Sen. John Burke

Maddy summarySB 2521 requires Rhode Island electricity providers (obligated entities) to gradually increase the share of renewable energy in their retail electricity sales, starting at 3% in 2007 and rising to 9.5% by 2032, with the goal of 100% renewable energy by 2033. The bill mandates that providers meet these targets for each electricity product sold to end-use customers, excluding voluntary renewable energy purchases by customers from counting toward the requirement (except in specific municipal aggregation plans). Compliance can be achieved by purchasing renewable energy credits (NE-GIS certificates) or making payments to a renewable energy development fund. The bill also directs the energy commission to assess in 2024 whether voluntary renewable purchases should be allowed to count toward the annual targets.

Adds a provision that allows a tenant to pay the last month's rent or any other prepaid rent. It also increases the amount that a security deposit can be requested from one to two (2) months of rent.

Maddy summarySB 2356 transfers management of the Big River Reservoir from the Water Resources Board to Rhode Island's Department of Environmental Management (DEM). Effective July 1, 2026, DEM will assume responsibility for all land use planning and rule-making related to the reservoir, while existing management rules remain in effect until DEM establishes new regulations. This bill directly affects DEM (which gains new administrative authority) and the Water Resources Board (which loses this specific responsibility). The key mechanism is the formal transfer of management duties, streamlining oversight under DEM’s existing environmental authority without altering the reservoir’s legal status or public access.

Prohibits unauthorized placement of merchants on advertising platform order interfaces, and would prohibit third-party restaurant reservation services.

Requires that the primary election date, statutorily the eighth Tuesday preceding the biennial state elections, shall be held on the Wednesday when Labor Day is the day before said Tuesday. No other filing deadlines would be affected.

Recognizes that municipal employees have the opportunity to utilize binding arbitration and establishes new factors for the arbitrators to consider. These factors include comparisons of wages/hourly conditions of employment in similarly skilled jobs.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates April 16, 2026, as "Community College of Rhode Island Day" to recognize the institution's contributions to the state's education and economy. The measure directly affects the Community College of Rhode Island by honoring its role in workforce development and student success. It requires the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the college's president as a formal acknowledgment. The text highlights the college's impact on job creation and economic growth but does not alter any laws or policies.

Maddy summarySB 3194 modifies the state's mandatory arbitration rules for motor vehicle liability claims by raising the minimum claim threshold from $50,000 to $100,000. This change directly affects individuals filing insurance claims for property damage, bodily injury, or death, requiring only those with damages between $50,000 and $100,000 to submit their cases to arbitration. The bill maintains existing procedures where selected arbitrators conduct informal hearings, share costs between parties, and issue binding decisions that can be challenged within 60 days by reserving the right to a jury trial. Additionally, the legislation requires insurance policyholders to agree in writing to these arbitration provisions when applying for or renewing driver's licenses or registering vehicles.

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates that auto insurance policies issued in the state must include uninsured motorist coverage, protecting drivers when they are hit by vehicles with no insurance or insufficient coverage. While bodily injury protection is required for all policies, property damage coverage remains optional unless the driver already has collision insurance. The legislation sets specific minimum limits for bodily injury, establishes a $200 deductible for property damage claims, and clarifies that the term "uninsured motorist" also includes underinsured drivers.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state law to allow plaintiffs in civil lawsuits to seek punitive damages if a defendant engages in willful, wanton, or reckless conduct that disregards the safety and welfare of others. The legislation defines such conduct as actions where the defendant knew or should have known the behavior was dangerous, yet proceeded heedlessly without regard for the rights or safety of people who might be harmed. Directly affecting individuals involved in civil cases, the measure would enable courts to award additional financial penalties beyond standard compensation when evidence proves the defendant's behavior met these specific criteria. The changes would become effective immediately upon the bill's passage.