Sen. Sam Bell

Maddy summarySB 229 repeals the legal authorization for "deferred-deposit transactions," commonly known as payday loans, by removing the specific definition that allowed these services in the state. This directly affects payday lenders operating within the state, ending their ability to legally offer short-term cash advances secured by personal checks or future account debits. The bill eliminates the regulatory framework enabling these transactions, which were previously defined under "deferred-deposit transactions" and "payday loans" in the licensing statutes. The law was signed by the governor on July 1, 2025, making it effective immediately.

Requires the board of regents to adopt support and intervention strategies consistent with Comprehensive Education Strategy and SALT in one district at a time.

Restricts audits of pharmacists conducted by insurers and their intermediaries, limiting audits to one per year unless fraud or misrepresentation is reasonably suspected. The RI attorney general has the authority to impose sanctions for violations.

Maddy summarySB 476 removes a 3-month supply limit for initial contraceptive prescriptions dispensed by pharmacists in Rhode Island. This change directly affects patients seeking first-time hormonal contraceptive access through pharmacies, allowing pharmacists to prescribe longer initial supplies. The bill also requires pharmacists to complete specific training, provide patient risk assessments, and notify primary care providers, while maintaining insurance coverage requirements for these contraceptives. The law took effect on June 30, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summarySB 843 allows property owners with eligible net-metering systems connected to a master meter to allocate excess electricity credits to any individual meter on the same property. This directly affects property owners with solar or renewable energy systems who generate more electricity than they use. The bill specifies that credits can be distributed to any metered account (like residential, commercial, or low-income housing units) without restrictions on the number of meters, as long as the system meets eligibility requirements. It also clarifies that community remote net-metering systems must allocate at least 50% of credits to eligible low-income housing or other designated accounts. The policy change simplifies how excess energy credits are shared across multiple accounts on a single property.

Prohibits any health insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, manufacturer or other third-party payor from discriminating against any 340B entity participating in a drug discount program.

Repeals the required HIV testing for an individual convicted under chapter 34.1 of title 11 and allows the option for HIV testing for any person convicted under this chapter.

Prohibits the declawing of cats by any surgical procedure to amputate or modify a portion of a cat's paw in order to remove the cat's claws. Does not apply to any procedure performed for a therapeutic purpose.

Maddy summarySB 497 exempts the real and tangible personal property of the Center for Southeast Asians from local property taxes. This bill amends Rhode Island's tax code to add the Center specifically to the list of exempt properties under Section 44-3-3. The exemption applies directly to the Center's buildings, land, and other physical assets used for its operations. No other properties or organizations are affected by this change, and the bill does not alter existing tax rates or broader exemption rules. The legislation was signed into law on June 26, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 721 repeals the law that established the Capital Center Commission, a special development district commission for downtown Providence, Rhode Island. This bill removes the legal framework that allowed the commission to manage development, levy special assessments on property owners, and oversee projects like parking, streetscapes, and public services in the downtown area. The repeal directly affects the commission itself, ending its authority to operate under the existing statute. The bill does not create new policy but formally dissolves the commission's governing structure.