Sen. Pete Appollonio

Primary SB 1096

Signed into law · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor

AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF WARWICK TO ISSUE NOT TO EXCEED $50,000,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, NOTES AND OTHER EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS TO FINANCE THE CONSTRUCTION, RENOVATION, IMPROVEMENT, ALTERATION, REPAIR, LANDSCAPING, DEMOLITION, ARCHITECTURAL COSTS, ENGINEERING, FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF

I) TWO NEW HIGH SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL FACILITIES TO REPLACE PILGRIM HIGH SCHOOL AND TOLLGATE HIGH SCHOOL AND ON-SITE ATHLETIC FIELDS, AND (II) RECREATION AND ATHLETIC FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE CITY (Authorizes the city of Warwick to issue not more than $50,000,000 general obligation bonds, notes and other evidences of indebtedness to finance two new high schools and school facilities.

EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes $50M bonds for new high school construction, renovation, and facilities, directly funding K-12 infrastructure improvements per bill summary.95% confidence

Signed into law Jun 13, 2025 0 co-sponsors

Primary SB 387

Signed into law · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- PUBLIC BUILDINGS

Requires the installation of universal changing stations in all newly constructed, reconstructed, or remodeled public buildings and places of public accommodation.

Signed into law Jun 13, 2025 0 co-sponsors

Primary SB 514

Signed into law · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- RETIREMENT SYSTEM--ADMINISTRATION

Maddy summarySB 514 requires the state retirement board to post all archived and future video or audio recordings of its meetings online on the employees' retirement system website. This applies to all retirement board meetings and any subsidiary investment boards. The law, effective January 1, 2026, mandates this transparency for all recordings, both past and future. It does not change retirement benefits or funding but makes board deliberations more publicly accessible.

Signed into law Jun 13, 2025 0 co-sponsors

Primary SB 1154

In committee · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS

Provides that a person over 18 yrs can purchase/possess a stun gun or electronic dart gun, prohibits sale of a stun gun or electronic dart gun to anyone under18 yrs, and criminalizes the use of a stun gun or electronic dart gun in any criminal offense.

In committee Jun 13, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SB 865

Passed · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC FINANCE -- STATE INVESTMENT COMMISSION

Requires the state investment commission to create a capital access initiative to expand potential investment opportunities for the state’s pension fund and engage qualified but traditionally underrepresented investment managers.

Passed Jun 12, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SB 786

Passed · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Prohibits prior authorization or a step therapy protocol for the prescription of a nonpreferred medication on their drug formulary used to assess or treat an enrollee's bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or schizotypal.

HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill removes prior authorization barriers for mental health medications (bipolar/schizophrenia treatment), improving patient access to necessary care per healthcare topic indicators.90% confidence

Passed Jun 12, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SB 515

Passed · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- SEXUAL OFFENDER REGISTRATION AND COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION

Makes it a felony for any person required to register as a sex offender to live within three hundred feet (300’) of a school as defined in § 11-37.1-2.

Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for sex offenders by making proximity to schools a felony, expanding criminalization rather than promoting reform or rehabilitation.95% confidence

Passed Jun 12, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SB 552

Passed · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- DISARMING A PEACE OFFICER

Makes it a felony for any person to remove or attempt to remove any firearm or other weapon or any communication device from any peace officer or investigator of the department of attorney general.

Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens law enforcement safety by criminalizing disarming officers, directly supporting officer protection within criminal justice policy.95% confidence

Passed Jun 12, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SB 444

Passed · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- RETIREMENT SYSTEM -- MEMBERSHIP AND SERVICE CREDITS

Allows members of the retirement system who served in the national guard or reserves and qualify as veterans, to purchase retirement service credits based on their years of service in the National guard or reserves.

VeteransSupports VeteransAllows veterans to purchase retirement credits for National Guard/reserve service, expanding retirement benefits for veterans.95% confidence

Passed Jun 12, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SR 1150

Passed · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor

SENATE RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING WARWICK POLICE DEPARTMENT CHIEF COLONEL BRADFORD CONNOR ON HIS FORTHCOMING RETIREMENT ON JUNE 29, 2025, AFTER MORE THAN 27 YEARS OF EXEMPLARY SERVICE TO THE CITY OF WARWICK

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill) formally congratulating Warwick Police Chief Colonel Bradford Connor on his retirement after 27+ years of service. It recognizes his career path, including roles in community policing, leadership positions within the department, and service during the pandemic at Women & Infants Hospital. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send Chief Connor a certified copy of the tribute, with no policy changes or obligations created for any other entity. It solely serves as a formal expression of appreciation from the Rhode Island Senate.

Passed Jun 12, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track