Rep. Lauren Carson

Authorizes Newport to issue not more than $98,500,000 general obligation bonds and notes to finance all costs relating to the design, construction, repair, rehabilitation, replacement and improvement of infrastructure and municipal facilities

Requires the chief resilience officer (CRO) be charged with creation/maintenance/updating of the state's resiliency/recovery program along with climate change resiliency plan with ocean/riverine coasts resilience advisory board.

Allows for the licensing of certified surgical first assistants to assist in surgeries through the department of health and a seven (7) member board of licensure.

Increases passenger landing and boarding fees for passenger cruise vessels landing at a dock in Newport from three dollars ($3.00) to ten dollars ($10.00).

Mandates, as of 1/1/27, all recovery housing facilities register with department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals adhere to the National Alliance for Recovery Residences process.

Requires the department of administration to publish a report to the speaker of the house, president of the senate, and secretary of housing evaluating the cost to establish and maintain a statewide geographic information system.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates state laws to create consistent rules for zoning accessory dwelling units, which are secondary living spaces like detached garages or basement apartments built on the same lot as a main home. By standardizing definitions and requirements across all towns and cities, the legislation ensures that local zoning ordinances apply these housing types uniformly. The changes directly affect local governments, property owners, and developers by establishing clear guidelines for what constitutes an ADU and how it must be integrated into existing neighborhoods.

Establishes the renewable ready program and fund to promotes the responsible siting/development of renewable energy generating resources in locations where it would be an ancillary beneficial use to the redevelopment of previously contaminated property.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for mail ballot drop boxes in Rhode Island to ensure earlier access for voters. It requires these secure containers to be open 35 days before state and federal elections, and 20 days before special elections, operating 24 hours a day when located outside municipal buildings. The law also mandates that drop boxes be clearly labeled, monitored by video surveillance, accessible to people with disabilities, and publicly listed on local and state websites. Additionally, it specifies that no town or city can have fewer than one drop box and outlines procedures for securing ballots after polls close on election day.

Outlines the requirements and process for LEAs to get written parental consent before conducting an evaluation, reevaluation, making an initial placement/changes in placement/the individual education program of a student in a special education program.