Sen. Thomas Paolino

Establishes a revolving fund to assist first-time home buyers and veterans to purchase a home in Rhode Island by issuing grants of up to forty thousand dollars ($40,000).

Requires the PUC to make public notification of any changes in eligibility or production of energy, and would direct the commission to promulgate rules and regulations to allow and facilitate the prompt public disclosure of this information.

Establishes the first time home buyer savings program act. Allows modifications to federal adjusted gross income for $50,000 in contributions and $150,000 of interest and dividends included in federal adjusted gross income.

Permits students at failing schools to enroll in any public school and also established the Rhode Island education revitalization fund to provide funding to the school choice program.

Maddy summarySB 441 repeals the law that authorized toll collection on Rhode Island's state highways, specifically ending the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority's power to charge tolls on the Newport Bridge, Mount Hope Bridge, Sakonnet River Bridge, Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge, and the turnpike. This bill directly affects the Authority and drivers using these specific bridges and the turnpike, eliminating their toll-based revenue model. The key provision removes all authority to "fix and revise... tolls" and related financial mechanisms outlined in the existing law. The bill does not create new tolls or change bridge operations - it simply repeals the legal foundation for toll collection on these routes. This is a procedural repeal affecting only the toll authorization, not the infrastructure itself.

Establishes the E-Verify compliance program which would require all non-governmental employers within the state with 3 or more employees to apply to participate in the federal E-Verify program and to agree to participate in the program, if accepted.

Requires written consent by recipient or parent before vaccine and prohibits discrimination against those who don't vaccinate and fines up to $25,000 for violation. Also prohibits DCYF from investigating their for failure to vaccinate their child.

Enables parents to review public school learning materials/object if the parent decides that the material is harmful. Also a parent may withdraw their student from the activity or class where the material is used and request an alternative assignment.

Maddy summarySB 400 repeals the 2021 Act on Climate, which established statewide greenhouse gas emission reduction targets (including 45% below 1990 levels by 2030) and required a Climate Change Coordinating Council to develop plans for meeting these goals. The repealed law mandated the council to produce regular emission reduction plans, address environmental justice, and create equitable transition programs for workers in the clean energy sector. By repealing this act, SB 400 removes the state's legal obligation to pursue these emission targets and eliminates the associated planning requirements for state agencies. This repeal directly affects Rhode Island's climate policy framework by dismantling the structured approach to emission reductions.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SR 368) formally welcomes Scouting America's Narragansett Council to the Rhode Island State House and celebrates Scouting Month in February. It expresses gratitude for the Council's community service, including 19,653 volunteer hours and 177,847 pounds of food collected in 2024. The resolution is purely ceremonial with no policy changes or funding provisions, serving only to recognize the organization's contributions. It was passed unanimously by the Senate on February 25, 2025.