Rep. Lauren Carson

Maddy summaryHB 5098 creates a new vehicle registration category for "forestry vehicles" used in forest product operations. It requires these vehicles (like logging trucks or equipment used for harvesting, processing, or delivering wood products on public roads) to get special farm plates marked with a forestry symbol, instead of standard registration. The bill applies only to forestry businesses with annual revenue under $2.5 million, excluding commercial hauling services like sand/gravel transport. This change simplifies registration for small forestry operations conducting their own forest product activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill ensures continued protection against disability discrimination in Rhode Island state programs and services that receive state funding or operate under federal programs. It requires that if federal disability protections (like Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act) are repealed or invalidated, Rhode Island will maintain the same level of protection that existed before the federal change. The law applies to all state agencies, schools, and organizations receiving state financial assistance. This creates a legal safeguard to prevent gaps in disability rights during potential federal policy shifts.

Maddy summaryHB 6038 removes the previous 3-month supply limit for initial contraceptive prescriptions dispensed by pharmacists in Rhode Island. This change directly affects patients seeking their first contraceptive prescription from a pharmacist, allowing them to receive a longer initial supply. The bill amends existing law to eliminate the three-month restriction while maintaining other requirements, such as pharmacist training, risk assessments, and provider notification. It ensures insurance coverage for pharmacist-prescribed contraceptives under the same terms as prescriptions from other providers.

Provides extended producer responsibility for packaging and paper, recycling of beverage containers, and provides general provisions for oversight of single-stage producer organizations.

Maddy summaryHB 6126 reduces the Coastal Resources Management Council from 10 to 7 voting members, effective March 1, 2026. It requires six public members appointed by the governor (with Senate approval), including one engineer, one coastal biologist, and one environmental organization representative, while mandating that at least five of these six must come from coastal municipalities. The council’s ex-officio director (from the Department of Environmental Management) remains, and all members must have environmental or coastal management expertise. The bill, signed by the governor on June 30, 2025, updates appointment rules but does not change the council’s policy responsibilities.

Maddy summaryHB 6173 establishes the Rhode Island Anti-Bid-Rigging Act to prohibit coordinated schemes that manipulate competitive bidding for government contracts. The law defines "bid rigging" as activities like price fixing, identical bids, or rotating bids among contractors or officials, making it a felony punishable by up to 3 years in prison and fines up to $1 million or three times the contract value. It directly affects contractors, subcontractors, and government officials involved in public procurement, prohibiting them from conspiring to influence bids or improperly sharing sensitive bid information. Violators face debarment from state contracts for up to five years, with government entities required to maintain exclusion lists. The law applies to all state and local government procurement processes under Titles 37 and 45.

Establishes a rare disease advisory council within the department of health and provides guidance and recommendations to educate health care providers and the citizens of the state.

Maddy summaryHB 6093 establishes a review process for any changes to parking near coastal shoreline rights-of-way in Rhode Island. It requires cities, towns, private entities, or organizations to submit detailed plans demonstrating ADA compliance, public access preservation, and a 30-day public comment period before restricting parking. The Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) and Department of Environmental Management (DEM) must jointly review proposals to ensure they align with public access goals and accessibility standards. Violations - such as modifying parking without following these steps - may result in cease-and-desist orders or daily fines up to $500. The bill does not apply to temporary, safety-related parking restrictions by state/municipal agencies lasting under 20 days.

Requires any state agency that prints more than fifty (50) copies of a contract, publication, brochure, notice, or promotional material to use state-owned or operated print shop capable of processing the material.

Provides that the commissioner of elementary and secondary education directs all local education agencies to select one of the identified high-quality curricula and materials for science and technology no later than June 30, 2026.