Sets a mandatory retirement age of 75 for all justices and magistrates of the superior, district, workers’ compensation, family and traffic tribunal courts and provide that no pension or retirement benefits be affected thereby.
Prohibits members of law enforcement from engaging in sexual penetration with individuals in their custody. The act also provides that a person convicted of custodial law enforcement sexual penetration would face imprisonment for not more than 3 years.
Maddy summarySB 338, the Economic and Climate Resilience Act of 2025, imposes a fee on fossil fuel companies selling coal, oil, natural gas, and similar products in Rhode Island. The collected fees will fund a dedicated "Economic and Climate Resilience Fund" to support specific programs. This fund will provide job training for workers transitioning to clean energy, improve energy efficiency for low-income households and small businesses, and help businesses that use significant energy. The bill aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, meet Rhode Island's 2035 climate goals, and address climate impacts disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities. It directly affects fossil fuel sellers (who pay the fee) and benefits Rhode Island residents, particularly low-income households and energy-intensive businesses.
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 158), not a policy bill. It expresses the Rhode Island Senate's condolences to the Harsch family following the death of J. William W. Harsch, Esq., a longtime attorney and public servant. The resolution formally recognizes his decades of service, including roles with the State Public Utilities Commission, the Department of Environmental Management, and his work on federal initiatives like FEMA. The Senate passed the resolution on February 4, 2025, and authorized sending a certified copy to the family.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 163) expresses the Rhode Island Senate's deepest condolences to the family of Anthony V. Arico following his passing. It recognizes his 30-year career as Deputy Director of the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, his military service, and his decades of community and political involvement in Barrington. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to his widow, Joan G. Arico. As a symbolic gesture of respect, it has no policy provisions or direct impact on legislation.
Allows an owner or owners of real property to execute a deed that names one or more beneficiaries who will obtain title to the property at the owner's death without the necessity of probate.
Amends State funding calculations for special education, revising extraordinary cost calculations for FY 2027-2028, and providing additional funds for excess costs when special education students move into a district after the budget is approved.
Removes the exemption from the state hotel tax for residences rented in their entirety on a hosting platform on or after January 1, 2026, for a period of thirty (30) nights or less.
Creates the Rhode Island Data Transparency and Privacy Protect Act for data privacy protections for the personal data of the citizens of Rhode Island.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands the authority of family court magistrates to hear contested divorce cases, which directly impacts individuals navigating divorce proceedings in family court. Previously, these contested matters were typically handled by judges, but the legislation now allows magistrates to preside over them as well. The change aims to increase judicial capacity within the family court system by broadening the types of cases magistrates can manage. Once enacted, the law takes effect immediately without requiring the governor's signature.
