Maddy summarySB 329 creates a new 3% tax rate on Rhode Island taxable income exceeding $625,000 (adjusted for inflation starting in 2025 dollars). This additional tax applies only to high-income earners - specifically individuals and households with income above that threshold - and takes effect for tax years beginning in 2026 or later, with no retroactive application. The bill amends Rhode Island’s existing personal income tax code to add this rate to the current progressive brackets, which already tax higher incomes at up to 9.9%. It directly affects residents and nonresidents with significant earnings, while leaving lower-income tax brackets unchanged. The measure is currently pending further study after a committee recommended holding it for additional review.
Sponsored bills
Mandates public schools (K-12) have one full-time certified social worker for every 250 students and allocates $2 million in the Fiscal Year 2025 budget for school districts and municipalities to hire additional social workers.
Requires the EOHHS to amend the state Medicaid plan and secure sufficient state general revenue to increase Medicaid payment rates to an amount equal to one hundred thirty percent (130%) of Medicare rates for outpatient clinical pediatric services.
Maddy summaryThis resolution designates May 2025 as "National Speech-Language-Hearing Month" in Rhode Island to raise public awareness about communication disorders. It urges the Department of Human Services to conduct hearing screenings and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to encourage schools and professionals to participate in awareness activities. The resolution is symbolic and does not create new laws or funding.
Mandates all insurance contracts, plans or policies provide insurance coverage for the expense of diagnosing and treating infertility, for women between the ages of 25 and 42 years including preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) in conjunction with IVF.
Caps delinquent tax interest rate at 12%. Prohibits audits beyond 3 years from date of tax filing, 7 years for fraudulent filings, and in no event beyond 10 years from date of filing or required filing date, whichever is later.
Maddy summarySB 185 mandates large electric and gas utility companies (over 100,000 customers) to establish an income-sensitive tiered payment program for residential customers whose household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. This program aims to make home energy costs more affordable by ensuring eligible households pay no more than a fixed percentage of their income for utilities. It includes fixed monthly payments and a 24-month plan for forgiving prior unpaid bills. The costs of these discounts and related administration will be covered by all other utility customers through adjustments to their rates, as determined by the Public Utilities Commission.
Increases the income range up to fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) and tax credit up to eight hundred fifty dollars ($850), for elderly and disabled persons who own or rent their homes.
Maddy summarySB 110, known as "The Rhode Island Family Caregiver Tax Credit Act," establishes a state income tax credit for eligible Rhode Island resident taxpayers. The bill allows a credit of 50% of certain uncompensated expenses, up to a maximum of $1,000, incurred for the care and support of a qualifying family member. Eligible family members must be at least 65 years old or have a disability, require assistance with daily activities, and reside with the caregiver for at least six months. This credit, which cannot reduce tax liability below zero, is intended to help relieve the financial burden on family caregivers and applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.
Allows unpaid fines for violations of municipal ordinances to be recorded as alien in the land records, where the violating real property is located. The lien would be added to amount of real estate taxes owed on the property at issue.