Sen. Mark McKenney

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution commemorates the 214th anniversary of Colombia's independence on July 20, 2024. It formally recognizes the historical events that led to Colombia's freedom from Spanish rule and highlights the shared values between the United States and Colombia. The bill directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies of the resolution to the Colombian American Cultural Society and Colombia en Rhode Island.

Maddy summarySB 2225 repeals specific provisions in state law that required women participating in the community corrections program to pay additional costs for prostitution-related offenses. This change directly affects female offenders who are eligible for community confinement, removing the mandatory financial assessments of $500 or $350 for felony and misdemeanor charges respectively. By eliminating these fees, the bill ensures that women in the program are no longer subject to these extra penalties regardless of whether they are sentenced to prison or released into the community. The legislation removes the requirement for these funds to be deposited as general revenue, simplifying the financial obligations associated with this specific correctional pathway.

Encourages and protects the freedom of public libraries to acquire materials without limitations and prohibits materials being removed from public libraries due to partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

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

Maddy summarySB 2571 amends Rhode Island's real estate tax laws to limit assessments for low- and moderate-income housing units to the last sales price within a five-year period. For properties that have not sold in that timeframe, the bill allows assessors to use a calculated maximum sales price determined by a monitoring agent instead of current market estimates. The legislation also includes specific tax exemptions for new construction on vacant homes and certain improvements in the cities of Warwick and Central Falls. Additionally, it ensures that renewable energy resources on a property do not trigger a reassessment of the underlying land value. These changes aim to provide stability in property tax calculations for affordable housing and specific residential development scenarios.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the state's criminal injuries compensation program to include victims of hit-and-run incidents who suffer serious bodily injury. Currently, the program covers compensation for various violent crimes, but this legislation specifically adds failure to stop after a collision causing significant harm to the list of eligible offenses. By making this change, the law allows these victims to apply for financial assistance from the crime victim compensation fund, which is administered by a state office. The measure takes effect immediately upon passage and aims to expand access to support for individuals injured in traffic accidents where the driver fled the scene.

Phases in modifications to federal adjusted gross income over a 4 year period for social security income, from 25% up to 100%, beginning on or after January 1, 2025.

Allows victims of violent crime receiving awards under the state's crime victim compensation program to use up to $1,000 of their total award to make reasonable modification to their residence to ensure their future safety.

Proposes a state constitutional amendment that no department or other entity created by the state would have poser to incur debt in excess of $ 50,000, without express approval from the legislature and voters.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to set a statewide cap of 12% per year on the interest or penalties that cities and towns can charge on unpaid local taxes. Currently, local municipalities have the authority to set these rates up to 18%, but this legislation would lower that maximum limit for most towns while keeping the existing 12% cap for the city of Cranston. The change aims to standardize the maximum cost of late payments across the state by amending the General Laws regarding local tax assessments.