Sen. Walter Felag

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates April 16, 2026, as "Community College of Rhode Island Day" to recognize the institution's contributions to the state's education and economy. The measure directly affects the Community College of Rhode Island by honoring its role in workforce development and student success. It requires the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the college's president as a formal acknowledgment. The text highlights the college's impact on job creation and economic growth but does not alter any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally congratulates Sandra Berube on her retirement after 33 years of service to the Rhode Island State Senate. The document recognizes her long career, which includes roles as a Secretary, Administrative Assistant, and Legislative Grants Coordinator, highlighting her work supporting various agencies and nonprofits. It authorizes the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to Berube as a gesture of appreciation for her contributions to the state.

Maddy summarySB 2658 creates a new regulatory category for small portable solar generation devices used in residential settings. It directly affects homeowners who install these portable solar systems, clarifying how they interact with public utility regulations. The bill establishes specific rules for these devices under utility law, ensuring they are treated separately from larger residential or commercial solar installations. This provides a clear framework for utilities to manage connections and billing for portable systems without requiring major infrastructure changes. The bill focuses on defining the scope of these devices within existing utility frameworks.

Maddy summarySB 2314 prohibits most people from possessing large-capacity firearm magazines (holding more than 10 rounds), making first-time violations a misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in jail or a $1,000 fine, and subsequent violations felonies with up to five years in jail or a $5,000 fine. It allows existing owners who legally possessed such magazines before June 20, 2022, to modify, surrender, or transfer them within 180 days. Exemptions include law enforcement officers (active and retired with permits), military members, and those who lawfully owned the devices prior to the effective date. The bill directly affects firearm owners, with penalties applying to unauthorized possession or failure to comply with the transition period.

Increases sentences for carrying a stolen firearm when committing a crime of violence and for possessing a stolen firearm. Requires that a person convicted of these offenses serve a period of time in which they would not be eligible for parole/ probation.

Maddy summarySB 2040 authorizes the town of Bristol to apply the owner-occupied tax rate to mixed-use properties (such as homes with small businesses) when the residential portion is owner-occupied, instead of the higher commercial rate. This directly affects Bristol property owners who live in homes that also include commercial space, allowing them to pay the lower residential tax rate on the entire property. The bill amends tax classification rules to explicitly permit Bristol to include these properties in the owner-occupied residential class (Class 1). This policy change simplifies tax treatment and reduces the tax burden for qualifying property owners in Bristol.

Maddy summaryThis Rhode Island Senate resolution designates April 24, 2026, as "Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day" to honor the victims of the 1915-1923 Armenian Genocide and the Armenian-American community in the state. The measure formally recognizes the historical events described in the bill text and directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to the U.S. President, Congress, and various Armenian organizations. Additionally, the bill respectfully requests that the federal government urge Turkey to acknowledge the 1915 events as genocide and to provide restitution for the losses suffered by Armenians.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Rhode Island's criminal record expungement laws to align with a new 10-year waiting period specifically for driving under the influence (DUI) charges. It allows eligible individuals to petition courts to seal their criminal records after meeting specific time requirements, with misdemeanors generally becoming eligible after five years and felonies or certain DUI offenses after ten years. The legislation maintains restrictions by excluding violent crimes from expungement and requires petitioners to have paid all court fees and demonstrated good moral character. Additionally, it requires courts to notify relevant law enforcement agencies when expungement orders are granted and includes provisions for expunging records of offenses that have since been decriminalized.

Requires that any person convicted of a charge of driving under the influence or refusal to submit to a chemical test, have an ignition interlock system installed in their vehicle as part of any sentence before being eligible for a license reinstatement.

Requires certain health care facilities to allow a terminally ill patient’s use of medicinal cannabis within the health care facility, subject to certain restrictions.