Sen. Sam Zurier

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates May 2025 as "National Speech-Language-Hearing Month" in Rhode Island to raise public awareness about communication disorders. It urges the Department of Human Services to conduct hearing screenings and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to encourage schools and professionals to participate in awareness activities. The resolution is symbolic and does not create new laws or funding.

Maddy summarySR 1081 is a Senate Resolution that extends the deepest condolences and sympathy from the State of Rhode Island Senate to the family and friends of the Honorable Robert G. Salisbury upon his passing. The resolution acknowledges his life of service, including his time as a Central Falls firefighter and a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives.

Allows school bus drivers in Massachusetts and Connecticut who have a valid CDL license in good standing be exempt from the licensing requirements in Rhode Island to transport school children.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution (SR 1023) proclaims May 2025 as "Brain Tumor Awareness Month" in the State of Rhode Island. This resolution aims to raise public awareness about brain tumors and highlight the urgent need for further research into the condition. It also directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to the leadership of the American Brain Tumor Association.

Changes annual reporting requirements for the state’s family home-visiting program and also impacts appropriation and spending of funds in order to access maximum federal funding for these programs.

Mandates additional state education funding for the mental and behavioral health of students equal to 2% of the district’s total expenditures, and require those funds be used to hire staff such as school social workers, and behavioral specialists.

Maddy summarySB 1046 amends the state's sales and use tax laws related to hotel taxes. Currently, there is a 5% state hotel tax and a 1% local hotel tax on hotel stays and similar accommodations. This bill introduces a new provision that allows individual cities and towns to levy an *additional* local hotel tax, up to a maximum of two percent (2%). This means a community could increase its total local hotel tax from one percent to up to three percent, with the state's division of taxation generally collecting and distributing these local taxes to the respective municipalities.

Establishes the process to provide a legal mechanism whereby a terminally ill patient may choose to end their life using medications prescribed by a physician.

Maddy summarySB 185 mandates large electric and gas utility companies (over 100,000 customers) to establish an income-sensitive tiered payment program for residential customers whose household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. This program aims to make home energy costs more affordable by ensuring eligible households pay no more than a fixed percentage of their income for utilities. It includes fixed monthly payments and a 24-month plan for forgiving prior unpaid bills. The costs of these discounts and related administration will be covered by all other utility customers through adjustments to their rates, as determined by the Public Utilities Commission.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 1065 recognizes the 77th anniversary of Israel's Day of Independence and reaffirms the bonds of friendship and cooperation between Rhode Island, the United States, and Israel. Copies of this resolution are directed to be sent to the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island and the Israeli Consulate General in Boston.