Sen. Pete Appollonio

Maddy summarySB 729 expands Rhode Island's criminal threats law to specifically protect election officials and workers. It makes threats against election officials (including poll workers, wardens, moderators, and board members) a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail or a $1,000 fine, rather than being covered under the general public official provisions. The bill directly affects election workers who perform duties at polling places during elections. Key provisions define "election official" broadly to include all staff at polling locations and clarify that threats targeting them for their role are now explicitly prohibited. This law took effect immediately upon the governor's signature on June 26, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 266 temporarily removes the requirement for clinical social workers to pass a standardized exam to obtain a license, effective immediately until August 15, 2025. This directly affects new applicants seeking clinical social worker licensure in Rhode Island. The bill also directs the licensing board to develop language accommodations and alternative qualification pathways to improve access for diverse communities. After August 15, 2025, the previous exam requirement will resume unless further action is taken.

Eliminates the "until June 30, 2025" sunset on the increase in the total amount of earnings a partial-unemployment insurance claimant can receive before being entirely disqualified for unemployment insurance benefits.

Empowers the division of motor vehicles to make available special motor vehicle registration plates for the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association.

Permits the division of unclaimed property within the office of the general treasurer to accept miscellaneous intangible property belonging to Rhode Island residents.

Standardizes successor appointment language for various boards and adds language providing that a quorum be a majority of appointed members and the language applies across several healthcare professional boards that currently lack this language.

Maddy summarySB 125 sets the state's minimum wage at $16 per hour starting January 1, 2026, and increases it to $17 per hour starting January 1, 2027. This bill directly affects all covered employers and hourly workers in the state who are subject to minimum wage laws. The legislation amends the existing minimum wage schedule by adding these specific future rates, building on previous annual increases. The change takes effect immediately upon the governor's signature, as confirmed by the bill's recent passage and signing on June 24, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 499 changes how property taxes are calculated for owner-occupied low- and moderate-income housing in Rhode Island. It requires tax assessors to use the property's most recent sales price as its assessed value, rather than the standard full cash value assessment. This directly affects homeowners in qualifying low- and moderate-income housing units who own their homes. The policy aims to provide tax relief by aligning assessments with actual market transactions for these properties.

Prohibits an individual who is licensed as both a Rhode Island real estate agent and mortgage loan originator to be compensated for both the sale of the property and the origination or referral of the loan in securing the property.

Requires associations to provide unit owners within thirty (30) days notice of any increase in the deductible application to the association’s policy.