Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 1161) requests Rhode Island's Office of Energy Resources (OER) to analyze benchmarking programs for large buildings over 25,000 square feet. OER must review current efforts on state properties, gather input from cities/towns and business groups, coordinate with Rhode Island Energy, and develop recommendations for expanding benchmarking to municipal and private buildings. The resolution specifically asks OER to report its findings and recommendations to the Senate by February 27, 2026. It does not create new law but directs state agencies to study how to measure and reduce energy use in large buildings, which could account for significant emissions statewide. This affects OER directly and indirectly impacts owners of qualifying buildings if a future program is implemented.
Sen. Meghan Kallman
Sponsored bills
Appropriates the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) to fund the Thundermist family medicine residency program during fiscal year 2026 and every fiscal year thereafter.
Maddy summaryThis Rhode Island Senate resolution condemns the June 14, 2025, shooting that killed former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and wounded Minnesota Senator John Hoffman and his wife. It expresses sympathy to the affected families and was unanimously passed by the Rhode Island Senate on June 17, 2025. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but formally denounces political violence. The resolution directs the Rhode Island Secretary of State to send certified copies to Minnesota officials.
Effective September 1, 2025, requires quarterly testing of biosolids for PFAS contaminants by those seeking to apply biosolids to lands, with subsequent reports to the department of environmental management.
Reduces the number of times the director of the lottery has to confer with the permanent joint committee on state lottery from nine (9) times per year to four (4) times per year or at the call of the chair and vice chair of the committee.
Requires every individual or group health insurance contract effective on or after January 1, 2026, to provide coverage to the insured and the insured's spouse and dependents for all FDA-approved contraceptive drugs, devices and other products.
Provides for warming center and cooling center alerts to trigger certain procedures municipalities shall follow during extreme heat or cold to help at-risk individuals with resources including, but not limited to, warming and cooling centers.
Maddy summarySB 709 updates Rhode Island's housing code enforcement process by requiring housing code officers to provide written violation notices to both property owners and affected tenants. The bill mandates that notices include specific details about violations, a 30-day correction period, and clear service methods (including certified mail to tenants). It also requires non-resident landlords to appoint a registered agent in the state for legal notices, with a $100 fine for non-compliance. The law ensures tenants receive copies of violation notices and hearing dates, and establishes procedures for re-inspections, second notices, and recording violations in land registries for up to three years. These changes directly affect landlords (especially non-resident owners), tenants, and local housing enforcement officers.
Reduces the time, from three (3) years to one year, required for a nonimmigrant foreign national student, who has resided in Rhode Island, to be eligible to pay the same in-state tuition as any other Rhode Island student.
Prohibits a manufacturer from manufacturing, knowingly selling, offering for sale, distributing for sale or distributing for use in the state any firefighting personal protective equipment containing intentionally-added PFAS as of January 1, 2027.