Sen. Pete Appollonio

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 1165) celebrating the 30th anniversary of Father Bernard A. Healey's priestly ordination on June 24, 2025. It formally recognizes his decades of service to Rhode Island, including his work with the poor, his roles as a chaplain and Catholic Conference director, and his community leadership. The resolution has no policy impact - it simply directs the Secretary of State to send Father Healey a certified copy of the resolution. It directly affects only Father Healey as a symbolic gesture of appreciation.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 1164), not a policy bill. It formally congratulates Dr. Rosemary Costigan on her appointment as the sixth President of the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), noting she is the first alumna and second woman to hold this role. The resolution highlights her career path as a CCRI nursing graduate, faculty member, and interim president, including her leadership during a period of institutional growth. It contains no policy changes, funding, or obligations - it is purely an honorary gesture to recognize her appointment and achievements. The Senate passed it on June 21, 2025, directing the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to Dr. Costigan.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SR 871) appropriates $500,000 from the state treasury to fund the operational costs of Rhode Island's 2-1-1 human services hotline. The 2-1-1 system, operated by the United Way of Rhode Island, provides free, confidential, 24/7 assistance in nearly 200 languages to help residents access resources for housing, healthcare, food, childcare, and crisis support. The funding supports the existing service, which handled over 190,000 requests in 2023-2024 and aids state agencies by identifying community needs. The resolution passed the Senate on June 20, 2025, and directs the state controller to pay the United Way upon verification.

Maddy summarySB 1097 requires that Class 1 property tax rates in Warwick be set at no less than 57% of Class 2 property tax rates, ensuring a minimum ratio between the two classifications. This directly affects property owners in Warwick, as the city assessor must apply this ratio when determining annual tax rates. The bill amends local tax law to mandate this specific rate relationship for Class 1 and Class 2 properties, rather than requiring identical rates. It applies retroactively to the December 31, 2024, property assessment.

Maddy summarySB 1111 proposes three amendments to the Warwick City Charter requiring voter approval. It would allow electronic notice for special council meetings (replacing only in-person or residence delivery), raise the small procurement threshold (currently $1,000-$2,500) to be adjustable by city ordinance, and require the city council to establish via ordinance how minority party representation is appointed to city boards and commissions. These changes directly affect Warwick City Council members, city purchasing staff, and individuals appointed to city boards. The bill must be approved by voters in November 2026 (or a special election) to take effect.

Maddy summarySB 171 would allow Rhode Island's executive office of health and human services to use state funds to support graduate medical education programs at academic medical centers serving critically ill and indigent patients. The bill directs these centers to receive funding for training in key areas like trauma, primary care, maternal health, mental health, and substance abuse. It requires the health office to establish annual Medicaid payment mechanisms to distribute these funds. If passed, this would change how state Medicaid funds support medical residency programs, though it remains pending Senate approval as of June 17, 2025.

Updates the statutory terminology by replacing the phrase "institutions of higher learning" with that of "educational institutions" and redefines child daycare centers as educational institutions.

Maddy summarySB 913 requires all new contractor applicants in Rhode Island to submit a legible copy of government-issued identification as part of their registration application. This adds to existing requirements like business details, insurance documentation, and tax information. The bill applies only to new registration applications, not to current registered contractors or renewal processes. It does not change other provisions of the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board regulations.

Limits the mandatory rental registry to properties constructed prior to 1978, and further push out the effective date of registration to September 1, 2025, with the penalty clause becoming effective as of October 1, 2025.

Creates the PURPLE alert state system to aid in the search for a missing adult with a serious physical, behavioral health, neurological disabilities or medical condition.