Sen. Lammis Vargas

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially designates April 2026 as "Financial Literacy Month" in Rhode Island. It encourages residents to participate in financial education programs and directs the Secretary of State to share the resolution with the RI JumpStart Coalition. The bill does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic declaration to highlight the importance of personal finance skills.

Requires police commission on standards/training to provide training/instructions for police detectives/officers/trainees to deal with traumatized youth resulting from incidents requiring a law enforcement response.

Increases and reallocates the fees collected for motor vehicle inspections, including motorcycle inspections, with an allocation of ten dollars ($10.00) to the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA).

Submits the state's 2026 capital development program requesting the issuance of general obligation bonds totaling one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) for approval of the electorate at the general election to be held in November, 2026.

Allows patients to authorize providers to email medical notes or records, requires written consent acknowledging risks, and ensures compliance with HIPAA while expanding delivery options beyond fax or in-person pickup.

Disqualifies individuals with prior felony convictions or nolo contendere pleas from purchasing or possessing a firearm. It also prevents the sentencing judge from suspending the first two (2) years of any sentence under limited circumstances.

Maddy summarySB 2095 directs 20% of annual revenue from Rhode Island's highway maintenance account to fund the Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority (RIPTA) starting July 1, 2026, for its operating costs. Previously, RIPTA received 5% (2015-2025), then 10% (2025-2026), with a fixed $5 million annual allocation (except during federal relief funding periods). The bill gradually increases transit funding from the highway fund to support RIPTA's operations without requiring new taxes. This policy change specifically affects RIPTA's budget and Rhode Island's transportation infrastructure funding structure.

Allows the department of environmental management to acquire established foot paths by eminent domain in order to provide public access to streams, rivers, lakes and ponds.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Residential Solar Energy Disclosure and Homeowners Bill of Rights Act to clarify definitions and improve disclosure requirements for solar energy agreements. It directly affects homeowners and solar retailers by updating standard forms used for lease and purchase agreements to include clearer details about costs, payment schedules, and customer responsibilities. The bill introduces a specific provision for catastrophic loss, allowing customers to temporarily suspend lease payments if their property becomes uninhabitable, though it does not cancel the remaining payments. Additionally, the legislation requires more transparent information on insurance responsibilities and potential federal tax credits in purchase agreements.

Creates a new license for eyelash service technicians, requires permit for eyelash businesses, establishes training and exam standards, authorizes RIDOH enforcement and fines, and imposes a $500 penalty for an unlicensed practice.