Sen. Brian Thompson

Maddy summarySB 2735 amends the process for creating and governing project labor agreements (PLAs) used in state public construction projects. It directly affects state contractors and labor unions working on public property and infrastructure projects by changing how these agreements are established and managed. The bill modifies the procedures for developing PLAs, which set wages, benefits, and working conditions for workers on state-funded construction sites. This change aims to streamline the PLA process for state projects without altering the core requirements of the agreements themselves. The bill was introduced to the Senate Labor and Gaming committee on February 27, 2026.

Prohibits participation in federal school voucher tax credit for contributions to scholarship-granting organizations unless both the general assembly and the governor approve such participation.

Maddy summarySB 2150 requires creditors to send written notice of a judgment lien to the property owner within ten business days of recording the lien with the county. This directly affects creditors who place liens on property and property owners who may be unaware of such claims against their assets. The key provision sets a strict 10-business-day timeline for delivering this notice, replacing the previous lack of a specific deadline. The bill aims to provide clearer and timelier information about liens affecting property ownership.

Maddy summarySB 2424 mandates radon testing and mitigation protocols for most residential real estate transactions starting on June 1, 2027. The bill requires a certified radon test to be conducted no earlier than one year before closing, with results shared between buyers, sellers, and lenders. If unsafe radon levels are detected, the law requires a licensed professional to install a mitigation system before the sale finalizes, or place the estimated cost in escrow if immediate installation isn't possible. Certain sales, such as foreclosures, inherited properties, or homes being demolished, are exempt from these testing requirements. Additionally, the buyer is generally responsible for paying for the test unless the seller already has a recent negative test result on file.

Amends the Rhode Island works program to increases the monthly cash benefit to one hundred percent (100%) of the federal poverty level effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies retirement benefits for Rhode Island State Police members, affecting both current and former officers. It establishes new rules for calculating retirement pay based on years of service and defines how "whole salary" is determined for different retirement periods, including provisions for overtime pay starting in 2026. The legislation also creates a guaranteed annual benefit adjustment of $1,500 for eligible retirees beginning July 1, 2026, and allows certain members to purchase credit for military service at a 10% cost.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes allocating $150,000 in funding to the Main Street Rhode Island Program, which supports local businesses and community revitalization efforts across the state. The appropriation would provide financial resources to the program's existing initiatives aimed at strengthening main street areas and small businesses. The legislation is currently in its early stages, having been introduced and referred to the Senate Finance Committee for review. No specific details about how the funds will be distributed or managed are included in the current text.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the definition of "employee" under Rhode Island's Fair Employment Practices law to include individuals working in domestic service, such as nannies, housekeepers, and caregivers employed by private households. By making this change, the bill ensures that domestic workers are protected against discrimination based on age, sex, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity in the same way as other employees. The legislation applies to employers who hire four or more individuals, though it maintains existing exemptions for religious organizations and their employees. This update removes the previous exclusion of domestic workers from state anti-discrimination protections, bringing them under the same legal framework as other workers.

Allows electronic notifications modernize language for notifications, synchronize renewal dates for certain license-types, streamline licensing requirements across several license-types, and update the unlicensed health care practices statute.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates health and safety laws to remove outdated language and clarify requirements for asbestos removal and radon control. It directly affects property owners, contractors, and health officials who manage buildings with potential asbestos or radon hazards. The legislation aims to modernize existing regulations by ensuring current standards are clearly defined and consistently applied. By refining these rules, the bill seeks to improve safety protocols without changing the fundamental approach to managing these environmental risks.