Sen. John Burke

Maddy summarySB 2167 increases the maximum number of days retired municipal employees in towns and cities can work in a calendar year without losing pension benefits, raising the limit to 90 days. This directly affects current retirees employed by local governments who wish to return to part-time work. The key provision replaces the previous work limit with a new 90-day annual cap for maintaining full pension payments. The bill applies specifically to municipal retirement systems covering employees of incorporated towns and cities.

Maddy summarySB 2170 would allow workers who are on strike or locked out by their employer during a labor dispute to receive unemployment benefits. This directly affects employees participating in strikes or facing workplace lockouts due to labor disagreements. The bill changes current rules by expanding eligibility for unemployment benefits to cover these specific situations. It aims to provide financial support to workers during active labor disputes, rather than requiring them to exhaust other options first.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution celebrates the 160th anniversary of Child & Family, a Rhode Island nonprofit that has served children and families since 1866. The bill formally acknowledges the organization's extensive work in areas such as early childhood education, foster care, behavioral health, and supportive housing for older adults. It commends the staff, volunteers, and partners of Child & Family for their contributions to the community and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the organization's leadership.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially designates the week of May 6 through May 12, 2026, as National Nurses Week in Rhode Island to honor the state's registered nurses. The measure commemorates Florence Nightingale's birthday and recognizes the critical role nurses play in healthcare, particularly in light of their performance during the pandemic and the growing demand for nursing services. It encourages all residents to express gratitude to nurses throughout the year and directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to relevant nursing organizations.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 3273 expresses the Rhode Island Senate's condolences on the death of Mary Lou Di Padua from Coventry. The resolution honors her life by detailing her roles as a wife, mother, business leader, and community member. It directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies of the resolution to her family.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the legal definition of peace officers in Rhode Island to include certain staff members at the state's training school for youth offenders. Specifically, it designates program workers and shift coordinators employed by the Department of Children, Youth and Families as peace officers while they are performing their duties at the training school. Under this change, these individuals would gain the same arrest powers and authority as other designated peace officers during their work hours, but only when actively engaged in their official duties at the facility. The legislation does not alter the roles or responsibilities of these workers beyond granting them temporary peace officer status during their shift.

Expands RI’s Renewable Energy Standard to include nuclear and hydroelectric power as eligible zero-emission resources and sets rules for how they qualify.

Prohibits individual who operates a recreational vehicle in a reckless or negligent manner which hinders the movement of other vehicles with a group of 2 more vehicles be guilty of felony, punishable by imprisonment up to 2.5 years and fine up to $2,000.

Prohibits individuals from conveying items to or from the training school for youth without prior consent by the executive director of the division of youth development at the department of children, youth and families.

Changes the community service requirements of a sentence related to the violation of § 11-44-21.1 relating to defacing private residences, offices, businesses or commercial property.