Provides an option for members to receive retirement allowances, without reduction, upon reaching twenty-five (25) years of total service or after twenty (20) years of service upon reaching age fifty-seven (57).
Sen. Walter Felag
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution commemorates the 214th anniversary of Colombia's independence on July 20, 2024. It formally recognizes the historical events that led to Colombia's freedom from Spanish rule and highlights the shared values between the United States and Colombia. The bill directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies of the resolution to the Colombian American Cultural Society and Colombia en Rhode Island.
Prevents insurance companies from treating widowed persons differently than married persons when establishing or maintaining an insured's rate or classification respecting the operation of a personal motor vehicle. Effective 1/1/25.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new state fund to provide tuition and related expense assistance to individuals pursuing teacher certification in shortage fields, specifically science and mathematics for grades seven through twelve. To qualify, applicants must be enrolled in a Rhode Island postsecondary program to become teachers in these areas, and the financial aid is intended to cover costs such as tuition, room, board, and books after other aid has been applied. Recipients are required to complete at least three years of full-time teaching in a shortage field within the state, or the assistance they received will convert into a loan that must be repaid. The Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner will administer the program, update the list of shortage fields biennially, and report annually on the fund's usage while maintaining applicant privacy.
Establishes office of inspector general which would be charged with preventing fraud and mismanagement of public funds, regardless of their source and would oversee all state programs and operations.
Raises the amount of life insurance the state would provide at no charge to Rhode Island National Guard members called up for federal duty to five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000).
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution commemorates the 170th anniversary of the 1854 U.S.-Japan Treaty of Peace and Amity, which established formal diplomatic relations between the two nations. The bill highlights the historical significance of Commodore Matthew Perry's expedition and celebrates the enduring partnership between the United States and Japan, as well as specific ties between Rhode Island and Japan in areas like trade, education, and culture. It directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies of the resolution to federal officials, the President, and the Japanese Consul General to formally acknowledge this milestone.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially designates May 2024 as "National Speech-Language-Hearing Month" in Rhode Island to raise awareness about communication disorders. The bill urges state agencies, including the Departments of Human Services and Elementary and Secondary Education, to organize hearing screenings and special events during this month. It also encourages educators, specialists, and the public to acknowledge the work of audiologists and speech-language pathologists who help individuals manage these conditions. By transmitting copies of the resolution to relevant officials and organizations, the state aims to promote better understanding and support for those affected by hearing, language, and speech issues.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally recognizes the Manissean Tribal Natives of Block Island and honors their ancestors and descendants. It acknowledges the tribe's long history on the island, noting their significant population decline over time and their traditional lifestyle of fishing, hunting, and farming. The bill directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the current President of the Manissean Tribe. This measure serves as a symbolic gesture to support the preservation of the tribe's culture and historical sites rather than enacting new laws or funding.
Proposes a state constitutional amendment that no department or other entity created by the state would have poser to incur debt in excess of $ 50,000, without express approval from the legislature and voters.