Sen. Lou DiPalma

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a tax credit for Rhode Island residents who convert their existing gas-powered vehicles to run on alternative fuels like electricity, natural gas, or hydrogen. The credit covers up to 50% of the equipment and labor costs for the conversion, with a maximum limit of $2,000 for most vehicles and $3,000 for heavier ones, but the amount cannot exceed the taxpayer's total income tax liability. To qualify, the conversion must be completed in the same year the credit is claimed, and sellers of alternative fuel cannot claim the credit for converting their own company vehicles.

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.

Requires a review by the department of elementary and secondary education of the formula components used to compute the aid needed to support high need students.

Establishes the Wholesale Prescription Drug Importation Program for the importation of wholesale prescription drugs from Canada to provide savings to Rhode Island consumers.

Requires the department of children, youth and families (DCYF) to conduct periodic comprehensive needs assessments to determine whether the department's programs and services meet the needs of children and families.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Rhode Island New Qualified Jobs Incentive Act 2015, sets a final end date for tax rate reductions provided under the state's Jobs Development Act. Specifically, it mandates that no new tax credits will be reserved for companies after June 30, 2024, and all existing rate reductions must stop by July 1, 2024. While the bill stops future incentives, it allows companies that qualified for these tax breaks before July 1, 2015, to keep their current rates as long as they continue to meet the original requirements. Essentially, the legislation ensures that the special tax benefits for job creation in Rhode Island will not extend beyond the year 2024.

Maddy summarySB 2366 establishes a new subsidy program designed to help low-income households afford their home energy bills. The law requires large electric and gas utilities to create a tiered payment plan that caps utility costs at a specific percentage of a customer's income, with discounts applied to both monthly bills and past owed amounts. Eligible households are defined as those earning up to 150% of the federal poverty level, and the program's cost will be covered by rate adjustments for all other customers. The Public Utilities Commission will oversee the creation and approval of these plans, ensuring they balance affordability for low-income families with reasonable administrative expenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially renames the Roosevelt Benton Youth Assessment Center to the Roosevelt Benton Center. It also designates the larger facility, which includes the renamed center, as the Thomas C. Slater Training School in honor of former State Representative Thomas C. Slater. The change applies to the building located on the Pastore Complex in Cranston, Rhode Island. This legislative action is a commemorative measure that updates official records and signage for the state construction.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Gretchen Bell to legally officiate the wedding of Amber Ilcisko and Timothy Brownell on September 13, 2024, in Newport, Rhode Island. It grants Bell the specific legal power to perform this marriage ceremony under the state's existing laws for solemnizing marriages. The legislation applies only to this single event and does not change any broader rules about who can officiate weddings in the future.

Extends the sunset date of the Rhode Island hope scholarship pilot program act from 2028 to 2030, in order to allow the program to provide eligible students with funding for tuition and mandatory fees for an additional two (2) years.