Sen. Pete Appollonio

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates April 28, 2026, as "Arts Day in Rhode Island" to highlight the importance of arts and culture within the state. The bill encourages all residents to reflect on how creative activities enrich their lives and support local communities. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal proclamation to recognize the economic and social benefits of the arts sector. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts and the Rhode Island Coalition for the Arts.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally acknowledges the essential contributions of independent community pharmacies to Rhode Island's healthcare system and local economies. It highlights how these locally owned businesses provide personalized care, support neighborhood jobs, and offer reliable access to medications for residents, particularly seniors and those with chronic conditions. The document expresses appreciation for pharmacists and their staff while directing the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to the Rhode Island Pharmacists Association and independent pharmacies. As a symbolic measure, the bill does not alter any laws or funding but serves to honor the role these pharmacies play in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires condominium associations to perform structural surveys and reserve studies to assess building conditions and future repair needs. It mandates that these associations maintain financial reserves at a minimum of 15% to ensure funds are available for necessary repairs. The legislation directly affects homeowners and property managers in condominium communities by establishing new financial and planning requirements. These provisions aim to improve long-term maintenance planning and financial stability for condominium properties without specifying particular repair projects or outcomes.

Terminates the requirement that the public utilities commission allocate five million dollars ($5,000,000) annually to the Rhode Island infrastructure bank for use with energy efficient programs.

Maddy summarySB 2631 requires Rhode Island's Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and Division of Public Utilities and Carriers (DPUC) to complete a comprehensive study by April 30, 2027, aimed at lowering energy costs for consumers. The study must review all Rhode Island energy programs to identify those increasing costs, compare rates with other states, and recommend policy changes. It includes $100,000 for hiring consultants to research these areas and proposes that future energy-related legislation include clear cost impact statements. The bill directly affects the PUC/DUPC by mandating this study, with the goal of making energy rates more transparent and affordable for Rhode Island residents. It does not change current energy rates but sets a process for evaluating potential cost-saving measures.

Maddy summarySB 2516 repeals the energy efficiency charge previously included in utility base rates for electricity and water providers. This bill removes a specific fee that utilities had been allowed to add to customer bills to fund energy efficiency programs. The repeal does not affect existing funding for renewable energy programs (which continue at 0.3 mills per kilowatt-hour until 2028) or demand-side management programs for electricity and gas utilities. The bill directly affects regulated utilities distributing electricity, water, or gas, as it eliminates one cost they could pass to customers.

Maddy summarySB 2521 requires Rhode Island electricity providers (obligated entities) to gradually increase the share of renewable energy in their retail electricity sales, starting at 3% in 2007 and rising to 9.5% by 2032, with the goal of 100% renewable energy by 2033. The bill mandates that providers meet these targets for each electricity product sold to end-use customers, excluding voluntary renewable energy purchases by customers from counting toward the requirement (except in specific municipal aggregation plans). Compliance can be achieved by purchasing renewable energy credits (NE-GIS certificates) or making payments to a renewable energy development fund. The bill also directs the energy commission to assess in 2024 whether voluntary renewable purchases should be allowed to count toward the annual targets.

Requires the PUC to make public notification of any changes in eligibility or production of energy, and would direct the commission to promulgate rules and regulations to allow and facilitate the prompt public disclosure of this information.

Authorizes an increase in resource eligibility limits for persons with long-term-care needs who reside at home and requires semi-annual reports from Medicaid certified assisted living facilities and adult day service providers to the EOHHS.

Prohibits unauthorized placement of merchants on advertising platform order interfaces, and would prohibit third-party restaurant reservation services.