Sen. Brian Thompson

Adds school superintendents, central office officials, school principals, and all other school employees, to the definition of a “public official” for purposes of the criminal prohibition against making threats to public officials.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows judges to issue search warrants electronically for specific driving under the influence offenses, including those resulting in death or serious bodily injury. It permits law enforcement officers to submit complaints and affidavits via electronic means, with judicial officers required to sign and transmit the warrant documents electronically. The law maintains that electronic warrants can only be issued for the listed DUI-related crimes and must still follow standard procedures for oath administration and documentation. Additionally, the bill requires that all warrants, whether executed or not, be returned to the district court within 14 days of issuance.

Increases and reallocates the fees collected for motor vehicle inspections, including motorcycle inspections, with an allocation of ten dollars ($10.00) to the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA).

Submits the state's 2026 capital development program requesting the issuance of general obligation bonds totaling one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) for approval of the electorate at the general election to be held in November, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2702 requires condominium associations to charge a lower fee when updating a resale certificate after the initial certificate has been issued. This directly affects condo associations (which manage community fees) and condo sellers/buyers (who need updated resale certificates to sell units). The key change is setting a reduced fee for these subsequent updates, rather than the standard rate. This policy aims to lower costs for homeowners during property sales without altering the initial certificate process. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Housing and Municipal Government committee.

Restores the requirement that a local review board issue findings for denial in reviewing a comprehensive permit request and clarifies that affordable housing units shall be included in each town and city when the building permits for units are granted.

Mandates arming campus police at public higher educational institutions and would include campus police in the definition of "law enforcement officer" for the purposes of the "law enforcement officers' bill of rights".

Makes it a felony for any person required to register as a sex offender to live within three hundred feet (300’) of a school as defined in § 11-37.1-2.

Establishes minimum limitations standards for structural property damage claims, and voids any policy provision, endorsement, condition, limitation, agreement, or claim practice that shortens those standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require automobile insurance companies in the state to stop using an applicant's credit history or credit score when setting insurance rates. Instead, insurers would only be allowed to base rates on the applicant's past claim history and established merit rating principles currently used in other states. The law would apply to all licensed automobile liability insurance companies operating in the state. If passed, the changes would take effect immediately upon the bill's approval.