Rep. June Speakman

Maddy summaryThis bill reorganizes school bus transportation zones in Rhode Island by moving the towns of Warren and Bristol from Region III to Region V. The change affects students in these towns who rely on public school buses, as their designated service area will shift to align with neighboring communities in the new region. Effective July 1, 2026, the legislation updates the official list of towns assigned to each transportation district without altering the rules for how bus services are provided or paid for.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that congratulates Thawn Sherenté Harris on finishing the 2026 Boston Marathon and honors the legacy of his great-uncle, Ellison "Tarzan" Brown. The document recognizes Harris's achievement as a ceremonial act to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Brown's first marathon victory and highlights his specific performance details, such as running barefoot to mimic Brown's historic run. By transmitting a certified copy of this resolution to Harris, the bill formally acknowledges his perseverance and cultural significance without altering any laws or policies.

Gradually phases in modifications to federal adjusted gross income over a five (5) year period for social security income, from twenty percent (20%) up to one hundred percent (100%), beginning on or after January 1, 2027.

Appropriates nine hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($950,000) to establish a bilingual education support fund within the department of elementary and secondary education and provides for implementation of support and access to bilingual education.

Enacts the RI individual market affordability act of 2026 to establish a program to help reduce out-of-pocket costs for low- and moderate-income consumers enrolled in individual health insurance coverage through the RI health benefits exchange.

Maddy summaryHB 7504 creates tax-advantaged "catastrophe savings accounts" for homeowners to cover disaster-related costs. Taxpayers can deduct contributions (capped at $25,000 for those with standard deductibles or $250,000 for self-insured homeowners) and earn tax-exempt interest. Withdrawals remain tax-free if used for qualified expenses like uncovered repair costs or insurance deductibles after a declared disaster. The program applies only to primary residences with one account allowed per home, effective for 2027 tax years.

Increases the income range up to fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) and tax credit up to eight hundred fifty dollars ($850), for elderly and disabled persons who own or rent their homes.

Regulates property insurers to limit underwriting and investment in fossil fuel projects, requires climate risk reporting and emissions disclosures, and aligns insurance practices with science-based climate targets.

Sets controls on Medicaid prescription drug costs by imposing transparency and accountability requirements on managed care organizations (MCOs) and their pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).

Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $118,422 to the Rhode Island Parent Information Network to support Rhode Island’s Medicare-Medicaid Dual Ombudsman Program.