Makes several amendments to the cannabis act relating to applications for licensure, the social equity assistance program and the application of cannabis tax revenue.
Mandates additional state education funding for the mental and behavioral health of students equal to 2% of the district’s total expenditures, and require those funds be used to hire staff such as school social workers, and behavioral specialists.
Establishes the process to provide a legal mechanism whereby a terminally ill patient may choose to end their life using medications prescribed by a physician.
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.
Maddy summarySB 261 proposes to exempt specific types of batteries from sales tax. It removes the sales tax on "behind-the-meter batteries" that are interconnected with a solar photovoltaic system. This means that individuals or businesses purchasing these particular batteries for solar energy storage would no longer pay sales tax on them. The bill amends the state's existing sales and use tax laws by adding this exemption to the list of items not subject to sales and use taxes.
Maddy summarySenate Resolution 1079 designates May 12-18, 2025, as "Period Poverty Awareness Week" in Rhode Island. It supports global efforts to raise awareness about the need for accessible and affordable period products, break the stigma of menstruation, and advocate for related policy and funding.
Creates a 5 member commission to provide recommendations for legislation changes and/or oversight for the Act on Climate, and would report back by May 1, 2026, and would expire on June 1, 2026.
Maddy summarySB 719, titled "Residential Landlord and Tenant Act," proposes to increase the required notification time for terminating month-to-month tenancies. Under this bill, both landlords and tenants would need to provide at least 60 days' written notice, an increase from the current 30 days. For month-to-month tenants aged 62 years or older, the bill would require a minimum of 120 days' notice. It also updates the standard notice form for tenancy termination to reflect these extended timeframes.
CRMC) FOR FUNDING OF URI'S COASTAL RESOURCES CENTER (CRC) STORMTOOLS, CHAMP ANALYSIS, AND MYCOAST (This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $400,000 to the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council for the continuation of STORMTOOLS, CHAMP, and MyCoast.
Permits a tenant, at the tenant’s expense, to implement energy conservation measures to any dwelling or dwelling unit such as removable weather-stripping around doors and windows.
