Authorizes pharmacists to order, perform and interpret CLIA-waived tests authorized by statewide protocol and prescribe medications, and permits coverage by all health insurance carriers.
Establishes the Residential and Commercial Property Acquisition Program Act to implement residential or commercial property acquisitions, paired with funding for relocation costs within or proximate to the current community.
Maddy summaryHB 8197 exempts the purchase of new or used bicycles and bicycle parts from state sales and use taxes. This directly affects consumers buying bikes or parts, as well as retailers selling them, by removing a tax burden on these items. The bill’s key mechanism is amending the tax code to specifically exclude bicycles and parts from taxable sales, simplifying the tax treatment for these goods. The bill was introduced on February 27, 2026, and referred to the House Finance Committee.
Creates a publicly funded program for uninsured individuals requiring on an appropriation of $53,200,000 for fiscal year 2027 and an appropriation of 109,600,000 for fiscal year 2028 and every fiscal year thereafter.
Maddy summaryHR 8206 is a joint resolution appropriating $50,000 to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) for new firefighting equipment. It directly funds the purchase of forestry hoses, specifically for use by DEM's forestry or fire management units. The bill was introduced on February 27, 2026, and referred to the House Finance Committee. This is a straightforward budgetary request with no broader policy changes or public impact beyond the specified equipment purchase.
Submits the state's 2026 capital development program relating to green bonds requesting the issuance of general obligation bonds totaling $60,000,000 for approval of the electorate at the general election to be held in November, 2026.
Maddy summaryHB 8179 increases the oil spill responsible fee from 5 cents to 10 cents per barrel. This fee applies to entities responsible for oil spills, directly affecting oil companies and transporters. The additional revenue funds state climate change initiatives, such as renewable energy projects or coastal protection programs. The bill was introduced to the House Finance committee on February 27, 2026, and remains in early legislative review.
Proposes a bond measure authorizing the State of Rhode Island to issue up to $100,000,000 in general obligation bonds, subject to voter approval, to fund coastal preparedness and resilience projects.
Adds to those persons exempt from payment of parking fees at any recreational facility owned and operated by the state those individuals determined by the executive office of HHS, or its designee, to be disabled for purposes of Medicaid eligibility.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the construction, expansion, or operation of pyrolysis facilities within one mile of any public or private K-12 school. It defines pyrolysis facilities as sites that thermally break down solid waste like plastics to produce fuel or oil in an oxygen-limited environment. To enforce this rule, the state's environmental management department cannot issue permits for such facilities that do not meet the distance requirement, and the restriction cannot be waived by any authority. The law takes effect upon passage and applies to all schools approved by the Rhode Island Department of Education.
