Rep. June Speakman

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $40,000 from the state treasury to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) for participation in the Northeastern Forest Fire Protection Compact (NFFPC). The NFFPC is a mutual aid agreement among seven New England states, New York, and five Canadian provinces that allows states to share firefighting resources during large wildfires. Rhode Island uses this compact to access specialized equipment and personnel from other jurisdictions when local resources are overwhelmed, and this funding covers the state's share of costs for wages, transportation, and maintenance when requesting assistance. The bill does not change the compact's rules but ensures Rhode Island meets its financial obligations under the existing agreement.

Maddy summaryHB 7698 creates a tax credit for businesses that donate "apparently wholesome food" (food safe for consumption meeting basic safety standards) to qualifying nonprofits. Businesses like restaurants, grocers, farms, and hospitals can claim a credit equal to 75% of the donated food's fair market value, capped at $5,000 annually per business. Nonprofits receiving donations must verify the food meets safety standards and is used to serve the needy, providing a certificate to the donor. The credit applies to taxes under specific chapters of the tax code and takes effect January 1, 2027.

Increases continuing education requirements for physician assistants, removes restrictions of PAs to render charitable care and aid for school and youth programs or cardiac arrest and removes restrictive covenants as to ownership by a PA.

Establishes the Residential and Commercial Property Acquisition Program Act to implement residential or commercial property acquisitions, paired with funding for relocation costs within or proximate to the current community.

Creates a publicly funded program for uninsured individuals requiring on an appropriation of $53,200,000 for fiscal year 2027 and an appropriation of 109,600,000 for fiscal year 2028 and every fiscal year thereafter.

Submits the state's 2026 capital development program relating to green bonds requesting the issuance of general obligation bonds totaling $60,000,000 for approval of the electorate at the general election to be held in November, 2026.

Directs the general assembly to fund ten full time equivalent positions in FY 2027 to support DEM's efforts in the areas of forestry and forestry projects.

Maddy summaryHB 7045 authorizes the town of Bristol to apply its owner-occupied residential tax rate to mixed-use properties where the residential portion is owner-occupied, rather than the higher commercial rate. This directly affects Bristol property owners with properties combining residential and commercial use (like a home with a small storefront), potentially lowering their tax burden. The bill amends tax classification rules to allow Bristol to treat these properties as residential for tax purposes under specific conditions. It does not change tax rates for other towns or property types.

Authorizes the Superior Court to place a hospital into receivership upon action by the attorney general or department of health when a hospital is mismanaged, financially distressed, acting illegally, or endangering patient health and safety.

Maddy summaryHB 7506 exempts sales tax on batteries that store solar power for on-site use (behind-the-meter systems) when connected to solar photovoltaic installations. This directly affects homeowners, businesses, and property owners purchasing such battery systems for solar energy storage. The bill amends the state's sales tax code to add this exemption under existing tax categories, removing the sales tax burden specifically for these renewable energy storage components. It does not change tax rates for other items or create new requirements.