Rep. Charlene Lima

Maddy summaryHB 8437 changes how veterans receive tax relief in the city of Cranston by converting a property tax exemption into a tax credit. Under this new provision, eligible veterans and their unmarried widows or widowers will receive a credit of up to $182.90 per year instead of having $3,000 removed from their property value. This adjustment is designed to be updated every three years based on property revaluations and changes in the consumer price index. The bill directly affects military service members who served honorably in various conflicts and the surviving spouses of those who have passed away.

Authorizes veterinarians to establish a client-patient relationship through electronic means, subject to limitations and requirements such as Vet making a good faith effort to determine if care should be provided through telemedicine instead of in person.

Authorizes the city of Providence to issue not more than $25,000,000 in general obligation bonds and notes to fund the providence housing trust fund to finance affordable multi-family housing projects in the city.

Amends the regulations on the cancellation and renewal of liability and property damage insurance for automobiles, homeowners insurance, residential fire insurance and components thereof.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors Representative Patricia A. Serpa for her nineteen years of service to the people of Rhode Island. It recognizes her legislative work, community leadership, and recent announcement that she will not seek reelection. The House formally thanks her for her dedication to public service and directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to her.

Maddy summaryHB 7083 would allow the city of Cranston to create a dedicated housing division within its municipal court. This division would handle cases involving violations of local housing rules, including zoning, minimum housing standards, building codes, and property maintenance regulations. The housing division could impose fines up to $500 or 30 days in jail for these violations and would hear cases separately from other municipal court matters. Appeals from housing division decisions would go to the district court, not the superior court. This change directly affects Cranston residents and property owners who face housing code enforcement actions.

Maddy summaryHB 7815 requires hospitals and blood banks to accommodate autologous (donating one's own blood for personal future medical procedures) and direct (donating blood specifically for another person's future procedure) blood donations when ordered by a healthcare provider. Hospitals must allow these donations if they perform blood donations, and blood banks must comply with provider orders unless health risks prevent donation. Blood banks may charge their standard fees for facilitating the donation and storing the blood until it's used. This bill directly affects patients needing future procedures, healthcare facilities, and blood banks, implementing clear rules for these donation types under the Department of Health's oversight.

Prohibits any city, town, quasi-municipal corporation or public corporation from assessing any existing agricultural operation or agricultural land for the extension of any water utilities past the property and from imposing any connection fee.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially designates June 2026 as Portuguese American Heritage Month in Rhode Island to honor the state's Portuguese community. It recognizes the group's historical contributions to the state's economy, culture, and public service, as well as key landmarks like the Our Lady of the Rosary Church. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the proclamation to state officials, Portuguese government leaders, and local organizations.

Maddy summaryHB 7702 modifies Rhode Island's personal income tax calculation by adding back certain federal tax exclusions to residents' adjusted gross income. It specifically requires adding nonqualified withdrawals from tuition savings programs (e.g., withdrawals not used for education costs) and federal PPP loan forgiveness exceeding $250,000. The bill also allows a deduction of up to $500 ($1,000 for joint filers) for contributions to Rhode Island's tuition savings program, subject to limits like excluding rollovers or non-participant contributions. This directly affects residents using tuition savings accounts or receiving federal stimulus funds, altering their taxable income for state tax purposes.