Establishes a seven (7) member public-private partnership infrastructure oversight commission to approve all requests for proposals submitted for public-private partnership construction of qualified facilities.
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 176 establishes the "Higher Education Opportunities for Students with Intellectual Disabilities Act." This bill allows students aged 18-21 (or up to 22) with severe intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, or other severe developmental disabilities, who receive special education services, to attend state colleges and universities. These students are not required to meet standard college admission criteria like entrance exams or a high school diploma. The act aims to provide inclusive educational opportunities, including participation in courses and development of employment and independent living skills, with costs covered as part of their special education services.
Maddy summarySenate Resolution 995 expresses the deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences of the Rhode Island Senate on the passing of the Honorable Dominick J. Ruggerio, the former President and Dean of the Rhode Island Senate. It directs the Secretary of State to transmit certified copies of the resolution to his family.
Maddy summarySB 639, known as "The School Libraries Act," establishes new requirements for public schools across the state. It mandates that every public school must have a permanent, dedicated school library equipped with an adequate collection, technology, and budget. The bill also requires all public schools to employ certified school librarians, with specific staffing levels (full-time for schools with 250+ students, half-time for smaller schools) to be phased in by the 2030-2031 school year. This legislation aims to ensure students in all public schools have daily access to these libraries and their resources.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 964) formally designates April 2025 as "Financial Literacy Month" in Rhode Island. It does not create new laws or requirements but publicly recognizes the importance of financial education, urging all Rhode Islanders to participate in programs that improve skills like budgeting, saving, and avoiding financial scams. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to share the proclamation with the RI JumpStart Coalition, a group focused on financial literacy education. It directly affects the state's public awareness efforts, aligning with existing high school financial education standards established in 2021.
Maddy summarySB 540 allows motorcycles to legally "lane filter" - passing stopped or slow-moving vehicles (traveling 10 mph or slower) in the same direction - under specific conditions. It requires lanes to be wide enough for safe passing, limits motorcycle speed to 20 mph during filtering, and mandates continued reasonable operation. The bill directly affects motorcycle riders and drivers in traffic congestion, changing existing rules to permit this maneuver. It takes effect upon passage and does not apply to vehicles moving faster than 10 mph.
Amends the constitution to guarantee Rhode Island residents with equal opportunity to receive an education that is adequate, equitable and meaningful and provides judicial enforcement of this provision.
Establishes guidelines for the expansion of high-quality public prekindergarten education programs for children ages three (3) and four (4) to increase children’s school readiness.
Requires small employers with one to fifty (1-50) employees and large employers with fifty (50) or more employees to pay overtime wages to exempt workers if their salary exceeds varying multipliers of minimum wage for a forty (40) hour workweek.
