Sen. Bob Britto

Submits 2026 capital development program requesting the issuance of $100,000,000 in general obligation bonds to the voters for approval at the November, 2026, general election.

Maddy summarySB 886 amends Rhode Island's Renewable Energy Standard, which sets requirements for electricity providers (obligated entities) to source power from renewable resources for their Rhode Island customers. The bill extends the target year for achieving 100% of Rhode Island's electricity demand from renewable energy from 2033 to 2043. It revises the annual percentage increases for renewable energy procurement to align with this new timeline. The bill also details methods for compliance, including the use of NE-GIS certificates or alternative compliance payments, and provides specific exemptions for certain existing power supply contracts.

Removes the five (5) year waiting period for filing a motion to seal an eviction court file. It also deletes the numerical limitation on filing seal requests.

Provides for municipal and state police authorities to acquire and to utilize automated license plate readers. Further, the act identifies what data may be collected and in what ways the data can be used.

Modifies the real estate sales disclosure form to include the disclosure of “blower door diagnostic air leakage testing” and advises that air leakage testing is recommended prior to purchasing a residential unit.

Creates an 11 member commission to analyze the impact and potential economic benefits of bail reforms on Black Rhode Islanders, and would report back by February 5, 2026, and expire on April 5, 2026.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 31 (SB 31) proposes to amend current sales and use tax laws by creating a specific exemption. The bill exempts the trade-in value of pickup trucks weighing 14,000 pounds or less from sales and use tax. This means that when an individual or business trades in an eligible pickup truck, the value of that trade-in will not be included in the taxable amount for their new vehicle purchase. This change would directly affect consumers trading in these specific types of pickup trucks, potentially lowering the total sales tax paid on their new vehicle.

Amends the Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act to set the regionalization bonus at 2% of the state's share of foundation education aid for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2025, and for each year thereafter.

Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $15,200,000 to cities and towns to purchase firefighter and rescue personnel protective gear which is PFAS free.

Maddy summarySR 49 is a joint resolution proposing to allocate $250,000 from the state treasury for the fiscal year 2025-2026. This funding would be directed to the Substance Use and Mental Health Leadership Council of RI (SUMHLC). The resolution aims to support SUMHLC's mission of promoting a coordinated system of community-based mental health and substance use prevention and treatment services. This appropriation is intended to help address the high rates of addiction and the need for readily available services in Rhode Island.