Rep. Jay Edwards

Maddy summaryHR 5809 is a ceremonial resolution commemorating the 181st anniversary of Dominican Republic Independence (February 27, 2025). It recognizes the historical significance of the Dominican Republic's independence from Spain in 1844 and highlights the contributions of Rhode Island's Dominican community, which numbers approximately 54,000 residents. The resolution formally honors Dominicans' economic, civic, and military contributions to Rhode Island and the United States. It directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies to Dominican Republic officials and the Dominican-American Association. This is a symbolic gesture with no policy or financial impact.

Establishes an agricultural restricted receipt account within the department of environmental management. An advisory committee would be established to determine suggested uses of the funds in said account.

Maddy summaryHB 5175 updates the definition of "infectious disease" to explicitly include COVID-19, ensuring firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are covered under existing notification and disability benefits. The bill expands the scope of diseases that trigger required employer notification after exposure and qualifies workers for occupational disability benefits if illness develops from such exposure. It directly affects emergency responders employed by fire departments, police departments, or emergency medical services. The change ensures these workers receive the same protections for COVID-19 exposure as they do for other diseases like HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C under current law.

Amends the definition of public works so that it would include any public works projects performed for any city or town or quasi-municipal entity and the state and any quasi-state entity.

Provides employees with civil administrative remedies against contractors, subcontractors involved in the contract with joint/severable liability imposed on contractors or subcontractors. Effective 9/1/2025.

Requires employers to provide each employee of a warehouse distribution center, upon hire, with written description of quotas applicable to the employee within defined time periods and adverse employment action for failure to meet the quota.

Provides that any law or regulation which prohibits or protects a person from exposure to second-hand smoke would include second-hand marijuana smoke or vapor.

Maddy summaryHB 5191 designates rhythm and blues (defined as music blending pop, soul, funk, hip-hop, and electronic elements) as the state's official music. This is a symbolic, procedural bill with no direct policy impact on residents, government operations, or regulations. It amends the state's "State Emblems" section to include this musical genre, following standard ceremonial designations like state flowers or songs. The bill would take effect immediately upon passage but is currently under review by the committee.

Maddy summaryHB 5141 would create a special Rhode Island motor vehicle license plate honoring Governor Roger Williams, the first governor of what became Rhode Island. Vehicle owners who apply for this plate would pay an additional $25 service fee and $5 transfer fee on top of regular registration costs, with $15 covering plate manufacturing and distribution. The plate would display "Gov. Roger Williams" and the state seal, replacing the vehicle's standard license plates. This commemorative plate is optional and would not alter standard registration requirements or fees for regular plates.

2022) (Implements technical corrections to the transition rules for transactions governed by 2024 Public Laws Chapters 65 and 66 regarding security interests in emerging technologies.