Establishes office of inspector general which would be charged with preventing fraud and mismanagement of public funds, regardless of their source and would oversee all state programs and operations.
Maddy summarySB 886 amends Rhode Island's Renewable Energy Standard, which sets requirements for electricity providers (obligated entities) to source power from renewable resources for their Rhode Island customers. The bill extends the target year for achieving 100% of Rhode Island's electricity demand from renewable energy from 2033 to 2043. It revises the annual percentage increases for renewable energy procurement to align with this new timeline. The bill also details methods for compliance, including the use of NE-GIS certificates or alternative compliance payments, and provides specific exemptions for certain existing power supply contracts.
Maddy summarySB 687 proposes several changes to the regulation of nurses and the Board of Nursing. The bill revises the composition of the Board of Nursing, adjusting the number and types of professional nurses, practical nurses, and public members, and extends board member terms from three to four years. It also updates the board's powers, allowing it to require physical or psychiatric examinations for licensees with probable cause of impairment and refer them to non-disciplinary alternative programs. Additionally, it clarifies the qualifications for practical nurse applicants and streamlines the electronic license renewal process. These changes directly affect licensed nurses and the state's Board of Nursing.
Maddy summarySenate Bill 607 amends existing laws related to the regulation of nurses and speech-language pathologists/audiologists. For nurses, the bill clarifies the rules for recent graduates to practice temporarily under supervision while awaiting their licensing exam results, requiring licensure within 90 days of graduation. It also refines conditions for out-of-state nurses who are temporarily practicing in the state. For speech-language pathologists and audiologists, the bill updates certain definitions, such as for "audiology support personnel," to align with current regulatory language. These changes aim to provide clarity and update professional licensing requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the state's sales and use tax laws. It creates a new exemption for the trade-in value of certain pickup trucks. Specifically, the trade-in value of a pickup truck under 6,000 pounds gross weight, used exclusively for personal purposes, would be exempt from sales tax. This means individuals trading in such vehicles would pay sales tax only on the cash difference, rather than the full price of the new vehicle.
Maddy summarySenate Bill 31 (SB 31) proposes to amend current sales and use tax laws by creating a specific exemption. The bill exempts the trade-in value of pickup trucks weighing 14,000 pounds or less from sales and use tax. This means that when an individual or business trades in an eligible pickup truck, the value of that trade-in will not be included in the taxable amount for their new vehicle purchase. This change would directly affect consumers trading in these specific types of pickup trucks, potentially lowering the total sales tax paid on their new vehicle.
Exempts the trade-in value of pickup trucks under eight thousand one hundred pounds (8,100 lbs.) gross weight, used exclusively for personal use, from sales tax.
Maddy summarySB 917 proposes to repeal an existing law that restricts the issuance of certain retail liquor licenses. Currently, these licenses cannot be granted for establishments located within 200 feet of schools or places of public worship. The bill would eliminate this 200-foot proximity rule, as well as the ability of adjoining property owners to object to the granting of such licenses. This would directly affect businesses seeking new retail liquor licenses and the communities surrounding schools and religious institutions.
Maddy summarySenate Bill 890 (SB 890) proposes to change how excess electricity generated by renewable energy systems is valued. Specifically, it would alter the credit for surplus renewable energy fed back into the grid from its current rate to a wholesale rate. This change directly affects individuals, businesses, and other entities that generate more renewable electricity than they use. The bill also updates definitions related to net metering, including "community remote net-metering systems" and various "eligible credit recipients" such as low- or moderate-income housing, educational institutions, and commercial customers.
Maddy summarySB 855 establishes new rules for overtime work for state-employed peace officers, primarily affecting correctional officers in Rhode Island. The bill prevents the state from requiring these employees to work beyond an agreed-upon 8-hour (or 10-hour for correctional officer stewards) shift, except in unforeseeable emergent circumstances like a riot. Even in emergencies, overtime can only be required as a last resort after the employer has exhausted reasonable efforts to obtain staffing. If the state violates these provisions and requires work beyond the limit, it must pay the employee double time and a half their regular salary.
