Sen. Mark McKenney

Maddy summarySB 296 repeals a provision requiring women in the community corrections program for women offenders to pay additional penalties for prostitution-related offenses. Specifically, it removes the $500 fee for felony charges (or 10% of any fine, whichever is greater) and the $350 fee for misdemeanor charges (or 10% of any fine, whichever is greater). This change directly affects women participating in the community corrections program who are convicted of prostitution-related offenses, eliminating these financial obligations. The repeal takes effect immediately upon the bill's passage.

Requires associations to provide unit owners within thirty (30) days notice of any increase in the deductible application to the association’s policy.

Maddy summarySB 614 is a technical correction bill that updates reporting requirements for alcohol beverage taxes and clarifies the allocation of motor fuel tax proceeds. It requires Class A alcohol licensees to submit annual sales and tax reports by February 1st, with the tax administrator compiling county-level data for legislative committees by May 1st. The bill also specifies exact cents-per-gallon allocations from motor fuel taxes for public transit (starting 2004), the Elderly/Disabled Transportation Program (starting 2010), and general revenue, while directing $0.035 per gallon to the Sakonnet River Bridge maintenance fund starting in 2015. It does not create new taxes or change existing rates, but refines administrative processes and funding distribution.

Provides an exemption for certain incarcerated persons from the payment of fees for a first request for vital statistics from the department of health.

Creates process for condominium associations to give notice to and obtain approval from unit mortgage holders for certain association actions by mailing a written request for approval to the unit mortgagees via regular and certified mail.

Maddy summarySB 722 requires construction sites to maintain an open access point for workers during all work hours, prohibiting locked gates, fences, or barriers that obstruct entry or exit. It directly affects construction site owners, operators, and managers on both public and private property. Violations result in a written warning for the first offense, followed by a $1,000 daily fine and immediate work stoppage for subsequent violations. The law aims to ensure workers can freely enter and exit sites while work is ongoing, with no exceptions during active construction. It took effect immediately upon the governor’s signature on June 24, 2025.

Provides that the commissioner of elementary and secondary education directs all local education agencies to select one of the identified high-quality curricula and materials for science and technology no later than June 30, 2026.

Provides that the “meetings” requirements from § 34-36.1-3.08 be applicable to condominiums created before July 1, 1982, and would permit remote participation in condominium meetings.

Maddy summarySB 520 simplifies the process for voters who are indefinitely confined due to illness or disability, or long-term nursing home residents, to automatically receive mail ballots for every election. It allows these voters to apply by signing an affidavit (submitted online via a secretary of state portal or by mail), with the secretary of state maintaining a central list of eligible voters in the voter registration system. Voters must notify local officials if they no longer qualify, leading to removal from the list within five days. The bill also includes a temporary provision (expiring December 2025) enabling eligible disabled voters to return mail ballots electronically, meeting federal accessibility standards.

Maddy summarySB 626 requires Rhode Island municipalities to maintain and update a current list of rights-of-way (access paths) to tidal areas designated by the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC). This applies directly to all cities and towns in the state, mandating they keep these records accurate and accessible. The bill's key mechanism is a new administrative duty for local governments to document and regularly revise these tidal access points. It does not alter CRMC's existing planning or management powers but adds a specific local record-keeping requirement. The law focuses on improving transparency and coordination for coastal resource management.