Removes the age restriction for benefits coverage/requires, after 1/1/26, for policies issued or renewed include coverage for reimbursement for provider services at a rate equal to, or greater than, Medicaid establishments of EOHHS.
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 423, titled "The Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act," establishes a new state funding category specifically for civics education. This bill amends existing law to provide direct state financial support to public school districts for the purpose of enhancing civics instruction. This new categorical funding aims to ensure dedicated resources are available for civics programs for students.
Maddy summarySB 553 amends the Rhode Island Fair Housing Practices Act. This bill allows tenants with disabilities to request to keep emotional support animals in their housing accommodations. The amendment aims to clarify protections against discrimination for these tenants regarding housing for their support animals.
Maddy summaryThis bill primarily revises the geographical boundaries of school bus districts across the state, affecting kindergarten through 12th-grade students attending public, vocational, special education, and nonpublic nonprofit schools. It redefines nine specific regions and clarifies that the school committee of the student's resident city or town is responsible for providing bus transportation within that region. The bill also details state funding for various education programs, including excess costs for special education, career and technical education, and pre-kindergarten. Additionally, it establishes a stabilization fund to provide financial support for Central Falls, the William M. Davies, Jr. Career and Technical High School, and the Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center, covering costs such as transportation and facility maintenance. Students currently receiving transportation under the old district system will transition to the new regions starting July 1, 2029.
Amends the definition of “dual enrollment” to encompass all Rhode Island public higher education institutions and amends all statutory references regarding the same.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a postsecondary tuition assistance program in Rhode Island for individuals pursuing teaching degrees in "shortage teaching fields," such as middle and high school science and mathematics. Administered by the Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner, the program provides funds for tuition, room, board, mandatory fees, and other costs of attending a Rhode Island postsecondary institution. To qualify, recipients must commit to completing at least three years of full-time teaching in a designated shortage field within the state. If this service requirement is not fulfilled, the tuition assistance converts into a loan that must be repaid by the individual. The program is open to both Rhode Island residents and non-residents and does not require SAT or AP scores for admission to the teaching program.
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 from sales tax the trade-in values of motorcycles as well the proceeds received as a result of an unrecovered stolen or total loss of a motorcycle.
Maddy summarySR 49 is a joint resolution proposing to allocate $250,000 from the state treasury for the fiscal year 2025-2026. This funding would be directed to the Substance Use and Mental Health Leadership Council of RI (SUMHLC). The resolution aims to support SUMHLC's mission of promoting a coordinated system of community-based mental health and substance use prevention and treatment services. This appropriation is intended to help address the high rates of addiction and the need for readily available services in Rhode Island.
