Permits RI Supreme Court Committee on Racial and Ethnic Fairness, in consultation with RI Bar Association and its Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, to appoint members of JNC and requires judicial candidates to disclose political donations.
Requires that the chief judge of the family court in appointing magistrates do so in accordance with the judicial selection and nomination process set forth in chapter 16.1 of title 8.
Requires the JNC to establish standardized merit-based selection process and that applications be evaluated according to uniform, job-related criteria adopted in advance and published on the commission's website.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a tax credit program to encourage investments in small Rhode Island businesses with 99 or fewer employees. Under the new Rhode Island Local Investment Tax Credit Act, eligible taxpayers who invest in qualifying local businesses could receive a 50% tax credit, up to a maximum of $3,000 per business and $3,000 total per year. To qualify, the business must be headquartered in Rhode Island, derive at least 80% of its revenue from state operations, and hold at least 80% of its assets within the state. The state would annually appropriate funds from the general fund to offset any revenue loss from the tax credits, and the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation Strategic Fund would manage the certification process for eligible investments.
Allows a modification to federal adjusted gross income for all public pension benefits administered by the Employees Retirement System of Rhode Island.
Eliminates the sunset on the provision of funding, modify eligibility requirement to 85% of state median income and expand funding to at least 20 hours per week.
Maddy summarySB 2517 (2026) requires all ATMs in Rhode Island to display a consumer’s real-time available account balance *before* a cash withdrawal is completed. This affects every consumer using an ATM in the state and all banks, credit unions, and ATM operators (including non-bank owners) that provide cash withdrawal services. The key mechanism mandates a clear, prominent balance display before entering withdrawal amounts, with an option to cancel without charge, and prohibits fees for balance inquiries or declined transactions. The law, effective January 1, 2027, will be enforced by the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation through fines for violations.
Maddy summarySB 2448 creates a dedicated performance audit division within Rhode Island's Office of the Auditor General (OAG). This division will evaluate how efficiently and effectively state agencies and contractors using public funds operate, focusing on program outcomes rather than financial transactions. The bill requires the OAG to hire at least five full-time staff for this work, develop annual audit plans prioritizing high-impact areas like Medicaid and IT systems, and publish public reports starting in 2027. State agencies must then submit corrective action plans within 60 days of receiving audit findings, with the OAG monitoring compliance and reporting to lawmakers.
Prohibits RIPTA from using state funds or the proceeds of any bond(s) to pay for any work performed after 8/1/26, pursuant to the “transit center joint development project” RFP and/or pursuant to related the preliminary services agreement.
Establishes the office of inspector general as an independent administrative agency charged with the responsibility to investigate, detect, and prevent fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the expenditure of public funds.
