Sen. Alana DiMario

Maddy summaryThis resolution appropriates $250,000 to 401 Tech Bridge to conduct a feasibility study on seagliders in Rhode Island. The study, to be done in collaboration with the Rhode Island Seaglider Initiative (RISI), will assess how seagliders - a type of electric, passenger-carrying coastal vehicle - could benefit the state. Key focus areas include evaluating potential reductions in carbon emissions, job creation in the Blue Economy, and improved coastal transportation options. The funding is specifically for research, not for building or deploying seagliders. This is a procedural appropriation, not a substantive policy change.

Appropriates the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) to fund the Thundermist family medicine residency program during fiscal year 2026 and every fiscal year thereafter.

Provides an 8% tax rate for those properties that are encumbered by a deed restriction for low-income housing set at 80% or 60% of adjusted median income established by HUD.

Effective September 1, 2025, requires quarterly testing of biosolids for PFAS contaminants by those seeking to apply biosolids to lands, with subsequent reports to the department of environmental management.

Serves as the enabling act required by Rhode Island General Laws§ 16-7-44 in order for the principal and interest on bonds issued in support of school housing projects to be eligible for state housing aid reimbursement.

Prohibits prior authorization or a step therapy protocol for the prescription of a nonpreferred medication on their drug formulary used to assess or treat an enrollee's bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or schizotypal.

Requires every individual or group health insurance contract effective on or after January 1, 2026, to provide coverage to the insured and the insured's spouse and dependents for all FDA-approved contraceptive drugs, devices and other products.

Provides for warming center and cooling center alerts to trigger certain procedures municipalities shall follow during extreme heat or cold to help at-risk individuals with resources including, but not limited to, warming and cooling centers.

Prohibits a manufacturer from manufacturing, knowingly selling, offering for sale, distributing for sale or distributing for use in the state any firefighting personal protective equipment containing intentionally-added PFAS as of January 1, 2027.

Maddy summarySB 354 increases the per-page transcription fees for court reporters in Rhode Island court proceedings. It raises the fee for original transcripts to $3.50 per page and for copies to $2.00 per page, while setting a $10.00 fee per cassette for electronic recording reproductions. This bill directly affects court reporters who provide transcripts and parties (individuals or attorneys) who request them. The change applies to all civil and criminal cases in superior, family, district, and traffic courts. The bill took effect upon the Governor's signature on June 10, 2025.