Sen. Bridget Valverde

Maddy summarySB 2685 increases the reimbursement rates that individual and group health insurance plans must pay for ambulance services. This directly affects ambulance providers (who receive higher payments) and insurance companies (which must cover these increased costs). The bill changes how insurance companies compensate emergency medical transportation services, ensuring higher payments for covered ambulance trips under existing health plans. It does not alter coverage eligibility or create new benefit requirements.

Maddy summarySB 2106 would expand medical assistance coverage to include community-based medical services for specific eligible residents. It targets individuals who have used emergency rooms three or more times in four consecutive months, or whose primary care provider identifies them as needing community care to prevent hospital/nursing facility admission. Covered services include chronic disease monitoring, medication management, post-hospital follow-up, and minor medical procedures. Providers must coordinate care with existing health teams to avoid duplication of services like home health care. The program requires federal approval before implementation and takes effect upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a statewide automated permitting system to speed up the approval process for residential solar energy installations in Rhode Island. It requires the state to develop an online platform that automatically checks applications for code compliance and issues permits instantly without manual review for eligible systems up to 25 kilowatts. Municipalities must accept these automated permits or provide equivalent systems, while also establishing a centralized online repository of local solar regulations and offering remote inspection options by 2027. The system is designed to reduce paperwork requirements, eliminate unnecessary stamped drawings for smaller systems, and allow electronic submissions and signatures throughout the permitting process.

Authorizes the department of environmental management to issue and enforce rules and regulations to implement and enforce the provisions of the food waste ban.

Maddy summarySB 2628 establishes statewide limits on minimum off-street parking requirements for new housing and commercial developments. It prohibits municipalities from requiring more than one parking space per single-family home, half a space per multi-family unit, or two spaces per 1,000 square feet of commercial space. The bill exempts certain projects from parking mandates, including small homes under 1,200 square feet, commercial spaces under 3,000 square feet, affordable housing, historic district buildings, and child daycare centers. Municipalities must update their zoning codes by December 31, 2026, to comply, while retaining authority over bicycle parking, loading zones, and traffic studies.

Directs the office of energy resources to develop building performance standards for large buildings in Rhode Island that would cause greenhouse gas emissions to decline in line with the act on climate requirements.

Requires transition planning for high school students with disabilities, who have a “504” plan, like the transition planning required for high school students with disabilities, who have an individualized education program (IEP).

Excludes portable solar generation devices intended primarily to offset part of a customer's electricity consumption from the definition of eligible net-metering system.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially designates April 2026 as "School Library Month" throughout the State of Rhode Island. The bill aims to draw public attention to the vital role school librarians play in fostering literacy, critical thinking, and digital citizenship among students. It does not alter any laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to encourage citizens to recognize the value of school libraries. Upon passage, the Secretary of State will send copies of the resolution to the School Librarians of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Library Association.

Creates process for individual to voluntarily be either temporarily or indefinitely added to a list restricting their rights to purchase or possess firearms. Adds civil fines and misdemeanor for violations.