Sen. Bridget Valverde

Includes "hosting platform" under the definition of "room-seller" and imposes a tax of 5% on the rental of a house or condominium with the tax used exclusively for infrastructure improvements, riverine and coastal resiliency and housing.

Imposes a non-owner occupied property tax on residential properties assessed in excess of eight hundred thousand dollars ($800,000) at variable rates dependent on values assessed by local tax assessors.

Provides for a residency requirement of at least six (6) months rather than one year for the Rhode Island family court to have jurisdiction over a divorce complaint.

Prohibits members of law enforcement from engaging in sexual penetration with individuals in their custody. The act also provides that a person convicted of custodial law enforcement sexual penetration would face imprisonment for not more than 3 years.

Maddy summarySB 338, the Economic and Climate Resilience Act of 2025, imposes a fee on fossil fuel companies selling coal, oil, natural gas, and similar products in Rhode Island. The collected fees will fund a dedicated "Economic and Climate Resilience Fund" to support specific programs. This fund will provide job training for workers transitioning to clean energy, improve energy efficiency for low-income households and small businesses, and help businesses that use significant energy. The bill aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, meet Rhode Island's 2035 climate goals, and address climate impacts disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities. It directly affects fossil fuel sellers (who pay the fee) and benefits Rhode Island residents, particularly low-income households and energy-intensive businesses.

Maddy summarySB 340 adds the purchase of animals from breeders to the list of taxable sales subject to the state's 6% sales tax. This directly affects breeders selling animals and buyers purchasing them, as they must now pay the tax on these transactions. The bill amends the sales tax law to explicitly include animal purchases, aligning them with other taxable retail sales. It takes effect upon passage without altering existing tax rates for other goods or services.

Maddy summarySB 260 amends tax laws to clarify that houseboats used as primary or temporary residences must be taxed as personal property by local assessors. It expands the definition of "houseboat" to include motorized/non-motorized vessels, platforms, and waterborne hotels/restaurants designed for habitation (not primarily for transport), regardless of registration. This directly affects residents living full-time on houseboats in coastal towns like Bristol, South Kingstown, North Kingstown, and Tiverton. Local tax assessors will now apply personal property tax to qualifying houseboats, while the bill also updates harbor regulations in those towns to include specific houseboat management rules.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 163) expresses the Rhode Island Senate's deepest condolences to the family of Anthony V. Arico following his passing. It recognizes his 30-year career as Deputy Director of the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, his military service, and his decades of community and political involvement in Barrington. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to his widow, Joan G. Arico. As a symbolic gesture of respect, it has no policy provisions or direct impact on legislation.

Allows an owner or owners of real property to execute a deed that names one or more beneficiaries who will obtain title to the property at the owner's death without the necessity of probate.

Amends State funding calculations for special education, revising extraordinary cost calculations for FY 2027-2028, and providing additional funds for excess costs when special education students move into a district after the budget is approved.