Rep. Lauren Carson

Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) to the Rhode Island Foundation, to generate funds to support public education.

Maddy summaryHB 6166 prohibits sexual harassment in legislative settings, defining it as unwanted sexual advances, requests for favors, or other inappropriate sexual conduct. It applies directly to all individuals involved in legislative work, including lawmakers, all legislative staff (full-time, part-time, temporary), interns, volunteers, and lobbyists. The bill requires complaints to be filed with the Rhode Island Ethics Commission for investigation and mandates annual anti-harassment training for all covered individuals, with completion records made public. Failure to complete training could result in disciplinary actions like warnings, reprimands, or termination.

Maddy summaryHB 6365 imposes a 50-cent fee per transaction on retailers (including marketplace facilitators) delivering taxable tangible goods to Rhode Island customers, effective October 1, 2025. It exempts retailers with under $500,000 in annual delivery sales in the state and all food-related deliveries (including prepared food and food service establishments). The fee is charged per transaction regardless of shipment size, must be listed separately from sales price on receipts, and is nonrefundable for returned items. Retailers may choose to collect the fee from customers but are not required to do so.

Amends the Identity Theft Protection Act by eliminating current definitions and establishing new definitions. This act also raises the penalty provisions for violations.

Allows for a special RI license plate to raise awareness for colon cancer. The plate would be designed by the partnership to reduce cancer in RI. The fees for the plate would be divided equally between the general fund and the partnership not-for-profit.

Maddy summaryHB 5312 establishes a clear process for filling vacancies in municipal election offices and local canvassing boards. It requires political party chairpersons to submit lists of eligible voters within 30 days of a vacancy, and mandates the mayor or council president to nominate replacements within 30 days of receiving those lists. The bill also clarifies that terms for canvassing board members expire on staggered dates in odd-numbered years, and directs city/town clerks to correct any noncompliant term dates immediately. This procedural bill directly affects cities and towns managing local elections, ensuring continuity in election administration without altering voting rules or outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $118,422 in state general revenue to fund the Rhode Island Parent Information Network (RIPIN) for its Dual Ombudsman program. The program directly assists approximately 24,500 dual-eligible Rhode Islanders (those enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid), helping them navigate complex healthcare enrollment, coverage transitions, and benefit claims. The funding ensures the program can continue operating at full capacity through fiscal year 2026, matching federal Medicaid funds and preventing a service gap as Rhode Island transitions away from its current Medicare-Medicaid managed care model. This maintains a critical resource that saved clients $343,189 in healthcare costs during FY2024 while supporting 4,456 annual client interactions.

Adds to those persons exempt from payment of parking fees at any recreational facility owned and operated by the state those individuals determined by the executive office of HHS, or its designee, to be disabled for purposes of Medicaid eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 5738 proposes a tax credit for individual taxpayers in Rhode Island who convert their gas-powered vehicles to run on alternative fuels. This credit covers equipment and labor costs incurred for the conversion. Taxpayers can receive up to 50% of these costs, with a maximum credit of $2,000 for lighter vehicles and $3,000 for heavier vehicles. Eligible alternative fuels include natural gas, electricity, hydrogen, and certain other fuel types. The credit cannot exceed the taxpayer's income tax liability and takes effect for the 2026 tax year.

Maddy summaryHR 6020 is a joint resolution that proposes to appropriate $32,594,799 to the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) for the fiscal year 2025-2026. This funding is intended to address an anticipated operating deficit and allow RIPTA to continue its current service levels throughout the state. The appropriation also aims to support the hiring and training of more bus operators through increased wages and benefits, and help implement the State's Act on Climate goals. This bill directly affects RIPTA's operational capacity and the Rhode Islanders who depend on public transportation services.