Sen. Hanna Gallo

Maddy summaryThis bill would temporarily allow motorcycles to drive between rows of stopped or moving vehicles, a practice known as lane splitting. The measure permits this maneuver only when traffic is moving at 10 mph or slower, the speed limit is over 50 mph, and the motorcycle travels no more than 10 mph faster than surrounding traffic. It requires the motorcycle operator to merge back into traffic once the traffic speed increases to 10 mph or higher. The law would take effect immediately upon passage but is set to expire on January 31, 2025, after which the practice would no longer be authorized under this act.

Permits every municipality in the state to offer a homestead tax exemption of up to 20% of assessed value on residential properties, and also provides that municipalities that grant greater exemptions not be limited by this section.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution asks the state's Children's Cabinet to hold a meeting by September 2024 to review progress on improving coordination among agencies responsible for early childhood programs. The bill responds to a 2023 report that recommended enhancements such as better data systems, unified budget reporting, and a "no wrong door" approach for enrolling families in services. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to relevant government groups and boards to ensure these coordination efforts are tracked and implemented.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates May 21, 2024, as "Cox Impact Day" in Rhode Island to recognize the contributions of Cox Communications and its charitable arm, Cox Charities. The bill highlights the company's history of funding STEM and community programs for youth across the Northeast and lists specific local organizations that received grants in 2024. By formally proclaiming this date, the resolution acknowledges Cox's philanthropic efforts in areas such as education, the environment, and civic engagement. The measure also directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies of the resolution to Cox Communications officials.

2) MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE ACT (Mandates 20 students per classroom for kindergarten through second grade. Exceptions for emergencies and temporary situations, not to exceed 3 days and mid-year enrollments.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Rhode Island's public prekindergarten program to ensure free, high-quality education for all children ages three and four, with a goal of enrolling at least 70% of eligible children statewide. It creates a mixed-delivery system that combines state funding with existing federal Head Start programs and contracts with various providers, including local schools and licensed child care centers. A key provision requires that teachers and assistants in these programs receive wages comparable to public kindergarten staff to help recruit and retain qualified educators. The legislation also mandates regular reporting to state officials on progress toward universal access and outlines specific quality standards for curriculum, class sizes, and support for diverse student needs.

Allows municipalities participating in the state prekindergarten program to accept students from outside the municipality under certain conditions and establishes a lottery for enrollment in the program.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally welcomes the Narragansett Council of the Boy Scouts of America to the Rhode Island State House and celebrates Scouting Month in February. The bill highlights the organization's contributions to youth development, community service, and outdoor education across the state, noting specific statistics on campers, service hours, and new members. It also acknowledges the council's plans to build a new Leadership and Program Center at Camp Champlin to expand its facilities and offerings. Ultimately, the resolution serves as a ceremonial tribute to the Scouts and their volunteer leaders rather than establishing new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally recognizes May 16, 2024, as "Zambarano Day" to honor the Eleanor Slater Hospital-Zambarano campus in Rhode Island. The bill acknowledges the facility's long history of providing critical long-term acute care services to patients with severe injuries and illnesses, as well as its role in planning a new state-of-the-art building. By passing this resolution, the Senate expresses its appreciation for the hospital staff and declares its ongoing support for the campus as an exemplary healthcare provider. The resolution concludes by directing the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the document to the hospital staff.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates state law to include Washington's Birthday as an official holiday for the purposes of the "work on holidays and Sundays" statute. The change directly affects employers and employees covered under this specific law, which generally requires businesses to close on designated holidays unless they can prove economic necessity. Under the existing rules, companies must demonstrate specific hardships, such as continuous production needs or industry standards, to justify operating on holidays like New Year's Day or Christmas. By adding Washington's Birthday to the list of recognized holidays, the legislation ensures that businesses must follow the same closure requirements or provide justification for working on this date as they do for other statutory holidays. The law is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2025.