Rep. June Speakman

Maddy summaryHB 7874 establishes oversight of condominium management committees and property management companies by the Department of Business Regulation. It requires these groups to file annual registrations with the department and local land records, including board member details, budgets, reserve studies, and pending litigation. The bill mandates financial transparency, prohibits mismanagement of funds (like commingling money), and grants unit owners the right to inspect project records. Violations can lead to department investigations, fines, or corrective orders, with criminal matters referred to the attorney general. This applies to all condominium projects existing on or after July 1, 2026.

Precludes a legal entity from owning property whose value is over $25,000,000. If the property value exceeds $25,000,000, then the entity must divest a graduated yearly amount over the next 10 years, until value is less than $25,000,000.

Allows a brewery to sell, deliver, and distribute its own malt beverages directly to retailers without using a wholesaler. The holder of a license for a brewery may also have 1 additional location for the retail sale of alcohol.

Creates the Rhode Island clean heat standards act to implement a system of tradeable clean heat credits earned from the delivery of clean heat measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Maddy summaryHB 7917 requires all Rhode Island state agencies and state-funded organizations (like public authorities) to integrate the state’s December 2025 climate strategy report into their annual budgets, capital plans, and strategic documents starting in fiscal year 2027. It mandates that each budget or project submission include a specific emissions impact assessment (showing if it reduces, maintains, or increases emissions) and a certification signed by the agency head confirming compliance. Non-compliant submissions will be rejected by the Office of Management and Budget, and agencies must publicly post their assessments and certifications. This law directly affects how state funds are allocated, ensuring all major spending aligns with Rhode Island’s legally binding climate targets.

Provides that DEM regulations and CRMC in consultation with the chief resilience officer shall update to prioritize nature based solutions for coastal resilience projects that would be coordinated by DEM using an expedited permitting process.

Maddy summaryHB 7004 establishes the Rhode Island Climate Superfund Act of 2026, requiring fossil fuel producers responsible for over one billion tons of emissions during 2000-2025 to reimburse the state and municipalities for climate adaptation costs. It directly affects major fossil fuel companies (coal, oil, gas producers) determined to have caused significant climate-related damages. The bill creates a fund to cover "climate change response work," including coastal protection, infrastructure upgrades, and heat mitigation projects, using scientifically verified emission attribution methods aligned with IPCC standards. Funds will offset taxpayer costs for climate resilience efforts already underway, following the "polluter pays" principle.

Prohibits the use of heating systems utilizing fossil fuels as well as air or water heating systems in any state or municipal building open to the public constructed, altered or renovated on or after January 1, 2028.

Maddy summaryHB 7069 amends Rhode Island's Energy Facility Siting Act to remove "clean coal technology" from the list of energy sources that receive priority consideration for new projects. This change directly affects energy developers and state regulators evaluating facility siting applications, as it eliminates a specific criterion favoring clean coal projects. The bill does not ban clean coal but removes it from the priority list that previously gave it favor over other energy sources like renewables or natural gas. Key provisions now require the siting board to prioritize projects based on criteria including renewable fuels, efficiency, and low emissions, without the clean coal designation. The policy change takes effect upon passage.

Allows the office of health insurance commissioner (OHIC) as the state agency that has the authority to designate patient-centered medical home (PCMH) care to obtain maximal health outcomes.