Sen. Walter Felag

Maddy summarySB 623 updates state casino crime laws to include online gambling (iGaming), adding "iGaming" to key definitions and ensuring age restrictions apply to digital platforms. It clarifies prohibited actions like cheating, fraud, or using unauthorized devices in both physical casinos and online games, maintaining existing penalties of up to 10 years in prison or $100,000 fines. The bill directly affects casinos, online gambling operators, and players by extending legal prohibitions to cover digital cheating methods. Key provisions include defining iGaming, updating "cheating device" rules for digital systems, and requiring compliance with age limits for online participation.

Raises the amount of life insurance the state provides at no charge to Rhode Island National Guard members called up for federal duty to five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000).

Removes the sunset provision of the four (4) year pilot program to prevent drug overdoses through the establishment of harm reduction centers and creates a permanent program for harm reduction centers.

Requires all lifeguards, and park rangers, to be trained in administering opioid antagonists, and would require all public beaches to keep available a minimum of four doses of opioid antagonist.

Allows a clinical laboratory, that is incorporated in the State of Rhode Island, to analyze blood samples, from children under the age of six (6) years, for blood lead levels.

Maddy summarySB 743 allows state employees in non-classified positions (including those at postsecondary and K-12 education agencies) to negotiate longevity payments as part of future collective bargaining agreements, effective July 1, 2025. Currently, such payments are prohibited for most employees under existing rules, but this bill reverses that restriction. The legislation specifies that longevity payments - defined as 5% after 10 years and 10% after 20 years of service - would not count toward base salary. It applies broadly across state education boards and other agencies, replacing a 2011 ban on new longevity increases.

Establishes Children's Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund to provide finance assistance to families for medical expenses not covered by state or federal programs or insurance contract.

Entitles correctional officers with twenty-five (25) years of service and who are at least fifty-five (55) years of age to a non-Medicare-eligible retiree health care insurance benefit.

Allows a modification to federal adjusted gross income of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) of social security income for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1045 exempts new subchapter S corporations (S corporations) in their first year of operation from paying Rhode Island's minimum corporate tax of $400. This applies to businesses that elect S corporation status under federal tax law and file their first state tax return. The bill specifically removes the requirement for these new entities to pay the minimum tax during their initial taxable year, though they remain subject to the regular 7% income tax on profits. The exemption takes effect immediately upon passage, affecting only first-year S corporations.