Sen. Matt LaMountain

Maddy summarySB 743 allows state employees in non-classified positions (including those at postsecondary and K-12 education agencies) to negotiate longevity payments as part of future collective bargaining agreements, effective July 1, 2025. Currently, such payments are prohibited for most employees under existing rules, but this bill reverses that restriction. The legislation specifies that longevity payments - defined as 5% after 10 years and 10% after 20 years of service - would not count toward base salary. It applies broadly across state education boards and other agencies, replacing a 2011 ban on new longevity increases.

Allows animal control officers in the cities and towns to lawfully take charge of and provide adequate care to any animal found abandoned or neglected or hazardously accumulated and would increase penalties for malicious injury to or killing of animals.

Establishes a restricted receipt account at the DLT for hospitality industry workforce training grants, funded by an annual $50 dollar fee to be charged by RIDOH to food service establishments.

Ensures public access to lead service lines to determine the existence of lead within the water connection. This act also ensures mitigation measures and replacement lines are consistent with the current version of 40 C.C.R. 141 Subpart I.

Allows retired state employees who worked for the unified judicial system as certified or qualified court interpreters to be employed or reemployed for a limited period in a given year.

Entitles correctional officers with twenty-five (25) years of service and who are at least fifty-five (55) years of age to a non-Medicare-eligible retiree health care insurance benefit.

Allows a modification to federal adjusted gross income of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) of social security income for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1045 exempts new subchapter S corporations (S corporations) in their first year of operation from paying Rhode Island's minimum corporate tax of $400. This applies to businesses that elect S corporation status under federal tax law and file their first state tax return. The bill specifically removes the requirement for these new entities to pay the minimum tax during their initial taxable year, though they remain subject to the regular 7% income tax on profits. The exemption takes effect immediately upon passage, affecting only first-year S corporations.

Maddy summarySB 409 modifies Rhode Island's personal income tax calculation for residents. It adds certain income types to taxable income, including nonqualified withdrawals from college savings plans (like funds used for non-educational expenses) and forgiven Paycheck Protection Program loans exceeding $250,000. It also allows a deduction of up to $500 (or $1,000 for joint filers) for contributions to Rhode Island's tuition savings program. The bill directly affects residents with these specific income sources or contributions, effective January 1, 2025.

Funds the state crime victim compensation program through an additional one dollar ($1.00) fine on traffic violations, exclusive of violations related to the parking of vehicles.