Authorizes the automatic expungement of eligible conviction records by operation of law, initiated and completed by state agencies through electronic processes established within the judicial system.
Maddy summaryHR 7340 is a non-binding House resolution urging Rhode Island insurers and the Rhode Island Property Insurance Association to pursue subrogation claims against fossil fuel polluters who knowingly misled the public about climate impacts. It directly affects homeowners by seeking to lower insurance costs through reimbursement from polluters, similar to past cases involving tobacco and opioids. The resolution does not create new laws but encourages insurers to use existing legal mechanisms to recover costs from polluters responsible for climate-related damages that drive up premiums. It was introduced to the House Corporations committee on January 28, 2026.
Maddy summaryHB 7657 clarifies tax treatment for short-term residential rentals in Rhode Island by distinguishing them from commercial lodging. It requires owners listing properties on online rental platforms (like Airbnb) to register with the state department, providing details such as property address, owner contact, and whether the property is a primary residence. The bill exempts properties used as primary residences (where owners live 7+ months annually) or rented long-term (12+ months), focusing tax collection on true short-term rentals (under 30 nights). This creates a standardized registration system to ensure compliance with existing hotel taxes for short-term stays.
Permits but not directs a municipality to establish, by ordinance, certain requirements regarding accessory dwelling units regarding ownership for 5 years, non-family ADUs to be rented at affordable rates and limit size to 1,000 sq. ft.
Modifies the definition of “intentionally added PFAS” to mean PFAS that are deliberately added during the manufacturing of a covered product to perform a specific function.
Gives mobile home residents a right of first refusal to buy or lease their park, requiring owners to notify the residents’ association and the Department of Business Regulation of bona fide offers and allow time to match the terms.
Makes changes to the access to public records act, including clarifying various provisions, increasing the sanctions for knowing and willful violations of the law, and making certain traffic accident data and preferred license plate information public.
Requires the department of health to implement a tobacco control program that incorporates evidence-based best practices for tobacco prevention and cessation to prevent tobacco-related diseases and diminish tobacco use in the state.
Prescriptions for testosterone not allowed to be transmitted or reported within the prescription drug monitoring database and removes from the records all existing information concerning prior testosterone prescriptions.
Maddy summaryHB 7742 amends Rhode Island law to explicitly permit the home production and sale of pickles and relish as farm home food products. It directly affects Rhode Island farmers who sell homemade foods at farmers' markets or farmstands, expanding the list of non-refrigerated foods they can legally make under existing regulations. The key provision adds pickles and relish to the current list of permitted foods (like jams, pies, and dried herbs) that don't require refrigeration. Farmers must still follow all existing kitchen standards, labeling requirements, and registration rules for farm home food operations. This change clarifies that these products are now included in the category of nonpotentially hazardous foods eligible for home manufacturing.
