Sen. Ana Quezada

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the town of Coventry to split its property tax bill between residential and commercial properties based on a specific percentage set by the town council. It requires the town assessor to calculate the total tax amount and then apply different rates to each property type - such as single-family homes versus businesses - to ensure the correct share of the tax is collected from each. The law applies retroactively starting December 31, 2025, allowing the town to adjust how taxes are levied for that period and going forward.

Empowers the division of motor vehicles to make available special motor vehicle registration plates for the not-for-profit entity, the Dominican Independence and Heritage Award Committee of RI.

Restores law enforcement discretion, allowing officers to issue a verbal warning when appropriate or pursue misdemeanor or felony charges in more egregious cases where a child is left unattended in a motor vehicle.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Rhode Island law to rename drug court programs as recovery court, expanding eligibility to include non-violent offenses beyond just drug-related charges. The legislation creates a new position of drug recovery court magistrate within the superior court, who will preside over adult recovery court programs that combine court authority with therapeutic treatment plans for drug-addicted defendants. Key provisions include establishing a ten-year appointment term for magistrates, defining screening criteria for program admission, and granting magistrates the power to impose incarceration for violations of court conditions. The bill also clarifies that participants must sign contracts outlining program expectations and allows for appeals of magistrate orders to a superior court justice.

Prohibits ICE employees, agents or officials from being within two hundred feet (200') of any polling place during voting, including early voting and election day voting.

Allows for the electronic filing of domestic violence/sexual assault reporting forms by law enforcement agencies, enhances the information to be included on the reporting forms, and clarifies that the reporting forms should be submitted monthly.

Permits those individuals convicted of multiple felonies and misdemeanors to have their records expunged and provides criteria for the court to consider in determining whether the person is of good character.

Protects people attending Rhode Island court proceedings from civil arrest without a judicial warrant, ensures court access, sets enforcement rules, and provides remedies for violations.

Maddy summarySB 2047 clarifies the legal definitions of criminal offenses by adjusting imprisonment thresholds. It redefines a felony as any offense punishable by more than 364 days in jail (previously one year), a misdemeanor as 6 months to 364 days (previously up to one year), and specifies petty misdemeanors and violations with updated fine limits. This bill directly affects all criminal cases classified under these categories in the state's legal system, ensuring consistent application of sentencing terms. The change takes effect immediately upon passage.

For purposes of the judicial security act permits an authorized agent to file a written notice with a state, county, or municipal agency on behalf of a protected individual.