Sen. Sam Zurier

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 964) formally designates April 2025 as "Financial Literacy Month" in Rhode Island. It does not create new laws or requirements but publicly recognizes the importance of financial education, urging all Rhode Islanders to participate in programs that improve skills like budgeting, saving, and avoiding financial scams. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to share the proclamation with the RI JumpStart Coalition, a group focused on financial literacy education. It directly affects the state's public awareness efforts, aligning with existing high school financial education standards established in 2021.

Amends the constitution to guarantee Rhode Island residents with equal opportunity to receive an education that is adequate, equitable and meaningful and provides judicial enforcement of this provision.

Establishes guidelines for the expansion of high-quality public prekindergarten education programs for children ages three (3) and four (4) to increase children’s school readiness.

Created the Rhode Island clean heat standards act to implement a system of tradeable clean heat credits earned from the delivery of clean heat measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Allows the dismissal of a teacher after the March 1 deadline if there is gross misconduct by a teacher upon a student. Also allows the notice to be given at any time and will not have any time constraints.

Maddy summarySB 24 prohibits the licensing of new high-heat waste facilities in Rhode Island, including incinerators, gasification plants, and advanced recycling facilities that use heat above 400°F to process waste. It directly affects developers and operators seeking to build or operate such facilities, blocking new permits and licenses. The bill defines "high-heat waste facilities" broadly to cover processes like incineration, pyrolysis, and chemical recycling of plastics or waste materials. This is a concrete policy change that would prevent new facilities from being constructed or operated, pending legislative action. The bill is currently under review by the Senate Environment and Agriculture Committee.

Provides amendments to procedures necessary for approval of transactions between utilities by giving the public utilities commission jurisdiction; mandates public hearings, allows intervention by any interested party and provides for appeal.

Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $32,594,799 to the RI Public Transit Authority to continue services, hire and train more bus operators, and implement the State's Act on Climate goals.

Effective July 1, 2025, provides that, the profit margin of any electric distribution company or gas distribution company, would not exceed 4%, in any calendar year and defines a "profit margin" as the return on equity that is allowed by the commission.

Extends allocation of motor fuel tax to the Intermodal Surface Transportation Fund through 2025. Changes the allocation to 30% total proceeds, including 30% from the one cent per gallon environmental protection fee through 2026 and thereafter.