Rep. Michelle McGaw

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution honoring Representative Julie A. Casimiro for her dedicated service to the people of Rhode Island as she retires. It recognizes her legislative achievements, including advocacy for children, families, veterans, and consumer protections, as well as her leadership roles within the state legislature. The resolution formally expresses gratitude for her contributions and directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the document to Representative Casimiro.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors Representative David Morales for his dedicated service to the people of Providence and the State of Rhode Island. It recognizes his legislative achievements, including advocating for workers' rights, affordable healthcare, and library protections, as well as his personal background and recent announcement of his candidacy for Mayor of Providence. The House formally thanks him for his contributions and directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to him.

Requires health insurers to comply with federal mental health parity laws, prevent discriminatory treatment limits, and ensures meaningful mental health and substance use coverage in all benefit classifications.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Rhode Island's Department of Health to join international public health collaboration networks aimed at detecting and responding to infectious disease outbreaks. It allows the department to enter into agreements with federal agencies, international organizations, and academic institutions to share expertise, training, and surveillance data while maintaining privacy protections. The legislation also permits the state to designate specific offices or laboratories as partners in these networks and to provide voluntary assistance during global outbreak responses. Additionally, the bill requires coordination with federal authorities like the CDC and ensures that no regulatory authority is transferred to international organizations.

Maddy summaryHB 7726, the Solar Cost Reduction Act, streamlines permitting for residential solar installations by creating a statewide automated platform. It requires municipalities to adopt a "smart solar permitting platform" that instantly issues permits for compliant applications (like rooftop solar systems under 25 kW) without manual review, while banning additional engineering documentation for eligible projects. Homeowners and installers benefit from faster permits, electronic submissions, and remote inspection options by 2027, while municipalities retain authority over local fees and retain all permit revenue. The bill also establishes a public repository of all local solar ordinances to standardize requirements across the state.

Establishes, encourages and supports the establishment of family councils and resident councils in managed residential communities providing assisted living services.

Excludes portable solar generation devices intended primarily to offset part of a customer's electricity consumption from the definition of eligible net-metering system.

Provides for the operation and duties of natural organic reduction for the contained, accelerated conversion of human remains to soil. Disposition facilities would be used for either cremation or natural organic reduction.

Creates a special legislative commission to study/provide recommendations for water supply planning for new housing developments in rural communities, whose findings/recommendations to the House of Representatives on or before 6/15/27 and expires 7/1/27.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution officially designates June 2026 as "Pride Month" in Rhode Island to honor the history and contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community. The bill does not create new laws or change existing policies but instead serves as a symbolic gesture to recognize the state's anti-discrimination protections and the significance of the annual PrideFest celebration. By directing the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to Rhode Island Pride, the measure formally acknowledges the cultural importance of the month's events.