Sen. Lori Urso

Maddy summarySB 2148 requires liquor license holders in Westerly to carry liability insurance. This directly affects businesses that sell alcohol in Westerly, including bars, restaurants, and retail stores with alcohol licenses. The key provision mandates that all retail alcohol licenses must include proof of liability insurance as a condition of renewal or issuance. The bill aims to ensure businesses have financial protection for potential incidents involving alcohol service.

Requires small employers with one to fifty (1-50) employees and large employers with fifty (50) or more employees to pay overtime wages to exempt workers if their salary exceeds varying multipliers of minimum wage for a forty (40) hour workweek.

Maddy summarySB 2420 allows Rhode Island National Guard members in good standing to use their state tuition assistance benefits for their dependents. Dependents enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) can receive tuition waivers for up to five courses per semester at any Rhode Island state college or university. The program is funded up to $100,000 annually per fiscal year, requires a one-year military service commitment for each 12 course credits used, and mandates that both the Guard member and dependent maintain good academic standing. Failure to meet service or academic requirements may trigger repayment of benefits.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution officially designates May 2026 as "Older Americans Month" throughout the State of Rhode Island. The measure honors the contributions of adults aged 65 and older, acknowledging their role in the community and economy while recognizing the state's history with senior support legislation. It directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging to coordinate official observances. This symbolic action aims to foster intergenerational respect and highlight the needs and achievements of the state's aging population.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates May 6, 2026, as a "National Day of Reason" in Rhode Island to honor the role of critical thinking and scientific inquiry in solving societal challenges. The bill encourages citizens to observe the day by focusing on reason and free inquiry while citing historical figures like James Madison who valued knowledge. It also directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to two specific individuals, John Mertus and Joe Burgio.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially designates the first Saturday in May as "Rhode Island Labyrinth Day" and recognizes May 2, 2026, as "World Labyrinth Day" within the state. The bill aims to promote walking meditation labyrinths as a community practice for reflection, mindfulness, and well-being, encouraging residents to participate in the global "Wave of Peace" event at 1:00 p.m. It does not create new laws or funding but serves to raise awareness and support existing public spaces used for these activities. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies to relevant organizations and individuals involved in promoting labyrinths in Rhode Island.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially recognizes "Zambarano Day" on May 5, 2026, to honor the Eleanor Slater Hospital-Zambarano campus in Rhode Island. The bill acknowledges the facility's long history of providing critical long-term acute care services to patients with severe injuries and illnesses since 1995. It expresses appreciation for the hospital staff and declares continued state support for the campus as it plans a new state-of-the-art facility. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the hospital staff as a formal gesture of recognition.

Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $500,000 to Sojourner House to support its permanent housing development program that provides safe, secure housing to individuals and families fleeing from dangerous situations.

Prohibits health insurance companies or other payors from including in physician participation agreements any provisions that restrict or prevent a physician from charging patients reasonable administrative or operational fees to support overhead.

Appropriates two million seven hundred thousand dollars ($2,700,000) to fund the primary care training sites program to provide training for physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants within the department of health.