Rep. Tom Noret

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the town of Coventry to split its property tax bill between residential and commercial properties based on a specific percentage set by the town council. Under the new rules, the town assessor will group properties into three categories, including single-family homes and small businesses, and adjust tax rates to ensure each group pays its assigned share of the total tax amount. The law applies retroactively starting December 31, 2025, allowing the town to implement this new tax structure for that period and beyond.

Maddy summaryHB 8046 establishes a uniform $70 fee for all court service requests, including writs, citations, and subpoenas. This bill directly affects individuals and organizations interacting with courts who must pay these service fees. The key provision sets a single fixed rate for all such court document services, replacing potentially varying fees. It does not change substantive law but standardizes a procedural cost. (1 sentence, as it's a procedural fee bill)

Amends the general law relative to right-of-way of pedestrians to reference the schedule of violations for the adjudication of traffic offenses contained in § 31.41.1-4.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the definitions used in Rhode Island's workers' compensation system, specifically clarifying who counts as an "employee" and "employer" for legal purposes. It expands the workers' compensation court's authority to manage cases for state employees and airport workers starting in July 2025, allowing the court to decide on issues like disability status and suitable job offers. The legislation also refines how "earnings capacity" is calculated, establishing rules for when an injured worker is presumed to have regained their ability to earn money, such as after successfully working light duty for at least 13 weeks. Additionally, it clarifies that corporate officers who were previously employees generally remain covered under the act unless specific waiver procedures are followed.

Amends the refiling process for rules and regulations under the administrative procedures act by implementing a confirmation and attestation system to confirm agency rules and regulations are active and effective.

Authorizes municipalities to make an emergency declaration under limited circumstances to allow for the construction and use of SAFE Units on a temporary basis which have specialized requirements and exemptions from the state fire and building codes.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends existing laws to make it a crime for individuals in the custody of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections to use force or weapons against correctional officers. Specifically, it prohibits inmates from resisting lawful requests or directives given by officers, while maintaining separate rules for resisting arrests by peace officers. Anyone found guilty of violating this provision could face a fine of up to $500, imprisonment for up to one year, or both. The law applies directly to people already held in correctional facilities and aims to establish clear consequences for physical resistance within those institutions.

Maddy summaryHB 8384 introduces "Casey's Law," which allows judges to impose stricter penalties on drivers convicted of misdemeanors or felonies if they are found to have acted out of "road rage." The bill defines road rage as intentionally aggressive, harassing, or dangerous behavior directed at other drivers or passengers on public roads. If a court determines beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime resulted from such behavior, the driver faces additional consequences, including mandatory fines, potential license suspension, and longer prison terms for felony offenses. All fines collected under this new provision must be placed into a dedicated fund to support public awareness campaigns about safe driving. This law does not create a new crime but rather adds enhanced sentencing options for existing offenses motivated by road rage.

That a special joint legislative commission be created consisting of 21 members and report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly no later than April 1, 2027, and said commission expires on June 1, 2027.

Extends provisions of an existing collective bargaining agreement for municipal police arbitration purposes until a successor agreement is reached or an interest arbitration award is rendered.