Terminates 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.
Maddy summarySB 2631 requires Rhode Island's Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and Division of Public Utilities and Carriers (DPUC) to complete a comprehensive study by April 30, 2027, aimed at lowering energy costs for consumers. The study must review all Rhode Island energy programs to identify those increasing costs, compare rates with other states, and recommend policy changes. It includes $100,000 for hiring consultants to research these areas and proposes that future energy-related legislation include clear cost impact statements. The bill directly affects the PUC/DUPC by mandating this study, with the goal of making energy rates more transparent and affordable for Rhode Island residents. It does not change current energy rates but sets a process for evaluating potential cost-saving measures.
Maddy summarySB 2516 repeals the energy efficiency charge previously included in utility base rates for electricity and water providers. This bill removes a specific fee that utilities had been allowed to add to customer bills to fund energy efficiency programs. The repeal does not affect existing funding for renewable energy programs (which continue at 0.3 mills per kilowatt-hour until 2028) or demand-side management programs for electricity and gas utilities. The bill directly affects regulated utilities distributing electricity, water, or gas, as it eliminates one cost they could pass to customers.
Maddy summarySB 2521 requires Rhode Island electricity providers (obligated entities) to gradually increase the share of renewable energy in their retail electricity sales, starting at 3% in 2007 and rising to 9.5% by 2032, with the goal of 100% renewable energy by 2033. The bill mandates that providers meet these targets for each electricity product sold to end-use customers, excluding voluntary renewable energy purchases by customers from counting toward the requirement (except in specific municipal aggregation plans). Compliance can be achieved by purchasing renewable energy credits (NE-GIS certificates) or making payments to a renewable energy development fund. The bill also directs the energy commission to assess in 2024 whether voluntary renewable purchases should be allowed to count toward the annual targets.
Recognizes that municipal employees have the opportunity to utilize binding arbitration and establishes new factors for the arbitrators to consider. These factors include comparisons of wages/hourly conditions of employment in similarly skilled jobs.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows individuals to sue nursing homes directly if those facilities violate patient rights laws, in addition to existing legal remedies. It establishes a specific legal cause of action that lets plaintiffs recover actual and punitive damages, along with court costs and attorney fees, for any such violations. Furthermore, the bill authorizes the state Department of Health to file lawsuits on behalf of the state to enforce these patient rights and related regulations.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies state laws governing civil lawsuits involving personal injuries, death, or property damage. It updates the rules for determining fault by allowing injured parties to recover damages even if they knew about a specific risk or danger. However, the amount of money awarded will be reduced based on the percentage of fault attributed to the injured person. The changes apply to all future cases filed under these statutes once the legislation is enacted.
Changes the definition of owner to exclude the state and municipalities for the purposes of liability limitations relating to public use of private lands.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows individuals who have settled a legal claim to send their signed release documents electronically to the party responsible for payment or their attorney. It applies to insurance companies, adjusting firms, and other entities obligated to pay settlement amounts. If a payment is not made within 30 days of receiving the electronic release, the law creates a presumption of willful disregard and permits the claimant to seek punitive damages and 12% annual interest. Additionally, any lawsuit filed under this provision would receive priority scheduling on the court's trial calendar.
Removes the intent requirement relative to the definitions of "abuse" within the chapter on "abuse in healthcare facilities" and amends the definitions of "abuse" and "neglect" with regard to elderly affairs by deleting the element of willful conduct.
