Sen. John Burke

Maddy summarySB 729 expands Rhode Island's criminal threats law to specifically protect election officials and workers. It makes threats against election officials (including poll workers, wardens, moderators, and board members) a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail or a $1,000 fine, rather than being covered under the general public official provisions. The bill directly affects election workers who perform duties at polling places during elections. Key provisions define "election official" broadly to include all staff at polling locations and clarify that threats targeting them for their role are now explicitly prohibited. This law took effect immediately upon the governor's signature on June 26, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 568 requires all school buses in the state to be equipped with video monitoring systems starting in 2027 for new buses and 2032 for all buses. These systems must capture live video, license plates, time, date, and location of traffic violations involving school buses. The law mandates that the systems produce recorded evidence meeting specific standards for use in issuing traffic citations. Violations are processed through traffic tribunals with fines allocated 75% to the vendor, 40% to the state general fund, and 30% to the local municipality. This directly affects school bus operators, municipalities, and vehicle owners who violate school bus stop laws.

Prohibits casualty insurers from assessing any premium surcharge or penalty against an insured solely for inquiring about the terms of the insured's policy.

Eliminates the "until June 30, 2025" sunset on the increase in the total amount of earnings a partial-unemployment insurance claimant can receive before being entirely disqualified for unemployment insurance benefits.

Maddy summarySB 125 sets the state's minimum wage at $16 per hour starting January 1, 2026, and increases it to $17 per hour starting January 1, 2027. This bill directly affects all covered employers and hourly workers in the state who are subject to minimum wage laws. The legislation amends the existing minimum wage schedule by adding these specific future rates, building on previous annual increases. The change takes effect immediately upon the governor's signature, as confirmed by the bill's recent passage and signing on June 24, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 499 changes how property taxes are calculated for owner-occupied low- and moderate-income housing in Rhode Island. It requires tax assessors to use the property's most recent sales price as its assessed value, rather than the standard full cash value assessment. This directly affects homeowners in qualifying low- and moderate-income housing units who own their homes. The policy aims to provide tax relief by aligning assessments with actual market transactions for these properties.

Maddy summarySB 296 repeals a provision requiring women in the community corrections program for women offenders to pay additional penalties for prostitution-related offenses. Specifically, it removes the $500 fee for felony charges (or 10% of any fine, whichever is greater) and the $350 fee for misdemeanor charges (or 10% of any fine, whichever is greater). This change directly affects women participating in the community corrections program who are convicted of prostitution-related offenses, eliminating these financial obligations. The repeal takes effect immediately upon the bill's passage.

Requires associations to provide unit owners within thirty (30) days notice of any increase in the deductible application to the association’s policy.

Creates process for condominium associations to give notice to and obtain approval from unit mortgage holders for certain association actions by mailing a written request for approval to the unit mortgagees via regular and certified mail.

Maddy summarySB 950 creates a new felony offense for attempting to kidnap a minor. It defines this as taking any action toward kidnapping a minor (as defined in existing law) but failing to complete the act. Conviction carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. This law directly affects individuals who take steps toward kidnapping a minor but do not succeed in completing the crime.