Sen. Tiara Mack

Maddy summarySB 2047 clarifies the legal definitions of criminal offenses by adjusting imprisonment thresholds. It redefines a felony as any offense punishable by more than 364 days in jail (previously one year), a misdemeanor as 6 months to 364 days (previously up to one year), and specifies petty misdemeanors and violations with updated fine limits. This bill directly affects all criminal cases classified under these categories in the state's legal system, ensuring consistent application of sentencing terms. The change takes effect immediately upon passage.

Exempts certain urban and small farmers from sales taxes, real, tangible and personal property taxes and income taxes. This act would also define urban and small farmers and urban farmland.

Creates a 16-member commission to study current condominium law and provide recommendations for improvements, and who would report back to the General Assembly by December 31, 2027, and would expire on March 15, 2028.

Maddy summarySB 2480 makes traffic accident data publicly accessible as a public record, subject to restrictions under federal law (23 U.S.C. § 407). Public bodies must provide written notice of these federal usage restrictions when releasing the data. The bill does not change federal law but requires government entities to make this data available to the public while prohibiting its use for purposes banned by the federal statute. This directly affects citizens seeking traffic accident information and government agencies managing public records.

Authorizes the city of Providence to issue not more than $25,000,000 in general obligation bonds and notes to fund the providence housing trust fund to finance affordable multi-family housing projects in the city.

Amends the regulations on the cancellation and renewal of liability and property damage insurance for automobiles, homeowners insurance, residential fire insurance and components thereof.

Maddy summarySB 2394 adopts the Uniform Partition of Heirs' Property Act to streamline how courts handle division of family-owned real estate. It directly affects co-owners (cotenants) of "heirs' property" - real estate held jointly by relatives (e.g., 20%+ family members owning interests) - without clear ownership agreements. Key provisions require courts to determine property value via appraisal or agreement, allow cotenants to buy out others who want to sell, and mandate posting notices on the property. The law takes effect for new cases filed after January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires licensed alcohol retailers to provide drink lids to customers upon request to help prevent drink spiking. The law mandates that businesses post a specific notice informing patrons about the availability of lids and instructs them to ask staff for details. Retailers may charge a reasonable fee for the lids based on wholesale costs, though they are also allowed to offer them for free. For the first violation of this requirement, including failure to post the notice, the penalty is limited to a warning from the regulatory department.

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.

Amends certain provisions relative to school waste recycling and refuse disposal and requires reports of waste audits by educational entities and reports of program participation by vendors.