Sen. Lori Urso

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally congratulates Sandra Berube on her retirement after 33 years of service to the Rhode Island State Senate. The document recognizes her long career, which includes roles as a Secretary, Administrative Assistant, and Legislative Grants Coordinator, highlighting her work supporting various agencies and nonprofits. It authorizes the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to Berube as a gesture of appreciation for her contributions to the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a nine-member Special Joint Legislative Commission on City and Town Affairs to improve coordination between Rhode Island's state government and its 39 municipalities. The commission would include legislators, the governor's representative, and municipal leaders from rural, suburban, and urban areas to review policies, identify barriers to local governance, and provide early consultation on state legislation affecting towns and cities. Members would serve without pay and must submit a final report by December 31, 2026, with the commission expiring on January 31, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a statewide automated permitting system to speed up the approval process for residential solar energy installations in Rhode Island. It requires the state to develop an online platform that automatically checks applications for code compliance and issues permits instantly without manual review for eligible systems up to 25 kilowatts. Municipalities must accept these automated permits or provide equivalent systems, while also establishing a centralized online repository of local solar regulations and offering remote inspection options by 2027. The system is designed to reduce paperwork requirements, eliminate unnecessary stamped drawings for smaller systems, and allow electronic submissions and signatures throughout the permitting process.

Requires any contractor performing construction or maintenance for RIDOT, RITBA or any other construction on any state roads have in place an attenuator truck/crash truck with an operational camera.

Prohibits the use of heating systems utilizing fossil fuels as well as air or water heating systems in any state or municipal building open to the public constructed, altered or renovated on or after January 1, 2028.

Permits continuation of instructor-led virtual instruction for drivers’ education for two-year period. Board of education required to provide report comparing test scores of virtual versus in-person instruction to house speaker and senate president.

Creates process for individual to voluntarily be either temporarily or indefinitely added to a list restricting their rights to purchase or possess firearms. Adds civil fines and misdemeanor for violations.

Requires anyone engaged in the sale of goods or services, and who offers a discount to its customers’ for utilizing automatic payment systems, via ACH or EFT or similar payment systems, provide the same discount to any person who is sixty-five (65).

Maddy summarySB 2610 creates a legal cause of action for pet owners whose dogs or cats (defined as household pets) are intentionally or negligently injured or killed under specific circumstances. It allows owners to seek noneconomic damages - compensation for loss of companionship, love, and affection - ranging from a minimum of $500 for injury to $750 for death, with a maximum cap of $7,500. The law applies only when the incident occurs on the owner’s property or while the pet is under the owner’s direct supervision. It excludes government agencies and nonprofits acting in public health or animal welfare roles, and defines "seriously injured" as requiring stitches for broken bones or permanent disfigurement.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands domestic violence protections by including animal cruelty offenses committed by family or household members against others. It directly affects victims of domestic violence who also have pets, as harming pets will now be classified as part of domestic violence under criminal procedure laws. The key mechanism adds "animal cruelty" to the list of offenses covered under domestic violence statutes, requiring courts to consider such acts when evaluating protection orders or criminal charges. This change ensures that abusers targeting pets as a form of control are held accountable under existing domestic violence legal frameworks.