado

Maddy summaryHR 5536 appropriates $200,000 to fund the Farm Fresh Bonus Bucks Program in Rhode Island. This program directly benefits low-income SNAP recipients who shop at participating farmers markets by doubling the value of their SNAP benefits when spent on locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The funding supports Farm Fresh RI’s existing network of 27 sites across the state, helping families afford fresh produce while supporting local farms. The bill authorizes the state controller to pay the funds to Farm Fresh RI upon receipt of proper vouchers.

Establishes a restricted receipt account for the benefit of the Rhode Island public transit authority, funded by sales taxes collected from ride-share companies, which said sales taxes would be exempt from indirect cost recovery provisions.

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 summaryThis House Resolution formally honors and thanks James R. Hoyt for his fifty years of dedicated service with the Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket. It acknowledges his long career, leadership as CEO, and contributions to expanding programs and facilities for young people in the community.

Mandates additional state education funding for the mental and behavioral health of students equal to 2% of the district’s total expenditures, and require those funds be used to hire staff such as school social workers, and behavioral specialists.

Gives teachers who takes an unpaid parental or medical leave during the year credit for a year of service for that school year if they served a minimum of 135 days.

Maddy summaryHR 6019 is a joint resolution proposing to appropriate $1,100,000 for the fiscal years 2025-2026. This funding would be allocated to the Department of Human Services. Its purpose is to provide core funding to sustain and increase access to higher quality early care and education for infants and toddlers.

Maddy summaryHB 5233, "The Rhode Island Family Caregiver Tax Credit Act," creates a state income tax credit for eligible family caregivers. The bill allows a credit of 50% of qualifying expenses, up to a maximum of $1,000, incurred for the care and support of an eligible family member. To qualify, caregivers must meet specific income thresholds and care for a family member who is elderly or disabled, resides with them, and requires assistance with daily activities. Eligible expenses include home modifications, medical equipment, and hired care services, aiming to help offset the financial burden of caregiving. This credit would apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

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.

Amends the general law relative to right-of-way of pedestrians to reference the schedule of violations for the adjudication of traffic offenses contained in § 31-41.1-4.