Rep. Matthew Dawson

Maddy summaryHB 5899 amends the existing state law that defines "aggressive driving." The bill adds five new driving violations to the list of actions that, when combined with another traffic offense, can be classified as aggressive driving. These additions include violations related to obeying police officers, specific overtaking rules, and proper use of laned roadways. This expands the scope of behaviors that motorists could be cited for under aggressive driving statutes.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 6294 proclaims May 2025 as "Myositis Awareness Month in the State of Rhode Island." This resolution aims to increase public understanding of myositis, a group of rare muscle-wasting diseases, and encourages Rhode Islanders to learn more about the condition and support affected families.

Includes any costs paid by an enrollee or on behalf of the enrollee by a third party when calculating an enrollee’s overall contribution to any out-of-pocket maximum or cost sharing requirement under a health plan as of January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 6049 proposes to increase the daily compensation for grand and petit jurors serving in superior court. This bill would raise the juror fee from twenty-five dollars to fifty dollars per day, with the change taking effect on July 1, 2025. Additionally, the bill includes a provision allowing jurors to donate their daily fee to the state, with these funds specifically allocated to the Rhode Island Veterans Home Community Living Center. The General Assembly would be required to annually appropriate funds to cover these juror fees.

Maddy summaryHB 5280, the "Higher Education Opportunities for Students with Intellectual Disabilities Act," aims to provide inclusive educational opportunities at state colleges and universities for students aged 18-21 with severe intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, or other severe developmental disabilities who receive special education services. The bill allows these students to participate in credit or non-credit courses, internships, and campus life without requiring a high school diploma or college entrance exams. Their participation is considered an approved special education service and a form of secondary school education, covered if addressed in their Individualized Education Program. While state institutions can set selection guidelines, they cannot deny opportunities solely based on disability, and they are not required to fund individual supports beyond typical provisions.

Effective 7/1/2026, the state lottery division of gaming stops renewing any existing sports wagering vendor contract. Prior to the expiration of any existing contracts the division shall issue an open invitation for applicants for sports wagering vendors.

Prohibits the state from seeking reimbursement for expenditures made on behalf of disabled Rhode Islanders from an ABLE account after death of the designated beneficiary.

Includes an individual who is seventy-five (75) years of age or older with a combined disability rating of fifty percent (50%), as eligible for disabled veterans license plates.

Relieves East Providence from providing any educational/financial resources to children in the CRAFT program or other Bradley Hospital programs. Requires the school district of origin where the student was last registered to bear this responsibility.

Maddy summaryHB 5203 directs the Department of Education and the Office of Energy Resources to develop new regulations for school buildings. These regulations will require all school buildings to meet a "zero energy capable" standard by December 31, 2037, with the regulations themselves to be adopted by June 30, 2026. The bill ensures that local education agencies have flexibility to pursue state and federal funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy systems without losing state housing aid. It also mandates guidance for school districts to build, own, and operate solar panels using federal incentives.