Provides that the commissioner of elementary and secondary education directs all local education agencies to select one of the identified high-quality curricula and materials for science and technology no later than June 30, 2026.
Provides that the “meetings” requirements from § 34-36.1-3.08 be applicable to condominiums created before July 1, 1982, and would permit remote participation in condominium meetings.
Makes certain technical amendments /clarifications to the statutes relating to the assessment of real property and the timing and process to appeals thereof.
Requires hotel employees and short-term rental property operators to annually receive human trafficking awareness training. The operator of the premises shall maintain records of the completed training.
Maddy summarySB 520 simplifies the process for voters who are indefinitely confined due to illness or disability, or long-term nursing home residents, to automatically receive mail ballots for every election. It allows these voters to apply by signing an affidavit (submitted online via a secretary of state portal or by mail), with the secretary of state maintaining a central list of eligible voters in the voter registration system. Voters must notify local officials if they no longer qualify, leading to removal from the list within five days. The bill also includes a temporary provision (expiring December 2025) enabling eligible disabled voters to return mail ballots electronically, meeting federal accessibility standards.
Maddy summarySB 318 establishes new procedures for Rhode Island to procure energy infrastructure, including transmission for nuclear power, large-scale hydroelectric power, and renewable resources like offshore wind. It authorizes state agencies and utilities to jointly issue competitive solicitations for regional transmission projects and natural gas pipeline capacity to improve energy reliability and security for ratepayers. The bill requires cost-benefit analyses for ratepayer impacts and mandates public utility commission review before binding commitments are made. This affects electric and gas utilities, ratepayers, and regional energy planning entities by creating a structured process for evaluating infrastructure projects.
Authorizes the town of West Warwick to issue not more than $71,000,000 bonds and notes to finance the acquisition, construction, improvement, renovation, furnishing and equipping of schools and school facilities.
Creates a process for licensure/oversight by DBR over the practices/procedures of virtual currency kiosk operators to prevent fraud related to the use of virtual currency kiosks, by establishing daily transaction limits and regulation of fees.
Maddy summarySB 1060 clarifies which police and firefighters are covered under Rhode Island's workers' compensation system. It specifies that sworn employees of city, town, or regional school district police and fire departments (outside Providence) are generally **not** covered by standard workers' comp benefits for work-related injuries. However, it explicitly includes members of the Rhode Island airport's police and aircraft rescue firefighting (ARFF) units in coverage. The bill also updates definitions related to earnings capacity and disability determinations but does not change coverage for most other workers. This change primarily affects local public safety employees' access to workers' comp benefits for job-related injuries.
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 1164), not a policy bill. It formally congratulates Dr. Rosemary Costigan on her appointment as the sixth President of the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), noting she is the first alumna and second woman to hold this role. The resolution highlights her career path as a CCRI nursing graduate, faculty member, and interim president, including her leadership during a period of institutional growth. It contains no policy changes, funding, or obligations - it is purely an honorary gesture to recognize her appointment and achievements. The Senate passed it on June 21, 2025, directing the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to Dr. Costigan.
