Sen. Sam Zurier

Primary SB 259

died · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

Provides that a student's enrollment in Medicaid would be included in calculating and determining the student success factor for use in the foundation education-aid formula.

Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill title explicitly includes 'Property Tax Relief Act,' indicating tax relief intent. Summary links Medicaid enrollment to education funding formula, aligning with tax relief mechanism.95% confidence EducationSupports EducationIncludes Medicaid enrollment in education aid formula, potentially increasing funding for schools serving low-income students by adjusting the foundation formula.90% confidence

died May 13, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SB 627

died · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ACT

Establishes regulations to ensure the ethical development, integration, and deployment of high-risk AI systems, particularly those influencing consequential decisions.

TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates high-risk AI systems for ethical development and consequential decisions, aligning with consumer protection regulations in tech policy.95% confidence

died May 12, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SB 767

Passed · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW--GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- GENETIC INFORMATION PRIVACY ACT

Establishes the Genetic Information Privacy Act, which would require a direct-to-consumer genetic testing company, as defined, to provide a consumer with certain information regarding the company’s policies and procedures regarding use of genetic data.

TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires genetic testing companies to disclose data policies, strengthening consumer data privacy protections for genetic information handling.95% confidence

Passed May 9, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SB 504

died · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- SUBDIVISION OF LAND -- ZONING ORDINANCES

Requires cities and towns to permit attached single-family dwellings in any residential zoning districts and each such dwelling would be entitled to its own parcel thorough subdivision regardless lot size or base zone standards.

HousingSupports HousingBill mandates zoning changes to permit attached single-family dwellings in all residential zones, increasing housing supply and development potential without lot size restrictions, supporting affordable housing expansion.95% confidence

died May 8, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SB 21

Passed · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS

Maddy summarySB 21 modifies teacher certification processes in Rhode Island. It automatically extends existing teacher certifications for three or five years, without fees, for those certified by July 1, 2025. To promote recruitment, the bill waives initial teacher certification application and Praxis examination fees for a three-year period starting July 1, 2025. It also allows teachers with at least three years of experience to acquire additional certifications and directs the Department of Education to create more flexible pathways for obtaining teacher and administrator certifications, including recognizing non-traditional experience.

EducationSupports EducationWaives certification fees and extends credentials to boost teacher recruitment/retention, directly supporting educator workforce development in K-12 education.95% confidence

Passed May 7, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SB 477

Passed · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFITS

Includes any costs paid by an enrollee or on behalf of the enrollee by a third party when calculating an enrollee’s overall contribution to any out-of-pocket maximum or cost sharing requirement under a health plan as of January 1, 2026.

HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill counts third-party drug costs toward out-of-pocket max, reducing patient financial burden and improving prescription drug access under insurance plans.85% confidence

Passed May 7, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SB 774

Passed · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING EDUCATION -- COUNCIL ON ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

Expands council on elementary and secondary education and board of education and makes teacher of year and student advisory chair voting members on each.

EducationSupports EducationAdds Teacher of Year and Student Advisory Chair as voting members, enhancing educator and student representation in education governance.90% confidence

Passed May 7, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SB 20

died · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- COUNCIL ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

Directs the commissioner of postsecondary education to prepare a strategic plan for public higher education which is aligned with the goals of the board of education's strategic plan.

EducationSupports EducationDirects strategic planning for public higher education alignment, advancing institutional goals without funding cuts or restrictions.85% confidence

died May 7, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SR 1025

Passed · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor

SENATE RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING APRIL 24, 2025, AS "ARMENIAN GENOCIDE REMEMBRANCE DAY" TO COMMEMORATE THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE OF 1915 TO 1923, AND IN HONOR OF ARMENIAN-AMERICANS

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 1025 proclaims April 24, 2025, as "Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day" in the State of Rhode Island. It also requests the U.S. President and Congress to urge Turkey to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and make restitution, and expresses sympathy to the Armenian-American community of Rhode Island.

Passed May 6, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SB 111

died · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- RHODE ISLAND NEW QUALIFIED JOBS INCENTIVE ACT 2015

Maddy summaryThis bill, SB 111, proposes to discontinue the tax rate reductions provided under the "Jobs Development Act." It would sunset all existing rate reductions from this program by July 1, 2025. Companies that qualified for a rate reduction before July 1, 2015, would be allowed to maintain their existing reduction until the 2025 deadline, provided they continue to meet their obligations. No new credits or additional rate reductions would be authorized under the Jobs Development Act after June 30, 2025.

Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill ends tax rate reductions for businesses, increasing tax burden post-2025 by restricting existing incentives and banning new credits under the Jobs Development Act.95% confidence

died May 6, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track