Sen. Sue Sosnowski

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution commemorates the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France, which occurred on June 6, 1944. The bill recognizes the bravery of American, British, and Canadian troops who participated in the largest amphibious assault in history to liberate Europe from Nazi occupation. It formally acknowledges the significant sacrifices made by soldiers during the invasion and the subsequent liberation of Western Europe. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the Rhode Island Adjutant General for official record-keeping.

Maddy summarySB 2343 proposes to change how hotel taxes are distributed within Rhode Island's South County regional tourism district. The bill would redirect a portion of these funds away from the regional tourism district and toward the local cities and towns where the hotels are physically located. Additionally, it adjusts the specific percentages allocated to the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation and the Greater Providence-Warwick Convention and Visitors' Bureau. This legislation directly affects hotel owners, local municipalities, and tourism organizations by altering the flow of tax revenue collected from lodging businesses.

Protects the solvency of health systems, physicians, and advance practice providers and insurers, encourage fair treatment of hospitals and ensure adequate clinical workforce while advancing health equity.

Allows for a one-time two percent (2%) supplemental cost of living adjustment for plan year 2025 to the public pension benefits administered by the ERSRI, and allows for those benefits to be deducted from the taxpayer's adjusted gross income.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a tax credit for Rhode Island residents who convert their existing gas-powered vehicles to run on alternative fuels like electricity, natural gas, or hydrogen. The credit covers up to 50% of the equipment and labor costs for the conversion, with a maximum limit of $2,000 for most vehicles and $3,000 for heavier ones, but the amount cannot exceed the taxpayer's total income tax liability. To qualify, the conversion must be completed in the same year the credit is claimed, and sellers of alternative fuel cannot claim the credit for converting their own company vehicles.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the ability for retired state employees to work part-time at state colleges and universities without losing their retirement benefits. It specifically allows retired teachers, nurses, and other eligible staff to provide classroom instruction, academic advising, coaching, or professional nursing services at these institutions. The law sets strict limits on how much these individuals can earn from such work, capping annual pay at $18,000 for general faculty roles and $15,000 for driver education, while ensuring their pension payments remain intact. Additionally, the legislation clarifies rules for other specific roles, such as elected officials and judges, who may continue to serve in those capacities after retirement without forfeiting their allowances.

Requires a review by the department of elementary and secondary education of the formula components used to compute the aid needed to support high need students.

Changes utility company billing practices so that when a gas electric utility changes their customer billing, they would be required to file a copy of the new bill with the PUC for approval, with a complete explanation of the changes.

Maddy summarySB 2366 establishes a new subsidy program designed to help low-income households afford their home energy bills. The law requires large electric and gas utilities to create a tiered payment plan that caps utility costs at a specific percentage of a customer's income, with discounts applied to both monthly bills and past owed amounts. Eligible households are defined as those earning up to 150% of the federal poverty level, and the program's cost will be covered by rate adjustments for all other customers. The Public Utilities Commission will oversee the creation and approval of these plans, ensuring they balance affordability for low-income families with reasonable administrative expenses.

Maddy summarySB 2800 repeals Rhode Island's participation in the Interstate Compact on Industrialized/Modular Buildings, effectively ending the state's formal agreement with other jurisdictions on this topic. This legislation directly affects the building industry by removing the legal framework that previously established a commission to create uniform rules for factory-built homes and commercial structures. By eliminating the compact, the bill allows Rhode Island to manage regulations for modular buildings independently rather than adhering to the shared standards and reciprocity agreements that the compact required. The repeal simplifies the state's regulatory approach by removing the obligation to coordinate with other states through the Interstate Industrialized/Modular Buildings Commission.