Rep. John Lombardi

Maddy summaryHB 5126 prohibits price gouging for "vital drugs" (medications treating serious or life-threatening conditions with no alternative supply) during declared market shortages or emergencies. It makes it a felony to charge unreasonably excessive prices - defined as a gross disparity from pre-shortage average prices - to take unfair advantage of supply shortages. Sellers face up to five years in prison or a $10,000 fine for violations, with penalties applying daily for ongoing offenses. The law excludes normal market price fluctuations and requires the attorney general to assess pricing based on pre-shortage rates and cost factors. It applies only during governor- or president-declared emergencies for six months max.

Maddy summaryHB 5297 allows married partners of inmates to have conjugal visits at state correctional facilities under specific rules. It sets a maximum of four hours per visit and six visits annually, prohibits video monitoring, and bans contraband exchanges during visits. To schedule a visit, applicants must provide a marriage certificate and follow facility procedures. The Corrections Department must create implementation rules and train staff by the bill's effective date of January 1, 2026. This directly affects incarcerated individuals and their spouses seeking these visits.

Grants municipalities the authority to impose a parking services sales tax on parking lots and parking structures that charge for parking services through an ordinance.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Rhode Island's Rebuild Rhode Island Tax Credit program to increase the maximum credit cap from $15 million to $25 million for one specific project: the I-195 redevelopment district parcel 42 and P4 (authorized in 2018). It does not change the $15 million cap for other projects, which must still meet requirements like a $5 million minimum project cost, 20% owner equity, and project financing gap criteria. The change applies solely to this designated I-195 project, allowing it to access higher tax credits while maintaining other program rules for all other developments. The bill focuses on a targeted adjustment for a single redevelopment site, not a broad policy shift.

Establishes Rhode Island First Step program requiring DOC to assist offenders with reintegration into society, counseling, medical care, education, early sentence termination or pre-release confinement for elderly and terminally ill offenders.

Makes it a felony for any person required to register as a sex offender to live within three hundred feet (300’) of a school as defined in § 11-37.1-2.

Maddy summaryHB 5391 gives Rhode Island residents priority over nonresidents for reserving campsites and recreational facilities by allowing residents a two-hour head start on the online reservation system. It also provides a 50% fee reduction for 100% disabled veterans on specific state recreational fees, including licensing, camping, and picnic table fees. The bill does not cover all fees (like parking or golf admission) but requires proper disability verification for veterans' benefits. This policy directly affects state park users and veterans with qualifying disabilities.

Funds the state crime victim compensation program through an additional one dollar ($1.00) fine on traffic violations, exclusive of violations related to the parking of vehicles.

Allows eligible individuals serving sentences of imprisonment to seek sentence reductions from the superior court, individuals serving life without parole or minimum mandatory sentences pursuant to law, would not be eligible for such relief.

Extends provisions of an existing collective bargaining agreement for municipal police arbitration purposes until a successor agreement is reached or an interest arbitration award is rendered.