Sen. Jake Bissaillon

Maddy summarySB 520 simplifies the process for voters who are indefinitely confined due to illness or disability, or long-term nursing home residents, to automatically receive mail ballots for every election. It allows these voters to apply by signing an affidavit (submitted online via a secretary of state portal or by mail), with the secretary of state maintaining a central list of eligible voters in the voter registration system. Voters must notify local officials if they no longer qualify, leading to removal from the list within five days. The bill also includes a temporary provision (expiring December 2025) enabling eligible disabled voters to return mail ballots electronically, meeting federal accessibility standards.

Maddy summarySB 601 increases penalties for public utilities and carriers that violate duties outlined in state law. It raises fines for violations from $200-$1,000 to $200-$5,000 per offense, with each day of a continuing violation treated as a separate violation. The bill also imposes misdemeanor penalties of $100-$1,000 on utility officers or agents who violate rules or fail to comply with regulatory orders. This directly affects public utilities (like gas, water, or electric providers) and their employees responsible for adhering to regulatory requirements.

Maddy summarySB 191 exempts the real and tangible personal property of PROJECT Weber/RENEW, a Rhode Island nonprofit corporation, from state property taxation. The bill amends Rhode Island's tax code to add this specific organization to the list of entities eligible for property tax exemptions under Section 44-3-3. This change directly affects PROJECT Weber/RENEW by removing property tax obligations on its qualifying assets, without altering broader tax policies or creating new exemption categories. The exemption applies to all property owned by the nonprofit, as specified in the amended statute.

Gives authority to the department of labor and training to enforce violations of the laws relating to corrosion prevention and mitigation work requirements. It also adds civil monetary penalties for violations of those laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SR 784) authorizes a $750,000 appropriation from the state treasury for WaterFire Providence, a nonprofit arts organization. The funding would support the organization's ongoing operational costs, including its downtown Providence events and arts center. WaterFire Providence directly benefits as it uses the funds to maintain its annual bonfire events, arts center, and community programs. The resolution specifies the money comes from unallocated state funds for fiscal year 2025-2026, with payment directed through the state controller.

Establishes a restricted receipt account, known as the “988 Call Center Fund,” to be held and administered by the state to support the 988 call center budget.

Requires at fault insurance companies to provide to any claimant whose vehicle is damaged in an accident, to provide a vehicle that is comparable to the claimant’s vehicle and that rental charges shall be based on local retail prices.

Maddy summarySB 307 amends Rhode Island's 2015 Comprehensive Community-Police Relationship Act to require state and municipal police departments to collect standardized data on traffic stops and searches, including officer-perceived race/ethnicity of drivers. The bill mandates that this data - covering stop reasons, searches, outcomes, and demographics - be submitted monthly to the Department of Transportation's Highway Safety office for annual analysis by an external agency. The resulting public reports must include quarterly summaries and annual statistical analyses to identify potential racial disparities in traffic enforcement. The bill was defeated in committee on June 20, 2025, after multiple committee hearings.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SR 1160), not a policy bill. It expresses the Rhode Island Senate's condolences to the Savini family following the passing of Roger A. Savini, a Woonsocket restaurant owner and community member. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to his widow, Micheline Savini. It has no policy impact or funding provisions, serving solely as a formal tribute.

Defines "crime gun" and requires law enforcement to submit crime gun or 2 fired cartridge cases or shell casings seized to state crime laboratory or the BATF for testing and tracing, also would require 2 test-fired cartridge cases to be entered into NIBIN