Establishes the Rhode Island Maternal Health Improvement and Equity Act of 2026, to establish permanent statewide support for maternal health and to implement the maternal health strategic plan improving maternal health care and access.
Maddy summaryHR 7533 is a House Resolution requesting a waste audit at the Rhode Island State House to analyze what materials (like paper, plastic, and food) are discarded, recycled, or composted. It directs the State House operations team to develop a waste reduction strategy based on the audit findings and to investigate installing water filling stations (to reduce plastic bottles) and electric car chargers (to meet climate goals). The resolution requires a report on these recommendations by January 5, 2027, to the House. This affects only the State House’s internal operations, not broader public policy.
Creates the "Organics Diversion at Catered Events Act" to require caterers to submit an annual diversion plan for food and organic waste to the department of environmental management for approval prior to permitting for covered events.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Rhode Island landfills from using artificial turf to cover compacted solid waste after July 1, 2026, except for existing installations installed before that date. It requires the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRC) to track artificial turf disposal volumes and include annual reports on this data. The bill also establishes a pilot program testing native plants and pollinator-friendly grass mixes as landfill cover, with results due by January 1, 2028. These changes apply to all sanitary landfills operated under RIRC's oversight.
Authorizes the department of environmental management to issue and enforce rules and regulations to implement and enforce the provisions of the food waste ban.
Creates legal cause of action for persons/insurers to recover losses resulting from climate disaster against petroleum product producers based upon strict liability for deceptive/false statements as to climate impacts.
Provides that cities or towns may, by ordinance, designate "special ways" throughout the city or town which would be subject to alternative regulations to preserve its cultural, historic or scenic character.
Allows local government recipients of grant funds from the Rhode Island infrastructure bank's OSCAR fund and resilient Rhode Island infrastructure fund to use monies for insurability planning.
Requires the division of statewide planning coordinate a wastewater capacity study to evaluate the capacity, flows, physical conditions, regulatory compliance and vulnerabilities to natural hazards of publicly/privately owned wastewater infrastructure.
Adds school superintendents, central office officials, school principals, and all other school employees, to the definition of a “public official” for purposes of the criminal prohibition against making threats to public officials.
