Sen. Brian Thompson

Maddy summarySB 2185 creates a special license plate for vehicle owners to support the nonprofit charity Real Access Motivates Progress (a 501(c)(3) organization). The bill directly affects drivers who choose to purchase this plate instead of standard registration. It authorizes the state to issue the plate with the charity's name, allowing owners to contribute to the nonprofit through their vehicle registration fees.

Amends the composition of the Rhode Island school safety committee by adding an additional member who is a representative from the Rhode Island school Resource officer Association.

Creates rodent integrated pest management pilot programs for municipalities that choose to participate. Reports to be approved by the municipality's mayor or administrator and submitted to the department of environmental management.

Allows a police officer to be reemployed by a state agency or department for purposes of working a state-funded detail subject to certain restrictions.

Provides that all contractual provisions in a firefighters collective bargaining agreement continue until a successor agreement has been reached or an interest arbitration award has been rendered.

Provides that no train or light engine used in connection with the movement of freight be operated unless it had a crew consisting of at least 2 persons and includes the imposition of fines upon a company, individual or business for violations.

Bars the council from granting approval to create or expand a charter school beginning operations in 26-27 school year and bars the state from approving or appropriating funds to a new charter school not approved before July 1, 2025.

Ensures that more developmentally disabled adults can self-direct the care they need and want, by incorporating collective bargaining rights into the self-directed supports program.

Maddy summarySB 2453 allows cities and towns to create programs waiving interest on overdue property taxes for commercial properties. To qualify, taxpayers must own the commercial property for five years, provide written proof of timely tax payments for five years, and request the waiver within two years of the overdue bill. The waiver is capped at $500 per request, and local tax collectors must issue written decisions with appeal options to city councils. This bill enables local governments to adopt ordinances implementing this relief, directly affecting commercial property owners who fall behind on quarterly tax payments.

Maddy summarySB 2644 prohibits property owners from using private agreements in property deeds (restrictive covenants) to block the establishment of grocery stores. It directly affects property developers, homeowners' associations, and grocery store operators by removing a legal barrier to new grocery locations. The bill would require property agreements to allow grocery stores without special permission, ensuring new stores can open where such restrictions previously existed. This is a concrete policy change affecting real estate development rules, not a procedural measure.