Rep. David Morales

Extends allocation of motor fuel tax to the Intermodal Surface Transportation Fund through 2025. Changes the allocation to 30% total proceeds, including 30% from the one cent per gallon environmental protection fee through 2026 and thereafter.

Maddy summaryHB 5317 amends the law regarding the relocation of utility services necessitated by state highway construction projects. This bill specifies that private corporations and companies will be reimbursed by the state for 50% of the reasonable costs to move their utility facilities. For utility facilities owned by municipalities, political subdivisions, or state agencies, the state will provide full reimbursement for relocation expenses. These reimbursements apply when state-initiated highway projects require the relocation of utility infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 6350 amends the current laws regarding hotel taxes. It allows individual cities and towns to levy an additional local hotel tax of up to two percent (2%). This new local tax would be added to the existing one percent (1%) local hotel tax and the five percent (5%) state hotel tax. The state's division of taxation would administer and collect these local taxes, distributing the funds to the city or town where the hotel is located.

Requires DCYF to establish segregated savings account for foster care child receiving SS, SSI, veterans benefits or railroad retirement benefits to manage the accounts and keep child eligible for future benefits.

Authorizes the appropriation of $850,000 for New Bridges for Haitian Success for the purpose of residential property acquisition for transitional housing to support immigrants with temporary protected status (TPS) and asylum status.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution supports the recognition of the Pokanoket Tribe as the ancient and ongoing stewards of their ancestral homeland. It acknowledges their central role in shaping the region's past, present, and future, honoring their ancestors and descendants, and commits to promoting their cultural heritage and sacred lands in Rhode Island history.

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.

Authorizes the office of postsecondary commissioner to expand bilingual and dual language teacher certificates in urban schools through two scholarship programs for students and teachers, with eligibility requirements and donations.

Authorizes a host city or town to impose a two percent (2%) tax on the endowment of a private institution of higher education that is in excess of one billion dollars ($1,000,000,000), to be used only for the host public school district.

Provides funding to establish a dual language program within the department of elementary and secondary education. It also describe how to implement he Support and Access to Bilingual Education “SABE Act” for all Local Education Agencies “LEA” recipients.