Sen. Hanna Gallo

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors Julie Leddy, the Executive Director of the Coventry Housing Authority, as she retires after twenty-nine years of service. The measure formally congratulates her and directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to her. It acknowledges her leadership in maintaining the authority's status as a high-performing agency and expanding affordable housing opportunities for residents. The bill does not change any laws or policies but serves as an official recognition of her contributions to the community.

Gives teachers who takes an unpaid parental or medical leave during the year credit for a year of service for that school year if they served a minimum of 135 days.

Authorizes an annual two and one-half percent (2.5%) escalation for all active and retired police and firefighter's retirement pension allowance, compounded each year on January 1 following the year of retirement and continuing yearly, on that date.

Increases monthly minimum benefit for a spouse, domestic partner, former spouse. Grant a 3.34% COLA for eligible retirees. Provided a modification reducing federal AGI for public pension benefits from the RI employees retirement system.

Provides that no new charter school application shall be granted, if the proposed school is a network charter school or the expansion of an existing charter school creates a network charter school.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution urges Rhode Island state agencies to expand access to retirement advice and guidance for state employees to help them achieve secure retirements. The bill recommends agencies develop programs offering regular workshops, one-on-one counseling from certified financial advisors, decision-support tools, and multiple communication channels for employees. It specifically encourages prioritizing support for employees facing greater retirement challenges and recommends partnering with qualified financial providers to ensure workers understand their hybrid retirement plans. The resolution also calls for measuring program effectiveness through employee engagement data and encourages employees to assess whether they are on track to receive 80 percent of their pre-retirement income.

Provides educators and administrators employed in a charter public school or mayoral academy with prevailing wage and benefits oversight and recourse if found in violation of the same.

Provides for the right to strike for public sector workers in Rhode Island, including teachers, with exceptions for police officers, firefighters, 911 employees, and correctional officers.

Maddy summarySB 2407 would extend the maximum term of employment for school superintendents in Rhode Island from three to five years. This change directly affects school committees, which hire and set terms for superintendents, by allowing them to establish longer contracts. The bill amends Section 16-2-9(12) of state education law to update the term limit from three years to five years. The change would take effect immediately upon the bill's passage.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution reaffirms the friendship between Rhode Island and Taiwan while encouraging stronger bilateral ties in trade, defense, and culture. The bill proposes concrete steps such as establishing a Taiwan Caucus in the state legislature, exploring the creation of a Rhode Island trade office in Taiwan, and signing a memorandum of understanding to boost economic cooperation. It also urges the state government to support Taiwan's participation in international organizations like the World Health Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization. Additionally, the resolution calls for concluding an agreement to avoid double taxation on trade and directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to relevant state and federal officials.