Sen. Dominick Ruggerio

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution celebrates the 75th anniversary of NBC 10 WJAR, a television station serving Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts since 1949. The bill honors the station's history of innovation and community service, noting its milestones such as early live broadcasts, weather coverage during the 1978 Blizzard, and numerous journalism awards. It specifically recognizes the legacy of long-serving staff members, including engineer Larry Silva, who is retiring after 57 years. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the station's news director as a formal acknowledgment of its contributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Rhode Island's existing Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights by renaming it the Law Enforcement Officers' Due Process, Accountability, and Transparency Act. It directly affects permanently employed police officers, state troopers, and other sworn law enforcement employees, excluding department chiefs and top-ranking administrators. The key provisions establish a new five-member hearing committee with a mix of judges, attorneys, and officers to review complaints against officers, while also mandating that legal fees for this committee be split evenly between the agency and the accused officer. Additionally, the law requires that investigations be conducted at reasonable hours, allows officers to have legal counsel present during interrogations, and ensures officers are fully informed of the specific complaints and names of complainants before questioning begins.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution expresses condolences for the death of Jason Alan Golditch, a long-time employee of the Rhode Island General Assembly's Office of Capitol Television. The document honors his thirty-six-year career and personal life, noting his roles as a producer, journalist, and devoted family man. It directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to Golditch's wife, Lynda, and his family.

This act serves as the enabling act required by § 16-7-44 of the general laws in order for the principal and interest on bonds issued in support of school housing projects to be eligible for state housing aid reimbursement.

Maddy summarySB 2061 amends Rhode Island's personal income tax law to allow residents to exclude all Social Security income from their state taxable starting in 2025. The bill also updates how the state calculates income by adjusting federal figures, including specific rules for tuition savings program withdrawals and the treatment of forgiven Paycheck Protection Program loans over $250,000. These changes directly affect Rhode Island residents who receive Social Security benefits or have participated in state tuition savings accounts and loan forgiveness programs.

Requires the secretary of the executive office of health and human services to present to the general assembly a plan for the realignment of state hospitals into a department of hospitals no later than September 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates state law to include Washington's Birthday as an official holiday for the purposes of the "work on holidays and Sundays" statute. The change directly affects employers and employees covered under this specific law, which generally requires businesses to close on designated holidays unless they can prove economic necessity. Under the existing rules, companies must demonstrate specific hardships, such as continuous production needs or industry standards, to justify operating on holidays like New Year's Day or Christmas. By adding Washington's Birthday to the list of recognized holidays, the legislation ensures that businesses must follow the same closure requirements or provide justification for working on this date as they do for other statutory holidays. The law is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2025.

Reduces the sales tax from seven percent (7%) to six and one-half percent (6 ½%).

Establishes and fund an affordable housing pilot program at reduced rents to be administered by the state department of housing with an appropriation of three million dollars ($3,000,000) for fiscal year 2024-2025.