Maddy summaryThis bill updates the schedule for the Foster-Glocester regional school district's annual financial meeting, moving the date to March 24, 2026, and establishing that future meetings will occur on the third Tuesday in March each year. The legislation directly affects residents of Foster and Gloucester who are eligible to vote at these financial town meetings, ensuring they can participate in district budget decisions. Key provisions include setting a specific time and location for the meeting and allowing special meetings to be called by vote of the regional school district committee. The act also clarifies that all voters qualified for the preceding financial meeting in both towns may attend and vote at the regional school district financial meeting.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill amends state law to allow the town of Glocester to offer expanded property tax credits and exemptions for elderly and disabled homeowners. It authorizes the town council to create a base exemption of up to $2,070 for owners aged 65 or older or those with permanent disabilities, with annual adjustments based on the consumer price index. The legislation also permits additional credits for residents over 80, variable income limits for certain applicants, and a minimum annual tax payment requirement. These changes would apply uniformly to qualified owner-occupants and would be administered through town ordinances following specific eligibility verification processes.
Provides the tax administration may prescribe regulations requiring returns of information to be made and filed on or before Feb 28 of each year consistent with applicable thresholds for information filings under the federal Internal Revenue Code.
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.
Strengthens school security measures, including the establishment of a RI school emergency response committee to develop additional recommendations for school security measures and requiring an annual school safety assessment by all school districts.
Defines "military-connected student" and permits military-connected students to enroll by remote registration upon presentation of military orders confirming the parent or guardian be stationed in this state during the current or following school year.
Maddy summaryHB 7071 would prohibit importing, transporting, selling, distributing, or possessing non-native invasive plant species in Rhode Island. It directly affects businesses and individuals handling these plants, including nurseries, landscapers, and residents. Violations could result in fines up to $500, with the state director defining which plants are prohibited. The law would take effect on January 1, 2027, pending final rulemaking.
Maddy summaryHB 7568 allows cities or towns to waive interest on overdue property tax payments for commercial or residential properties, but only under strict conditions. To qualify, property owners must have owned the property for five years, made all tax payments on time for five years, submit a written request, and have the overdue bill issued within two years. The waiver covers interest only (not the tax amount itself), with a maximum reduction of $500 per request. Local governments must create ordinances to implement this, and decisions must be documented with a notice to the city council. The bill does not change tax rates or obligations but provides limited relief for late payments meeting specific criteria.
Makes it a felony for any person to remove or attempt to remove any firearm or other weapon or any communication device from any peace officer or investigator of the department of attorney general.
Maddy summaryHB 7666 authorizes Paul J. Rao to officiate the marriage of Spencer Rao and Michaela Smith in Foster, Rhode Island, on or about June 20, 2026. The bill specifically permits this single marriage ceremony under existing state marriage laws (Chapter 3 of Title 15), overriding any conflicting provisions. It directly affects Paul J. Rao (as officiant) and Spencer Rao and Michaela Smith (as the marrying couple) within Foster. The bill is procedural, with no broader policy impact beyond this specific event. It takes effect upon passage.