Sen. Lou Raptakis

Maddy summarySB 554 amends Rhode Island's Personal Watercraft Safety Act to increase penalties for certain violations. It makes violations of specific safety rules (sections 46-27-2(b) and 46-27-2(h)) punishable as misdemeanors, carrying fines up to $500 or up to six months in jail, plus possible six-month suspension of operating privileges. Other violations of the act or related environmental management rules become civil violations with $250 fines. The bill directly affects personal watercraft operators who breach these safety provisions. It takes effect upon passage, as signed by the governor on June 13, 2025.

Provides that commercial driver instruction would include industry-specific training on the recognition, prevention, and reporting of human trafficking.

Provides that a person over 18 yrs can purchase/possess a stun gun or electronic dart gun, prohibits sale of a stun gun or electronic dart gun to anyone under18 yrs, and criminalizes the use of a stun gun or electronic dart gun in any criminal offense.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 1151) honoring Bristol, Rhode Island's 240th annual Fourth of July celebration, recognized as the oldest continuous such event in the U.S. It directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies to specific individuals involved in organizing the 2025 event, including committee leaders and honorary titles like "Miss Fourth of July." The resolution has no policy impact or financial obligation, solely serving to publicly acknowledge the community event and its organizers.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill) formally congratulating Warwick Police Chief Colonel Bradford Connor on his retirement after 27+ years of service. It recognizes his career path, including roles in community policing, leadership positions within the department, and service during the pandemic at Women & Infants Hospital. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send Chief Connor a certified copy of the tribute, with no policy changes or obligations created for any other entity. It solely serves as a formal expression of appreciation from the Rhode Island Senate.

Allows boats and marine assets to utilize the overweight oversize annual blanket permit that was in effect until 2022, and for the resumption of the prior practice of permitting for boats and marine asset transportation.

Defines squatter as a person occupying a dwelling unit who is not authorized by the property owner, landlord or tenant to occupy the unit and provides remedies for property owner including police assistance to remove a squatter.

Maddy summarySB 845 creates a voluntary tax deduction option on Rhode Island state income tax returns, allowing taxpayers to direct a portion of their refund to the Rhode Island Meals on Wheels Inc. Fund starting with tax year 2025. Taxpayers can choose to contribute by checking a box on their return, with contributions collected annually and deposited into the fund. The fund, managed by the state treasurer, will provide financial support exclusively for eligible individuals and families served by Meals on Wheels programs. This change does not alter tax rates or require contributions - it simply offers a new, optional way for residents to support meal delivery services for vulnerable community members.

Raises the amount of life insurance the state provides at no charge to Rhode Island National Guard members called up for federal duty to five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000).

Maddy summarySB 1133 reclassifies unauthorized use or theft of gift cards as larceny or forgery under state law. It makes it a crime to steal or use a gift card without consent (under $1,500) or alter a gift card, subjecting offenders to larceny penalties (up to $1,000 fine or 1 year in jail) or forgery penalties. For amounts exceeding $1,500 or repeated offenses within six months, penalties escalate to standard larceny charges. This directly affects gift card holders (who may be defrauded), card issuers, and retailers, by treating gift card fraud as equivalent to traditional property theft under Chapter 6-59. The bill takes effect upon passage.