Creates commercial dock space for businesses subject to being reviewed by the DEM. Would also include commercial fishers to be eligible for a grant program.
Maddy summarySB 326 establishes the Rhode Island Climate Superfund Act of 2025, requiring large fossil fuel corporations (defined as entities responsible for over one billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions between 1990 and 2024) to pay for climate change response work already funded by the state and municipalities. The bill mandates the Department of Environmental Management to calculate each company's share based on emissions data and issue payment demands for costs incurred since 2009, including projects like coastal protection, infrastructure upgrades, and emergency planning. Funds collected will be deposited into a dedicated account and used solely for future climate adaptation efforts. This directly affects major fossil fuel companies that contributed significantly to climate change, shifting costs from taxpayers to those most responsible.
This resolution would delete the language “by August 31, 2024,” on page 3, line 1, and extend the reporting date of the commission to study renewable energy programs from February 14, 2025, to May 30, 2025, and would expire on June 30, 2025.
Maddy summarySR 759 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating March 2025 as "Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month" in Rhode Island. It does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes the importance of colorectal cancer prevention and early detection through public awareness. The resolution cites state cancer statistics, emphasizes that early screening improves survival rates from 90% to 10% when undetected, and references Senator Maryellen Goodwin's advocacy work. It directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies to the American Cancer Society and a medical professional. This is a commemorative resolution, not a legislative mandate.
Requires commercial property owners to install vehicle barriers at their retail establishment locations when new construction are being done and permits insurers to consider the installation to provide a discount on the owner's insurance policy.
Establishes the commuter transportation benefit chapter. Employers with five hundred (500) or more employees would be required to establish a pre-tax commuter transportation fringe benefit program.
Maddy summaryThis bill adds the Workers' Compensation Administration Fund to a list of state funds exempt from having 10% of their cash receipts transferred to the general fund as indirect cost recoveries. It directly affects the workers' compensation program by ensuring its dedicated funds remain separate from general revenue. The key provision modifies Section 35-4-27 to exclude this specific fund from the standard 10% indirect cost recovery rule. This is a procedural change to fund management, not a new policy.
Adds probation officers and parole officers to the definition of "police officer" for purposes of salary payments during line of duty illness or injury.
Directs the RITBA design a safety barrier or netting system on the several bridges within its authority. Any newly constructed bridges with a deck height of over one hundred feet (100 ft) would be required to have safety barriers of safety netting.
Provides that the renewable energy fund remains in existence until December 31, 2033, to align with the mandate that 100% of Rhode Island's electricity demand is from renewable energy and also complies with federal grant requirements.
