Sen. Jake Bissaillon

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state law to allow plaintiffs in civil lawsuits to seek punitive damages if a defendant engages in willful, wanton, or reckless conduct that disregards the safety and welfare of others. The legislation defines such conduct as actions where the defendant knew or should have known the behavior was dangerous, yet proceeded heedlessly without regard for the rights or safety of people who might be harmed. Directly affecting individuals involved in civil cases, the measure would enable courts to award additional financial penalties beyond standard compensation when evidence proves the defendant's behavior met these specific criteria. The changes would become effective immediately upon the bill's passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a nine-member Special Joint Legislative Commission on City and Town Affairs to improve coordination between Rhode Island's state government and its 39 municipalities. The commission would include legislators, the governor's representative, and municipal leaders from rural, suburban, and urban areas to review policies, identify barriers to local governance, and provide early consultation on state legislation affecting towns and cities. Members would serve without pay and must submit a final report by December 31, 2026, with the commission expiring on January 31, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a statewide automated permitting system to speed up the approval process for residential solar energy installations in Rhode Island. It requires the state to develop an online platform that automatically checks applications for code compliance and issues permits instantly without manual review for eligible systems up to 25 kilowatts. Municipalities must accept these automated permits or provide equivalent systems, while also establishing a centralized online repository of local solar regulations and offering remote inspection options by 2027. The system is designed to reduce paperwork requirements, eliminate unnecessary stamped drawings for smaller systems, and allow electronic submissions and signatures throughout the permitting process.

Includes the governor's commission on disabilities in the decision making process for the disability parking enforcement enhancement program and requires an annual report be submitted to the governor's commission.

Maddy summarySB 2628 establishes statewide limits on minimum off-street parking requirements for new housing and commercial developments. It prohibits municipalities from requiring more than one parking space per single-family home, half a space per multi-family unit, or two spaces per 1,000 square feet of commercial space. The bill exempts certain projects from parking mandates, including small homes under 1,200 square feet, commercial spaces under 3,000 square feet, affordable housing, historic district buildings, and child daycare centers. Municipalities must update their zoning codes by December 31, 2026, to comply, while retaining authority over bicycle parking, loading zones, and traffic studies.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution requests the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to consider creating a seasonal heat pump rate within Docket 25-45-GE. The proposed rate would lower electricity costs for heat pump users during winter months by reducing grid usage fees, similar to Massachusetts' existing approach. It aligns with Rhode Island's climate goals to increase electric heating adoption by 2030, as noted in the state's 2025 Climate Action Strategy. The resolution does not create the rate but formally asks the PUC to evaluate it as part of an ongoing rate adjustment process.

Maddy summarySB 2751, the Rhode Island Pedestrian Safety Act, grants cities and towns authority to implement automated traffic monitoring systems (like cameras) to detect pedestrian safety violations, such as vehicles failing to yield at crosswalks. Local governments would use these systems to identify violations, with drivers facing a $50 civil fine for each offense. The bill directly affects drivers who violate pedestrian safety rules and empowers local authorities to enforce these rules without requiring state-level mandates.

Maddy summarySB 2349 establishes a new program allowing students with severe intellectual disabilities, severe autism spectrum disorders, or other severe developmental disabilities (ages 18-22) to attend Rhode Island's state colleges and universities without meeting standard college entrance requirements like standardized tests, high school diplomas, or minimum GPAs. The program integrates into students' Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and requires institutions to provide inclusive opportunities - such as credit courses, internships, and campus activities - with tailored supports for academic, career, and social development. Participation is classified as an approved special education service, with costs covered under existing IEP funding, though institutions are not required to pay for additional supports beyond typical offerings. The law applies to all state institutions, including the Community College of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, and the University of Rhode Island.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals under 18 from possessing firearms in Rhode Island, with specific exceptions for supervised activities. The law allows minors to carry firearms only when accompanied by a parent, guardian, or supervising adult to approved camps, rifle ranges, or during lawful hunting, ROTC programs, ceremonial parades, competitive shooting, state militia activities, and basic firearms education programs. A "qualified adult" is defined as someone 21 or older who is legally permitted to possess and use the firearm. The legislation creates a general ban on minor firearm possession while outlining narrow, supervised circumstances where possession remains legal.

Requires anyone engaged in the sale of goods or services, and who offers a discount to its customers’ for utilizing automatic payment systems, via ACH or EFT or similar payment systems, provide the same discount to any person who is sixty-five (65).