Sen. Jake Bissaillon

Maddy summarySenate Bill 991, known as the "Price Tags Act," aims to establish fair pricing practices for grocery items sold to retailers and wholesalers in Rhode Island. It requires large suppliers to offer the same sales terms for identical goods to all covered retailers and wholesalers purchasing similar volumes. The bill also mandates suppliers to provide anonymized sales terms from dominant retailers upon request and prohibits them from refusing sales to non-dominant retailers without commercially reasonable justification. This legislation seeks to ensure a more equitable competitive environment among grocery businesses in the state.

Eliminates the "doubt" about culpability requirement and replace it with "unwilling" or "unable" to pursue charge(s) in cases for persons sentenced to imprisonment for violations of suspended sentence.

Authorizes the tax administrator to waive interest and penalties on delinquent taxes paid in full during a one week amnesty period. Also reinstates a suspended driver’s license upon payment in full.

Prohibits healthcare providers and health plans from denying the payment of a medical bill, solely because the bill may have arisen from a third-party claim.

Authorizes emergency medical service agencies to transport individuals to alternative facilities for treatment and permits licensed providers for mental health disorders to treat patients within the community.

Requires that Medicaid enrollment be maintained or provided to all inmates in the first 30 days of incarceration at the adult correctional institutions within the department of corrections and the last 30 days of incarceration when possible.

Maddy summarySR 1036 is a Senate Resolution that proclaims May 8, 2025, as "Arts Day in Rhode Island." It encourages all Rhode Islanders to reflect on how arts and culture enrich their lives and recognizes their critical role in communities. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to transmit copies to the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts and the Rhode Island Coalition for the Arts.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends existing law on inclusionary zoning, requiring towns and cities to ensure some developments include affordable housing. It mandates that developments exceeding ten dwelling units must allocate at least fifteen percent (15%) of their units as affordable housing, which must be comparable to market-rate units and remain affordable for at least thirty years. Municipalities can allow developers to meet this requirement through on-site construction, off-site building, land donation, or by paying a fee-in-lieu. The bill also provides a density bonus for on-site affordable housing and specifies how fee-in-lieu payments are calculated, used, and overseen by local authorities or transferred to the Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation (RIHMFC).

Maddy summarySB 946 makes it unlawful for any person under the age of eighteen to possess a firearm. However, the bill outlines specific exceptions where minors are permitted to possess or use firearms. These exceptions include participation in supervised activities such as lawful hunting, competitive shooting, or firearms education programs, and use at approved camps or rifle ranges when accompanied by a parent, guardian, or supervising adult. Minors may also transport an unloaded firearm in a suitable case to and from these locations when accompanied by an adult.

Municipalities required to amend zoning ordinances, to include special listed provisions, to authorize development incentives to increase development density or dimensional flexibility, identify provisions to promote and regulate commercial developments.