Sen. Bob Britto

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Rhode Island's tax laws for corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies by clarifying how long the state has to assess unpaid taxes. It establishes a standard three-year window for tax assessments but allows for longer periods in cases of fraud, unfiled returns, or significant omissions of income. The legislation also sets a ten-year maximum limit for issuing tax deficiency notices and starting collection actions, with specific exceptions for bankruptcy and receivership situations. Additionally, the bill requires businesses selling off major assets outside of normal operations to notify the tax administrator five days in advance to ensure any owed taxes are paid. These changes aim to create clearer timelines and procedures for both the tax division and business entities regarding tax liabilities and asset transfers.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors Senator Roger A. Picard for his long-term service to the people of Rhode Island. It recognizes his legislative achievements, including bills that assist small businesses, support truck drivers, and promote clean-energy job training. The document also highlights his personal dedication to his community and family, noting his background as a social worker and his education. Finally, it directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to Senator Picard as a formal acknowledgment of his contributions.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution creates a 21-member commission to study Rhode Island's shortage of primary care physicians and the feasibility of establishing a state medical school at the University of Rhode Island. The commission, appointed by the Senate President, will gather information from state agencies and submit its findings and recommendations by January 2, 2026. Members of the commission serve without pay, and the group will dissolve on January 31, 2026, after completing its report.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a program in Rhode Island to track energy use and set performance standards for large commercial and residential buildings with at least 25,000 square feet. It requires these buildings to be benchmarked for energy efficiency and mandates that new construction be designed to support electric systems. The Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council will oversee the program, which includes providing an online tool for owners to improve efficiency and collecting anonymized data to monitor progress toward net-zero emissions.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the procedures for handling unclaimed human remains in Rhode Island by clarifying when a body is considered unclaimed and must be buried. It requires the Office of State Medical Examiners to release a deceased person's body to relatives or domestic partners and covers the cost of transport if an autopsy was required. The law defines a domestic partner as someone in an exclusive, cohabiting relationship for at least one year who meets specific financial and legal criteria. If the family or designated partners fail to claim the body or arrange for its removal within set timeframes, or if no family can be found, the state will arrange for burial and seek reimbursement from the deceased's estate.

Adds "loose material" to the contents of a vehicle that must be covered by a covering that must remain in place until the vehicle's contents are purged from the vehicle.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for agreements involving the recovery of unclaimed property, such as forgotten bank accounts or safe deposit box contents. It makes contracts that promise to find this property unenforceable if they are signed within 24 months of the property being reported to the state. For agreements signed after that 24-month window, the law requires that fees be capped at 10% of the property's value, the contract be in writing, and the owner be clearly informed that they can claim the property for free from the general treasurer. Additionally, the agreement must detail the property's value and the owner's final share after any fees are deducted, while also allowing owners to challenge fees they consider excessive. These changes directly affect individuals hired to locate unclaimed assets and the owners of those assets.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution expresses the state legislature's deepest condolences for the passing of Elena Marie Ciccone, the wife of Senator Frank A. Ciccone, III. The document honors her life by noting her career as a hairdresser and her twenty-five-year tenure with the City of Providence Parks Department, as well as her active roles in various community and religious organizations. It formally directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the bereaved family and friends.

Establishes a safe and reasonable regulatory framework for companies and drivers providing non-emergency medical transportation services to a population of vulnerable passengers through coordination with the state's health and human service agencies.

Clarifies the statute of limitations for all causes of action not otherwise time barred that seek damages arising out of or related to the design/construction/supervision/or inspection of the Washington Bridge No. 700, located in East Prov. RI.