Sen. Lou Raptakis

Maddy summarySB 438 provides a property tax exemption for veterans' primary residences, directly affecting veterans who served in specified conflicts (including World War I, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, and others) with an honorable discharge, plus their unmarried surviving spouses. The bill exempts a set dollar amount from property taxes on the veteran's primary home, with the exemption amount varying by municipality (e.g., $1,000 statewide minimum, up to $40,500 in Westerly). Key provisions require veterans to reside in the state, provide proof of service and residency to assessors, and apply the exemption to their primary residence's value. The exemption applies to both real property and, in some towns, personal property, with specific local limits set by town councils. This policy change reduces property tax liability for qualifying veterans without altering broader tax structures.

Maddy summarySB 187 increases Rhode Island's estate tax exemption to $4 million for estates of people who die on or after January 1, 2026. This means most estates valued below $4 million will no longer owe state estate tax under this provision. The bill sets a new threshold that replaces previous lower exemptions (like $850,000 for 2010-2015 deaths) and includes future annual adjustments for inflation starting in 2027. It directly affects residents and nonresidents with estates exceeding $4 million at death after 2025.

Provides penalties for second and subsequent violations of installing and possessing a vehicle with sun screening materials in violation of this section.

Maddy summarySB 1073 prohibits inmates in Rhode Island Department of Corrections custody from using force or weapons to resist lawful requests or directives from correctional officers. This law directly affects individuals already incarcerated in state facilities, specifically targeting resistance during routine facility operations. Violating this provision could result in fines up to $500, up to one year in jail, or both. The bill amends existing law to clarify that such resistance by incarcerated people is unlawful, separate from rules governing arrests by police officers. It has not yet become law, as it was referred to committee for further study.

Prohibits total education aid paid to any local education agency from being reduced by more than one percent (1%) of the municipal education appropriation in the previous fiscal year.

Amends the public law incorporating Western Coventry Fire District to require a referendum & affirmative vote of the fire district electors prior to any merge/consolidation of the district with any other district or with the fire department of Coventry.

Prohibits the holding of multiple drivers licenses or identification cards and would change the term "re-constructed salvage" to "rebuilt salvage" for purposes of the Rhode Island salvage law.

Maddy summarySB 341 proposes to provide a full property tax exemption for real property owned by a veteran and used as their primary residence. Currently, veterans receive various partial property tax exemptions, with amounts differing based on their service and the specific municipality. This bill would replace those existing partial exemptions with a complete property tax exemption for their primary home, directly affecting eligible veteran homeowners.

Requires every school district to render assistance and cooperation within its jurisdictional power to further the objects of this chapter, to wit, providing the courts with any information concerning a child as the court may require.

Maddy summarySB 330 allows cities and towns to create ordinances that permit the waiver of interest on one quarter's overdue property tax payment. This applies to both residential and commercial property owners who meet specific criteria, such as owning the property for at least five years and having a history of timely tax payments. The bill stipulates that the maximum interest waiver cannot exceed $500 and requires a written request from the taxpayer. If granted, the remaining tax balance can still be paid on a quarterly basis.