Requires all major hospitals within the state constructed or substantially renovated or expanded on or after 1/1/2028 to use renewable energy sources for power.
Requires that an independent efficiency and performance audit of the department of transportation be commissioned by the department of administration.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the composition of the Joint Committee on Legislative Services by adding the Senate majority leader to the existing group of committee members. The committee currently includes the Senate president, Senate majority and minority leaders, House majority and minority leaders, and the House speaker. By including the Senate majority leader, the legislation ensures broader representation of Senate leadership within this permanent oversight body. The changes take effect immediately upon the bill's passage.
Maddy summarySB 2526 terminates the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's extension of the Providence Public Schools (PPSD) turnaround plan, which had been set to continue until October 2027. This bill directly affects Providence Public Schools by ending their current oversight structure under the state's student investment initiative. The key provision nullifies the specific administrative extension issued on August 29, 2024, making it "null and void and terminated." The change takes effect on July 1, 2026, ending the extended oversight period for PPSD. This is a procedural bill that modifies an existing administrative action rather than creating new educational policy.
Maddy summarySB 3201 amends election laws to allow voters to electronically sign nomination papers for party and independent candidates through a new online portal. The bill also clarifies rules for preparing and distributing these papers, such as combining candidates from the same party on single sheets and ensuring names match official voting lists. While the specific number of signatures required varies by office, the legislation confirms that electronic signatures collected via the portal will count toward these totals. These changes directly affect candidates seeking nomination and the voters who endorse them, streamlining the process while maintaining existing signature requirements.
Amends the procedures for the marking and certification of mail ballots by prohibiting anyone but the voter or certain persons close to the voter from handling the mail ballot.
Proposes a state constitutional amendment to provide no person could hold office as general officer unless that person was a resident and a registered voter in the State of Rhode Island for at least 2 years, continuously, prior to taking office.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows local municipalities in the state to adopt ranked choice voting for their elections once voters approve a charter amendment. Under this system, voters rank candidates in order of preference on their ballots, and votes are counted in rounds where eliminated candidates' votes transfer to voters' next choices. The bill defines specific rules for how ballots are counted in both single-winner and multi-winner elections, including how to handle surplus votes and invalid ballots. It applies only to local elections within jurisdictions that have officially adopted the method through voter approval, and it would eliminate separate primary elections in those areas.
Allocates the assessment of fines for failure to file reports between the board of elections between the candidate and political action or political party committee.
Charges the office of the health insurance commissioner to incorporate uncompensated care as a formula-driven numeric adjustment in the methodology used to establish any affordability standard or rate cap, applicable to hospital contracts.
