Sen. Tiara Mack

Maddy summarySB 2448 creates a dedicated performance audit division within Rhode Island's Office of the Auditor General (OAG). This division will evaluate how efficiently and effectively state agencies and contractors using public funds operate, focusing on program outcomes rather than financial transactions. The bill requires the OAG to hire at least five full-time staff for this work, develop annual audit plans prioritizing high-impact areas like Medicaid and IT systems, and publish public reports starting in 2027. State agencies must then submit corrective action plans within 60 days of receiving audit findings, with the OAG monitoring compliance and reporting to lawmakers.

Maddy summarySB 2449 proposes to exempt energy storage systems from sales and use taxes in the state, as defined in § 39-33-1. This change would directly affect businesses selling these systems, as they would no longer collect sales tax on such transactions. The bill amends existing tax law by adding a new exemption category under "Gross receipts exempt from sales and use taxes." The exemption covers the sale and use of energy storage systems within the state, aligning with existing tax exemptions for items like newspapers and school meals. The bill was introduced on February 6, 2026, and referred to the Senate Finance Committee.

Prohibits RIPTA from using state funds or the proceeds of any bond(s) to pay for any work performed after 8/1/26, pursuant to the “transit center joint development project” RFP and/or pursuant to related the preliminary services agreement.

Maddy summarySB 2024, the Rhode Island Climate Superfund Act of 2026, creates a fund to recover costs for climate adaptation projects from fossil fuel companies responsible for significant emissions. It targets companies that extracted or refined fossil fuels and caused over 1 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions between 2000-2025, using a scientific method to calculate their proportional share. The law requires these companies to pay for "climate change response work" like coastal protection, flood infrastructure, heat mitigation, and ecosystem restoration projects already funded by taxpayers. The Department of Environmental Management will manage the fund and identify eligible projects, shifting costs from public budgets to polluters under a "polluter pays" principle.

Limits use of restraints on juveniles in transport and court proceedings to safety or escape risks, requires least restrictive methods, and mandates reporting on when and why restraints were used.

Permits the family court to retain jurisdiction over juveniles and allow the family court to order juveniles detained in the training school until the age of twenty-one if the court finds that it is in the best interest of the child.

Amends State funding calculations for special education, revising extraordinary cost calculations for FY 2028-2029, and providing additional funds for excess costs when special education students move into a district after the budget is approved.

Allows Rhode Island employers can help pay employees’ student loans in high-need fields if they work full-time for 2 years in undeserved areas and are in an income driven repayment plan. RISLA must provide annual reporting.

Establishes a statewide "healthy school meals for all" universal school breakfast and lunch program in Rhode Island public schools phased in over 3 years.

Prohibits a peace officer, as defined in § 12-7-21, from employing threats, physical harm, deprivation, deception, coercion, or psychologically manipulative interrogation tactics during the custodial interrogation of a juvenile.