Sen. Alana DiMario

Maddy summarySB 2640 would establish a new type of tax-advantaged savings account designed for unexpected major expenses like natural disasters or serious medical emergencies. The bill creates a legal framework for these "catastrophe savings accounts," allowing taxpayers to contribute funds under specific state tax rules. It would directly affect individuals who qualify to open such accounts for emergency expenses. The bill was introduced to the Senate Commerce committee on February 27, 2026, and remains in the early stages of consideration.

Regulates property insurers to limit underwriting and investment in fossil fuel projects, requires climate risk reporting and emissions disclosures, and aligns insurance practices with science-based climate targets.

Maddy summarySB 2286 requires all motorcycle operators in Rhode Island to wear a helmet of an approved type, regardless of age. This directly affects every motorcycle, motor scooter, and motor-driven cycle rider on public roads. The bill removes previous age exemptions for helmet use and adds a one-year helmet requirement for new riders during their first year of licensing. Violations carry fines that fund highway safety education programs promoting helmet use. The law takes effect upon passage.

Maddy summarySB 2660 creates a state-level tick control program under the Department of Environmental Management to manage tick populations and reduce public health risks. The program would be implemented by the Department to address tick-borne illnesses, directly affecting residents in areas with significant tick activity. Key provisions include establishing guidelines for tick surveillance, prevention strategies, and public education efforts, though specific methods or funding details are not outlined in the abstract. The bill is currently in the early stages, having been introduced on February 27, 2026, and referred to the Senate Environment and Agriculture committee.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially designates March 2026 as National Social Work Month in Rhode Island to honor the contributions of social workers in the state. The measure recognizes the profession's role in addressing mental health, addiction, poverty, and social justice issues across schools, hospitals, and government agencies. It calls on citizens to support the National Association of Social Workers Rhode Island Chapter and directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the organization's executive director.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies ownership and management authority for roads within the Quonset Business Park by designating them as public roads under the control of the Quonset Development Corporation. It establishes that the Quonset Development Corporation will have sole responsibility for maintaining, managing, and regulating traffic on these roads, including the authority to install traffic control devices and enforce traffic rules. The legislation updates state highway laws to remove these roads from the standard state planning classification system and ensures that traffic regulations apply to them only as directed by the Quonset Development Corporation.

Provides for fair pharmacy reimbursement from a pharmacy benefit manager, and also provides anti-discrimination prohibitions in regard to non-affiliated pharmacies or pharmacists.

Allows a municipality to set its own conveyance tax rate for residential properties sold in excess of $900,000.00 at $10 per $500. Provides collected taxes to be in a restricted account and distributed within 2 years for affordable housing.

Eliminates mandated housing densities/density bonuses for public drinking water supply watersheds/groundwater. Requires densities not exceed water availability, introduce pollution, stay within public water or sewer system capacity limits.

Maddy summarySB 2384 sets a legal limit on how much Rhode Island state programs, public employee health plans, and participating employer health plans can pay for certain prescription drugs. It prohibits these entities from purchasing or reimbursing drugs above a federal "maximum fair price" rate established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Any savings generated from this price cap must be used to lower costs for enrollees, with annual reports required to track how savings address health equity gaps. The bill applies to drugs covered under federal law (P.L. 117-169) and includes fines of $1,000 per violation for noncompliance.