Rep. Lauren Carson

Authorizes the collection of a small additional fee, in addition to the registration fee paid by motorboat owners, to be deposited in a restricted account, in order to fund the newly established freshwater lake management program.

Requires the public utilities commission to provide for a classification of service for retail electricity consumers that are large energy use facilities.

Expands meaning of bomb threats and false reports to include any warning or threat of the existence of an explosive device and allows judge to impose conditions of bail to include extreme risk protection orders, no trespass orders and counseling.

Maddy summaryHB 7842 would establish the State of Rhode Island Interior Design Practice Act, creating a regulatory framework for interior designers in the state. The bill aims to control and regulate the profession by setting standards for qualifications, ethics, and scope of practice. It directly affects interior designers practicing in Rhode Island, requiring them to meet these state-defined standards to legally offer services. The bill is currently in early stages, having been introduced and referred to the House Corporations committee on February 27, 2026.

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.

Requires the state, and private insurers that cover prescription hormone therapy, to dispense twelve (12) months’ worth of the prescription as a single prescription.

Maddy summaryHB 7627 extends early intervention services under Rhode Island's Part C program for children with special health care needs whose third birthday falls between May 1 and August 31. This change prevents a service gap by allowing these children to remain in early intervention until September 1 after their third birthday, bridging to preschool services. The bill directly affects families of children with developmental disabilities born in this window, ensuring continuity of care without interruption. It aligns with federal law allowing states to extend such services and requires the state to implement this by January 2028, following a 2026 plan development phase.

Establishes the Healthy Kids Act whereby restaurants would be required to offer at least two (2) healthy versions of children's meals, or twenty-five percent (25%) of the children's meals on its menu, whichever is greater.

Adds a representative of an aging adult organization and a member of a statewide disability advocacy organization who is sixty (60) years of age or older to the state planning council.