Rep. Alex Finkelman

Authorizes the town of Middletown to adopt by ordinance, a veterans’ property tax exemption to any veteran, who was honorably discharged, or discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, regardless of dates or periods of service.

Maddy summaryHB 7151 allows the town of Jamestown to create a new property tax exemption program for seniors aged 65+ who own and occupy their primary residence. The bill establishes income-based exemption tiers (ranging from 10% to 60% of property value) based on household income relative to federal poverty guidelines, with strict residency requirements (5 years in Jamestown). It explicitly excludes income-producing properties (like home offices or rental units) and requires applicants to provide income documentation. This bill directly affects eligible Jamestown seniors meeting the income, residency, and property-use criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1,000,000 to 401 Tech Bridge to study and explore the use of seagliders in Rhode Island. The funding is intended to support a feasibility study that will assess how these electric, wing-in-ground-effect vehicles could operate in the state's maritime environment. The money will be used in partnership with the Rhode Island Seaglider Initiative to evaluate potential benefits for transportation, economic development, and environmental sustainability. This resolution directly affects 401 Tech Bridge and the organizations involved in the Rhode Island Seaglider Initiative by authorizing the expenditure of state funds for this research project.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that designates April 28, 2026, as 'Pay It Forward With Love From Tori Day' in Rhode Island. It honors the memory of Tori Lynn Andreozzi and encourages residents to perform acts of kindness on that date. The measure directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Cathy Andreozzi.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 12-18, 2026, as "National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week" within the State of Rhode Island to honor the work of 9-1-1 dispatchers and other emergency call handlers. The resolution formally recognizes these professionals as the vital link between the public and emergency services, highlighting their role in managing hundreds of thousands of calls annually through the state's centralized E-911 system. It directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies of the resolution to the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Public Safety, the Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police, and the Director of the E-911 system. This measure serves as a commemorative acknowledgment rather than establishing new operational rules or funding.

Adopts several concepts from other jurisdictions with the goal of promoting a stronger climate for business growth in Rhode Island, including a "Franchise Fee" in lieu of the corporation tax.

Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $991,000 for the town of Middletown to upgrade the gymnasium at the new Middletown middle high school to serve a regional emergency shelter.

Establishes a new high-cost special education fund to pool resources and generates income to support excess costs associated with providing services to special education students.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Resolution that formally recognizes the 78th anniversary of Israel's independence and reaffirms the friendship between Rhode Island, the United States, and Israel. It does not change any laws or policies but instead serves as a symbolic statement acknowledging shared democratic values and the historical significance of Israel's establishment. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies to Jewish and Israeli leadership groups in Rhode Island and Boston.

Maddy summaryThis bill formally designates April as Holocaust and Genocide Awareness Month in Rhode Island. It encourages educators to include lessons on past and current genocides in their classrooms to promote understanding and prevent future atrocities. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the proclamation to the Commissioner of Education and the state's Holocaust and Genocide Education Commission.