Sen. Bob Britto

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution commemorates the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France, which occurred on June 6, 1944. The bill recognizes the bravery of American, British, and Canadian troops who participated in the largest amphibious assault in history to liberate Europe from Nazi occupation. It formally acknowledges the significant sacrifices made by soldiers during the invasion and the subsequent liberation of Western Europe. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the Rhode Island Adjutant General for official record-keeping.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially designates June 2024 as Portuguese American Heritage Month in Rhode Island to honor the state's Portuguese community. The bill recognizes the group's historical and ongoing contributions to the state's economy, culture, and public service, particularly in cities like Providence and Newport. It directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies of the resolution to state officials, the government of Portugal, and local organizations. This measure serves as a formal acknowledgment of Portuguese heritage rather than a change to laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution expresses the state's deepest condolences for the passing of Eileen M. Rao, a lifelong resident of Providence and the co-founder of the local business Mr. Lemon. The document highlights her legacy as a dedicated business owner and family matriarch, noting her significant role in growing the lemonade stand into a family venture over nearly fifty years. It formally directs the Secretary of State to send copies of this sympathy resolution to her three children, Janice Valedofsky, Joseph Rao Jr., and Colleen Rao-Sales.

Requires the division of vital records to ensure that the records are accessible to the local registrars and grant local registrars the authority to issue certified copies of certificates and records.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution commemorates the 214th anniversary of Colombia's independence on July 20, 2024. It formally recognizes the historical events that led to Colombia's freedom from Spanish rule and highlights the shared values between the United States and Colombia. The bill directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies of the resolution to the Colombian American Cultural Society and Colombia en Rhode Island.

Prevents insurance companies from treating widowed persons differently than married persons when establishing or maintaining an insured's rate or classification respecting the operation of a personal motor vehicle. Effective 1/1/25.

Maddy summarySB 2315 proposes to exempt firearm safety equipment and related products from state sales and use taxes. This change would directly affect retailers selling these items and consumers purchasing them, removing the tax liability currently associated with such transactions. The bill achieves this by amending existing state tax laws to add a new category of exempt goods alongside other items like school meals and charitable supplies. While the text provided includes a full list of other current tax exemptions, the primary focus of this specific legislative action is the inclusion of firearm safety gear.

Maddy summarySB 2308 amends the retirement rules for school teachers and other public employees in Rhode Island to allow them to retire earlier under specific conditions. The bill establishes different eligibility requirements based on when a teacher began working, with provisions for those who started before 2009, those between 2009 and 2012, and new rules effective in 2012 and 2015. For example, it allows teachers who started after 2012 to retire once they reach their Social Security retirement age with at least five years of service, while those with longer tenure may retire earlier with a reduction in their monthly pension benefits. The legislation also includes a formula to adjust retirement ages for certain long-serving employees who were not yet eligible to retire before specific cutoff dates.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the ability for retired state employees to work part-time at state colleges and universities without losing their retirement benefits. It specifically allows retired teachers, nurses, and other eligible staff to provide classroom instruction, academic advising, coaching, or professional nursing services at these institutions. The law sets strict limits on how much these individuals can earn from such work, capping annual pay at $18,000 for general faculty roles and $15,000 for driver education, while ensuring their pension payments remain intact. Additionally, the legislation clarifies rules for other specific roles, such as elected officials and judges, who may continue to serve in those capacities after retirement without forfeiting their allowances.

Adds department of corrections' correctional officers to the list of public safety employees that are entitled to their full salary if they are injured and become disabled as a result of performance of their job duties.