Proposes a state constitutional amendment to provide no person could hold office as general officer unless that person was a resident and a registered voter in the State of Rhode Island for at least 2 years, continuously, prior to taking office.
Prohibits public utilities, serving greater 100,000 customers from recovering through rates any direct or indirect cost associated with, amongst other costs, advertising, marketing, communications.
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.
Allocates the assessment of fines for failure to file reports between the board of elections between the candidate and political action or political party committee.
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 2686 establishes a new Office of the Elder Advocate within the Rhode Island state government. This office will directly promote the rights and well-being of older adults across the state. The key mechanism is creating a dedicated state position to advocate for older adults, address concerns about their care and rights, and serve as a resource for this population. The bill is currently in the early stages, having been introduced on February 27, 2026, and referred to the Senate Health and Human Services committee.
Amends various sections of law relating to campaign contributions and expenditures, including prohibitions on self-dealing with committee funds and prohibits donations made in fictitious names.
Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000) to the RI Public Transit Authority to continue services, hire and train more bus operators, and implement the State's Act on Climate goals.
Establishes a restricted receipt account for RIPTA to fund it operations from sales tax collected from ride-share companies. Exempts the account from indirect cost recovery provisions.
Adds school superintendents, central office officials, school principals, and all other school employees, to the definition of a “public official” for purposes of the criminal prohibition against making threats to public officials.
