Sen. Tiara Mack

Provides that a portion of state income taxes from employees working at not-for-profit healthcare institutions, health service institutions, and educational institutions be allocated to the city of Providence.

Permits RI Supreme Court Committee on Racial and Ethnic Fairness, in consultation with RI Bar Association and its Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, to appoint members of JNC and requires judicial candidates to disclose political donations.

Requires that the chief judge of the family court in appointing magistrates do so in accordance with the judicial selection and nomination process set forth in chapter 16.1 of title 8.

Requires the JNC to establish standardized merit-based selection process and that applications be evaluated according to uniform, job-related criteria adopted in advance and published on the commission's website.

Allows faith-based organizations to develop affordable housing on land they own provided at least 50 % of the housing to be developed is low- or moderate-income housing and the land is owned or held in trust by the faith-based organizations.

Maddy summarySB 2517 (2026) requires all ATMs in Rhode Island to display a consumer’s real-time available account balance *before* a cash withdrawal is completed. This affects every consumer using an ATM in the state and all banks, credit unions, and ATM operators (including non-bank owners) that provide cash withdrawal services. The key mechanism mandates a clear, prominent balance display before entering withdrawal amounts, with an option to cancel without charge, and prohibits fees for balance inquiries or declined transactions. The law, effective January 1, 2027, will be enforced by the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation through fines for violations.

Maddy summarySB 2563 mandates an independent study by Rhode Island's auditor general to evaluate whether consolidating Medicaid prescription drug management would save costs and improve transparency. The study must compare four models used by other states, including single statewide drug lists (like Connecticut) or direct state contracting (like Kentucky), and assess impacts on state spending, pharmacy rebates, and beneficiary access. It requires full data access from pharmacy benefit managers and related entities - bypassing contractual confidentiality - to ensure the analysis uses complete information on drug expenditures and rebates. This bill directly affects Rhode Island's Medicaid program, which covers children, seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families, by setting the stage for potential future changes to drug management.

Maddy summarySB 3298 amends the Homeless Bill of Rights to require government agencies to give at least 20 days' written notice before forcibly removing homeless encampments from public property. The notice must be posted directly on the encampment and sent to housing officials, though this rule does not apply in cases involving immediate safety risks, active construction sites, environmental hazards, or scheduled infrastructure work. The law defines an encampment as a temporary outdoor shelter with personal belongings and allows people to move their belongings to nearby areas without triggering a new notice period. This legislation applies to all public spaces not intended for human habitation and takes effect on October 1, 2026.

Allows a party to condition a transaction by electronic means on their stated desire to obtain and receive a written copy of the document in English or Spanish before electronic execution of the agreement or performance is required of the party.

Creates a 17-member Commission to study Rhode Island’s healthcare workforce related to educating and retaining primary care providers and who would report back annually to the President of the Senate.