Rep. John Lombardi

Maddy summaryHB 7807 exempts meals served in licensed childcare centers from Rhode Island's sales and use taxes. This bill amends the state tax code to explicitly include licensed childcare centers alongside schools and educational institutions in the existing exemption for meals served to students or teachers. The change directly affects licensed childcare centers by removing a sales tax burden on meals provided to their enrolled children or staff. This policy update clarifies and expands current tax exemptions without altering tax rates or creating new administrative requirements.

Establishes a twenty-seven (27) member joint commission to study ways to maximize revenue for child welfare and children’s behavioral health services.

Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $500,000 to Sojourner House to support its permanent housing development program that provides safe, secure housing to individuals and families fleeing from dangerous situations.

Maddy summaryHB 7255 adds two specific state correctional roles - administrator of community confinement and home confinement coordinator - to the state retirement system. This change directly affects employees in these positions by making them eligible for retirement benefits under the existing system. The bill amends the retirement law to explicitly include these titles in the list of covered positions within the Department of Corrections. It does not alter retirement age requirements or benefit calculations for existing members. The bill takes effect upon passage.

Maddy summaryHR 7597 is a procedural joint resolution appropriating $200,000 from the state treasury to the Rhode Island Black Business Association (RIBBA) for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. This funding supports RIBBA's existing services - including business development, entrepreneurship training, and access to capital for Black-owned and minority businesses - without creating new programs or altering eligibility. The resolution authorizes the state controller to disburse funds upon receipt of proper vouchers, consistent with RIBBA's current funding model through grants and public support. It directly affects RIBBA and the businesses it serves in Rhode Island.

Maddy summaryHB 7271 amends Rhode Island law to establish a board of trustees governing the urban collaborative, a cooperative group of school districts including Providence. The bill requires each participating district to appoint board members based on student enrollment (one per district plus one additional per 30 students), with non-binding candidate suggestions from the collaborative board. It shifts funding so state education aid flows directly to the collaborative, while requiring local districts to cover any shortfall until funding transitions are complete. The bill also ensures Providence Public Schools cannot terminate their participation in the collaborative during state oversight without approval from the Providence school board, protecting existing student access.

Maddy summaryHB 7313 creates a new 3% tax rate on Rhode Island taxable income exceeding $640,000 (adjusted for inflation in 2026 dollars) for tax years beginning in 2027 and later. This applies specifically to high-income earners, including individuals, estates, and trusts with annual income above this threshold. The bill amends existing tax code to add this rate to the current progressive brackets, which already include rates up to 9.9% for income over $349,700. It does not affect past tax years and will be adjusted for inflation annually as required by law.

Maddy summaryHB 7227 would allow the city of Providence to issue a Class B liquor license at 150 Broadway by exempting this specific property from standard restrictions that typically prohibit liquor sales within 200 feet of schools or places of worship. The bill targets a single location (lot 131 on tax assessors plat 68 in Providence) as described in the bill text, granting the Providence Board of Licenses authority to approve this exception. This is a narrow administrative exemption for one business address, not a change to statewide liquor licensing rules. The bill does not affect other license applications or alter existing proximity requirements elsewhere.

Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) to Thrive Behavioral Health, Inc. to support the Hillsgrove Clubhouse Program.

Requires EOHHS to provide self-measured blood pressure monitoring for eligible pregnant and postpartum individuals, covering home monitors, training, data transmission, and co-interventions, with state funds if federal aid is unavailable.