Sen. Gordon Rogers

Requires electric and gas utilities to provide a detailed breakdown of supply, delivery, and public policy costs on electric and gas bills, including specific costs for renewable energy sources, and mandates public comment and PUC approval.

Redefines “farm” by reducing the amount of revenue from farm products required to be sold from ten thousand ($10,000) to two thousand five hundred dollars ($2500).

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 933) commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Rhode Island State Police Department's founding. It designates April 2025 as "State Police Month" and April 2, 2025, as "State Police Day," directing the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the Police Superintendent. The resolution has no policy impact or direct effect on residents or law enforcement operations - it is purely ceremonial recognition of the department's historical milestone.

Maddy summarySB 735 creates a new certification program at municipal police academies that allows officers from other departments to become certified without repeating full training. It directly affects municipal police officers who have worked full-time as sworn law enforcement officers for at least one year, with comparable training and no more than an eight-year break in service. The bill establishes specific requirements for this certification, including meeting existing training standards and completing a review under the Commission on Standards and Training. This program aims to streamline certification for officers moving between departments while maintaining consistent training quality across municipal agencies.

Maddy summarySB 814 makes it a misdemeanor to knowingly file a false complaint about misconduct by law enforcement officers, public safety officials, or hospital staff. The bill penalizes individuals who submit false reports with up to one year in jail, a $500 fine, and mandatory restitution to the falsely accused person for damages. It specifically targets false reports filed with the intent that they be relied upon by authorities, covering both criminal reports and official misconduct complaints. The bill is currently in committee (held for further study after a March 2025 hearing) and would take effect upon passage.

Removes the requirement that the public utilities commission allocate five million dollars ($5,000,000) annually to the Rhode Island infrastructure bank for use with energy efficient programs.

Proposes a state constitutional amendment that no department or other entity created by the state would have poser to incur debt in excess of $ 50,000, without express approval from the legislature and voters.

Allows a landlord that did not obtain a lead certificate pursuant to the lead mitigation laws of chapter 128.1 of title 42 due to the fact that the state lacks the adequate resources to conduct inspections.

Requires law enforcement agencies to obtain search warrants for electronic information, data, location information and other identifying information of subscribers and customers, except in specified circumstances.

Maddy summarySB 561 presumes property owners or occupants acted in reasonable self-defense if a person committing a violent crime (such as assault or burglary) is injured or killed while on their premises, provided the criminal was lawfully present. It creates a rebuttable presumption that the owner reasonably believed force was necessary to prevent serious harm, and removes the requirement to retreat from such threats. This applies to violent offenses enumerated in the bill, directly affecting property owners defending against violent intruders. The bill does not change criminal liability but shifts the initial legal presumption in favor of the property owner during prosecution.