Sen. Sue Sosnowski

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.

Mandates public schools (K-12) have one full-time certified social worker for every 250 students and allocates $2 million in the Fiscal Year 2025 budget for school districts and municipalities to hire additional social workers.

Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $90,000,000 to the Rhode Island executive office of health and human services to be invested in increasing reimbursement rates for all physicians and advanced practice providers.

Maddy summarySB 104 establishes a permanent Compost Fund funded by a $2-per-ton surcharge on solid waste disposal in Rhode Island. This surcharge, collected quarterly from waste haulers and landfill operators, will support grants for projects that reduce landfill use - such as composting programs, food rescue initiatives, and shell recovery. The bill directly affects waste disposal companies (who pay the surcharge) and will fund communities and organizations developing composting infrastructure, organic waste diversion, and soil health projects. It aims to address Rhode Island's landfill capacity concerns (projected to fill by 2043) while supporting climate and environmental goals outlined in the state's 2021 Climate Act.

Requires the EOHHS to amend the state Medicaid plan and secure sufficient state general revenue to increase Medicaid payment rates to an amount equal to one hundred thirty percent (130%) of Medicare rates for outpatient clinical pediatric services.

Makes changes to the access to public records act, including clarifying various provisions, increasing the sanctions for knowing and willful violations of the law, and making certain traffic accident data and preferred license plate information public.

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.

Prohibits dental insurers from refusing to honor directions to pay from insured, modifying benefits to be paid. Requires providers to accept payment by virtual credit card as unfair claims practices.

Maddy summarySB 185 mandates large electric and gas utility companies (over 100,000 customers) to establish an income-sensitive tiered payment program for residential customers whose household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. This program aims to make home energy costs more affordable by ensuring eligible households pay no more than a fixed percentage of their income for utilities. It includes fixed monthly payments and a 24-month plan for forgiving prior unpaid bills. The costs of these discounts and related administration will be covered by all other utility customers through adjustments to their rates, as determined by the Public Utilities Commission.

Allows RI to opt out of the provisions of DIDMCA exempting out of state lenders from interest rate limits which apply to RI lenders. Prevents evasion of statutory interest rate limits and lending rules for loans made in RI.