Rep. Susan Donovan

Authorizes the Town of Portsmouth to issue bonds and notes in amount not exceeding $41,000,000 to finance construction, additions, renovation, improvement, alteration, repair, furnishing and equipping of schools and school facilities throughout the town.

Maddy summaryHB 7642 modifies appeal fee requirements for district court decisions. It requires a $50 attorney fee plus a $75 filing fee (including processing and technology fees) for most civil appeals filed within two days. Landlord-tenant appeals have a five-day window with the same fee structure. This directly affects individuals or entities appealing district court judgments in civil cases, as they must now pay these specific fees to initiate an appeal. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 7643 simplifies small claims and consumer court appeal procedures by changing filing fees and clarifying rules. It increases the maximum amount for compulsory counterclaims from $2,500 to $5,000 and requires a $75 appeal fee (including processing fees), with $20 of that fee directed to a new "small claims mediation fund" for court mediation services. The bill also specifies that in consumer cases where a defendant defaults (fails to respond), the judgment becomes final and the defendant loses all appeal rights. This affects individuals and businesses involved in small claims or consumer disputes handled by district courts, effective January 1, 2027.

Establishes enforcement limitations on contract terms for the licensing of electronic books or digital audiobooks to libraries to preclude the library from being subject to unfair sales practices.

Maddy summaryHB 7183 requires owners of large Rhode Island buildings (25,000+ gross square feet) to annually track and report energy use, water consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions using the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool. Buildings over 50,000 sq ft must report starting May 15, 2028, while those between 25,000-49,999 sq ft begin reporting May 15, 2030. The Office of Energy Resources will collect this data, publish it publicly to increase market transparency, and host annual information sessions for building owners. Exemptions are available for unoccupied properties, ongoing demolition, or lack of energy service during the reporting year.

Maddy summaryHB 7046 exempts Blithewold, Inc.'s real and tangible personal property located at 101 Ferry Road in Bristol, Rhode Island, from local property taxation. The bill amends Rhode Island's property tax law (Section 44-3-3) to add this specific exemption to the existing list of tax-exempt properties. This change directly affects Blithewold, Inc., a nonprofit organization operating at that address, by removing its property tax obligation. The exemption applies to all real and personal property owned by the organization, as specified in the bill's official abstract.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Joseph Couto to legally marry Brandon Kemmy and Jacqueline Manousos in Tiverton, Rhode Island, on or around August 2, 2026. It grants Couto the specific legal power to perform this ceremony under the state's existing marriage laws, overriding any other conflicting regulations. The act becomes effective immediately upon passing through the legislature. This legislation is a procedural measure that facilitates a single, specific wedding event rather than changing broader marriage laws.

Maddy summaryHB 7547 expands the state's crime victim compensation program to allow victims of stalking to recover costs for relocation or home modifications (like security upgrades) as emergency expenses. It directly affects stalking victims who need immediate safety measures after an incident. The bill amends existing law to explicitly include these expenses under Section 12-25-21(7), while removing larceny and certain other offenses from compensable categories. This change takes effect upon passage, making these specific costs eligible for reimbursement through the existing program.

Allows any member of a federally recognized Indian tribe located in Rhode Island to receive recreational freshwater and saltwater fishing licenses free of charge.

Commencing January 1, 2027, mandates insurers provide health insurance coverage without cost-share requirements for vaccinations recommended by the DOH and mandates the coverage for the medical assistance program and managed care organizations.