Requires that an independent efficiency and performance audit of the department of transportation be commissioned by the department of administration.
Creates a 9 member commission to study shared services and the potential for regionalization of school districts, and who would report back to the Senate by April 15, 2027, and whose life would expire once its report is issued.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires schools to report the names and reasons for termination of non-teacher employees who are fired for misconduct to the state Department of Education. The department would maintain a confidential list accessible only to hiring authorities for other schools, helping them avoid hiring individuals with documented termination records. The law excludes contract nonrenewals and terminations due to budget cuts or reorganization from this reporting requirement.
Maddy summaryThis bill changes election deadlines by moving the date for filing candidacy declarations from June to April for state and local elections. It directly affects candidates running for party or independent nomination in primary elections by requiring them to submit their paperwork earlier. The key provision sets a new April deadline for filing declaration forms, which must include personal information, party affiliation, and certifications about criminal history and mental competency. Local election boards will check signatures against voter lists and can reject papers with invalid signatures, while the state board may review cases showing patterns of forgery. This change aims to ensure candidates file their nomination materials earlier in the election cycle.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows local municipalities in the state to adopt ranked choice voting for their elections once voters approve a charter amendment. Under this system, voters rank candidates in order of preference on their ballots, and votes are counted in rounds where eliminated candidates' votes transfer to voters' next choices. The bill defines specific rules for how ballots are counted in both single-winner and multi-winner elections, including how to handle surplus votes and invalid ballots. It applies only to local elections within jurisdictions that have officially adopted the method through voter approval, and it would eliminate separate primary elections in those areas.
Creates the Rhode Island Social Media Regulation act, which would not permit a Rhode Island resident who is a minor to be an account holder on a social media's platform unless the minor has the express consent of a parent or guardian.
Spells out rules and regulations for the presidential preference primary elections, and would also establish rules for ranked choice voting tabulation and results reporting by the secretary of state.
Maddy summarySB 2619 would prevent corporations, associations, and partnerships (including those formed outside Rhode Island but operating within it) from spending money or other resources to influence state elections or ballot measures. The bill revokes any implied legal authority for these entities to engage in political spending and explicitly states that such activity is not part of their granted business powers. Any political spending by these entities would be void and unenforceable, with no ability to ratify or validate such actions. The bill does not affect individual voters, the state government, or political committees already regulated under election laws.
Maddy summarySB 2567 establishes a universal single-payer healthcare system called "RICare" for all Rhode Island residents, replacing the current multi-insurer model with a publicly administered system funded through state taxes. It aims to guarantee universal access to primary and preventive care while reducing administrative costs and medical debt by consolidating payments into one system. Key provisions include creating a RICare Board, defining healthcare terms, and requiring coordination with state agencies to implement the system after securing federal approval. The bill is currently in early stages (introduced February 2026, referred to Senate Health Committee) and does not specify funding details or timelines for full implementation.
Maddy summarySB 2641 establishes uniform statewide standards for how electric companies read meters and generate bills for customers. It directly affects electric utilities (like power companies) and their residential and commercial customers. The bill requires all electric providers to follow specific, consistent practices for meter reading accuracy and billing transparency. This creates a clear framework for billing processes across the state, ensuring standardized procedures rather than varying local rules. The legislation aims to improve clarity and fairness in utility billing for all affected customers.
